bungleboo's review against another edition
3.0
I love the idea of this book and enjoyed the story. I like the ideas of healers and takers and I really warmed to Nya. But there was just something stopping me getting lost in Nya's world! There was enough going on to keep me reading but I was to aware of my own surroundings. I like to get lost in a book and be dragged into that world, but I just wasn't with this one. Still worth a read though!
paradoxically's review against another edition
2.0
It took a little bit to pinpoint what bothered me about this book. It had an interesting concept, but it fell flat for me throughout the entirety of the book, and even when I finished reading it I just sort of stared, shrugged, and felt kind of 'meh'.
What bugged me, I think, is that while I love action, I love racing from scene to scene and one crisis to another, there was little other than that. Plot is good. Lots of plot is good. But if you overwhelm the story with what you (the author) want to spit out in a rush, then other things fall by the wayside. Like the characters. You get a mess load of Nya's thoughts and feelings (they felt mostly bland to me, but at least they were there), but everyone else is monotone. Her sister, her best friend, and the rest just sort of melted down into a pile of Everyone Else and unfortunately stayed there. The villains were lackluster, which was truly unfortunate.
Then there's the racing along from one crisis to the next. I like this. I like things happening. But if it keeps happening, if the entire book is one big crisis, then the overall tone is, well, flat. A speedy sort of flat, but still flat. I also wasn't pleased with the fact that practically all Baseeri were horrible people. I understand that we're looking at it through Nya's eyes, that her country was invaded by these people, but you don't see a single decent Baseeri throughout the entire book (or at least a single decent action made by a Baseeri). It's very easy to fall into the this-group-of-people-is-good and this-group-of-people-is-bad sort of mentality, but I wanted something a little more complicated at least.
The concept is an interesting one. The execution left something to be desired. 2 stars.
What bugged me, I think, is that while I love action, I love racing from scene to scene and one crisis to another, there was little other than that. Plot is good. Lots of plot is good. But if you overwhelm the story with what you (the author) want to spit out in a rush, then other things fall by the wayside. Like the characters. You get a mess load of Nya's thoughts and feelings (they felt mostly bland to me, but at least they were there), but everyone else is monotone. Her sister, her best friend, and the rest just sort of melted down into a pile of Everyone Else and unfortunately stayed there. The villains were lackluster, which was truly unfortunate.
Then there's the racing along from one crisis to the next. I like this. I like things happening. But if it keeps happening, if the entire book is one big crisis, then the overall tone is, well, flat. A speedy sort of flat, but still flat. I also wasn't pleased with the fact that practically all Baseeri were horrible people. I understand that we're looking at it through Nya's eyes, that her country was invaded by these people, but you don't see a single decent Baseeri throughout the entire book (or at least a single decent action made by a Baseeri). It's very easy to fall into the this-group-of-people-is-good and this-group-of-people-is-bad sort of mentality, but I wanted something a little more complicated at least.
The concept is an interesting one. The execution left something to be desired. 2 stars.
bleakyrde's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
vikcs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
amarylissw's review against another edition
2.0
Fairly good, but I wasn't really drawn into the story that much. The characters, the world, the plot . . . while they definitely had their ups, they also seemed a little stunted to me. Not as in sufficient development, but more just lacking what I usually look for in a book.
ladyofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
This was a strong and sad book. I really loved the characters, and the plot was excellent though it was left wide open for book two. I need to write a more in-depth review of this book, though I read it so quickly that I have to re-read again.
guerrillabooks's review against another edition
4.0
Great concept: Shifting pain.
The characters were very real. Believable.
There was one little detail that I felt was forced for the sack of it's inclusion but overall I am pleased. :)
The characters were very real. Believable.
There was one little detail that I felt was forced for the sack of it's inclusion but overall I am pleased. :)
boundbybonne's review against another edition
3.0
No insta-love with this book. I enjoyed the story and it was a quick read. Not a lot of awesome, descriptive, get lost in a world writing, but it kept me interested.
bedisbetter's review against another edition
3.0
No insta-love with this book. I enjoyed the story and it was a quick read. Not a lot of awesome, descriptive, get lost in a world writing, but it kept me interested.
nightshade_novels's review against another edition
4.0
I picked this up on a whim as the blurb seemed good. I hadn't heard anything about it before. I'm so glad I did as it was really good. I loved the world that has been built in this book. I also enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing their relationships. Nya's friendship and trust in Danello seemed to blossom rather quickly, but I liked her relationship with her sister Tali and friend Aylin.
This book stands up as a story on its own, but I would really like to get the next book and see where Hardy takes this story next.
This book stands up as a story on its own, but I would really like to get the next book and see where Hardy takes this story next.