gillothen's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent piece of world-building. Our heroine, trapped on an island after a shipwreck for a considerable time returns home to discover the world has moved on without her, her accepted and important position has been handed to someone else and her own life has become more perilous than she thought possible.
The world which she grew up in had seemed utopian to her, but now in her late teens she starts to see the cracks in society, which turn into faultlines which could destroy everything she ever thought was true, and which threaten her selfhood and existence.
There is a strong feeling of, not-quite allegory, but certainly appropriateness here. The centre of her society, the city, seems to be a peaceful place, full of developments for the good of all. Slowly we realise that it is a parasite on the young, the disadvantaged, the liminal and the marginal peoples, who have few options and little hope. Just as modern industrialised societies have ransacked other parts of the world for power and raw materials, so the leadership in this world exploits, quite ruthlessly, those without political power who have what is needed, at a terrible cost to the individuals.
In some ways this could be considered a coming-of-age story, in which the central character is forced to grow up and recognise her responsibilities. It is also an excellent adventure, with genuinely frightening villains and characters who are rarely what they seem to be at first. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The world which she grew up in had seemed utopian to her, but now in her late teens she starts to see the cracks in society, which turn into faultlines which could destroy everything she ever thought was true, and which threaten her selfhood and existence.
There is a strong feeling of, not-quite allegory, but certainly appropriateness here. The centre of her society, the city, seems to be a peaceful place, full of developments for the good of all. Slowly we realise that it is a parasite on the young, the disadvantaged, the liminal and the marginal peoples, who have few options and little hope. Just as modern industrialised societies have ransacked other parts of the world for power and raw materials, so the leadership in this world exploits, quite ruthlessly, those without political power who have what is needed, at a terrible cost to the individuals.
In some ways this could be considered a coming-of-age story, in which the central character is forced to grow up and recognise her responsibilities. It is also an excellent adventure, with genuinely frightening villains and characters who are rarely what they seem to be at first. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
egswriter's review against another edition
5.0
I love worldbuilding. I love books that transport me to a different time and a different place, creating a world that is similar in some ways, but also completely unlike my own world. I like it even better when that world is portrayed through a character’s eyes rather than dumped on me. Sarah Mensinga’s Shimmerdark did exactly that, and my goodness, what a great book.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book follows Xylia, a shimmerling who was the apprentice to the Great Drae of her country, only she’d been shipwrecked on an island for seven years. Finally rescued, she returns home to discover that she’s been replaced. Now, Xylia must venture to the outer reaches of her home to work as an Authenticator, someone who identifies shimmerlings with enough power to serve. Only, Xylia asks one too many questions and gets herself into a world of trouble. With magic and mystery, she must now venture back to the city to figure out just what is going on.
This plot seems fairly simply on the surface—a girl trying to regain what she has lost, until she stumbles on some secrets people want buried—but oh my goodness is it far more involved and intricate than that. There is certainly intrigue, but there is also adventure, discovery, characters that move the story along in a way that I did not anticipate, and more drama, just for good measure. The plot is perfectly paced, the actions of our main character both logical and perhaps a little crazy. I never once was bored or overwhelmed, which is very impressive.
2. Thoughts on the character
Xylia is a perfect main character. She desperately wants her position back, and loves her life. But after seven years shipwrecked, she has to come to terms with the fact that she has changed and maybe the world has, too. She’s intelligent without being overbearing in her smarts, capable and independent. Her development through the story is subtle, bu also a central piece of the story. I liked Xylia a lot, and I think she was great fun to read.
I will say, I wish there was a little more about her relationship with the people she was shipwrecked with. The second half of the story expands on those relationships a bit more, but by the end, I almost feel like there needs to be a sequel to explore more of that, and also the potentially world-changing mysteries that are hinted at. It’s not necessary; the plot was wrapped up nicely and there was no great cliffhanger, but I just wanted a little more.
3. Favourite part
I think Glowy Pony is probably my favourite. That snark! Coupled with that name, there’s just so much entertainment to be had.
4. Critique
Finding a critique is difficult for this book. The prose was smooth and well-written. The characters were all great. The dramatic tension was at just the right level to keep me involved without being overwhelming. I think my point mentioned in section two, wanting a little more of the relationships Xylia had explored, is probably my only critique, and that could just be my desire for more of this world.
Overall, I would say that Shimmerdark is an excellent book with a great world, dramatic adventure and characters to root for.I love worldbuilding. I love books that transport me to a different time and a different place, creating a world that is similar in some ways, but also completely unlike my own world. I like it even better when that world is portrayed through a character’s eyes rather than dumped on me. Sarah Mensinga’s Shimmerdark did exactly that, and my goodness, what a great book.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book follows Xylia, a shimmerling who was the apprentice to the Great Drae of her country, only she’d been shipwrecked on an island for seven years. Finally rescued, she returns home to discover that she’s been replaced. Now, Xylia must venture to the outer reaches of her home to work as an Authenticator, someone who identifies shimmerlings with enough power to serve. Only, Xylia asks one too many questions and gets herself into a world of trouble. With magic and mystery, she must now venture back to the city to figure out just what is going on.
This plot seems fairly simply on the surface—a girl trying to regain what she has lost, until she stumbles on some secrets people want buried—but oh my goodness is it far more involved and intricate than that. There is certainly intrigue, but there is also adventure, discovery, characters that move the story along in a way that I did not anticipate, and more drama, just for good measure. The plot is perfectly paced, the actions of our main character both logical and perhaps a little crazy. I never once was bored or overwhelmed, which is very impressive.
2. Thoughts on the character
Xylia is a perfect main character. She desperately wants her position back, and loves her life. But after seven years shipwrecked, she has to come to terms with the fact that she has changed and maybe the world has, too. She’s intelligent without being overbearing in her smarts, capable and independent. Her development through the story is subtle, bu also a central piece of the story. I liked Xylia a lot, and I think she was great fun to read.
I will say, I wish there was a little more about her relationship with the people she was shipwrecked with. The second half of the story expands on those relationships a bit more, but by the end, I almost feel like there needs to be a sequel to explore more of that, and also the potentially world-changing mysteries that are hinted at. It’s not necessary; the plot was wrapped up nicely and there was no great cliffhanger, but I just wanted a little more.
3. Favourite part
I think Glowy Pony is probably my favourite. That snark! Coupled with that name, there’s just so much entertainment to be had.
4. Critique
Finding a critique is difficult for this book. The prose was smooth and well-written. The characters were all great. The dramatic tension was at just the right level to keep me involved without being overwhelming. I think my point mentioned in section two, wanting a little more of the relationships Xylia had explored, is probably my only critique, and that could just be my desire for more of this world.
Overall, I would say that Shimmerdark is an excellent book with a great world, dramatic adventure and characters to root for.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book follows Xylia, a shimmerling who was the apprentice to the Great Drae of her country, only she’d been shipwrecked on an island for seven years. Finally rescued, she returns home to discover that she’s been replaced. Now, Xylia must venture to the outer reaches of her home to work as an Authenticator, someone who identifies shimmerlings with enough power to serve. Only, Xylia asks one too many questions and gets herself into a world of trouble. With magic and mystery, she must now venture back to the city to figure out just what is going on.
This plot seems fairly simply on the surface—a girl trying to regain what she has lost, until she stumbles on some secrets people want buried—but oh my goodness is it far more involved and intricate than that. There is certainly intrigue, but there is also adventure, discovery, characters that move the story along in a way that I did not anticipate, and more drama, just for good measure. The plot is perfectly paced, the actions of our main character both logical and perhaps a little crazy. I never once was bored or overwhelmed, which is very impressive.
2. Thoughts on the character
Xylia is a perfect main character. She desperately wants her position back, and loves her life. But after seven years shipwrecked, she has to come to terms with the fact that she has changed and maybe the world has, too. She’s intelligent without being overbearing in her smarts, capable and independent. Her development through the story is subtle, bu also a central piece of the story. I liked Xylia a lot, and I think she was great fun to read.
I will say, I wish there was a little more about her relationship with the people she was shipwrecked with. The second half of the story expands on those relationships a bit more, but by the end, I almost feel like there needs to be a sequel to explore more of that, and also the potentially world-changing mysteries that are hinted at. It’s not necessary; the plot was wrapped up nicely and there was no great cliffhanger, but I just wanted a little more.
3. Favourite part
I think Glowy Pony is probably my favourite. That snark! Coupled with that name, there’s just so much entertainment to be had.
4. Critique
Finding a critique is difficult for this book. The prose was smooth and well-written. The characters were all great. The dramatic tension was at just the right level to keep me involved without being overwhelming. I think my point mentioned in section two, wanting a little more of the relationships Xylia had explored, is probably my only critique, and that could just be my desire for more of this world.
Overall, I would say that Shimmerdark is an excellent book with a great world, dramatic adventure and characters to root for.I love worldbuilding. I love books that transport me to a different time and a different place, creating a world that is similar in some ways, but also completely unlike my own world. I like it even better when that world is portrayed through a character’s eyes rather than dumped on me. Sarah Mensinga’s Shimmerdark did exactly that, and my goodness, what a great book.
1. Thoughts on the plot
This book follows Xylia, a shimmerling who was the apprentice to the Great Drae of her country, only she’d been shipwrecked on an island for seven years. Finally rescued, she returns home to discover that she’s been replaced. Now, Xylia must venture to the outer reaches of her home to work as an Authenticator, someone who identifies shimmerlings with enough power to serve. Only, Xylia asks one too many questions and gets herself into a world of trouble. With magic and mystery, she must now venture back to the city to figure out just what is going on.
This plot seems fairly simply on the surface—a girl trying to regain what she has lost, until she stumbles on some secrets people want buried—but oh my goodness is it far more involved and intricate than that. There is certainly intrigue, but there is also adventure, discovery, characters that move the story along in a way that I did not anticipate, and more drama, just for good measure. The plot is perfectly paced, the actions of our main character both logical and perhaps a little crazy. I never once was bored or overwhelmed, which is very impressive.
2. Thoughts on the character
Xylia is a perfect main character. She desperately wants her position back, and loves her life. But after seven years shipwrecked, she has to come to terms with the fact that she has changed and maybe the world has, too. She’s intelligent without being overbearing in her smarts, capable and independent. Her development through the story is subtle, bu also a central piece of the story. I liked Xylia a lot, and I think she was great fun to read.
I will say, I wish there was a little more about her relationship with the people she was shipwrecked with. The second half of the story expands on those relationships a bit more, but by the end, I almost feel like there needs to be a sequel to explore more of that, and also the potentially world-changing mysteries that are hinted at. It’s not necessary; the plot was wrapped up nicely and there was no great cliffhanger, but I just wanted a little more.
3. Favourite part
I think Glowy Pony is probably my favourite. That snark! Coupled with that name, there’s just so much entertainment to be had.
4. Critique
Finding a critique is difficult for this book. The prose was smooth and well-written. The characters were all great. The dramatic tension was at just the right level to keep me involved without being overwhelming. I think my point mentioned in section two, wanting a little more of the relationships Xylia had explored, is probably my only critique, and that could just be my desire for more of this world.
Overall, I would say that Shimmerdark is an excellent book with a great world, dramatic adventure and characters to root for.
cha4les's review against another edition
5.0
I’m a longtime fan of the author’s other works, like Currently and The Wellington Division. I was lucky enough to get an advance reading copy of this book, and I really enjoyed it! It’s a well-crafted story centered on a 15-year-old girl named Xylia who, through the course of the story, must grapple with some harsh truths she learns about the society she lives in. On the whole, I found it to be a heartwarming story filled with adventure, friendship, self-discovery, and even a touch of whimsy and humor. I especially appreciated how the plot is built around human relationships that feel authentic and relatable, even though the setting is a fantasy world filled with monsters and magic.
bybookandbone's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Shimmerdark doesn't start very well, and many of it's issues relate directly to this rough start.
I'm glad I continued with it because I became fascinated with the world and culture of the shimmerling society.
The story becomes a lot darker than it initially seems it will, I loved how it was handled for the most part.
Really the beginning with Grimshore is over too quick and the story seems to expect you to remember and have emotional attachments to these characters much later in the story. It makes the epilogue section a bit hollow...
I'm glad I continued with it because I became fascinated with the world and culture of the shimmerling society.
The story becomes a lot darker than it initially seems it will, I loved how it was handled for the most part.
Really the beginning with Grimshore is over too quick and the story seems to expect you to remember and have emotional attachments to these characters much later in the story. It makes the epilogue section a bit hollow...
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