rallisaurus's review against another edition
4.0
Pacing issues galore (as per usual really) but I still loved it because a) I love these characters and b) I love a good chase/on the run story. Do we know why? Have we been given enough backstory to be invested? No, of course not. Do I care? Also no.
abidoodle's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
This book was good, but not my favorite of the Old Kingdom books. There were times that were slower and hard to get through, but the last half goes quite quickly. I wish the ending was less abrupt, and we would see some of the characters developed a bit more. Otherwise, it was a good conclusion to this storyline and I’m looking forward to the last book and the prequel.
ramblingravioli's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
lilly_dav_reading's review against another edition
4.0
What started out as me gifting a friend “Sabriel” became an obsession as I realized that there were more books to my favorite childhood trilogy.
Goldenhand had all the magic of the original series as well as excellent world building, new characters, and skilled weaving of the prequels.
Goldenhand had all the magic of the original series as well as excellent world building, new characters, and skilled weaving of the prequels.
firewolffred's review
4.0
It took until reading Goldenhand to really inderstand what I want from a story. I loved the first half of Lirael, but while a good book, Abhorson just didn't reach that same high. Neither does Goldenhand, but it comes closer and I now know why.
World-ending threats are all fair and good, but what I LOVE is characters living their lives. Lirael being a depressed loner in a magical castle chilling with her dog while adventuring in an ancient library. That's great. Its world building and character building. Lirael feels so real and relatable in those chapters because the conflict is inside herself rather than external. As soon as we leave the glacier then the writing has to speed up to carry the plot and save the world.
Goldenhand starts with solo-travelling, flitting from location to location, and it was only from the return to the glacier that I really got absorbed again. All of the relationships felt rushed, but as soon as I ignored that and just enjoyed the back and forth of the characters then every thing become much better. Lirael being giddy with Nick made me feel happy, and every time Sam and Ferring shared a scene I found myself grinning like a fool
World-ending threats are all fair and good, but what I LOVE is characters living their lives. Lirael being a depressed loner in a magical castle chilling with her dog while adventuring in an ancient library. That's great. Its world building and character building. Lirael feels so real and relatable in those chapters because the conflict is inside herself rather than external. As soon as we leave the glacier then the writing has to speed up to carry the plot and save the world.
Goldenhand starts with solo-travelling, flitting from location to location, and it was only from the return to the glacier that I really got absorbed again. All of the relationships felt rushed, but as soon as I ignored that and just enjoyed the back and forth of the characters then every thing become much better. Lirael being giddy with Nick made me feel happy, and every time Sam and Ferring shared a scene I found myself grinning like a fool
stephpalko's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
emmascc's review against another edition
4.0
It was really great to get back into this world, and I missed the characters a lot! While the first half or so of this book did seem to drag a little bit, the Lirael and Nick moments made up for it. I really hope there is going to be more books in this world! And more Mogget please.
zass's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
sailalee's review against another edition
2.0
The book isn't that bad, but since Sabriel set the bar so high, it ended up being a letdown for me
noriorii's review
adventurous
dark
medium-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
2.5