myrandajo's review
4.25
I wish I liked Bourne more...
But oh, this was absolutely lovely and captivating. What it achieved in such a small amount of pages was remarkable!
I was a little bit disappointed toward the end because my main theory for the story ended up being incorrect, but the way things resolved in the end made up for it!
But oh, this was absolutely lovely and captivating. What it achieved in such a small amount of pages was remarkable!
I was a little bit disappointed toward the end because my main theory for the story ended up being incorrect, but the way things resolved in the end made up for it!
upstatelibrarygal's review
3.0
Just didn't have time to finish it before I had to return it, but I liked the direction in which this was headed.
justfoxie's review
5.0
Perhaps one of my favourite books of all time - a richly woven story with as many twists and turns as a bramble bush. The ending, though not unhappy, always leaves me a bit sad. A must read for any fantasy fan.
somewheregirl7's review
4.0
Patricia McKillip is a consummate master when it comes to words. Her descriptions are full and flowing and always tailored to the particular tale she is telling. In The Alphabet of Thorn she does nothing to disappoint, once again delivering a wonderful fantasy that is one part mystery and two parts character development.
The story begins with Nepenthe, an orphan raised by the librarians inside the palace of Raine, the first crown of the kingdom. Almost at once however, her story is offset by Tessera, the newly crowned queen, awkward, unwilling and unsure in her new position. At first the two girls' narratives are barely connected, only occasionally straying into common areas. However, as the story progresses their stories begin to overlap in fascinating ways.
Who is Nepenthe? Who is plotting against Raine? What terrible calamity is hanging over the kingdom? And most importantly, how do the answers to each of those questions tie into the ancient story of an emperor and his mage who died more than a thousand years before?
Superbly crafted, the text is anything but predictable and all of the characters are riveting and engaging. McKillip delivers a story within a story and shows how written words can ensnare and recreate us.
The story begins with Nepenthe, an orphan raised by the librarians inside the palace of Raine, the first crown of the kingdom. Almost at once however, her story is offset by Tessera, the newly crowned queen, awkward, unwilling and unsure in her new position. At first the two girls' narratives are barely connected, only occasionally straying into common areas. However, as the story progresses their stories begin to overlap in fascinating ways.
Who is Nepenthe? Who is plotting against Raine? What terrible calamity is hanging over the kingdom? And most importantly, how do the answers to each of those questions tie into the ancient story of an emperor and his mage who died more than a thousand years before?
Superbly crafted, the text is anything but predictable and all of the characters are riveting and engaging. McKillip delivers a story within a story and shows how written words can ensnare and recreate us.
missyansell's review
4.0
That's the beginning of magic. Let your imagination run and follow it.
Nepenthe is an orphan transcritpter in the kingdom of Raine. One day she is given a book to transcribe that has it's letters made of thorns. Within the thorns, tells the story of Axis and Kane, legendary conquerers from the past.
I liked this writing, and the story was interesting. I was hoping for more action of battles, and the ending was a bit of a letdown since nothing really happened.
Still a quick read, less than 300 pages.
Nepenthe is an orphan transcritpter in the kingdom of Raine. One day she is given a book to transcribe that has it's letters made of thorns. Within the thorns, tells the story of Axis and Kane, legendary conquerers from the past.
I liked this writing, and the story was interesting. I was hoping for more action of battles, and the ending was a bit of a letdown since nothing really happened.
Still a quick read, less than 300 pages.
pnw_michelle's review
4.0
McKillip never fails to write fascinating, gorgeous books. Her prose always makes me swoon. Alphabet of Thorn was no exception, but my favorite thing about it was the unexpected resolution of the story's conflict. I don't want to spoil it so I'll just say you can't go wrong with McKillip so just read it, you'll love it because it's beautiful.
piper_sh's review
2.0
First of all I can see why people like the book and the writing so much.
It is very atmospheric, enchanting and surreal.
Unfortunately that is exactly why I didn't like it.
The dreamlike state of the story almost put me to sleep multiple times.
Constant change of POV left me not caring about any of the characters.
I finally gave up and DNF'd it.
It is very atmospheric, enchanting and surreal.
Unfortunately that is exactly why I didn't like it.
The dreamlike state of the story almost put me to sleep multiple times.
Constant change of POV left me not caring about any of the characters.
I finally gave up and DNF'd it.
hellkitty915's review
2.0
I haven't read many of Patricia McKillip's books. I read the Riddlemaster series long ago as a child. I picked this one up out of sheer boredom from the library. I know it's a children's book, but some younger books are still appealing to adults. This one is not.
The characters Nepenthe and Bourne are okay, if barely two-dimensional. The subplot of Axis & Kane is poorly handled and confusing. And the young Queen of Raine is barely tolerable. I didn't like the writing style, with its flowing wordy passages that are hard to follow. The key elements of the plot are confusing and unexplained. They seem to pop up out of nowhere and leave the reader waiting for the rest of the explanation.
Overall, the book has a very rushed feel to it. I think it would have been better if the author had taken more time with it and expanded the stories. Storylines would have followed a bit more logically and the characters would have been more likable. It's another case of a great premise spoiled by bad writing.
The characters Nepenthe and Bourne are okay, if barely two-dimensional. The subplot of Axis & Kane is poorly handled and confusing. And the young Queen of Raine is barely tolerable. I didn't like the writing style, with its flowing wordy passages that are hard to follow. The key elements of the plot are confusing and unexplained. They seem to pop up out of nowhere and leave the reader waiting for the rest of the explanation.
Overall, the book has a very rushed feel to it. I think it would have been better if the author had taken more time with it and expanded the stories. Storylines would have followed a bit more logically and the characters would have been more likable. It's another case of a great premise spoiled by bad writing.