jem_read6's review against another edition
3.0
Even though this series felt incredibly repetitive and in some cases very. VERY. Frustrating, the story was so gripping and had me so enthralled. The ended was very satisfying yet open ended leading to the next series in this world. If your looking for a good series to get you into Fantasy I think this is one that is good for bridging middle grade to ya readers.
raviel's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
That's what happens when you love someone... you notice and notice and notice.
This series started off slow, but I was told to continue reading so I'm glad I did, as it only got better.
I loved Raisa and Han's character developments from the first book to the last. They learned so much along the way, and they lost even more.
Crow walked toward her, arms outstretched like a man in a dream, which he was, in a way. Sometimes a dream is enough.
I would have loved to see more of Crow in the epilogue though. I found it to be quite short, otherwise I liked the ending. It was a book of revelations and I loved loved loved the world building so much.
Personally, I was curious to see if Han would take on his family name, but that wasn't really mentioned. Its left doors open for the Shattered Realms series, so I might find some answers to questions left unclear.
That's what happens when you love someone... you notice and notice and notice.
This series started off slow, but I was told to continue reading so I'm glad I did, as it only got better.
I loved Raisa and Han's character developments from the first book to the last. They learned so much along the way, and they lost even more.
Crow walked toward her, arms outstretched like a man in a dream, which he was, in a way. Sometimes a dream is enough.
I would have loved to see more of Crow in the epilogue though. I found it to be quite short, otherwise I liked the ending. It was a book of revelations and I loved loved loved the world building so much.
Personally, I was curious to see if Han would take on his family name, but that wasn't really mentioned. Its left doors open for the Shattered Realms series, so I might find some answers to questions left unclear.
allymac14's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. There were so many twists and turns to this novel, I didn't think there was possibly any way that Cinda could wrap it all up. However, I was mistaken. Though I'm not usually such a sucker for happy endings, this was one that felt so deserved by the POV characters.
I loved the journey that Cinda takes her readers on in this series. Though so many things in the first book seem insignificant, there are so many callbacks throughout the series. I especially love how so many of the places Raisa traveled to and through in book one make just as important of appearances in books three and four.
I recommend this whole series for the pay off the last book gives. Truly well done.
I loved the journey that Cinda takes her readers on in this series. Though so many things in the first book seem insignificant, there are so many callbacks throughout the series. I especially love how so many of the places Raisa traveled to and through in book one make just as important of appearances in books three and four.
I recommend this whole series for the pay off the last book gives. Truly well done.
readingwithhippos's review against another edition
5.0
I haven't reviewed many books this month, and that’s because I was busy frantically reading THIS SERIES, which I couldn’t wait to blab about but forced myself to wait until I’d read all four books. Which took a while, because even though this is YA fantasy and therefore the print and margins are generously sized, each volume is over 500 pages, and sadly (very sadly) I can only stuff so many pages into my face per day (although trust me, book four was so suspenseful I seriously tested those limits).
You know how some women jokingly refer to themselves as “football widows” when NFL season hits? It doesn’t have the same ring, but the Seven Realms series turned Adam into a Book Widower. I’m sure he’s glad I’m back. Especially because all I can seem to talk about are these books. Just what he wants to hear! Incoherent ramblings about books he’s never read! I’m a prize!
I can’t help it, though—I haven’t been this invested (in love? I’ll neither confirm nor deny) in characters since I don’t know when. There was so much freaking danger everywhere! It was terrifying! I read the entire fourth book (the best and most utterly devastating of the bunch) with my heart in my throat. I didn’t trust the author not to pull a George R. R. Martin and ruthlessly kill off my favorites. Which ones were my favorites, you (didn’t) ask? Why, I’ll tell you (but the answer is pretty much all of them except the super-evil ones):
Raisa – Heir to the throne, destined to be queen someday but has a lot of toughening up to do before then. Fortunately she’s up to the task.
Amon – Raisa’s BFF since they were tiny, now following in his father’s footsteps and serving on the Queen’s Guard. One of those strong, silent, super-noble types with deep principles (and skilled with a sword!). Swoon.
Dancer – Full name Hayden Fire Dancer, grew up in the clans and has all kinds of awesome skills he doesn’t even know about at first. Loyal friend, and in my opinion totally underplayed. I’d read a book about just him and love it, is what I’m saying.
Micah – Wizard from a snobby family, from the same mold as Draco Malfoy. Except more complex than that. What are his true motives? How far will he go to get what he wants? And what does he want, exactly? Who knows!
Han Alister – Thief and streetgang leader with a heart of gold. But might also be a murderer? Either way, right or wrong, he stole my heart (he is a thief after all—snort), and I’m not usually into blondes, so.
I was going to try to do a little plot summary here, or at least set up how the first book opens so you kind of know what you’re getting into, but it didn’t work out very well. It’s a fantasy set in a far-off land where a bunch of people, magical and otherwise, battle for control of the throne. See? That could describe so many books out there, it doesn’t seem special. What sets the Seven Realms series apart are the characters—that’s what it was really all about for me.
These books are everything I want—detailed worldbuilding that’s worked in organically with the story, court intrigue with shifting alliances and constant plays for power, complex but ultimately super-lovable characters, serious external conflict instead of silly problems manufactured by the characters themselves just to drive the story, and (of course) juuuuust enough romance to keep it interesting. No one’s flinging their bra off a rooftop here (did the characters wear bras, since it was kind of a medieval setting? I am going with no). But you could cut the sexual tension with a knife! My favorite kind of sexual tension, cut-able.
Inhaling all four of these books back-to-back was so nearly a perfect reading experience that I’m a little afraid to read the spin-off trilogy. I don’t want anything to ruin this for me. Maybe I’ll wait a while and just bask in the glow.
I think it’s safe to say my aversion to series fiction has been finally and definitively cured.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
You know how some women jokingly refer to themselves as “football widows” when NFL season hits? It doesn’t have the same ring, but the Seven Realms series turned Adam into a Book Widower. I’m sure he’s glad I’m back. Especially because all I can seem to talk about are these books. Just what he wants to hear! Incoherent ramblings about books he’s never read! I’m a prize!
I can’t help it, though—I haven’t been this invested (in love? I’ll neither confirm nor deny) in characters since I don’t know when. There was so much freaking danger everywhere! It was terrifying! I read the entire fourth book (the best and most utterly devastating of the bunch) with my heart in my throat. I didn’t trust the author not to pull a George R. R. Martin and ruthlessly kill off my favorites. Which ones were my favorites, you (didn’t) ask? Why, I’ll tell you (but the answer is pretty much all of them except the super-evil ones):
Raisa – Heir to the throne, destined to be queen someday but has a lot of toughening up to do before then. Fortunately she’s up to the task.
Amon – Raisa’s BFF since they were tiny, now following in his father’s footsteps and serving on the Queen’s Guard. One of those strong, silent, super-noble types with deep principles (and skilled with a sword!). Swoon.
Dancer – Full name Hayden Fire Dancer, grew up in the clans and has all kinds of awesome skills he doesn’t even know about at first. Loyal friend, and in my opinion totally underplayed. I’d read a book about just him and love it, is what I’m saying.
Micah – Wizard from a snobby family, from the same mold as Draco Malfoy. Except more complex than that. What are his true motives? How far will he go to get what he wants? And what does he want, exactly? Who knows!
Han Alister – Thief and streetgang leader with a heart of gold. But might also be a murderer? Either way, right or wrong, he stole my heart (he is a thief after all—snort), and I’m not usually into blondes, so.
I was going to try to do a little plot summary here, or at least set up how the first book opens so you kind of know what you’re getting into, but it didn’t work out very well. It’s a fantasy set in a far-off land where a bunch of people, magical and otherwise, battle for control of the throne. See? That could describe so many books out there, it doesn’t seem special. What sets the Seven Realms series apart are the characters—that’s what it was really all about for me.
These books are everything I want—detailed worldbuilding that’s worked in organically with the story, court intrigue with shifting alliances and constant plays for power, complex but ultimately super-lovable characters, serious external conflict instead of silly problems manufactured by the characters themselves just to drive the story, and (of course) juuuuust enough romance to keep it interesting. No one’s flinging their bra off a rooftop here (did the characters wear bras, since it was kind of a medieval setting? I am going with no). But you could cut the sexual tension with a knife! My favorite kind of sexual tension, cut-able.
Inhaling all four of these books back-to-back was so nearly a perfect reading experience that I’m a little afraid to read the spin-off trilogy. I don’t want anything to ruin this for me. Maybe I’ll wait a while and just bask in the glow.
I think it’s safe to say my aversion to series fiction has been finally and definitively cured.
More book recommendations by me at www.readingwithhippos.com
carlybookworm's review against another edition
5.0
This is by far my favorite series. Loved the ending, but so depressed that it's over. D:
modrockz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
rachelduxbury's review against another edition
5.0
A great ending to the series
I was kind of worried when I reached 75% and the war hadn’t really started but the conclusion didn’t feel rushed and the ending was satisfying without seeming out of place.
Really enjoyed this series
I was kind of worried when I reached 75% and the war hadn’t really started but the conclusion didn’t feel rushed and the ending was satisfying without seeming out of place.
Really enjoyed this series
qdas_11's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! I loved this series so much. I can see it making a place high in my favourite series' of all time. I'll let this sink in before I jump on to Flamecaster though. Super excited!
jessicatamm92's review against another edition
5.0
Man oh man. This series... The Seven Realms series definitely makes my favorites list!
Read this series!
I loved everything about this book.
I loved that Lucious could finally find some peace... although it was pretty disappointing to hear that he was the one that betrayed Alger.. I always liked Lucious and it was just sad to hear about that. At the same time though we learned that Hanalea DIDN'T betray him, so there's that. The ending with Han brining her as a wolf to meet with Alger was just perfect.
I loved all of the parts with Crow and Han in this book, where as I kind of lost my patience with Crow in the past books. Especially before I knew who Crow really was. Han definitely couldn't have survived without him in this book. With the information about the underground tunnels, the treasure, everything. The part when Crow was trying to switch in and out with Han while he was being tortured had me in tears. He had already been tortured to death once, yet he tried to help Han as much as he could.
I definitely didn't see the whole ending with Nightwalker happening. I knew that he hated Wizards so it's not crazy to think he had been killing them all... I guess I just never realized how badly he just wanted to marry Raisa more for the position than for her. I actually did think he had real feelings for her.. maybe because of their past. I was SO angry at the end after EVERYTHING that was happening.. he seriously had the nerve to try and kill Raisa. I was so happy when Night Bird took him out. Of course, I also teared up when she died. She was so young, but I'm happy that she could die in honor.
I'm not really surprised that only Micah survived out of the Bayar family. I do feel a LITTLE bit of pity for him.. even though I still don't really like him. What did you all think about the news of Dancer being a Bayar? I'm happy that Willo came forth and showed the council what kind of trash Gavan really was.
Of course, I'm thrilled that Han and Raisa are finally together. I was getting so angry with Raisa's father and grandmother when they were acting like they would kill him if Raisa thought about marrying him.. then Dancer explained what he knew about the amulet they gave Han. Dancer is a hero. The way he can connect with nature and the way he can work with amulets and make his own flash craft is amazing! I love him <3
Such an amazing series! Will definitely read more by Cinda Williams Chima in the future!
Read this series!
Spoiler
I loved everything about this book.
I loved that Lucious could finally find some peace... although it was pretty disappointing to hear that he was the one that betrayed Alger.. I always liked Lucious and it was just sad to hear about that. At the same time though we learned that Hanalea DIDN'T betray him, so there's that. The ending with Han brining her as a wolf to meet with Alger was just perfect.
I loved all of the parts with Crow and Han in this book, where as I kind of lost my patience with Crow in the past books. Especially before I knew who Crow really was. Han definitely couldn't have survived without him in this book. With the information about the underground tunnels, the treasure, everything. The part when Crow was trying to switch in and out with Han while he was being tortured had me in tears. He had already been tortured to death once, yet he tried to help Han as much as he could.
I definitely didn't see the whole ending with Nightwalker happening. I knew that he hated Wizards so it's not crazy to think he had been killing them all... I guess I just never realized how badly he just wanted to marry Raisa more for the position than for her. I actually did think he had real feelings for her.. maybe because of their past. I was SO angry at the end after EVERYTHING that was happening.. he seriously had the nerve to try and kill Raisa. I was so happy when Night Bird took him out. Of course, I also teared up when she died. She was so young, but I'm happy that she could die in honor.
I'm not really surprised that only Micah survived out of the Bayar family. I do feel a LITTLE bit of pity for him.. even though I still don't really like him. What did you all think about the news of Dancer being a Bayar? I'm happy that Willo came forth and showed the council what kind of trash Gavan really was.
Of course, I'm thrilled that Han and Raisa are finally together. I was getting so angry with Raisa's father and grandmother when they were acting like they would kill him if Raisa thought about marrying him.. then Dancer explained what he knew about the amulet they gave Han. Dancer is a hero. The way he can connect with nature and the way he can work with amulets and make his own flash craft is amazing! I love him <3
Such an amazing series! Will definitely read more by Cinda Williams Chima in the future!
etceteras's review against another edition
5.0
5 star rating is for the entire series, not just this one book.
This is an excellent YA fantasy series. Actually, just a great fantasy series in general. It was slow at the start but the pay off was worth it. I have been bad about finishing series in recent years due to life distractions and mercurial tastes, but I devoured this whole series within a month which is not something I've done since high school, I'm pretty sure. I'm really glad I picked it up.
This is an excellent YA fantasy series. Actually, just a great fantasy series in general. It was slow at the start but the pay off was worth it. I have been bad about finishing series in recent years due to life distractions and mercurial tastes, but I devoured this whole series within a month which is not something I've done since high school, I'm pretty sure. I'm really glad I picked it up.