kelleyo2l's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
World building feels forced and poorly paced. I felt there was a lot of information dumping. I was intrigued about the prime number tie-in but it's only ever a superficial detail. The romance subplot was not bad but generally isn't what I'm looking for. I felt the characters suffered from being 'over connected'.
japhyryder's review
4.0
So I liked this book, and it ends on a cliff hanger that leads you wanting more.
To be really honest, the characters could have used more development, and more explanation for their motivations. I wasn't sure why the main character was doing what she was doing though the whole book except that she somehow "knew it was what she had to do."
Also, tho some may see this as a benefit and some as a downfall, this book doesn't seem to know what genre it is. Part fantasy, part sci-fi, part dystopian.
It's worth a read, tho.
To be really honest, the characters could have used more development, and more explanation for their motivations. I wasn't sure why the main character was doing what she was doing though the whole book except that she somehow "knew it was what she had to do."
Also, tho some may see this as a benefit and some as a downfall, this book doesn't seem to know what genre it is. Part fantasy, part sci-fi, part dystopian.
It's worth a read, tho.
shai3d's review
4.0
Very enjoyable beginning of a series! I will be keeping an eye out for more in this series.
breerashel's review
4.0
I was really impressed by this book. It sounded so interesting when I read the blurb. I was intrigued by the idea of numerous orders of women that are warriors with telepathic abilities as well as blades that are connected to them. It sounded like such a novel idea that I had not heard before. I am a sucker for strong heroines as I have mentioned before in previous reviews so to get the chance to read a book with so many strong female characters was really exciting for me! I am so grateful that I was lucky enough to win an advanced copy through Goodreads before it comes out at the end of the month.
The author's descriptions were so well done that I was pulled into the book right away. She begins the book by throwing the reader right into Kyra's first kill as a Markswoman. It is a very tense and thrilling beginning that easily helps the reader to understand what kind of Markswoman and person Kyra is. She had qualities that I loved and hated but overall was an interesting character dealing with a lot of pain from her past. I appreciated her flaws because it gave the author somewhere to go with her character arc so that her growth as a character would be clear to see. I would have liked to have had the chapters clearly marked so that I knew right away whose point of view it was but it wasn't horribly confusing. The majority of the book is from Kyra's point of view anyway.
I wished that the ways of the Markswoman were explained more because there were still a lot of things that confused me. I would have liked to have had more information and background on the different Orders rather than being given snippets. I did like the brief short chapters where the author explains some of the rules that the Markswoman is supposed to follow as well as some of the history. It was a good way of explaining things without having Kyra or another leader have to go through something in order to explain it to the reader.
I also had an issue with the insta-love. They didn't fall in love as soon as they met like it happens in some books but there was no basis for the relationship. The author did not manage to establish any basis for the two main characters having feelings for each other. There are no conversations between the two of them that include anything of substance. I would have liked to have seen conversations as well as feelings being shared about different topics...something to make it clear that they had a connection.
https://fictionedtodeath.blogspot.com/2018/01/markswoman-asiana-1-by-rati-mehrotra.html
The author's descriptions were so well done that I was pulled into the book right away. She begins the book by throwing the reader right into Kyra's first kill as a Markswoman. It is a very tense and thrilling beginning that easily helps the reader to understand what kind of Markswoman and person Kyra is. She had qualities that I loved and hated but overall was an interesting character dealing with a lot of pain from her past. I appreciated her flaws because it gave the author somewhere to go with her character arc so that her growth as a character would be clear to see. I would have liked to have had the chapters clearly marked so that I knew right away whose point of view it was but it wasn't horribly confusing. The majority of the book is from Kyra's point of view anyway.
I wished that the ways of the Markswoman were explained more because there were still a lot of things that confused me. I would have liked to have had more information and background on the different Orders rather than being given snippets. I did like the brief short chapters where the author explains some of the rules that the Markswoman is supposed to follow as well as some of the history. It was a good way of explaining things without having Kyra or another leader have to go through something in order to explain it to the reader.
I also had an issue with the insta-love. They didn't fall in love as soon as they met like it happens in some books but there was no basis for the relationship. The author did not manage to establish any basis for the two main characters having feelings for each other. There are no conversations between the two of them that include anything of substance. I would have liked to have seen conversations as well as feelings being shared about different topics...something to make it clear that they had a connection.
https://fictionedtodeath.blogspot.com/2018/01/markswoman-asiana-1-by-rati-mehrotra.html
wonky_scarecrow's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
jenno's review
4.0
Had this on my shelves for probably four years, having a arc copy of it and kicking myself for not reading it earlier.
So right book at the right time. It is an amazing YA fantasy. If I had read it in longer sittings, being all taken by it - it would have been five stars. Sadly I didn't so it is a very strong four star and I can't wait to get my hands on the second book.
So right book at the right time. It is an amazing YA fantasy. If I had read it in longer sittings, being all taken by it - it would have been five stars. Sadly I didn't so it is a very strong four star and I can't wait to get my hands on the second book.
reader_jenn's review
4.0
I was a little unsure of this book. The premise sounded cool but it doesn't seem overly popular so I thought it might flop for me. I turned out that I really enjoyed the book and found it quite unique. I really liked the world building of the story. I found the names of the characters and places to be the most interesting/unique of any I have read of. I think the main character Kyra has the most ordinary name of all the characters which was interesting.
One of the things I loved about the book was the concept of the characters having a bond with their blades. That, and the fact that most of these characters are women was really appealing.
The summary provided encompasses the events in about a third of the book and when I noticed that it was taking a while to catch up to what I knew from the summary I surprisingly okay with it because learning about the world was enough to keep my interest. Another reader might not like this though, so heads up.
I also thought that the book didn't really need to end with a cliff hanger. I can see what the other wants to explore in the second book of what seems to be duology, but I think the whole narrative could have come together in one book. Maybe I'm just annoyed that I have to wait for book 2 to come out to see what happens though.
All in all it was a pretty solid story and I was never bored reading it. I will definitely read book 2 when it comes out !
One of the things I loved about the book was the concept of the characters having a bond with their blades. That, and the fact that most of these characters are women was really appealing.
The summary provided encompasses the events in about a third of the book and when I noticed that it was taking a while to catch up to what I knew from the summary I surprisingly okay with it because learning about the world was enough to keep my interest. Another reader might not like this though, so heads up.
I also thought that the book didn't really need to end with a cliff hanger. I can see what the other wants to explore in the second book of what seems to be duology, but I think the whole narrative could have come together in one book. Maybe I'm just annoyed that I have to wait for book 2 to come out to see what happens though.
All in all it was a pretty solid story and I was never bored reading it. I will definitely read book 2 when it comes out !
sarahelisewrites's review
4.0
A fantastic fantasy world where warriors work with psychic steel to uphold justice.
A complex heroine who faces her journey with conviction.
A unique universe featuring Asian mythology and traditions.
A slow build of mystery, romance, and magic.
An exciting adventure with a powerful heroine. I enjoyed the world but felt the characterization could have been stronger.
A complex heroine who faces her journey with conviction.
A unique universe featuring Asian mythology and traditions.
A slow build of mystery, romance, and magic.
An exciting adventure with a powerful heroine. I enjoyed the world but felt the characterization could have been stronger.
ashleysonlin's review
4.0
This story was original and really interesting! There's a ton of things left to explore in the second book and I can't wait to see what Kyra and Dustan get themselves into :) The settings were neat and the magic was unique. Weapons that think - cool concept!