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sundragonscrolls's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Tropes:
*post-apocalyptic survival
*reluctant hero
*found family
*epic quest
Triggers:
*Violence
*Trauma
Language: Minimal
Spice: 2 out of 5
***I read this as a standalone not realizing it was part of a series.
Tegan, once a minor character in the earlier books, takes the spotlight in book 4. Tegan sets off on a quest with one word as her guide; a word spoken by her mentor on his deathbed. On her journey, she runs into Szarok, the vanguard for his people set out to find a new location for his people to settle. Tegan and Morrow join up and travel together.
Reading this as a standalone versus as book four, it was a decent read and the story comes full circle giving closure at the end. There is a lot of focus on the relationship between Tegan and Szarok with a focus on the emotional aspect of the relationship. I enjoyed the journey the two embark on that has its slower character development with the fast pace of action that happens along the journey.
Overall Rating 7/10 or 3/5 stars
plot: .5
pacing: 1
themes: 1
setting: .5
originality: .5
characters: .5
writing style: 1
emotional impact: .5
ending: 1
overall enjoyment: .5
*post-apocalyptic survival
*reluctant hero
*found family
*epic quest
Triggers:
*Violence
*Trauma
Language: Minimal
Spice: 2 out of 5
***I read this as a standalone not realizing it was part of a series.
Tegan, once a minor character in the earlier books, takes the spotlight in book 4. Tegan sets off on a quest with one word as her guide; a word spoken by her mentor on his deathbed. On her journey, she runs into Szarok, the vanguard for his people set out to find a new location for his people to settle. Tegan and Morrow join up and travel together.
Reading this as a standalone versus as book four, it was a decent read and the story comes full circle giving closure at the end. There is a lot of focus on the relationship between Tegan and Szarok with a focus on the emotional aspect of the relationship. I enjoyed the journey the two embark on that has its slower character development with the fast pace of action that happens along the journey.
Overall Rating 7/10 or 3/5 stars
plot: .5
pacing: 1
themes: 1
setting: .5
originality: .5
characters: .5
writing style: 1
emotional impact: .5
ending: 1
overall enjoyment: .5
anballielliott's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
rgyger's review against another edition
2.0
When I first saw this, I was super excited to see an addition to the series. However, it did not live up to my hopes. As with the other books, what had made the first one so amazing gradually declined until it was almost nonexistent in this one (That being the conflict with the freaks and the ruins of the cities that set an interesting environment), and replaced it with things I didn't care for (like almost constant make-out sessions).
jenniferreads2's review against another edition
5.0
A perfect story. I truly love these characters and wish there were more books. But this story was a perfect wrap up
mellabella's review against another edition
3.0
I put this book down for months. I'm glad I picked it back up. After I picked it up, it picked up.
However long ago I read the Razorland trilogy, this was a nice followup.
I do wish the whole book was from Tegan or Szarok's point of view. I liked the narration from the ship. But just didn't care about Morrow or Millie for whatever reason. Morrow seemed arrogant. Millie... Eh. There is a good supporting cast of characters that I would have loved to hear from (the captain, her first mate/lover), Khamish, etc.
I need to see a sketch of Szarok. Because I can't picture Tegan falling in love with what I was picturing while reading the whole series.
This is almost leaning towards a 4 star read for me. Almost. But, 3.5 stars.
However long ago I read the Razorland trilogy, this was a nice followup.
I do wish the whole book was from Tegan or Szarok's point of view. I liked the narration from the ship. But just didn't care about Morrow or Millie for whatever reason. Morrow seemed arrogant. Millie... Eh. There is a good supporting cast of characters that I would have loved to hear from (the captain, her first mate/lover), Khamish, etc.
I need to see a sketch of Szarok. Because I can't picture Tegan falling in love with what I was picturing while reading the whole series.
This is almost leaning towards a 4 star read for me. Almost. But, 3.5 stars.
tensy's review against another edition
2.0
Aguirre can tell a good story for the YA crowd. This is definitely written with that audience in mind and while I normally don't read Fantasy fiction, I have enjoyed her more traditional sci-fi novels.
She develops strong female characters and I would highly recommend this series to teen female readers who will like the duo romantic story lines.
She develops strong female characters and I would highly recommend this series to teen female readers who will like the duo romantic story lines.
daisyl's review against another edition
3.0
This was a hard book to get through. Not nearly as good as the first 3 in the series.
jackyobrien6's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
chelseavbc's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.
It’s been several years since I read the original Razorland trilogy, but still when someone brings up Enclave I can’t wait to talk about the fascinating worldbuilding and character arcs Ann Aguirre crafted in this YA post-apocalyptic series. So it’s probably not a shock that I was thrilled to see another book in the same world. While you’ll see Vanguard listed as Razorland #4, it’s truly a companion novel. While reading the trilogy first will enhance your enjoyment of this one, it isn’t really necessary. Aguirre hits the details of the past to catch you up, but keeps her focus on her main characters and their journeys.
Those character journeys are what make Vanguard sing. Tegan was a secondary character in the original series. Now time has passed, and she’s been apprenticing as a healer. The Uroch and the remaining humans are coexisting, but it isn’t a smooth relationship. Szarok acts as the go-between for the Uroch and the humans. He’s on a mission to find a place his people can call home, but the human settlements still aren’t welcoming. The Freaks of the earlier Razorland books look like the Uroch. They were the Uroch until they were awakened. They helped defeat the horde and save everyone, but the divide is still strong. Szarok’s people hate the humans and are continually tempted to go to war to claim back what was theirs. The humans see the faces of people who killed so many of their kind.
If you want to know where this is going, I’ve got you: enemies to lovers.
For those not in the know, enemies to lovers is my absolute favorite romance trope. It’s delightful to see it blossom set against a recovering dystopia. Tegan has zero issues with the Uroch, and is welcoming when Szarok unwittingly becomes a travel companion. He, on the other hand, is constantly concerned that people will treat him poorly and cast judgment when they see him. He avoids speaking his native language, he wears a cloak to cover his head. Tegan doesn’t see the big deal. Over time, Szarok starts to see her bravery and sincerity as something real.
The more time the two spend together, the more clear it is that they are alike. …and the more they try to avoid admitting it. When they finally cave, it’s glorious. First kiss scenes are heady affairs when done correctly, all tension and restraint and, eventually, explosions. You know what makes that even better? When the heroine has to teach the hero the concept of kissing as well as the act. This added layer of “is this right” and “does he/she like this” takes the scene to a whole other level.
I’d say more, but I try to avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say, if you like a hero’s journey tale with a dash of enemies to lovers and kissing scenes that will curl your toes, Vanguard is for you.
It’s been several years since I read the original Razorland trilogy, but still when someone brings up Enclave I can’t wait to talk about the fascinating worldbuilding and character arcs Ann Aguirre crafted in this YA post-apocalyptic series. So it’s probably not a shock that I was thrilled to see another book in the same world. While you’ll see Vanguard listed as Razorland #4, it’s truly a companion novel. While reading the trilogy first will enhance your enjoyment of this one, it isn’t really necessary. Aguirre hits the details of the past to catch you up, but keeps her focus on her main characters and their journeys.
Those character journeys are what make Vanguard sing. Tegan was a secondary character in the original series. Now time has passed, and she’s been apprenticing as a healer. The Uroch and the remaining humans are coexisting, but it isn’t a smooth relationship. Szarok acts as the go-between for the Uroch and the humans. He’s on a mission to find a place his people can call home, but the human settlements still aren’t welcoming. The Freaks of the earlier Razorland books look like the Uroch. They were the Uroch until they were awakened. They helped defeat the horde and save everyone, but the divide is still strong. Szarok’s people hate the humans and are continually tempted to go to war to claim back what was theirs. The humans see the faces of people who killed so many of their kind.
If you want to know where this is going, I’ve got you: enemies to lovers.
For those not in the know, enemies to lovers is my absolute favorite romance trope. It’s delightful to see it blossom set against a recovering dystopia. Tegan has zero issues with the Uroch, and is welcoming when Szarok unwittingly becomes a travel companion. He, on the other hand, is constantly concerned that people will treat him poorly and cast judgment when they see him. He avoids speaking his native language, he wears a cloak to cover his head. Tegan doesn’t see the big deal. Over time, Szarok starts to see her bravery and sincerity as something real.
The more time the two spend together, the more clear it is that they are alike. …and the more they try to avoid admitting it. When they finally cave, it’s glorious. First kiss scenes are heady affairs when done correctly, all tension and restraint and, eventually, explosions. You know what makes that even better? When the heroine has to teach the hero the concept of kissing as well as the act. This added layer of “is this right” and “does he/she like this” takes the scene to a whole other level.
I’d say more, but I try to avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say, if you like a hero’s journey tale with a dash of enemies to lovers and kissing scenes that will curl your toes, Vanguard is for you.
randomly_kait's review against another edition
5.0
I feel like it's been a while since the last time that I rated something 5 stars, but this book definitely deserved it.