anacatarinasb's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
smartflutist661's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
4.25
The Black Jewels is one of my favorite series, so it's always nice to come back to Anne Bishop. This is both like and unlike it. Like enough that if you like this, you'll probably like Daughter of the Blood, and if you were annoyed by the authorial quirks, you'll continue to be annoyed. Unlike enough that it's not quite retreading the same ground, so is still perfectly entertaining. Basically standalone, but I will read the rest as I find them.
bookwyrm_kate's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 Stars, really, but I rounded up because I really liked the Morag character, who I really wished the story had focused on more. The book was super formulaic (love triangle... sigh), the misogyny was layered on REALLY thick, and I hate when rape is the go-to threat just to lazily add tension/danger unnecessarily, without benefitting the story in any conceivable way.
athenaevarinya's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it better then I did the first time I read it. However there were many moments when what was happening or being said in the book made me want to fling it the nearest wall.
jettreads's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
creeker868's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
lkmreads's review against another edition
3.0
Okay, I couldn't decide to give this 3 or four stars, because really, it's worth three and a half to me.
I should start off by saying that, for me, it was hard to read- not because it's badly written, because it's got the same prose as her other books, however it was just a little bit dull at parts. Sections I felt stretched out more than I cared to read about them.
I should also point out it's different from the other books from her I've read so far, Dark Jewels most of all. That's how it felt. Different.
Sure, we still have the fantasy setting, roads/bridges/what-have-you connecting fantasy land and "human" land (in some of her series more human than in others), but this one felt much closer to home, so to speak. So we deal with humans, and witches, and faes (and a side assortment of wood sprites and the like).
Also the way the story and characters on the other series seemed more... well, seemed stronger, and in this one it did not feel as strong. They did not feel as strong.
Despite the dull moments, I enjoyed the read. It was a good book, a nice story, and I have to say, the first half of the book I had expected things to develop slightly differently, and was pleased with the way it ended- ("They had it coming").
I could get to like only one, maybe stretch it out to two of the characters, none of which were actually the main ones, but where important altogether.
The bad guy annoyed me and I really disliked him, I guess it's good, that's what a bad guy is supposed to make you feel, right?
Good book, not excellent, would still recommend her other series over this one, and yes, I'd still buy the next books of Tir Alainn to see how it develops further, but I hold no great expectations nor need to read them -nowwwww- like I did with the others.
I should start off by saying that, for me, it was hard to read- not because it's badly written, because it's got the same prose as her other books, however it was just a little bit dull at parts. Sections I felt stretched out more than I cared to read about them.
I should also point out it's different from the other books from her I've read so far, Dark Jewels most of all. That's how it felt. Different.
Sure, we still have the fantasy setting, roads/bridges/what-have-you connecting fantasy land and "human" land (in some of her series more human than in others), but this one felt much closer to home, so to speak. So we deal with humans, and witches, and faes (and a side assortment of wood sprites and the like).
Also the way the story and characters on the other series seemed more... well, seemed stronger, and in this one it did not feel as strong. They did not feel as strong.
Despite the dull moments, I enjoyed the read. It was a good book, a nice story, and I have to say, the first half of the book I had expected things to develop slightly differently, and was pleased with the way it ended- ("They had it coming").
I could get to like only one, maybe stretch it out to two of the characters, none of which were actually the main ones, but where important altogether.
The bad guy annoyed me and I really disliked him, I guess it's good, that's what a bad guy is supposed to make you feel, right?
Good book, not excellent, would still recommend her other series over this one, and yes, I'd still buy the next books of Tir Alainn to see how it develops further, but I hold no great expectations nor need to read them -nowwwww- like I did with the others.
lisalark's review against another edition
4.0
While not one of my favorite Bishop books, this was satisfying and engaging on a 3+ hour flight. If you like Bishop, expect familiar tropes and character arcs. A 3.5 if that were an option.