arden_onyx's review against another edition
slow-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
2.0
This whole story felt like it was the first act of a properly paced story but stretched out to fill a novel. I, unfortunately, don't mean that in a 'wow, this story is so complex and there's a lot that can be further explored in a sequel or series' way, but rather a 'this could've been condensed into something about 1/3 to 1/2 the length' way. It was really disappointing because I thought the premise was incredibly intriguing, but the execution was just lacking. The main character felt sort of hollow, and I really take issue with the fact that . The actual course of the plot never felt particularly interesting (other than learning about Briarwood though not the actual pages spent there). I feel like the next book would probably make me like the story better but I don't intend to spend any more of my time with writing that I don't enjoy.
I will say, however, if you're a big fan of Red Queen or Sorcery of Thorns, not just for the plot, but the writing, you would likely enjoy this book a lot more than I did.
Spoiler
we only see time be odd around her once before at around halfway through the book she says "time had always acted strange around me"I will say, however, if you're a big fan of Red Queen or Sorcery of Thorns, not just for the plot, but the writing, you would likely enjoy this book a lot more than I did.
tallyvauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Did I like it: 5★
Does it fit the genre: 5★
Does it do what it's trying to do: 5★
Storyline: 5★
Writing style: 5★
Characters: 5★
Plot Twists: 5★
Pacing: 5★
Overall: 5★
Time is money has never been more true.
Okay, I adored this book. It got me out of my reading slump and now I'm fresh and ready to go. In Time with a twist. It's fun and traditional fantasy that has nothing to do with Fae. Just fun whimsical magic and murder. what more could a girl want?
Does it fit the genre: 5★
Does it do what it's trying to do: 5★
Storyline: 5★
Writing style: 5★
Characters: 5★
Plot Twists: 5★
Pacing: 5★
Overall: 5★
Time is money has never been more true.
Okay, I adored this book. It got me out of my reading slump and now I'm fresh and ready to go. In Time with a twist. It's fun and traditional fantasy that has nothing to do with Fae. Just fun whimsical magic and murder. what more could a girl want?
mirpanda277's review against another edition
5.0
[4.5 stars]
I sincerely enjoyed the mythology and world-building in Everless. Perhaps some plot points were predictable, but I was still reading on the edge of my seat and enjoying every page. I'm looking forward to the next installment!
Note: Second read was the e-book, which was cool to do! I liked making notes to myself and highlighting favorite passages.
I sincerely enjoyed the mythology and world-building in Everless. Perhaps some plot points were predictable, but I was still reading on the edge of my seat and enjoying every page. I'm looking forward to the next installment!
Note: Second read was the e-book, which was cool to do! I liked making notes to myself and highlighting favorite passages.
sarahelainereads's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars.
The premise? 5 stars. I loved it. I thought it was a great idea.
The execution of this premise? meh. like one star at best.
The plot twist? I thought it was interesting. The explanation of it felt a little muddled and too fast-paced for me. The parts where I wanted the book to be faster were the parts that took longer. The parts that I actually enjoyed zoomed by.
I think the romance aspect was what really hurt this book. Like, I'm sorry, but I'm supposed to believe that
Bottom line: this has so much potential- at best, you'll love it because of the world-building and be able to overlook all its flaws. At worst, you'll want to smack some sense into Jules and scream at her in frustration.
The premise? 5 stars. I loved it. I thought it was a great idea.
The execution of this premise? meh. like one star at best.
The plot twist? I thought it was interesting. The explanation of it felt a little muddled and too fast-paced for me. The parts where I wanted the book to be faster were the parts that took longer. The parts that I actually enjoyed zoomed by.
I think the romance aspect was what really hurt this book. Like, I'm sorry, but I'm supposed to believe that
Spoiler
Jules was still desperately in love with Roan, who she hasn't seen since she was a child?? and he rarely gives her the time of day- but somehow in the limited scenes that they're together, we are supposed to feel *chemistry* between them? Ugh, no. This is horrible, but I literally felt nothing but indifference when he died. It shows how much I cared about his character... which was not at all.Bottom line: this has so much potential- at best, you'll love it because of the world-building and be able to overlook all its flaws. At worst, you'll want to smack some sense into Jules and scream at her in frustration.
burstnwithbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this on audiobook, which was very well done! As for the book itself, I enjoyed this far more than I expected. It was fantastic and entertaining. I guessed a couple of plot twists, but I was attached and engaged enough that it didn’t bother me. The only thing I really wished were different was the romance- all of it was unnecessary and just cheapened the story a bit. I think it would have been better without it at all. Still, I’m excited to pick up the sequel!
arabellasbookshelves's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
Following 17 year old Jules as she embarks to Everless in order to earn enough time (money equivalent) to keep her and her father safe and sheltered we see as the truth and horrors are unravelled along with the betrayals of friendships and unknown pasts. As Jules becomes handmaiden to the Queen and Ina Gold (engaged to Jules’ childhood love) we also see her conflicts with Roan’s brother Liam (enemies to lovers or friends potential in book two?) and we witness Jules learn more about herself as the book continues - such as the fact that her father is not actually her father and that Jules is actually a reincarnation of the Alchemist herself who had stolen the Sorceress’ heart and immortality all those years ago. When the Sorceress was revealed as Caro and not the Queen, I was a little shocked before realising I probably should have guessed since she was so kind and welcoming towards Jules from the get go. Jules also learns that, as the Alchemist, she has the ability to freeze time and, with Liam’s help and guidance, Jules flees from Everless to learn more about herself, her past and her abilities in order to return and defeat Caro for good after Caro kills Roan and plans to kill anyone Jules loves in order to regain her immortality.
I gave this book 3.5 simply because where it wasn’t a bad book (I really enjoyed my time reading it), it just didn’t feel as fulfilling, I suppose, as other fantasy books have (although I will of course be reading the second book in the duology because I am curious and hoping for an enemies to friends to lovers trope). I found the characters okay, not fully fleshed out yet (since this is only a first book) but still enjoyable to read about and I am curious to see how badly the betrayal effects Jules, and how she could possibly come back from it, now knowing that her ‘friend’ was truly the enemy and her ‘enemy’ was an ally to her the entire time.
Following 17 year old Jules as she embarks to Everless in order to earn enough time (money equivalent) to keep her and her father safe and sheltered we see as the truth and horrors are unravelled along with the betrayals of friendships and unknown pasts. As Jules becomes handmaiden to the Queen and Ina Gold (engaged to Jules’ childhood love) we also see her conflicts with Roan’s brother Liam (enemies to lovers or friends potential in book two?) and we witness Jules learn more about herself as the book continues - such as the fact that her father is not actually her father and that Jules is actually a reincarnation of the Alchemist herself who had stolen the Sorceress’ heart and immortality all those years ago. When the Sorceress was revealed as Caro and not the Queen, I was a little shocked before realising I probably should have guessed since she was so kind and welcoming towards Jules from the get go. Jules also learns that, as the Alchemist, she has the ability to freeze time and, with Liam’s help and guidance, Jules flees from Everless to learn more about herself, her past and her abilities in order to return and defeat Caro for good after Caro kills Roan and plans to kill anyone Jules loves in order to regain her immortality.
I gave this book 3.5 simply because where it wasn’t a bad book (I really enjoyed my time reading it), it just didn’t feel as fulfilling, I suppose, as other fantasy books have (although I will of course be reading the second book in the duology because I am curious and hoping for an enemies to friends to lovers trope). I found the characters okay, not fully fleshed out yet (since this is only a first book) but still enjoyable to read about and I am curious to see how badly the betrayal effects Jules, and how she could possibly come back from it, now knowing that her ‘friend’ was truly the enemy and her ‘enemy’ was an ally to her the entire time.
cheshirebelle's review against another edition
4.0
Ik moet stoppen met hoge verwachtingen hebben voor ik een boek ga lezen. Het was een prachtig verhaal namelijk! De wereld leer je steeds beter kennen en ook de hoofdpersonages. Helaas had ik op een gegeven moment al door wat er aan de hand was en toen was ik alleen maar verder aan het lezen om het boek uit te hebben. Ik zag het van mijlenver aankomen, wat jammer is. Het had zo goed kunnen zijn als ik compleet blanco in het verhaal was gestapt! Ik ben nog steeds verliefd op de cover en ook op het verhaal en de wereld, maar ik vind het soms ook net een beetje te ver gezocht. Zeker een prachtig boek om te lezen, maar zet eerst even je verwachtingen uit en ga blanco het boek in, dan geniet je het meest.
lchimmerda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
forsakenfates's review against another edition
4.0
UnicornCrate Jan 2018 Book
“I know better than to be afraid of stories”
I really enjoyed this book. I was kept entertained and was grossly interested in Jules's story. For me the best part of this book was the magic. The idea that people's blood can be turned into time coins that can then be ingested by someone to lengthen their live is fascinating.
This then lead to the cliche aspect of the rich and powerful preying on the poor and weak for their blood to lengthen their lives and we get the "special" poor girl who is not who she seems. I was able to overcome the cliches of this book simply because I loved the premise so much and loved this idea of time coins and bloodletting as payment for your mistakes and/or taxes. There was something so unique and refreshing about it, even if it contained other standard YA tropes.
I definitely am looking forward to the next book since this one left me with so many questions. Sara Holland did a great job of piquing my interest and then cementing it as she expanded this story and blew everything apart with that ending.
“I know better than to be afraid of stories”
I really enjoyed this book. I was kept entertained and was grossly interested in Jules's story. For me the best part of this book was the magic. The idea that people's blood can be turned into time coins that can then be ingested by someone to lengthen their live is fascinating.
This then lead to the cliche aspect of the rich and powerful preying on the poor and weak for their blood to lengthen their lives and we get the "special" poor girl who is not who she seems. I was able to overcome the cliches of this book simply because I loved the premise so much and loved this idea of time coins and bloodletting as payment for your mistakes and/or taxes. There was something so unique and refreshing about it, even if it contained other standard YA tropes.
I definitely am looking forward to the next book since this one left me with so many questions. Sara Holland did a great job of piquing my interest and then cementing it as she expanded this story and blew everything apart with that ending.