story_goblin's review
adventurous
dark
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
Brandos crafts complicated and difficult situations (both between characters and for the plot), but presents them in a very simple and straightforward manner, which makes for a very fast and engaging read.
dmkash's review against another edition
4.0
Great story and I was sucked right back in after reading the first Fourline book. Once I was done I couldn't wait to get to the next one.
sephranix's review against another edition
3.0
This book was like 3-3.5 stars for me. It was better than the first book. It moved along at a much better pace and Nat was a more likable character, but there are still things I have questions about. I think I will continue on to the third, just to see this wrap up.
lumbermouth's review
2.0
OH this book is a wreck, so poorly written that frequently you can't follow the action and I realized two thirds of the way through I didn't actually know what the point of the quest we were on was, but JOKE'S ON ME, the story is just interesting and compelling enough that yes, reader, I bought the stupid thing for kindle, because it just came out and my library said they weren't going to get it. Seriously though don't write an action scene if you can't keep track of what your characters are doing. Like, oh, this is intense, I think, because everyone is rushing and saying they're scared, but I can't...actually...tell what's happing? OH WELL moving on. You don't know why they're going over there or what the significance of that cave is? Don't worry about it! We'll probably never come back to that point again. Interesting parallel universe idea, but barely any likable characters this time and what even was going on half the time.
linguinistix's review
2.0
I really enjoyed the first book and I was really excited for this one. However, although I thought the story was action-packed and interesting, it was totally ruined for me by the fact that the protagonist was totally whiny and mopey the whole time. It felt like she was acting like an ignorant child, making stupid remarks and not acting logically at all. She obsessed over Soris and fixing him the whole time and I just found it really tiresome. Her only saving grace was that she started to actually learn to fight.
But, in the end, I will still end up reading the last book. The story is really good and the world is really interesting. I even like all of the other characters. I want to know how things end.
But, in the end, I will still end up reading the last book. The story is really good and the world is really interesting. I even like all of the other characters. I want to know how things end.
gdeweerd's review
4.0
I read this days after finishing the first book, and found it excellent. I like that Nat is developing as a character, making her time in Fourline more interesting. The majority of the book is spent in Fourline, meaning Nat thinks little of her time back home. It's a departure from the first book that seems out of line with her character. As a whole, this book seems to be more focused and plot-driven than the first book. It took me longer to read but still I eagerly anticipate the conclusion of the series.
ginferra's review
3.0
I'm giving this 3 stars because I didn't, couldn't finish it. Life is short.
I have a lot I could critique as to why I didn't finish it. I gave a review to the first book, and had reservations then, but hoped the writing would even out, and the protagonist would develop some admirable qualities. But it didn't happen soon enough to keep me reading.
Also? (Spoiler) If you are going to train a regular girl as a warrior mage, SHOW US how she does it. Tamora Pierce is the master of making training interesting. It can be done. Jumping from agreeing to training, and suddenly having a full set of otherworldly warrior skills takes all the fun away.
I have a lot I could critique as to why I didn't finish it. I gave a review to the first book, and had reservations then, but hoped the writing would even out, and the protagonist would develop some admirable qualities. But it didn't happen soon enough to keep me reading.
Also? (Spoiler) If you are going to train a regular girl as a warrior mage, SHOW US how she does it. Tamora Pierce is the master of making training interesting. It can be done. Jumping from agreeing to training, and suddenly having a full set of otherworldly warrior skills takes all the fun away.
tarheeltiff's review
3.0
I'm not totally sure what actually happened in this book. The plot was a bunch of traveling with no major movement story wise. There was no real chemistry between Natalie and Soris and instead every couple of pages we watched them have some willfully misunderstood conversation and then just whine about protecting the other. Why are they in love? There's a lot of Annin in this one, and I liked that a lot. I'm almost more interested in her at this point than Natalie. I'll give the last book a read, in the hopes this was just a typical bridge book issue.