kylaeduff's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Blood, and Excrement
Minor: Excrement, Death, Mental illness, Gore, Gun violence, Medical content, Murder, Vomit, and Violence
lizziaha's review against another edition
adventurous
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
Having read the book now, I think the comparison to The Princess Bride holds up, specifically in the tone of the story (along with certain plot points). Unfortunately, I wasn’t as sold on the romance. But other aspects of the story were certainly compelling: the piracy, the spores and the sprouting, the secret king’s assassin, the zombie. Fun read overall.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Trafficking, Blood, and Violence
Minor: Classism, Fatphobia, Ableism, and Excrement
myhandmadehell's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
Normally I don’t write reviews for Sanderson’s works because I don’t feel I have much to add to the plethora of other commentary you can find wherever you look. I don’t have a lot to add here either but I wanted to rave a bit. This book is so sweet, funny, cozy (while still being adventurous and frightening at times), hopeful, and overall: EXTREMELY cool. As with any Sanderson book, the world building and magic system are incredibly creative, intriguing, and immersive. Tress may be my favorite book heroine of all time. The voice of the book in its entirety was a delight to read: not too schlocky, just enough schlock to be laugh out loud funny. I feel like I could take on the world after reading it. (Right after I nap, because, as may be appropriate for a book borne out of inspiration from The Princess Bride, I read this whole book while sick.)
5 stars forever. I want more books in this world, Brandon! There’s like 9 seas we haven’t seen yet!
Oh and this edition? Unbelievably gorgeous. Howard Lyons’s illustrations were absolutely breathtaking. Reading this edition made the reading experience that much more special.
5 stars forever. I want more books in this world, Brandon! There’s like 9 seas we haven’t seen yet!
Oh and this edition? Unbelievably gorgeous. Howard Lyons’s illustrations were absolutely breathtaking. Reading this edition made the reading experience that much more special.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, and Violence
Minor: Kidnapping, Vomit, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Gore
mbmayo's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This was a really fun found-family story about a girl setting out on a quest to rescue her childhood best friend (who is also her true love) from The Sorceress. I have not read any Sanderson before, because I associated him with The Wheel of Time series, and that type of epic is not my cup of tea. I'm glad I picked this up, and can assure you that it is just as delightful even if you have no idea what the cosmere is. The setting of the spore seas was particularly fun, and I loved many of the begrudging pirate crew, especially Ulaam. Tress tinkering with the spores to solve various problems was also fun to see.
I did have some trouble with the narrative style in the first third of the book. The narrator would stop at points and scold the reader for thinking certain things, or having an expectation of what might come next. But, I was never thinking what I was being scolded for and it just annoyed me. Thankfully, that tapered off after the first third or so (If I still had the book, I would pull an example quote, but it has already been returned to the library.)
The character of Ann also sometimes had an accent and sometimes didn't, which annoyed me a little.
I did have some trouble with the narrative style in the first third of the book. The narrator would stop at points and scold the reader for thinking certain things, or having an expectation of what might come next. But, I was never thinking what I was being scolded for and it just annoyed me. Thankfully, that tapered off after the first third or so (If I still had the book, I would pull an example quote, but it has already been returned to the library.)
The character of Ann also sometimes had an accent and sometimes didn't, which annoyed me a little.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror
Moderate: Gore, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Violence, Abandonment, and Confinement
hectoralvf_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Gore and Blood
tinyelfarcanist's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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? No
5.0
An outstanding start for The Year of Sanderson.
Tress is one of the most sensible heroines you'll find in YA. She seeks help, talks openly with her parents, and admits when she's scared. She also goes on a suicidal mission for the man she loves, but that's love for you.
This book features beautiful relationships (romantic or otherwise), tons of adventure, and FEELINGS. Even deaths that should have been insubstantial pack a punch. Also, as expected from Sanderson's fantasy novels, a fascinating and innovative magic system. You may need to have read other of his books (The Way of Kings, Elantris) to appreciate it fully.
I LOVED the fairytale vibes. It's no coincidence that it was inspired by one of my favourite books of all time: The Princess Bride. This book has some of the most beautiful prose I've ever read. It's funny, it's witty, and full of insightful lessons. I kept highlighting passage after passage. I hope Sanderson keeps exploring this narrator.
Tress is one of the most sensible heroines you'll find in YA. She seeks help, talks openly with her parents, and admits when she's scared. She also goes on a suicidal mission for the man she loves, but that's love for you.
This book features beautiful relationships (romantic or otherwise), tons of adventure, and FEELINGS. Even deaths that should have been insubstantial pack a punch. Also, as expected from Sanderson's fantasy novels, a fascinating and innovative magic system. You may need to have read other of his books (The Way of Kings, Elantris) to appreciate it fully.
I LOVED the fairytale vibes. It's no coincidence that it was inspired by one of my favourite books of all time: The Princess Bride. This book has some of the most beautiful prose I've ever read. It's funny, it's witty, and full of insightful lessons. I kept highlighting passage after passage. I hope Sanderson keeps exploring this narrator.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gun violence, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Classism, Ableism, and Chronic illness
Minor: Medical content, Alcohol, Bullying, Slavery, Vomit, Terminal illness, and Torture
awaterswadesthrough's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: War, Trafficking, Slavery, and Gore
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