robotnik's review against another edition

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slow-paced

3.0

I SEE TRISTAN IS STILL A LITTLE BITCH, EVEN WHEN HE WAS A TEENAGER.

It was so nice going back into this world. It's been a hot minute since I've read Emperor Mage, which is the book that much of this book takes from but a lot of it started coming back to me as the book progressed. Emperor Mage was always my favourite of Daine's books too.

I think the big thing I wanted to say in regardless to that is that I feel this isn't the book for anyone who hasn't read Emperor Mage and the rest of the Immortals quartet. This is, of course, a prequel where Numair (or Arram as he's currently called) is attending the University of Carthak (which does not rip off Harry Potter in any way, an opinion I've seen more than once. Hogwarts isn't the only magic school out there, and the University of Carthak comes from a series that predates Harry Potter, thanks for coming to my tedtalk). There are a whole ton of references that made me go "oooooooh" as someone who's read the previous books. From the relationship between Arram, Ozorne and Varice to the Stormwing statue to the animal gods and so much more. All of these things would be lost on a new reader and honestly mean nothing to them, particularly if they have no interest in going into the Immortals later.

That, coupled with the fact that 99% of this book is just Arram's day-to-day life at school rather than a proper plot, would likely turn off new readers. I admit, it was boring at times. Not always, but at times.

There's no big climax to this, but this feels like a setup to something bigger. Knowing how the world state is ten years later, I'm thinking that's the correct idea.

If you've read the previous Pierce books in Tortall? Recommended. It's fun going back and seeing Numair when he's younger. If you haven't read the Tortall books, particularly the Immortals, this is honestly probably a skip.

I still liked it, though. 

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mdizzy's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted mysterious relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

Loved the audiobook edition just as much as the book! Ariadne Meyers is now on my list of favorite narrators.

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swift_r10's review against another edition

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dark slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5


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goldenlake's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


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wordswritinstarlight's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5


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thaliareads's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This was such a fun read. I really liked seeing Numeir's history. It was a bit slow at first , and that actually kept me from finishing it the first few times I started. Now that I've actually finished it, I'm curious to see how it continues in the next book when it's out. 

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annapox's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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auberginehayz's review against another edition

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adventurous reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

Tamora Pierce's writing is so comforting and her characters so relatable and lovable. I enjoyed this prequel book and the diverse characters introduced in it. It is a bit slow paced though, perhaps because it is a prequel I am champing for the dramatic stuff that I know has to happen!

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rhi_'s review against another edition

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adventurous slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.0


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redkeys's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

the dramatic irony! the foreshadowing! so far casting the events of the immortals series in a much deeper light; excited for more.

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