amcheri's review against another edition
3.0
It's been a few years since I've read any Fletcher and I think my expectations were a bit too high. Don't get me wrong, I liked the two main characters and thought the story was interesting and fun but there was so much history, description, and general world building that I didn't get to spend as much time engrossed in the action as I wanted. If this is the first book in a new series, then I can see the need for all of that but if this is a stand alone, then I think it was too much.
I think fans of Jane Fletcher's novels will enjoy The Shewstone.
Thanks to BSB and NetGalley for the review copy.
I think fans of Jane Fletcher's novels will enjoy The Shewstone.
Thanks to BSB and NetGalley for the review copy.
lizzyluck's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
declaired's review against another edition
3.0
This is a perfectly good, rather classic, action/adventure romance, with the Master Thief seducing the Nun. The seedy underbelly roils with machinations, the nunnery also roils (but with conflict more directly related to the artistocracy/nobility), and between it are two star-crossed lovers overcoming their own betrayals & feelings for each other. Both main characters are girls, which is why I picked it up in the first place; it's fun to revisit old tropes but with ladies. :) So, it's pulpy, but certainly a fun afternoon read if you wanna go back to some low fantasy basics.
rikerandom's review against another edition
4.0
Ich bin ja ein ziemlicher Fan von Jane Fletchers Celaeno-Reihe und war daher auch recht gespannt auf diesen neuen Fantasyroman von ihr. In "The Shewstone" geht es um Eawynn, die uneheliche Tochter eines aufstrebenden Adligen, die in den Tempel abgeschoben wurde, und Matt, ein Straßenkind, das von einem Bandenboss als Tochter aufgenommen wird. Zwanzig Jahre führen sie ihre unabhängigen Leben, dann bringt der "Shewstone" sie zusamen: Eawynn wird zu dessen Hüterin ernannt, Matt soll ihn stehlen und beide finden sich schnell in einem unglaublichen Abenteuer wieder.
Mir hat dieser Roman wirklich gut gefallen, nur das Ende... das war irgendwie nicht so mein Fall. Ansonsten ist die Geschichte aber gut geschrieben, wohl durchdacht und die Charaktere sind sympathisch und entwickeln sich weiter. Ich werde mir jetzt jedenfalls nochmal genauer anschauen, was es sonst noch so für Romane von der Autorin gibt.
Mir hat dieser Roman wirklich gut gefallen, nur das Ende... das war irgendwie nicht so mein Fall. Ansonsten ist die Geschichte aber gut geschrieben, wohl durchdacht und die Charaktere sind sympathisch und entwickeln sich weiter. Ich werde mir jetzt jedenfalls nochmal genauer anschauen, was es sonst noch so für Romane von der Autorin gibt.
munleigh's review against another edition
3.0
Eawynn was brought to a temple where she would grow up to be a priestess. Meanwhile Matt is adopted by a crime lord.
Eawynn and Matt meet almost 20 years later, their paths cross when Matt's mission is to steal the Shewstone while Eawynn is its custodian.
I preferred the first half of the story rather than the second one. I enjoyed the lingering glances and other parts leading up to their first kiss. I wanted more romance but sadly it was not very dominant in this book.
This is the first book I've read from Jane Fletcher and reading from other comments that this is not her best work makes me curious to read her previous works.
Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-Bq
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Eawynn and Matt meet almost 20 years later, their paths cross when Matt's mission is to steal the Shewstone while Eawynn is its custodian.
I preferred the first half of the story rather than the second one. I enjoyed the lingering glances and other parts leading up to their first kiss. I wanted more romance but sadly it was not very dominant in this book.
This is the first book I've read from Jane Fletcher and reading from other comments that this is not her best work makes me curious to read her previous works.
Review also posted here: http://wp.me/p4Pp9O-Bq
I was given a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
wilwa's review against another edition
2.0
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
+Representation.
+Fleshed out world - the religions, the unrest and the backstory to it seemed thought out and made the world belieavable.
+Moral and ethics discussion- Eawyn starts out as an idealistic priestess born into the upper world, when meeting Matt and the adventures they share she starts to see the world a bitt differently, learning what she once thought maybe wasn't right. The musings on morality and what not were interesting.
+ Nice adventure bits.
+- Detailed. Explanations to the world and society were provided, giving flesh to the story but
- too slow. It took me almost a month to read this, which is slow for being me. There were too much details, too much text, and maybe it didn't flow that well. The author provided history lessons and even poems, stuff that felt like it needed be there.
- Slow start. The real interesting things that happen until almost 40-50% into the book, and having my question if I should carry on or not.
- Respect the no - when Eawyn told Matt no and that she didn't want to be touched, Matt ignored it and caressed her cheek against Eawyn's will.
- Chemistry - the relationship between Eawyn and Matt provided to be the most boring parts, beside all the unnecessary explanations. They had to real chemistry, to me, and although I can see that going through what they did together could form some sort of relationship, I don't think a romantic one felt believable, with Eawyn feeling hurt and betrayed in the beginning of their relationship, hating her and thinking about turning her in.
+Representation.
+Fleshed out world - the religions, the unrest and the backstory to it seemed thought out and made the world belieavable.
+Moral and ethics discussion- Eawyn starts out as an idealistic priestess born into the upper world, when meeting Matt and the adventures they share she starts to see the world a bitt differently, learning what she once thought maybe wasn't right. The musings on morality and what not were interesting.
+ Nice adventure bits.
+- Detailed. Explanations to the world and society were provided, giving flesh to the story but
- too slow. It took me almost a month to read this, which is slow for being me. There were too much details, too much text, and maybe it didn't flow that well. The author provided history lessons and even poems, stuff that felt like it needed be there.
- Slow start. The real interesting things that happen until almost 40-50% into the book, and having my question if I should carry on or not.
- Respect the no - when Eawyn told Matt no and that she didn't want to be touched, Matt ignored it and caressed her cheek against Eawyn's will.
- Chemistry - the relationship between Eawyn and Matt provided to be the most boring parts, beside all the unnecessary explanations. They had to real chemistry, to me, and although I can see that going through what they did together could form some sort of relationship, I don't think a romantic one felt believable, with Eawyn feeling hurt and betrayed in the beginning of their relationship, hating her and thinking about turning her in.
wilwa's review
2.0
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
+Representation.
+Fleshed out world - the religions, the unrest and the backstory to it seemed thought out and made the world belieavable.
+Moral and ethics discussion- Eawyn starts out as an idealistic priestess born into the upper world, when meeting Matt and the adventures they share she starts to see the world a bitt differently, learning what she once thought maybe wasn't right. The musings on morality and what not were interesting.
+ Nice adventure bits.
+- Detailed. Explanations to the world and society were provided, giving flesh to the story but
- too slow. It took me almost a month to read this, which is slow for being me. There were too much details, too much text, and maybe it didn't flow that well. The author provided history lessons and even poems, stuff that felt like it needed be there.
- Slow start. The real interesting things that happen until almost 40-50% into the book, and having my question if I should carry on or not.
- Respect the no - when Eawyn told Matt no and that she didn't want to be touched, Matt ignored it and caressed her cheek against Eawyn's will.
- Chemistry - the relationship between Eawyn and Matt provided to be the most boring parts, beside all the unnecessary explanations. They had to real chemistry, to me, and although I can see that going through what they did together could form some sort of relationship, I don't think a romantic one felt believable, with Eawyn feeling hurt and betrayed in the beginning of their relationship, hating her and thinking about turning her in.
+Representation.
+Fleshed out world - the religions, the unrest and the backstory to it seemed thought out and made the world belieavable.
+Moral and ethics discussion- Eawyn starts out as an idealistic priestess born into the upper world, when meeting Matt and the adventures they share she starts to see the world a bitt differently, learning what she once thought maybe wasn't right. The musings on morality and what not were interesting.
+ Nice adventure bits.
+- Detailed. Explanations to the world and society were provided, giving flesh to the story but
- too slow. It took me almost a month to read this, which is slow for being me. There were too much details, too much text, and maybe it didn't flow that well. The author provided history lessons and even poems, stuff that felt like it needed be there.
- Slow start. The real interesting things that happen until almost 40-50% into the book, and having my question if I should carry on or not.
- Respect the no - when Eawyn told Matt no and that she didn't want to be touched, Matt ignored it and caressed her cheek against Eawyn's will.
- Chemistry - the relationship between Eawyn and Matt provided to be the most boring parts, beside all the unnecessary explanations. They had to real chemistry, to me, and although I can see that going through what they did together could form some sort of relationship, I don't think a romantic one felt believable, with Eawyn feeling hurt and betrayed in the beginning of their relationship, hating her and thinking about turning her in.
synth's review
1.0
Could have been marginally okay-er than the author's two series, except for the overly superficial handling of the slavery theme, and my actively disliking both of the very flat main characters almost all the way through. I didn't, however, find it unbearably slow, as some have pointed out; I actually think it was possibly the only book's strength.
lenabrary's review
2.0
It took me a while to get through this book. I thought of giving up about 52% in because well, it dragged like heck. But I'm kind of glad I stuck with it, just so I can say I read it.
I didn't get the chemistry between Matt and Eawynn, at all. To me they read pretty flat and generic. There was nothing about their interaction that made me think, "when are they going to do it?!" Rather, I kept slogging through.
The extra star is for world building, because that was stellar. I also loved the religion.
One inconsistency caught my mind: the summary here says Eawynn was 4 when she was sent to the temple, yet I distinctly remember her being 6 in the book?
I didn't get the chemistry between Matt and Eawynn, at all. To me they read pretty flat and generic. There was nothing about their interaction that made me think, "when are they going to do it?!" Rather, I kept slogging through.
The extra star is for world building, because that was stellar. I also loved the religion.
One inconsistency caught my mind: the summary here says Eawynn was 4 when she was sent to the temple, yet I distinctly remember her being 6 in the book?
postcardowl's review
2.0
I found Eawynn to be really unlikable, and a fantasy stand in for a low key white supremacist. She does get better, which was great, but there were a lot of uncomfortable thoughts during her scenes.
I did really love Matt, who really saved the story for me, and did challenge Eawynn's thoughts, for the most part.
The writing itself was really engaging, but I did not feel like it made up for the book's problems.
I did really love Matt, who really saved the story for me, and did challenge Eawynn's thoughts, for the most part.
The writing itself was really engaging, but I did not feel like it made up for the book's problems.
More...