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marisny's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
wisewun1's review against another edition
This read a little like a first draft. It had cool ideas but didn’t seem to be executed well enough to hold my attentions.
irrationaltide's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
josh_vanrys's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-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? Yes
4.25
rociobn28's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
worming_through_books's review against another edition
5.0
This book is incredible.
The characters are so well written and fleshed out that they are easy to fall in love with despite some of their deceptions. Max is beautifully presented main character that goes through so much but still come out stronger in the end.
The strong story arc is only made better by the abundance of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end. The writing is easy to follow and creates an addictive flow to the book that you can’t put down. The ending is the best parts of completion and cliff hanger you expect from the first part of a trilogy. I can’t wait to read the next instalments of this series.
With M/M romances, arranged marriages, found families, mages, elemental magic, and not forgetting dragons, this book of a must read for anyone who enjoys YA fantasy.
I cannot recommend this book, and Ben Alderson’s other works, enough.
The characters are so well written and fleshed out that they are easy to fall in love with despite some of their deceptions. Max is beautifully presented main character that goes through so much but still come out stronger in the end.
The strong story arc is only made better by the abundance of twists and turns that keep you guessing until the end. The writing is easy to follow and creates an addictive flow to the book that you can’t put down. The ending is the best parts of completion and cliff hanger you expect from the first part of a trilogy. I can’t wait to read the next instalments of this series.
With M/M romances, arranged marriages, found families, mages, elemental magic, and not forgetting dragons, this book of a must read for anyone who enjoys YA fantasy.
I cannot recommend this book, and Ben Alderson’s other works, enough.
finitha's review against another edition
3.0
'Heir to Thorn and Flame' is the first book in the War of the Wood series. I am no stranger to Ben Alderson's style and even though this story may not quite reach the heights of 'Lord of Eternal Night', it undeniably serves as a fantastic kick-off to the series. Mages, dragons, familial bonds and treacherous betrayals . . . what is not to like?
Accidentally killing the heir to the throne, Max is forced to wear his mantle and marry Prince Camron. Plagued by uncertainty and torn between loyalties, he finds himself in a precarious position as his parents remain captive in the clutches of his enemies. Whom should he trust? Dangerously attractive Camron or Simion the dragon riding spy or his loyal but secretive friend, Beatrice? Delving further into the plot will only spoil your reading experience, and thus, I better refrain from divulging any more details.
I should warn you though . .. there is sort of a love triangle in the beginning which is almost resolved towards the end. Aaah!! I do hope that the author will pick that plot point again . . . at present my sympathies lay with the (presumed) villain. Sigh! Can't wait to read the next one.
Accidentally killing the heir to the throne, Max is forced to wear his mantle and marry Prince Camron. Plagued by uncertainty and torn between loyalties, he finds himself in a precarious position as his parents remain captive in the clutches of his enemies. Whom should he trust? Dangerously attractive Camron or Simion the dragon riding spy or his loyal but secretive friend, Beatrice? Delving further into the plot will only spoil your reading experience, and thus, I better refrain from divulging any more details.
I should warn you though . .. there is sort of a love triangle in the beginning which is almost resolved towards the end. Aaah!! I do hope that the author will pick that plot point again . . . at present my sympathies lay with the (presumed) villain. Sigh! Can't wait to read the next one.
toffiladyreader's review against another edition
4.0
thank you so much to Netgalley for gifting me this ARC in exchange for an honest review!!
well, it seems Ben Alderson has redeemed himself.
i had the WORST experience reading one of his books a few years ago and, since then, i lost interest on picking something by him ever again. until i saw that i could request this audiobook and that i was about mages and dragons so i was like "here goes nothing."
at first i was kinda angry at the MC, always doubting and not knowing what to do. but i ended up respecting him after a while, considering everything he did to survive. the world sounded amazing and complex, now i need a map to visualize it better. my fave part was the angst that the love triangle gave me. with who would the MC stay?? because when one was shining, the other did something questionable so i had no idea what to think, which made it even more interesting
well, it seems Ben Alderson has redeemed himself.
i had the WORST experience reading one of his books a few years ago and, since then, i lost interest on picking something by him ever again. until i saw that i could request this audiobook and that i was about mages and dragons so i was like "here goes nothing."
at first i was kinda angry at the MC, always doubting and not knowing what to do. but i ended up respecting him after a while, considering everything he did to survive. the world sounded amazing and complex, now i need a map to visualize it better. my fave part was the angst that the love triangle gave me. with who would the MC stay?? because when one was shining, the other did something questionable so i had no idea what to think, which made it even more interesting