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beckykirk's review against another edition
2.0
Meh. I don't expect much from Ms. Lackey anymore since she's become so preachy. And what's the point of reading about characters that already know what to do and how to be? Where are the mistakes and the growth? Maybe that's why it took me 5 days to read a book that in the past would have taken me 1 or 2, because it was so dull.
And lastly why does Mags get 6 (and I'm assuming more) books about him? What about Talia or Kerowyn? They were much more interesting characters and I could understand what they were saying! Mags' dialect is so awful to read at times I get disgusted.
That being said, I do keep reading Misty's books. Is it nostalgia? Trying to recapture a bit of my childhood? I don't know and I'm so happy with my local library where I can check out her books instead of purchasing the expensive hardcovers!
And lastly why does Mags get 6 (and I'm assuming more) books about him? What about Talia or Kerowyn? They were much more interesting characters and I could understand what they were saying! Mags' dialect is so awful to read at times I get disgusted.
That being said, I do keep reading Misty's books. Is it nostalgia? Trying to recapture a bit of my childhood? I don't know and I'm so happy with my local library where I can check out her books instead of purchasing the expensive hardcovers!
lissajean7's review against another edition
2.0
I love Valdemar. But I've always read them in order. This one is the beginning of a trilogy, so I had no idea it was basically a continuation of the character Mags from the Foundation-Bastion series--which I haven't read yet. All those mentions the author puts in to remind the reader of past experiences were just plain annoying, partially because I didn't know what she was referring to, and partially because it sounded cooler than what I was currently reading. Seriously, this story was just not that interesting. I won't read the next in this series until I've gone and read the others. I do not like feeling left out of all the inside jokes...not that they were jokes, but, well...
annika2304's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
faehistory's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kmoses87's review against another edition
2.0
I was kind of disappointed. I usually love Mercedes Lackey, but the whole reason I picked this book up was because of one of the main character's ability to hear the thoughts of animals. This wasn't used much, other than at the beginning and end, as well as to conveniently allow her to have knowledge of what people are talking about. The plot line of feuding houses was a lot too much like Romeo and Juliet too.
maggpiebymoonlight's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
noshyira's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
relaxing
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? Yes
4.0
iffer's review against another edition
2.0
I keep finding my way back to Mercedes Lackey and Valdemar because of how much I enjoyed the early series when I was younger, but all the Mags books have been disappointing to me. Not much happens in any of the books, including this one. This was okay, but ultimately left me feeling dissatisfied.
Mags and Amily end up babysitting irresponsible teenage children of two families who are in a feud, and in the book, even they repeatedly talk about how vacuous, immaturely dramatic, and boring their charges are. Yet...Lackey keeps recounting the these boring conversations. It ended up reminding me of a very boring, not-cleverly-written attempt at recreating a Jane Austen-esque courtship novel.
Lackey makes some ham-handed attempts at feminism, by pointing out that high-born females are merely high-value "cattle" to be married off, but it falls flat.
I enjoyed the establishment of Mags's street urchin runner-boy spies (kind of like in Sherlock Holmes), and I hope to see more of them. I liked having more time with the characters of Amily and Mags, but I missed Lena and Bear, who gave the previous series more flair.
Mags and Amily end up babysitting irresponsible teenage children of two families who are in a feud, and in the book, even they repeatedly talk about how vacuous, immaturely dramatic, and boring their charges are. Yet...Lackey keeps recounting the these boring conversations. It ended up reminding me of a very boring, not-cleverly-written attempt at recreating a Jane Austen-esque courtship novel.
Lackey makes some ham-handed attempts at feminism, by pointing out that high-born females are merely high-value "cattle" to be married off, but it falls flat.
I enjoyed the establishment of Mags's street urchin runner-boy spies (kind of like in Sherlock Holmes), and I hope to see more of them. I liked having more time with the characters of Amily and Mags, but I missed Lena and Bear, who gave the previous series more flair.