iphi_kc13's review against another edition
2.0
The beginning was alright, I held on for as long as I could though and finally had to call it done. Mira is supposed to be mysterious and contradictory but I just find it annoying. Adelaide starts out well enough with her escape plan, but her obsession with Cedric makes no sense to me. I felt both rushed in some instances and dragged along in others and I just had to skip through the end.
littlemisscass's review against another edition
2.0
I like the ideas behind Mead's novels. I even have quite enjoyed two of her series. But this book was, for the most part, unengaging. Although I tended to like the characters (Adelaide was incredibly annoying and precious most of the time, which wasn't helped by the first person perspective), there was little apparent plot driving the book, and it seemed like as many genres as possible had been mashed together to create something new. Genre-mash really works for the Age of X series, but less so here, where it flitted from one to another (from 'historical' to colonial to gold rush to...), rather than settling on one. The setting and general 'colonial' plot was too close to history to be interesting but too far from history to make sense. Honestly, the only thing that kept me reading was the decent writing (if I ignore the irritating and cringeworthy dialogue - internal and external - in the finishing school/female friends scenes) and the slow burning romance. Even that got boring by the end.
bellabern's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-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
3.5
ivy_camilla's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
5.0
stephtherose's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars.
I was excited for this book to come out but it had a hard time deciding which genre it wanted to be part of. Fantasy or historical fiction? So many questions. It never really committed to the fantasy genre and the pacing was weird.
Not my fave...
luna_rondo's review against another edition
1.0
I love Richelle Mead's books. Or at least, I used to. Vampire Academy was my jam. I even liked the first two Bloodlines, but that series turned into a train-wreck. Soundless was interesting and made me feel hope again.
And then... there's this. Listen, I buy books based off authors and covers. Pretty cover? Yeah, I'll try it. That was a mistake. Nothing happens. Literally. Adelaide does nothing for herself. And her name isn't even Adelaide, you learn it 85% of the way through the actual book.
I'm going to give the second book a try because it's supposed to be from Mira's perspective, but please be good.
And then... there's this. Listen, I buy books based off authors and covers. Pretty cover? Yeah, I'll try it. That was a mistake. Nothing happens. Literally. Adelaide does nothing for herself. And her name isn't even Adelaide, you learn it 85% of the way through the actual book.
I'm going to give the second book a try because it's supposed to be from Mira's perspective, but please be good.
kstring's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars, rounds to 4.
A very interesting story--I've never read anything like it, but I still don't know if I loved it or not.
This book covered/touched on so many different genres. We start with a medieval princess line, moved into a Selection story line, started talking pirates and shipwrecks, forgery, then American western expansion and the Gold Rush, then bandits with a Robin Hood vibe, a court case with execution on the table, and finally betrayal and redemption. Definitely a unique mix of events and certainly not what I was expecting. Like I said--still not sure if I'm a fan, but thought it enjoyable to read.
A very interesting story--I've never read anything like it, but I still don't know if I loved it or not.
This book covered/touched on so many different genres. We start with a medieval princess line, moved into a Selection story line, started talking pirates and shipwrecks, forgery, then American western expansion and the Gold Rush, then bandits with a Robin Hood vibe, a court case with execution on the table, and finally betrayal and redemption. Definitely a unique mix of events and certainly not what I was expecting. Like I said--still not sure if I'm a fan, but thought it enjoyable to read.
morganbrabender's review against another edition
4.0
I’m so glad that I’ve been able to read via audiobook this semester, otherwise I’d be going nuts. This book was an interesting read and I liked it! Not my favorite book, as it had its dragging moments, but I enjoyed it over all! The setting was what drew me into this book. I was interested in a dating-competition of sorts (but not as bachelor/bachelorette as it seems). It didn’t disappoint!
seriouslybookish's review against another edition
3.0
Not the worst book I have read. This book had plenty of potential but just wasn't executed well. None of the parts of the books really pulled me in expect for a scene towards the end. Even that was sort of mediocre. I just wished there was more to it. The love story was definitely the best part of the book. Their relationship was cute and it worked.
hgranger's review against another edition
3.0
Decent story with a protagonist that slowly grows on you and an interesting cast of side characters. Doesn't quite have the same level of magic that Mead reaches in some of her other books though. Hopefully the story will get better as the series goes on.