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sparrowhawk444's review
5.0
I can’t wait for more!
I picked up Long Grows the Dark as part of Indiecember, and I’m so glad I did. I absolutely devoured this book and couldn’t put it down. The characters jump right off the page, and I love the switching between the modern world and the past. The romance was perfect, and I like that the book had a complete ending while also setting the stage for future books.
My only small quibble is the modern setting was a bit confusing sometimes; for the most part, the book reads like it’s taking place in an entirely separate world (with no parallel to Starford in our world that I could easily guess), but popular brand names like BMW make me think otherwise. But that was honestly a small detail I was able to look past easily, as engrossed in the story as I was. Can’t wait for Gwendoline’s story to continue!
I picked up Long Grows the Dark as part of Indiecember, and I’m so glad I did. I absolutely devoured this book and couldn’t put it down. The characters jump right off the page, and I love the switching between the modern world and the past. The romance was perfect, and I like that the book had a complete ending while also setting the stage for future books.
My only small quibble is the modern setting was a bit confusing sometimes; for the most part, the book reads like it’s taking place in an entirely separate world (with no parallel to Starford in our world that I could easily guess), but popular brand names like BMW make me think otherwise. But that was honestly a small detail I was able to look past easily, as engrossed in the story as I was. Can’t wait for Gwendoline’s story to continue!
tabatha_shipley's review
4.0
What I Loved:
-MAGIC. This book had magic used in the way that today’s young adult or new adult crowd would actually use it! Refreshing take on magic and portrayed in a great way!
-The split storyline in this one (told in BEFORE and modern day) came together quickly and WORKED.
-This villain is well written. He’s scary and he’s awesome.
-The plot moved great and is enjoyable. This is a high tension book.
-GORGEOUS cover art.
Who Should Read It:
-Fantasy fans
-Like side romance in your action stories? How about a love triangle in your fantasy? This one delivers.
-If the idea of a dual storyline or past lives stories intrigues you, read this one.
For Full Review (including what I didn’t love): https://youtu.be/qALNpWwvkZg (18:56)
-MAGIC. This book had magic used in the way that today’s young adult or new adult crowd would actually use it! Refreshing take on magic and portrayed in a great way!
-The split storyline in this one (told in BEFORE and modern day) came together quickly and WORKED.
-This villain is well written. He’s scary and he’s awesome.
-The plot moved great and is enjoyable. This is a high tension book.
-GORGEOUS cover art.
Who Should Read It:
-Fantasy fans
-Like side romance in your action stories? How about a love triangle in your fantasy? This one delivers.
-If the idea of a dual storyline or past lives stories intrigues you, read this one.
For Full Review (including what I didn’t love): https://youtu.be/qALNpWwvkZg (18:56)
moj8668's review against another edition
5.0
Dark Fantasy, Fantasy/Thriller, Urban Fantasy . . . however you classify it one thing remains clear - this book is outstanding! I originally grabbed it through my Kindle Unlimited subscription but it only took a few chapters for me to realize that I could never give this one back so I purchased it! Using carefully crafted flashbacks interspersed with modern moments, Labadie weaves a story that asks the reader to question the idea of fate/destiny and a person's right/ability to choose. The pacing, plot, and characters kept me turning pages till very late!
In a time long past, a mage named Glenna - along with her three closest friends - once attempted to defeat a powerful being known as Lord Averill. The fight was bloody and brutal and would have been a complete failure if not for the intervention of magic. As for Averill, he was cast into the abyss. But he's back and he's intent on getting rid of those whose magic isn't deemed "worthwhile." This time around facing Averill will be the task of Gwendoline, her friends Colt and Everleigh, and a stranger named Niles that they meet under rather . . . unique circumstanced. Can the four of them finally defeat Averill and protect the lesser magical beings from annihilation? Or will Averill destroy them all?
Well-crafted characters and an unpredictable outcome captivated me early on. I really enjoyed the fact that Labadie made Fate a person! Along with a wonderfully crafted, action-packed plot, Labadie manages to draw the reader into a discussion of destiny vs. personal choice. Are we fated to specific behaviors or relationships? Or can we choose the paths our life takes? Hands down one of the best fantasy reads I've encountered this year. Needless to say, I was thrilled to hear from the author that a sequel is coming in 2020!
In a time long past, a mage named Glenna - along with her three closest friends - once attempted to defeat a powerful being known as Lord Averill. The fight was bloody and brutal and would have been a complete failure if not for the intervention of magic. As for Averill, he was cast into the abyss. But he's back and he's intent on getting rid of those whose magic isn't deemed "worthwhile." This time around facing Averill will be the task of Gwendoline, her friends Colt and Everleigh, and a stranger named Niles that they meet under rather . . . unique circumstanced. Can the four of them finally defeat Averill and protect the lesser magical beings from annihilation? Or will Averill destroy them all?
Well-crafted characters and an unpredictable outcome captivated me early on. I really enjoyed the fact that Labadie made Fate a person! Along with a wonderfully crafted, action-packed plot, Labadie manages to draw the reader into a discussion of destiny vs. personal choice. Are we fated to specific behaviors or relationships? Or can we choose the paths our life takes? Hands down one of the best fantasy reads I've encountered this year. Needless to say, I was thrilled to hear from the author that a sequel is coming in 2020!
kittyduck's review
5.0
I previously didn’t write a review for this book, but since the author is getting fake negative reviews I thought I’d share what the book is truly like.
This book is magical from start to finish. It holds a great balance of gently explaining the lore of the setting while not getting too carried away with the exposition.
The book weaves between two narratives (that eventually intersect) well, keeping you guessing and intrigued and always wanting to find out what happened next.
The characters are distinct and rounded, and at more than one point I found myself shouting at the pages at them - you truly fall for and feel for the people and the world that has been created.
This is great and easy read for any fantasy lover!
This book is magical from start to finish. It holds a great balance of gently explaining the lore of the setting while not getting too carried away with the exposition.
The book weaves between two narratives (that eventually intersect) well, keeping you guessing and intrigued and always wanting to find out what happened next.
The characters are distinct and rounded, and at more than one point I found myself shouting at the pages at them - you truly fall for and feel for the people and the world that has been created.
This is great and easy read for any fantasy lover!
drkbloodfntsies's review against another edition
1.0
besties don’t support this author !!! she’s extremely rude and classist especially to those who could be potential readers ://
telegraphclub's review against another edition
1.0
author is classist and so ignorant to her own privilege that it comes out as her being blatantly racist. would not recommend this book or any of her books as you’d be supporting an immoral person with a skewed view of proper ethics.
edit to say that Catherine Labadie was even seen retorting to a Palestinian citizen with no money/no access to physical books on twitter and told this poor girl “Doubtful but okay” after this girl explained her situation in Palestine to Catherine. Regardless of your situation, reading is not a “luxury” as Catherine’s followers and she herself put it. It is a human right to consume what other humans make and provide, and books should not be gatekept and guarded from the ones who can’t afford them otherwise.
edit to say that Catherine Labadie was even seen retorting to a Palestinian citizen with no money/no access to physical books on twitter and told this poor girl “Doubtful but okay” after this girl explained her situation in Palestine to Catherine. Regardless of your situation, reading is not a “luxury” as Catherine’s followers and she herself put it. It is a human right to consume what other humans make and provide, and books should not be gatekept and guarded from the ones who can’t afford them otherwise.