diaryofthebookdragon's review against another edition
3.0
I started reading The Last Changeling expecting nothing more than a little entertainment, a light paranormal story and hopefully sweet romance. I got much much more. Contrary to what pretty cover and summary lead me to believe, The Last Changeling is not just another young adult novel.
In a lyrical, unusual style, that’s fit better for literal fiction than paranormal genre, Chelsea Pitcher weaves her magical web around us. Whether it’s the descriptions of nature or feelings, style of writing is not something you read every day.
"But late one night, death offered me an opportunity. She whispered dirty secrets in my ear and pulled back my eyelids with curling hands."
Narrators are Elora/Lora, fae princess, and Tyler, human boy. Every chapter switches perspective. You could not miss who is talking in each chapter, even if it was not written at the beginning. Taylor’s language is modern and short. Elora’s speech has archaic traces, reminded me of Shakespeare’s dialogues (if someone rewrote them for modern-themed Broadway show).
The story is typical. Fae princess comes in disguise to human high school and falls in love with a human boy. But the writing and the characters make The Last Changeling unique. I already mentioned the writing style. As for the characters, when people complain and tweet #WeNeedDiverseBooks – they are saying that more books should be like The Last Changeling. Homosexuality, bisexuality, peer pressure, drugs, bullying, dealing with loss of a family member, complex characters, … It’s all covered.
Sadly, all Chelsea Pitcher‘s talent was pretty much wasted on me. Someone would have enjoyed this book like a rare cup of exotic tea. I sipped it, made face, concluded how I can see it’s good, but it’s not for me. I might even continue reading Faerie Revolutions series, since I am intrigued to find out what will happen next. But it feels kinda like a sacrilege reading and not enjoying it.
In The End…
The Last Changeling is not a book for everyone. But if you like writing styles with literal flare and are looking for a young adult paranormal novel with diverse cast of characters, then The Last Changeling might be the book you will enjoy.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
In a lyrical, unusual style, that’s fit better for literal fiction than paranormal genre, Chelsea Pitcher weaves her magical web around us. Whether it’s the descriptions of nature or feelings, style of writing is not something you read every day.
"But late one night, death offered me an opportunity. She whispered dirty secrets in my ear and pulled back my eyelids with curling hands."
Narrators are Elora/Lora, fae princess, and Tyler, human boy. Every chapter switches perspective. You could not miss who is talking in each chapter, even if it was not written at the beginning. Taylor’s language is modern and short. Elora’s speech has archaic traces, reminded me of Shakespeare’s dialogues (if someone rewrote them for modern-themed Broadway show).
The story is typical. Fae princess comes in disguise to human high school and falls in love with a human boy. But the writing and the characters make The Last Changeling unique. I already mentioned the writing style. As for the characters, when people complain and tweet #WeNeedDiverseBooks – they are saying that more books should be like The Last Changeling. Homosexuality, bisexuality, peer pressure, drugs, bullying, dealing with loss of a family member, complex characters, … It’s all covered.
Sadly, all Chelsea Pitcher‘s talent was pretty much wasted on me. Someone would have enjoyed this book like a rare cup of exotic tea. I sipped it, made face, concluded how I can see it’s good, but it’s not for me. I might even continue reading Faerie Revolutions series, since I am intrigued to find out what will happen next. But it feels kinda like a sacrilege reading and not enjoying it.
In The End…
The Last Changeling is not a book for everyone. But if you like writing styles with literal flare and are looking for a young adult paranormal novel with diverse cast of characters, then The Last Changeling might be the book you will enjoy.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Loved reading this book, getting to know this world and these characters, and I can't wait to read the sequel!
emsee33's review against another edition
3.0
THE LAST CHANGELING by Chelsea Pitcher is Ordinary People-meets-Maleficent – and if that sounds like a strange combination, that’s because it is. Almost all of the information given in the blurb on the back of the book is actually kept from the reader for more than a hundred pages, and Elora’s motives for attending a human high school are extremely vague.
Read the rest of this review on All Things Urban Fantasy.
Read the rest of this review on All Things Urban Fantasy.
thepaperreels's review against another edition
3.0
3.5!! You can also read my review here and on my blog!
You know why this is awesome? Because it's a Fantasy book with a message that needs to be heard. And that is hard to come by these days. Okay, let me explain.
Lora is the daughter of the Dark Queen but unlike her Mother, she actually care for their people and kingdom. Now she's planning to overthrow her own mother, the Dark Queen with the help of the Bright Queen. But the Bright Queen has one demand, and that is to get a mortal offering. Now, that should be easy for Lora.. but when she met Taylor, she didn't expect to like him.. or fall in love with him.
First of all, the writing is just plain lovely. This is my first from Chelsea Pitcher and I have to say that I loved her writing. I will be checking out her other books. She did a wonderful job voicing out Lora. It was humorous and enchanting. And Taylor is such a sweetie pie. I just want o pick him up and put him in my pocket or just hug him all day.
There's a lot going on in this book, and that can be a good or bad thing. I'm pretty much in the middle. Though, yes, I love the whole equality part and having diverse characters, but I felt that it was too focused in that aspect. I just want to hear more of the Faerie World and not just from Lora's story telling. But I want to experience it too. Though I agree with Taylor, every time Lora tells the story, you can't help but be enchanted and feel tranced. Maybe the whole LGBT theme should've been mentioned in the blurb so that readers will know. Anyway, it was handled well.
The Romance in my opinion is pretty tame and I really loved it. It's the kind of romance that you keep anticipating every chapter TO FINALLY HAPPEN and when it finally did, you just cry out of joy. It was slow burn and it was sweet and beautiful.
The ending was great. It wasn't that cliffy but it will really leave you wanting more. The scenes near the end was heart pumping and totally written well (the whole book, really) It also gave me the Faerie world that I really want to see. Hopefully, it will be more explored in the upcoming books. The Last Changeling is perfect for you if you're looking for a fantasy read with diverse characters, sweet romance and brilliant writing.
You know why this is awesome? Because it's a Fantasy book with a message that needs to be heard. And that is hard to come by these days. Okay, let me explain.
Lora is the daughter of the Dark Queen but unlike her Mother, she actually care for their people and kingdom. Now she's planning to overthrow her own mother, the Dark Queen with the help of the Bright Queen. But the Bright Queen has one demand, and that is to get a mortal offering. Now, that should be easy for Lora.. but when she met Taylor, she didn't expect to like him.. or fall in love with him.
First of all, the writing is just plain lovely. This is my first from Chelsea Pitcher and I have to say that I loved her writing. I will be checking out her other books. She did a wonderful job voicing out Lora. It was humorous and enchanting. And Taylor is such a sweetie pie. I just want o pick him up and put him in my pocket or just hug him all day.
There's a lot going on in this book, and that can be a good or bad thing. I'm pretty much in the middle. Though, yes, I love the whole equality part and having diverse characters, but I felt that it was too focused in that aspect. I just want to hear more of the Faerie World and not just from Lora's story telling. But I want to experience it too. Though I agree with Taylor, every time Lora tells the story, you can't help but be enchanted and feel tranced. Maybe the whole LGBT theme should've been mentioned in the blurb so that readers will know. Anyway, it was handled well.
"Equality doesn't work if it's only for some people"
The Romance in my opinion is pretty tame and I really loved it. It's the kind of romance that you keep anticipating every chapter TO FINALLY HAPPEN and when it finally did, you just cry out of joy. It was slow burn and it was sweet and beautiful.
The ending was great. It wasn't that cliffy but it will really leave you wanting more. The scenes near the end was heart pumping and totally written well (the whole book, really) It also gave me the Faerie world that I really want to see. Hopefully, it will be more explored in the upcoming books. The Last Changeling is perfect for you if you're looking for a fantasy read with diverse characters, sweet romance and brilliant writing.
elvenavari's review against another edition
2.0
A very simple read. This book had the makings of being a really good fantasy novel but there was just so much YA about it. Don't get me wrong, I love the YA genre and I know this is meant to be YA but it just had too much that made it YA, if that makes any sense. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and that's probably why I didn't like it much. At the end I was left with a very "meh" feeling.
urlphantomhive's review against another edition
3.0
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
Elora is unhappy with her mother's, the Dark Queens, rule, so she's conspired with the Bright Queen to overthrow her. The Bright Queens wants an offering in return, Elora has to find a human boy who's a 'young leader of men' and bring him to her (God knows what she plans to do with him). As this obviously shows that the Bright Queen's rule will be splendidly peaceful and a huge improvement from the Dark Queen's, Elora decides to go undercover at the local high school to find just such a specimen. Real undercover, and flying around at night like real humans do all the time...
I'm not sure about The Last Changeling. On one hand it's definitely the best of the numerous faery books I've read this year (like Undertow, Faelorehn and The Winter People), probably because it doesn't focus on whiny girls who suddenly get stalked by too-goo-to-be-true guys. The story itself might not be the most original premise, but I was still interested in just how it would be done this time. I also liked the diversity of the characters, which might be in a wheelchair or LGTB.
But the characters in the end felt a bit flat. Like the ideas were good but it needed a bit more to make it feel real. Quite a large part of the book is actually about saving Prom, which wasn't what I was expecting in this fantasy novel. The ending was a bit messy for my liking and left me a bit confused. I think the second really will be necessary to figure out where the story is going. And, don't get me started about the romance. Of course you take the random girl you just met into your home because she's got no place to go, is perfectly normal. Even if she disappears at night. Just insta-love her and all will be fine. She would never take advantage of you! Oh, wait...
The Last Changeling is the first book in the Faerie Revolutions series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Elora is unhappy with her mother's, the Dark Queens, rule, so she's conspired with the Bright Queen to overthrow her. The Bright Queens wants an offering in return, Elora has to find a human boy who's a 'young leader of men' and bring him to her (God knows what she plans to do with him). As this obviously shows that the Bright Queen's rule will be splendidly peaceful and a huge improvement from the Dark Queen's, Elora decides to go undercover at the local high school to find just such a specimen. Real undercover, and flying around at night like real humans do all the time...
I'm not sure about The Last Changeling. On one hand it's definitely the best of the numerous faery books I've read this year (like Undertow, Faelorehn and The Winter People), probably because it doesn't focus on whiny girls who suddenly get stalked by too-goo-to-be-true guys. The story itself might not be the most original premise, but I was still interested in just how it would be done this time. I also liked the diversity of the characters, which might be in a wheelchair or LGTB.
But the characters in the end felt a bit flat. Like the ideas were good but it needed a bit more to make it feel real. Quite a large part of the book is actually about saving Prom, which wasn't what I was expecting in this fantasy novel. The ending was a bit messy for my liking and left me a bit confused. I think the second really will be necessary to figure out where the story is going. And, don't get me started about the romance. Of course you take the random girl you just met into your home because she's got no place to go, is perfectly normal. Even if she disappears at night. Just insta-love her and all will be fine. She would never take advantage of you! Oh, wait...
The Last Changeling is the first book in the Faerie Revolutions series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
b00kr3vi3ws's review against another edition
3.0
http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/2014/09/TheLastChangeling.html
Elora, the daughter of the Unseelie Queen, has made a pact with the Seelie Queen to rid of the centuries old feud between the courts and rid of the iron grip that the queen’s have on their courts. The Seelie Queen demands a sacrifice in exchange for her help… And to get that from the mortal world, Elora must become a mortal herself. Taylor has troubles of his own… He has the weight of his brother’s death on his shoulders and family issues to tackle on top of High School and other teenage drama. When these two souls find each other, they help each other to find what they need.
The characters in the story are all assigned to bring in certain flavours to the story. On one hand we have Elora who brings along her faerie world to us. Through her we see the humans in a different light. She has been brought up to believe that humans are despicable, yet when she meets Taylor, she is forced to consider other perspectives. Through Taylor we experience something more familiar. Teenage angst and the facets of a dysfunctional family are portrayed through him. Their friends bring on the social stigma and LGBT issues to light. The plot revolves around Elora trying to complete her quest by solving the riddle given by the Seelie Queen and Taylor’s influence on Elora. I would have loved to see a gradual build up of the romance instead of the instant attraction, especially since Elora is supposed to despise humans. This book is just the beginning of a series and most of it takes place in the mortal world with Elora as the sole connection. As such we get very little look into the actual faerie world and faeries themselves.
I wish we could have seen more of the faerie world instead of waiting for it for later in the series. I also wish the author had handled the Elora-Taylor love in a slower but developing manner. Overall, this turned out to be an average book.
Elora, the daughter of the Unseelie Queen, has made a pact with the Seelie Queen to rid of the centuries old feud between the courts and rid of the iron grip that the queen’s have on their courts. The Seelie Queen demands a sacrifice in exchange for her help… And to get that from the mortal world, Elora must become a mortal herself. Taylor has troubles of his own… He has the weight of his brother’s death on his shoulders and family issues to tackle on top of High School and other teenage drama. When these two souls find each other, they help each other to find what they need.
The characters in the story are all assigned to bring in certain flavours to the story. On one hand we have Elora who brings along her faerie world to us. Through her we see the humans in a different light. She has been brought up to believe that humans are despicable, yet when she meets Taylor, she is forced to consider other perspectives. Through Taylor we experience something more familiar. Teenage angst and the facets of a dysfunctional family are portrayed through him. Their friends bring on the social stigma and LGBT issues to light. The plot revolves around Elora trying to complete her quest by solving the riddle given by the Seelie Queen and Taylor’s influence on Elora. I would have loved to see a gradual build up of the romance instead of the instant attraction, especially since Elora is supposed to despise humans. This book is just the beginning of a series and most of it takes place in the mortal world with Elora as the sole connection. As such we get very little look into the actual faerie world and faeries themselves.
I wish we could have seen more of the faerie world instead of waiting for it for later in the series. I also wish the author had handled the Elora-Taylor love in a slower but developing manner. Overall, this turned out to be an average book.
mollymortensen's review against another edition
4.0
I won my first book to review from Netgalley!
Parental Rating: 12 and up. Mild Swearing and teenage ‘making out’.
The faerie Elora is trying to start a rebellion against her mother the Dark Queen, but to overthrow a millennium old faerie she needs the Bright Queen's help. The Bright Queen sets her a riddle, asking Elora to bring her a human offering. Elora travels to the human world, having only heard bad things about humans. She meets a human high-schooler named Taylor who lets her stay at his house. (She tells him to call him Lora, which is the name she mostly goes by in the book.)
The book is told from the perspectives of both Lora and Taylor. At the beginning Lora has a poetic voice and makes her seem more otherworldly, but as she assimilates to the human world she talks more normally. There were a couple of instances where Taylor sounded like Lora, too poetic for a normal teenage boy, but overall the characters were realistic and distinct. Though they were both told in first person I didn't confuse the two.
The characters were the stars of the story. I genuinely liked both of the main characters, which isn't always the case for me. The romance between them was gradual and felt natural. It was a sweet realistic romance. The side characters were just as good as the main characters and the friendships blossomed at a realistic pace the same way the relationship did.
Taylor and Lora gradually grow to trust one another and it makes them both better people. The change in their personalities is gradual and well done. They've both had a rough family life and they both have their secrets. They slowly open up to one another, and it felt like they would actually reveal these closely guarded secrets. Lora’s tells her story to Taylor as a nightly ‘fairy tale’. Since there is a lot of back story, this was a good way to do it without being boring.
Though there is plenty of magic in this book and excitement at the end, most of the book isn't fast paced. That doesn't mean it’s boring, not in the least. The Last Changeling mostly takes place in a modern high school and romance plays a large part of the story. Normally this wouldn't sound like my kind of book, but I really enjoyed it! There’s the normal teenage stuff, but it’s handled well and Lora is so different it’s fun to see through her eyes and watch her navigate the human world.
The world of the faerie has been done so many times, but the author still creates her own unique mythology. Like most fairies, those in Last Changeling can’t lie outright, are hurt by iron, and use glamours. (They also have wings, which I thought was the best part!) There isn't too much magic in the book, but what was there was imaginative and just plain cool.
There wasn't a to be continued ending, which I appreciated, but there’s certainly more to come. (At least I hope there is!) I would've appreciated if one question had been answered though. (I can’t say what it was without spoilers.)
I plan to buy The Last Changeling when it’s released and would highly recommend it.
8/10 Stars
Parental Rating: 12 and up. Mild Swearing and teenage ‘making out’.
The faerie Elora is trying to start a rebellion against her mother the Dark Queen, but to overthrow a millennium old faerie she needs the Bright Queen's help. The Bright Queen sets her a riddle, asking Elora to bring her a human offering. Elora travels to the human world, having only heard bad things about humans. She meets a human high-schooler named Taylor who lets her stay at his house. (She tells him to call him Lora, which is the name she mostly goes by in the book.)
The book is told from the perspectives of both Lora and Taylor. At the beginning Lora has a poetic voice and makes her seem more otherworldly, but as she assimilates to the human world she talks more normally. There were a couple of instances where Taylor sounded like Lora, too poetic for a normal teenage boy, but overall the characters were realistic and distinct. Though they were both told in first person I didn't confuse the two.
The characters were the stars of the story. I genuinely liked both of the main characters, which isn't always the case for me. The romance between them was gradual and felt natural. It was a sweet realistic romance. The side characters were just as good as the main characters and the friendships blossomed at a realistic pace the same way the relationship did.
Taylor and Lora gradually grow to trust one another and it makes them both better people. The change in their personalities is gradual and well done. They've both had a rough family life and they both have their secrets. They slowly open up to one another, and it felt like they would actually reveal these closely guarded secrets. Lora’s tells her story to Taylor as a nightly ‘fairy tale’. Since there is a lot of back story, this was a good way to do it without being boring.
Though there is plenty of magic in this book and excitement at the end, most of the book isn't fast paced. That doesn't mean it’s boring, not in the least. The Last Changeling mostly takes place in a modern high school and romance plays a large part of the story. Normally this wouldn't sound like my kind of book, but I really enjoyed it! There’s the normal teenage stuff, but it’s handled well and Lora is so different it’s fun to see through her eyes and watch her navigate the human world.
The world of the faerie has been done so many times, but the author still creates her own unique mythology. Like most fairies, those in Last Changeling can’t lie outright, are hurt by iron, and use glamours. (They also have wings, which I thought was the best part!) There isn't too much magic in the book, but what was there was imaginative and just plain cool.
There wasn't a to be continued ending, which I appreciated, but there’s certainly more to come. (At least I hope there is!) I would've appreciated if one question had been answered though. (I can’t say what it was without spoilers.)
I plan to buy The Last Changeling when it’s released and would highly recommend it.
8/10 Stars
reveriesociety's review against another edition
2.0
I think this book had a good introduction but as soon as Taylor comes into the scene things go downhill pretty fast.