alexaperez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
The magic in this book was pretty unique and I loved how it highlighted the power and impact of storytelling. The cast was interesting and diverse. Not too many characters to keep track of, but just enough to make things interesting and flesh out the story. All with distinct personalities that were fun to follow. Tanwen cracks me up. Braith is so sweet and brave. Brac is a good friend but omg just let Tannie go lol. (I could go on but this is a spoiler-free zone.)
I say this in the most respectful way I can so please don’t come for me… not the biggest fan of the whole goddesses vs creator thing. I didn’t realize until I was maybe 20% of the way into the book that it comes from a publisher that “specializes in Christian and theology titles”. Nothing against that, I just prefer to read books that don’t try to push religion at you. It was done in as light a way as possible, but it was still noticeable enough to make you feel a little weird about it if you have a not-fun relationship with Christianity. I don’t think the story would’ve suffered from removing the religious element and still would’ve achieved the author’s goal of writing a clean, whimsical YA fantasy. It just didn’t contribute to the plot imo and felt a bit forced/out of place.
That aside, I really did enjoy this world and this story. Looking forward to reading the second book!
I say this in the most respectful way I can so please don’t come for me… not the biggest fan of the whole goddesses vs creator thing. I didn’t realize until I was maybe 20% of the way into the book that it comes from a publisher that “specializes in Christian and theology titles”. Nothing against that, I just prefer to read books that don’t try to push religion at you. It was done in as light a way as possible, but it was still noticeable enough to make you feel a little weird about it if you have a not-fun relationship with Christianity. I don’t think the story would’ve suffered from removing the religious element and still would’ve achieved the author’s goal of writing a clean, whimsical YA fantasy. It just didn’t contribute to the plot imo and felt a bit forced/out of place.
That aside, I really did enjoy this world and this story. Looking forward to reading the second book!
beauty_and_the_rose's review against another edition
4.0
The concept for this book is amazing and so unique, i loved it. The world building was extremely well done and i felt completely immersed in this book. I listened to it on audio and would highly recommend it, the narrator was perfect.
The only downside to this book for me was the "romance triangle" which isn't really a triangle because she clearly doesn't want to be with one of them. Also, I don't see why this needs to be a trilogy. It could have ended with this one book and been a five star read. The only reason i knocked a star off was because it felt like the ending was wrapped up then the author threw in something to make you want to read the next book, but it felt forced.
To be honest i'm not sure i'll be continuing the series, but i certainly did thoroughly enjoy this book!
The only downside to this book for me was the "romance triangle" which isn't really a triangle because she clearly doesn't want to be with one of them. Also, I don't see why this needs to be a trilogy. It could have ended with this one book and been a five star read. The only reason i knocked a star off was because it felt like the ending was wrapped up then the author threw in something to make you want to read the next book, but it felt forced.
To be honest i'm not sure i'll be continuing the series, but i certainly did thoroughly enjoy this book!
especbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Such an original concept! I love the way the creative graces have been portrayed and the religious allegory is well done and not heavy-handed. I connected with the characters and their plight and enjoyed seeing how this intrigue played out. I did feel that the ending played out somewhat abrupt and left some things not satisfactorily wrapped up, but not to such an extent that I was left without a complete story. Well done!.
nereads's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of The Story Peddler through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review and I was genuinely a little bit nervous about it! The last time I read a book in exchange for a review I truly hated it and was filled with guilt leaving it a one-star review. However, I can happily say (with a massive sigh of relief) that Lindsay A. Franklin's The Story Peddler was a pleasure to read and I'm giving it 4 out of 5.
Tanwen is a talented orphan storyteller. Well, she doesn't simply tell stories she has the power to crystallise them into little sculptures; a talent which is both restricted by the country's laws and abused by her 'mentor'. Nevertheless, all Tanwen dreams of is leaving her small town and becoming the Royal Storyteller.
After Tanwen accidentally tells a story containing banned strands she quickly finds herself an outlaw fighting for her life and in the company of a mismatched band of rebel weavers. Follow Tanwen's journey as she discovers deep, dark secrets and just how much she has to lose.
What I Loved:
- It felt original. Apparently, in essence, every story has been told and everything now is just a retelling. In lots of ways, The Story Peddler is easy to compare with other stories I've read, yet it still felt like something completely new.
- The secrets. Okay, some of them I saw coming a mile off, but it was still so much fun to watch as the characters pieced them together.
- The romantic entanglements. I'm a sucker for a romantic subplot, but there were so many different takes on love in this book and I was loving pretty much all of them!
What I Didn't Like:
- I felt like I was being force-fed religion, in particular: Christianity. I have no problem with religion, and I think a higher power/God element in books can often add something to the storyline. Yet, this just felt so forced and like Franklin was almost trying to convert me.
- The romantic entanglements. Yes, I know, this is also something I loved. But, some of the couplings come a bit out of nowhere, there was no real build up to them and therefore felt shoe-horned in. Perhaps they would have been better coming to the surface in a sequel, I don't know.
- Some of the language. Clearly, some words are used to create a class divide between the characters and the towns they've grown up in. But my God did it annoy me. The constant and repetitive use of words like 'lass' was just infuriating.
“Most people’s lives were stories with mysterious endings. Mine was a story with a beginning I could never make sense of.”
― Lindsay A. Franklin, The Story Peddler (The Weaver Trilogy #1)
Tanwen is a talented orphan storyteller. Well, she doesn't simply tell stories she has the power to crystallise them into little sculptures; a talent which is both restricted by the country's laws and abused by her 'mentor'. Nevertheless, all Tanwen dreams of is leaving her small town and becoming the Royal Storyteller.
After Tanwen accidentally tells a story containing banned strands she quickly finds herself an outlaw fighting for her life and in the company of a mismatched band of rebel weavers. Follow Tanwen's journey as she discovers deep, dark secrets and just how much she has to lose.
What I Loved:
- It felt original. Apparently, in essence, every story has been told and everything now is just a retelling. In lots of ways, The Story Peddler is easy to compare with other stories I've read, yet it still felt like something completely new.
- The secrets. Okay, some of them I saw coming a mile off, but it was still so much fun to watch as the characters pieced them together.
- The romantic entanglements. I'm a sucker for a romantic subplot, but there were so many different takes on love in this book and I was loving pretty much all of them!
What I Didn't Like:
- I felt like I was being force-fed religion, in particular: Christianity. I have no problem with religion, and I think a higher power/God element in books can often add something to the storyline. Yet, this just felt so forced and like Franklin was almost trying to convert me.
- The romantic entanglements. Yes, I know, this is also something I loved. But, some of the couplings come a bit out of nowhere, there was no real build up to them and therefore felt shoe-horned in. Perhaps they would have been better coming to the surface in a sequel, I don't know.
- Some of the language. Clearly, some words are used to create a class divide between the characters and the towns they've grown up in. But my God did it annoy me. The constant and repetitive use of words like 'lass' was just infuriating.
“Most people’s lives were stories with mysterious endings. Mine was a story with a beginning I could never make sense of.”
― Lindsay A. Franklin, The Story Peddler (The Weaver Trilogy #1)
theinkwyrm's review against another edition
3.0
In a word, underwhelming. This was fine, but I probably won’t continue the series. It’s just not compelling enough for the kind of fantasy I tend to enjoy and reads pretty YA to me even though it technically isn’t. I also don’t buy Tanwen’s chemistry with either of the “love interests” and am not very invested in Tanwen as a POV character. Honestly, I would have liked this a lot more if we’d gotten to see how the magic system was developed and how Tanwen hones her abilities and just cut out the political and romantic parts, but that’s just me.
wallsj's review against another edition
3.0
I don’t really have strong positive or negative feelings towards this book. I was waiting for my library book to be ready so I read this free book so I had something to do.
I was drawn to the idea of it, but I just don’t really feel like it was wonderfully done.
The “romance” between Brac and Tanwen makes me wanna barf. I wish that part would have been more settled in the end.
(Part of my issue with it may have been the narrator on the audiobook- it made me feel like she was talking to me like I was a kid the whole book. Ugh.)
Needless to say, I’m reading the second one so it wasn’t that bad. I really just feel like the story itself is there, it just lacked depth.
I was drawn to the idea of it, but I just don’t really feel like it was wonderfully done.
The “romance” between Brac and Tanwen makes me wanna barf. I wish that part would have been more settled in the end.
(Part of my issue with it may have been the narrator on the audiobook- it made me feel like she was talking to me like I was a kid the whole book. Ugh.)
Needless to say, I’m reading the second one so it wasn’t that bad. I really just feel like the story itself is there, it just lacked depth.
centermemine's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Great series starter. The magic system is awesome - really unique!
trinityturnsthepage's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.5
this book was incredibly mid. the characters felt flat and the writing shoved literally every single little thing in my face that i felt like i was being spoon fed thoughts. if it weren’t for the violence, i could see this book being a hit among 4th and 5th graders across the nation i fear. also weirdly unnecessary sexual assault and casual fatphobia that served no real purpose? i just didn’t care for any of the characters at all PLUS a super forced love triangle always drives me insane.
amylapp's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
paperbacks_and_ponytails's review against another edition
4.0
Well this book was a fun ride, I can't wait to read the rest of the series. A fun adventurous fantasy that is sure to keep you turning the pages.
A story peddler who weaves stories into light, who finds her light uncontrollable and now on the run from the king's guards. She finds friends in the most unlikely places and learns that some things that are illegal may be what is right and true for this world.
A story peddler who weaves stories into light, who finds her light uncontrollable and now on the run from the king's guards. She finds friends in the most unlikely places and learns that some things that are illegal may be what is right and true for this world.