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amyapple's review against another edition
3.0
Awesome world building and some interesting characters although unfortunately not fleshed out.
The romance was extremely unbelievable and felt very forced. Omitted from the story would have been fine as it did not drive the story in any way in my honest opinion. Not sure why it was in there really.
I do enjoy Garth Nix’s writing style and this was great. I wish there was more to the plot as it was quite simplistic and to a degree anticlimactic.
The romance was extremely unbelievable and felt very forced. Omitted from the story would have been fine as it did not drive the story in any way in my honest opinion. Not sure why it was in there really.
I do enjoy Garth Nix’s writing style and this was great. I wish there was more to the plot as it was quite simplistic and to a degree anticlimactic.
hoadjie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? No
3.75
really enjoyed this first instalment
had a very creative spin on mythical legends
really enjoyed the story line of the left and right handed book sellers.
looking forward to the next book.
had a very creative spin on mythical legends
really enjoyed the story line of the left and right handed book sellers.
looking forward to the next book.
corig93's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
a_chickletz's review
2.0
I discovered Garth Nix via Sabriel, and I devoured his Old Kingdom series one after the other. He instantly became a favorite of mine and I always look forward to his books or finding books of his.
This book however made me feel like it could be Old Kingdom style, but I was unfortunately let down by the lack of plot and meh side characters and fodder added to the story.
There is such a focus on Left-Handed Booksellers... so you think this would have a focus on books. Not really? They could have been called left-handed plumbers and honestly it wouldn't have changed anything.
It gave me some Gaiman Neverwhere feels at times, but I found that book a lot more fluid and easier to understand.
Overall, I feel sad that I keep falling for Garth Nix books only to be let down.
This book however made me feel like it could be Old Kingdom style, but I was unfortunately let down by the lack of plot and meh side characters and fodder added to the story.
There is such a focus on Left-Handed Booksellers... so you think this would have a focus on books. Not really? They could have been called left-handed plumbers and honestly it wouldn't have changed anything.
It gave me some Gaiman Neverwhere feels at times, but I found that book a lot more fluid and easier to understand.
Overall, I feel sad that I keep falling for Garth Nix books only to be let down.
xanthofile's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
rodakor09's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
thisisdoc's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
awesomebrandi's review against another edition
4.0
My interest is always piqued when books are mentioned in the title of a novel. This is a fantasy action novel with themes of self understanding, acceptance and gender fluidity as well. I thought this was a pretty unique book, as far as the way they presented topics of magic, gods, creepy creatures and more. It didn't feel like another rehash of the same old thing, which was refreshing. Truthfully, for my book loving self, it didn't have as much book specific action as I would have preferred, but that's my personal opinion, and it didn't take away from the quality of the book as a whole.
Our heroine is an 18 year old young woman who sets off to London on her own for the first time. She ends up getting caught up in the action right away, meeting a rather mysterious person who saves her life, and leads her on an exciting adventure of self understanding. The two primary characters, Susan and Merlin, are both unique, march to the beat of their own drum type people. Merlin feels very gender fluid, appearing both 'masculine' and 'feminine' at differing times. I felt that the way the author wrote Merlin was very accepting and uplifting. I also enjoyed the fact that it didn't change the way Susan felt about them.
The book moves at a pretty quick pace, but it never feels like there are too many details. I never felt lost or confused; just moving at a very quick storytelling pace.
I would definitely read additional books if this becomes a series, and intend on reading other books by this author. I would suggest this book if you enjoy fantasy, magic, & stories about people who sell books.
Our heroine is an 18 year old young woman who sets off to London on her own for the first time. She ends up getting caught up in the action right away, meeting a rather mysterious person who saves her life, and leads her on an exciting adventure of self understanding. The two primary characters, Susan and Merlin, are both unique, march to the beat of their own drum type people. Merlin feels very gender fluid, appearing both 'masculine' and 'feminine' at differing times. I felt that the way the author wrote Merlin was very accepting and uplifting. I also enjoyed the fact that it didn't change the way Susan felt about them.
The book moves at a pretty quick pace, but it never feels like there are too many details. I never felt lost or confused; just moving at a very quick storytelling pace.
I would definitely read additional books if this becomes a series, and intend on reading other books by this author. I would suggest this book if you enjoy fantasy, magic, & stories about people who sell books.