caitlinanncran's review against another edition
4.0
This book brings the YA fantasy genre to a totally new level - the debates it has triggered!! It is at once extremely readable and very hard to read, because of how painfully it reflects racism, prejudice, and ignorance in our modern society. Hats off to the author for braving these topics despite all the controversy surrounding the book upon release (I’ve now read into it, and some of the arguments against it bring up many powerful points, further proof that books are the best way to prompt difficult discussions and to encourage people to educate themselves - myself included!) In my opinion, I think the author’s trying to say that nothing will change until we all learn to recognize our own ignorance and prejudice, even when it hurts to acknowledge, as Elloren demonstrates throughout the book, reminding us of the absolute importance of education, of being aware of bias, and even politics - one extremely thought-provoking bit of dialogue was something along the lines of “You’ve never bothered to follow the news before because you’ve never had to”, which landed like a gut punch. This book unapologetically calls out privilege and challenges those of us who’ve experienced it to wake up, and do better, because things have to change, and they have to change now.
What I appreciated most about this story though was how willing the author was to let her characters be human, even when they say/do things that are awful and upsetting (even pretty late in the book when you’d hoped they’d have learned by now!) - because nobody changes just like that, especially not if they’ve grown up basically brainwashed by racist teachings, so Elloren’s character arc and eventual change for the better was believable beginning to end. Beyond Elloren, I thought each of the characters she comes to befriend were all equally well-rounded, layered, and just as unapologetically human - so much more than just devices to provoke the protagonist’s change. They are the proof of hope, and therefore the true heroes of the book! Ivan, Ariel, and Diana were particular favourites :) Very curious to see where the author goes with the sequel - fingers crossed for some much-needed justice!
What I appreciated most about this story though was how willing the author was to let her characters be human, even when they say/do things that are awful and upsetting (even pretty late in the book when you’d hoped they’d have learned by now!) - because nobody changes just like that, especially not if they’ve grown up basically brainwashed by racist teachings, so Elloren’s character arc and eventual change for the better was believable beginning to end. Beyond Elloren, I thought each of the characters she comes to befriend were all equally well-rounded, layered, and just as unapologetically human - so much more than just devices to provoke the protagonist’s change. They are the proof of hope, and therefore the true heroes of the book! Ivan, Ariel, and Diana were particular favourites :) Very curious to see where the author goes with the sequel - fingers crossed for some much-needed justice!
asklug's review against another edition
challenging
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
missyansell's review against another edition
5.0
“People see what they expect to see,” he says sharply. “Through a filter of their own hatred and prejudice.”
Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter to the great previous Black Witch, Carnissa Gardner. The Gardnerians think that they are the chosen ones, the pure ones. They think all other races are dirty, and Icarels most of all, as winged beings who fell from grace and betrayed the Ancient One. Elloren is brought into society by her aunt Vyvian before heading off to college to become a apothecary. Growing up in the country with her two brothers and her uncle, Elloren lives a sheltered life. Going to the capital and college start to slowly change her mind in how she feel's about the other races.
To all the people who rated this book without reading it, shame on you! If you actually read the book, you would see that there is racism, and at the beginning the main character is racist. But as she grows to know the other races, Icarels, Kelts, Fae she realizes that they aren't evil and tries to help them, going against her whole culture. Don't be a sheep and follow what others do, make your own opinions even if they're against what others think. I hope others will read this book, because I really loved it and i'm highly anticipating the next one!
*Update* My last book of 2018! Defeated my reading challenge of 125 books! Also super excited to read The Iron Flower!!
Elloren Gardner is the granddaughter to the great previous Black Witch, Carnissa Gardner. The Gardnerians think that they are the chosen ones, the pure ones. They think all other races are dirty, and Icarels most of all, as winged beings who fell from grace and betrayed the Ancient One. Elloren is brought into society by her aunt Vyvian before heading off to college to become a apothecary. Growing up in the country with her two brothers and her uncle, Elloren lives a sheltered life. Going to the capital and college start to slowly change her mind in how she feel's about the other races.
To all the people who rated this book without reading it, shame on you! If you actually read the book, you would see that there is racism, and at the beginning the main character is racist. But as she grows to know the other races, Icarels, Kelts, Fae she realizes that they aren't evil and tries to help them, going against her whole culture. Don't be a sheep and follow what others do, make your own opinions even if they're against what others think. I hope others will read this book, because I really loved it and i'm highly anticipating the next one!
*Update* My last book of 2018! Defeated my reading challenge of 125 books! Also super excited to read The Iron Flower!!
mckennacloud's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kimmy_thekindleaddict's review against another edition
5.0
Best series I have read since Throne of Glass. Series like this are worth more than 5 stars.
ellaphant11's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
bleyz16's review against another edition
5.0
Re read on audible before I read book 2!
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Wow! What an awesome book.
I love this book. After reading Wandfasted, I had to re read this one. I really don't see how this book is racist as it's a book about racism, but I guess people see what they want to see.
I actually met the author when the book was first released and she originally said the 2nd book in the series was apart of the first book, but the editor made her split it up into two books as it would have been over 1,000 pages. So I guess I can see why people are upset that Elloren doesn't begin to see the errors in her thinking until the mid to later half of the book.
Anyways, the ending was fantastic and I can't wait to continue the series.
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Wow! What an awesome book.
I love this book. After reading Wandfasted, I had to re read this one. I really don't see how this book is racist as it's a book about racism, but I guess people see what they want to see.
I actually met the author when the book was first released and she originally said the 2nd book in the series was apart of the first book, but the editor made her split it up into two books as it would have been over 1,000 pages. So I guess I can see why people are upset that Elloren doesn't begin to see the errors in her thinking until the mid to later half of the book.
Anyways, the ending was fantastic and I can't wait to continue the series.
wordsareweapons's review against another edition
3.0
This book was slight torture. It dragged a lot, the pacing was all over the place, and I'm not entirely sure there was a main plot other than to set up for a series. I honestly enjoyed the beginning. The characters and setting were intriguing. Then Elloren ended up being one of the MOST obnoxious main characters I think I have ever encountered. She spends like 96% of this book remaining incredibly ignorant and I don't know. species-ist??? Even while rooming and enjoying the company of other species she really holds on to her assumptions and close minded views. I would have loved to see more growth in her character. The side characters were good, and I'm definitely interested in them. I may give the next book a go because that ending was kind of crazy. I just hope Elloren grows up a bit.
books_plan_create's review against another edition
2.0
I don't exactly know how to rate this book. I was a mix of horrified, shocked, uncomfortable, angry, and happy.
Horrified, shocked, and uncomfortable because damn, the author went there. So much racism. Yes, I get that it wasn't a contemporary racism, but a fantasy racism. Okay, that's cool-but you still have races treating others like garbage, treating other religions like garbage. Meant to be a social commentary? Possibly.
I was angry at Elloren who had no clue she was just as bad as the others she criticized. I was happy that she at least made an effort to learn why she was wrong, to learn about others, and befriend others. But it never really felt genuine.
I don't know. I just don't. Am I upset I wasted time on this book? Nope. In fact I stayed up till 2am finishing it and don't regret it. I thought the world building was excellent, and I loved all of the various races we met. I want more of them! I want to spend lots of time with the Kelts, the Amaz, the Lupines. Will I finish the series (if there are more published)? I don't think so.
Horrified, shocked, and uncomfortable because damn, the author went there. So much racism. Yes, I get that it wasn't a contemporary racism, but a fantasy racism. Okay, that's cool-but you still have races treating others like garbage, treating other religions like garbage. Meant to be a social commentary? Possibly.
I was angry at Elloren who had no clue she was just as bad as the others she criticized. I was happy that she at least made an effort to learn why she was wrong, to learn about others, and befriend others. But it never really felt genuine.
I don't know. I just don't. Am I upset I wasted time on this book? Nope. In fact I stayed up till 2am finishing it and don't regret it. I thought the world building was excellent, and I loved all of the various races we met. I want more of them! I want to spend lots of time with the Kelts, the Amaz, the Lupines. Will I finish the series (if there are more published)? I don't think so.
megkerr1's review against another edition
4.0
I did enjoy this book, but I don’t plan on finishing the series. The story focuses on acceptance of other magical creatures/cultures. The high fantasy/magical system was extensive. I did enjoy the characters, but I felt that the author focused too much on Fallon bullying the main character and other side characters. There were WAY too many characters and most of them were similar in appearance that it was confusing. This book can be best described as if JKR wrote a novel about a Slytherin girl overcoming the beliefs that her family has held about pure bloods.
3.5 stars
3.5 stars