The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
fatimareadsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A very quick, yet enjoyable read! The plot and pacing were perfect, and the characters were very lovable and dimensional! Especially loved the protagonist, Lera - her character arc was wonderful! Also, the world was so detailed and well-explained, so kudos to the author for the amazing world-building!
_winterwriter's review against another edition
2.0
well, I was enjoying that before the “end”
Is it written well? No. Is there character development? Also no. Is there plot? Another resounding no.
Still, I thought we were going somewhere. Instead, there’s a loose tease of a plot and then the book ends at 89%. I wasn’t even expecting an end and all of a sudden it was over. Like, there was no climax or fight or big resolve of the first book. It just ended.
I feel insulted as a reader. I was enjoying the characters enough, wondering where this story was going to pick up… and it was just over.
So many questions in my mind, and Lera (our main FMC) never asks any of them. No logical point to the things she wonders and the real questions she should be asking. We get some weird hint of the guys’ personalities, but it’s all useless and does not serve the plot in the slightest. The connection and insta love feels really fake and I’m super frustrated that there was barely any growth or relationship development. The action was sparsely described and left me disappointed.
Here’s my other annoyance: the use of first and third person. First person for Lera, third person for the boys (whose perspectives were completely useless and didn’t add anything to the story except for them to mention their hardening cocks at the pretty new mortal in their quint). Seriously. Each one of them mentioned it. And for a RH that liberally used the word cock, the spice was barely above a 0.5 on my scale.
I am thoroughly disappointed and have no desire to continue this series. The change of writing was disorienting, there was no plot development, and the characters aren’t unique enough for me to put up with a dragging story with no greater plot interest.
Is it written well? No. Is there character development? Also no. Is there plot? Another resounding no.
Still, I thought we were going somewhere. Instead, there’s a loose tease of a plot and then the book ends at 89%. I wasn’t even expecting an end and all of a sudden it was over. Like, there was no climax or fight or big resolve of the first book. It just ended.
I feel insulted as a reader. I was enjoying the characters enough, wondering where this story was going to pick up… and it was just over.
So many questions in my mind, and Lera (our main FMC) never asks any of them. No logical point to the things she wonders and the real questions she should be asking. We get some weird hint of the guys’ personalities, but it’s all useless and does not serve the plot in the slightest. The connection and insta love feels really fake and I’m super frustrated that there was barely any growth or relationship development. The action was sparsely described and left me disappointed.
Here’s my other annoyance: the use of first and third person. First person for Lera, third person for the boys (whose perspectives were completely useless and didn’t add anything to the story except for them to mention their hardening cocks at the pretty new mortal in their quint). Seriously. Each one of them mentioned it. And for a RH that liberally used the word cock, the spice was barely above a 0.5 on my scale.
I am thoroughly disappointed and have no desire to continue this series. The change of writing was disorienting, there was no plot development, and the characters aren’t unique enough for me to put up with a dragging story with no greater plot interest.
poereads's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
sarahmalov's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
fast-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
4.75
guardyourhonor's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Series review: Big ol' mixed bag, here.
Always start with the positives: I was really into them. They were fun to read and I'm sad not to spend any more time with them. The heroes are very distinct characters with personalities and backstories and identifiable voices and I really liked them all. The world is very fun and not just a standard version of Faerie. Honestly, 4.5 stars if purely based on enjoyment.
But on to the negatives:
I'll be upfront: the writing in the first book is bad. Dialogue is unrealistic and cringe, the characterization of Lera is all over the place, and the pacing is truly terrible - particularly the pacing of the relationships. It <i>does</i> get better as the series goes on. All three issues even out the further into the series, thankfully. Unfortunately they do continue to call them 'her males' until the end of time, though, so just make peace with it.
The last three books - when the writing is on more solid footing - are like an entirely different series? In which the plotting is better I guess but also more frustrating narratively. Things dragged on too long and the whole point of reading reverse harem - the harem - is missing so it's a real shift from the first four. Maybe even just stop at the 4th, honestly.
But why, <b>why</b> are Lera's chapters in 1st person present tense and 'the males' voices in 3rd person past tense? It's bad and confusing and adds nothing, but Lidell sticks with it all the way through the series.
Also Leralynn is a stupid name and jarred me every time.
Always start with the positives: I was really into them. They were fun to read and I'm sad not to spend any more time with them. The heroes are very distinct characters with personalities and backstories and identifiable voices and I really liked them all. The world is very fun and not just a standard version of Faerie. Honestly, 4.5 stars if purely based on enjoyment.
But on to the negatives:
I'll be upfront: the writing in the first book is bad. Dialogue is unrealistic and cringe, the characterization of Lera is all over the place, and the pacing is truly terrible - particularly the pacing of the relationships. It <i>does</i> get better as the series goes on. All three issues even out the further into the series, thankfully. Unfortunately they do continue to call them 'her males' until the end of time, though, so just make peace with it.
The last three books - when the writing is on more solid footing - are like an entirely different series? In which the plotting is better I guess but also more frustrating narratively. Things dragged on too long and the whole point of reading reverse harem - the harem - is missing so it's a real shift from the first four. Maybe even just stop at the 4th, honestly.
But why, <b>why</b> are Lera's chapters in 1st person present tense and 'the males' voices in 3rd person past tense? It's bad and confusing and adds nothing, but Lidell sticks with it all the way through the series.
Also Leralynn is a stupid name and jarred me every time.
moukinnokage's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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? It's complicated
4.0
diaryofthebookdragon's review
3.0
There are two reasons why I picked up Power of Five:
1. I absolutely loved Cadet of Tildor, Alex Lidell's debut novel.
2. 'Reverse harem' is a new popular trend and when I saw this book was labeled with it I just could not resist. I have read menage erotica before, but one girl and 4 guys. o.O
After finishing the book I felt cheated a bit. After all the frustration of a love triangle romance (times two or three, since she can't decide between four men), there is no sex, but the book ends with a statement that when it happens there must be all of them at once. So obviously, I must read the next book too. :D
As for the other aspects of the story. Not bad, but nothing very special either. Classic fantasy romance novel.
1. I absolutely loved Cadet of Tildor, Alex Lidell's debut novel.
2. 'Reverse harem' is a new popular trend and when I saw this book was labeled with it I just could not resist. I have read menage erotica before, but one girl and 4 guys. o.O
After finishing the book I felt cheated a bit. After all the frustration of a love triangle romance (times two or three, since she can't decide between four men), there is no sex, but the book ends with a statement that when it happens there must be all of them at once. So obviously, I must read the next book too. :D
As for the other aspects of the story. Not bad, but nothing very special either. Classic fantasy romance novel.