awsomerc17's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
slow-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
3.0
I think the magical concept is great, and is especially versatile. I also love the bond between Katsa and Bitterblue toward the middle of the book. The romance was also *mostly* good, at least to me (touched on a bit below)
I have a few gripes with with the book:
- The romance sort of feels like it comes out of nowhere, and I could have used one or two more things that bonded them
- Aside from the beginning and climax of the story, it felt like it was essentially a D&D campaign adventure through the woods
- Horse abuse isn’t great
- The pacing at the end kinda felt like the treadmill got cranked up too high and you’re about to fall off (compared to the rest of the book)
I think my gripes mostly come from it being released in 2008, and some aspects not having aged the best. Worth a shot in my eyes, but probably won’t continue the series.
I have a few gripes with with the book:
- The romance sort of feels like it comes out of nowhere, and I could have used one or two more things that bonded them
- Aside from the beginning and climax of the story, it felt like it was essentially a D&D campaign adventure through the woods
- Horse abuse isn’t great
- The pacing at the end kinda felt like the treadmill got cranked up too high and you’re about to fall off (compared to the rest of the book)
I think my gripes mostly come from it being released in 2008, and some aspects not having aged the best. Worth a shot in my eyes, but probably won’t continue the series.
ark99's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe I'm just not a high fantasy kinda person... idk??? I listened to an audiobook of this (bc I have no time lol I was carving a piece of plaster and gluing wires together while listening to this) and I think if I hadn't listened to an audio book, I still would not be done with this book.
I liked the strong female lead, she knew what she wanted and she did not let her love interest stop her. I liked the female lead and the love interest together, I liked their banter with each other.
It seemed to go on and on and on about their travels which I don't really like.
I liked that
Overall it was an okay book but not sure if high fantasy is my thing or not.
I liked the strong female lead, she knew what she wanted and she did not let her love interest stop her. I liked the female lead and the love interest together, I liked their banter with each other.
It seemed to go on and on and on about their travels which I don't really like.
I liked that
Spoiler
she eventually learned that her grace was not killing, but surviving.Overall it was an okay book but not sure if high fantasy is my thing or not.
katreadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
Such a charming book! I thoroughly enjoyed the story of Katsa as she grows in understanding herself and her particular gifts.
Loved this EVEN MORE on reread. This strikes me as a book that I will get something new from each time I read it.
Loved this EVEN MORE on reread. This strikes me as a book that I will get something new from each time I read it.
violethenry's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
fast-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
5.0
maddieambrosec's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nathaliad25's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.25
It was a good book. It didn't have a strong grip on me, it took me a while to finish it. However, the last 70 pages drew me back in and passed in a blur. I think that, for me, the outcome of the plot was a little bit rushed, but I am content with the ending.
dunderdorian's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Po... yeah that's our boyfriend now. Truly the prince of the universe, has any fictional man been as thoroughly good to his core before? I doubt it.
On a more serious level though, it's incredibly refreshing to listen to a book I used to enjoy as a child and have the relationship not be the absolute dumpster fire so many of my old favorites have turned out to be now that I'm (kind of) capable of critical thought. There is real and honest communication from both sides, and they handle their emotions openly and deal with them with the complexity and the nuance that comes from truly knowing and trusting each other and I have to say that's the hottest thing a YA couple has ever done. There not being a miscommunication trope is so near and dear to my heart, my fucking soul is singing. The side characters are written in a way that you can't help but feel for them even if they're not mentioned that often and the description of the world is wonderful.
I love when I get to keep a childhood favorite for good reasons and not just because my nostalgia driven brain still loves it even though I know it's objectively bad. This is just good. Through and through. Made me fall a little bit in love with fantasy all over again.
On a more serious level though, it's incredibly refreshing to listen to a book I used to enjoy as a child and have the relationship not be the absolute dumpster fire so many of my old favorites have turned out to be now that I'm (kind of) capable of critical thought. There is real and honest communication from both sides, and they handle their emotions openly and deal with them with the complexity and the nuance that comes from truly knowing and trusting each other and I have to say that's the hottest thing a YA couple has ever done. There not being a miscommunication trope is so near and dear to my heart, my fucking soul is singing. The side characters are written in a way that you can't help but feel for them even if they're not mentioned that often and the description of the world is wonderful.
I love when I get to keep a childhood favorite for good reasons and not just because my nostalgia driven brain still loves it even though I know it's objectively bad. This is just good. Through and through. Made me fall a little bit in love with fantasy all over again.
maceface34's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
pslili1998's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
3.75