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secondhandpages's review against another edition
4.0
WOW! This book was a total roller coaster! From the fantastic characters and multiple POVs, it was easy to get lost in this novel. This is not a novel for those needing a fast paced plot driven novel. This novel is entirely about how that plot affects each of the five MC in turn. The intricacy and efficacy of the 5 POVs is so masterful, you would be surprised to find out this is a debut.
Characters aside, the magic in this world is phenomenal. It's well thought out, defined and explained. It's incorporated into so much that it does seem second nature, which I assumed the author was aiming for.
The plot itself isn't anything we haven't seen before, but the way the novel revolves around the characters and not so much the plot makes it stand out in ways others may not.
While I'm was really skeptical going into the novel, mainly because of so many moving parts, I was pleasantly surprised and I look forward to the next novel!
Characters aside, the magic in this world is phenomenal. It's well thought out, defined and explained. It's incorporated into so much that it does seem second nature, which I assumed the author was aiming for.
The plot itself isn't anything we haven't seen before, but the way the novel revolves around the characters and not so much the plot makes it stand out in ways others may not.
While I'm was really skeptical going into the novel, mainly because of so many moving parts, I was pleasantly surprised and I look forward to the next novel!
teiira's review against another edition
I will likely pick this back up sometime in the future
annineamundsen's review against another edition
3.0
3.5⭐
The problem with multiple POVs is that it takes me longer to get invested in the stories/characters. Much more fun when their stories start intertwining and they start interacting
The problem with multiple POVs is that it takes me longer to get invested in the stories/characters. Much more fun when their stories start intertwining and they start interacting
perusinghannah's review against another edition
2.0
Should I have DNFed this at 30% like I originally wanted to? Yes, absolutely. But I convinced myself I was DNFing too much, and also the last book I nearly DNFed turned out to be a five star read. So I stuck with it against my better judgement, and now here I am disappointed. Please insert the clown emoji.
This really was just your bog-standard YA fantasy that did not surprise nor delight in any way, and I am very much over that kind of YA fantasy. I found the characters to be superficial and therefore boring, the world building was whatever, and the plot was unfortunately far too predictable to land even a single plot twist. As I said though, I'm just particularly tired of this type of YA fantasy, and so all these things aren't necessarily the book's fault. But you know what is? The fact that this does not stand on its own whatsoever.
This is just a giant, 500 page-long introduction to a story that in no way actually takes place in this book. And if you're going to make me sit through 500 pages just to have the characters end up in a place where the story can now finally kick off? Nope, you lost me. Very little of consequence has happened within these pages besides introducing each character as their specific stereotype (predictable red herrings included, of course), and because the rest was all so mediocre, this just pissed me off. If your first book only exists so that the sequel will make sense, you're not structuring your series properly. I will die on this hill.
This was a one and done for me with this author, unfortunately, as I just didn't get on with anything about it. A bit of a bummer, but hey - at least it's one more TBR veteran off my shelves.
This really was just your bog-standard YA fantasy that did not surprise nor delight in any way, and I am very much over that kind of YA fantasy. I found the characters to be superficial and therefore boring, the world building was whatever, and the plot was unfortunately far too predictable to land even a single plot twist. As I said though, I'm just particularly tired of this type of YA fantasy, and so all these things aren't necessarily the book's fault. But you know what is? The fact that this does not stand on its own whatsoever.
This is just a giant, 500 page-long introduction to a story that in no way actually takes place in this book. And if you're going to make me sit through 500 pages just to have the characters end up in a place where the story can now finally kick off? Nope, you lost me. Very little of consequence has happened within these pages besides introducing each character as their specific stereotype (predictable red herrings included, of course), and because the rest was all so mediocre, this just pissed me off. If your first book only exists so that the sequel will make sense, you're not structuring your series properly. I will die on this hill.
This was a one and done for me with this author, unfortunately, as I just didn't get on with anything about it. A bit of a bummer, but hey - at least it's one more TBR veteran off my shelves.
synz's review against another edition
4.0
4.5⭐️
this was AMAZING!! can't wait to read the rest of the series!!!!!
this was AMAZING!! can't wait to read the rest of the series!!!!!
hopeglow's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
-this is such a good bk??? esp for a debut
-i love the world building so much
-it's a bit on the long side but let me tell you what worked which usually never really worked for me when i read other fantasy bks: i like every single povs (i might like one character more than the other but i never dread jumping back into another pov bc they all serve a purpose/are interesting)
-the way all the characters pretty much has their own journey but somehow are all intertwined together/brought together one way or another seamlessly ugh
-this was very much a 'set up' bk for bigger things to come bc here you learn about all the characters along with the world they live in and what's happening in it, plot is there and it's more action pack in the latter third of the bk but everything happening in the beginning was driving the bk towards that direction and i think it's going to play a bigger role in the following bks than this one and i'm very much looking forward to it
-also shoutout to my boys jude and anton <33
-this is such a good bk??? esp for a debut
-i love the world building so much
-it's a bit on the long side but let me tell you what worked which usually never really worked for me when i read other fantasy bks: i like every single povs (i might like one character more than the other but i never dread jumping back into another pov bc they all serve a purpose/are interesting)
-the way all the characters pretty much has their own journey but somehow are all intertwined together/brought together one way or another seamlessly ugh
-this was very much a 'set up' bk for bigger things to come bc here you learn about all the characters along with the world they live in and what's happening in it, plot is there and it's more action pack in the latter third of the bk but everything happening in the beginning was driving the bk towards that direction and i think it's going to play a bigger role in the following bks than this one and i'm very much looking forward to it
-also shoutout to my boys jude and anton <33
pupada's review against another edition
5.0
1st Read(11:12pm): I really have to say that all the characters in this book really stole the show and they were all well written.
SPOILERS:
The diversity of the characters in this book was fantastic. We have a prince,a murderer,a leader,a gambler,and a sick girl. All these character have something they want to protect and fears that they want to run from. There also all set on a collision course to either cause the Age of Darkness or stop it and it’s a fun journey to discover where all the different characters fit into their roles in this prophecy. Totally saw Anton being the actual Prophet coming because it just felt to obvious if the crown prince was the prophet. You can’t really blame Hassan for lying about being the prophet even after he found out he wasn’t because the plan was already in motion and to be honest it was the Order that claimed that he was the prophet. Even despite his objections when they should have found hard evidence that wasn’t the sky coincidentally lighting up on the day of his birth and “hoping” he will eventually manifest the grace of sight even though he’s already almost past the cutoff age. Jude’s doubt and following his heart despite his oath to the order in the end led him to the actual prophet in turn meaning he found his true purpose again. Lethia and her son betraying Hassan that threw me a bit. Ephyra is so ruthless to the point she will ruin the entire world despite her sister Beru’s wish for her not to become a monster just to save her. I can say I’m quite intrigued to continue all these interwoven stories of these characters in the next book.
SPOILERS:
The diversity of the characters in this book was fantastic. We have a prince,a murderer,a leader,a gambler,and a sick girl. All these character have something they want to protect and fears that they want to run from. There also all set on a collision course to either cause the Age of Darkness or stop it and it’s a fun journey to discover where all the different characters fit into their roles in this prophecy. Totally saw Anton being the actual Prophet coming because it just felt to obvious if the crown prince was the prophet. You can’t really blame Hassan for lying about being the prophet even after he found out he wasn’t because the plan was already in motion and to be honest it was the Order that claimed that he was the prophet. Even despite his objections when they should have found hard evidence that wasn’t the sky coincidentally lighting up on the day of his birth and “hoping” he will eventually manifest the grace of sight even though he’s already almost past the cutoff age. Jude’s doubt and following his heart despite his oath to the order in the end led him to the actual prophet in turn meaning he found his true purpose again. Lethia and her son betraying Hassan that threw me a bit. Ephyra is so ruthless to the point she will ruin the entire world despite her sister Beru’s wish for her not to become a monster just to save her. I can say I’m quite intrigued to continue all these interwoven stories of these characters in the next book.
harryjordan42's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture and Fire/Fire injury
jonesandthebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
nimue0fiana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75