Reviews

Die Kriegerin Des Lichts by Sarah Micklem

bookfortbuilder's review against another edition

Way too slow for what I need right now.  

kesherwo's review against another edition

Language was very dense and made the plot move at a dismal speed

lottpoet's review against another edition

adventurous dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

unsquare's review against another edition

5.0

This one started off slow, but once I got used to the period style, I was hooked, and ended up thoroughly enjoying it, possibly more than I expected. The book is basically a romance set in a sort of alternate medieval times. What little touches of fantasy are present are very subtle. Overall the book is pretty straightforward period literature. Class and the structure of this little society were a big part of the book, and everything was very well drawn, down to the last detail. I'm glad to know it's a planned trilogy... I'm curious to see What Happens Next.

laurajnelson's review against another edition

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

wonderumpus's review against another edition

I liked this book. It was different from typical fantasy. Very gritty. More realistic, while at the same time being less realistic. I'm not entirely sure how I felt about it. I was a little confused as to what powers she actually had - it was too hazily described. I don't know. But I liked it, and I will read the sequel to see how Firethorn's journey continues.

msjenne's review against another edition

I was liking this for a while, but it's just too grim. Not in the mood.

It's basically about a woman in a vaguely medieval world, who ends up following this guy to war because she doesn't really have any other options because she's female. She's not of a high social class (and the guy is), but the highborn ladies' lives pretty much suck too. More or less everyone gets raped and abused and/or prostituted. Fun.

lnzlou55's review against another edition

3.0

While I did like this book I also found it dragged on more then it should have. There was so much information packed into this story that I thought the characters suffered for it. Even after finishing this book I still don't really have a good feel who Firethorn or Sire Galan are. This was much more about the drama of war then the characters involved. It was also a bit more bloody of a book then I really like to read. I'm not a big fan of reading about animals dying over and over again and again. It was a bit too much for my tastes.

cgirl98's review against another edition

5.0

Firethorn by Sarah Micklem I could not put this book down, and lost a whole night's sleep because I kept thinking: Okay, just one more chapter! What made this book so great was not only the writing: which was lush and dark and made every smell, and cry and sound in the book seem real, but also because of the main characters...who pulls you into her world and never lets go.The world Firethorn lives in is bleak and harsh and unyielding. She is born of the lowest caste in her world, but worst yet she was born a woman. She is a mudborn and because of this she is viewed as having less value than most women, and treated as such. The highborn men, the Blood, use mud women as basically playthings to use and throw away when they grow tired of them. They view them as less than people, and have little value for their lives, nor care about their suffering. There is little choice for Firethorn and other women in her position, and they all live harsh lives and sometimes have even harsher deaths. But the women of the Blood are only slightly better off. Their only purpose is marriage and having offspring, and if that is not possible...to be a concubine and birth bastards that have no claim on their Clan lands and it's offerings. There are traded and sold like property, and when they are "damaged" they are discarded like useless trash. If one thing this book was good for was in making me grateful to be born in a time where women have a lot more freedom and choices than was previous given to them. The plight of the women in this world made me angry and sad all at once. The injustices that Firethorn has to endure at various points in the book made me hot with anger, made my heart jump in my throat. At times I felt like crying with her. This is how powerful a grip this character has. I love books with Strong characters...this book did not fail me.Of course this also had tons of action, and battle scenes...boy are there battle scenes, and brutal ones at that. And it is like you are right there with Sire Galen when he kills and fights. Sire Galen..he was and remains a bit of a mystery since the book is told by Firethorn...but he is also a great character. Flawed: jealous, rash, and quick to anger...but you see why Firethorn is so devoted to him. He is also charming and handsome and brave, and he loves her. That is plain. He becomes worthy of her. I can go on, but I don't want to long a post. But I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. Excellent.

aleenak's review against another edition

3.0

DNF about a third in, which I never do. How do I even explain this? The writing is utterly beautiful, the type that speaks to your soul with things you've always known but never articulated or even thought. The first chapter sucked me in and if the whole book had been like that first chapter I'm sure it would be an instant and forever favorite. But it's not and the story takes a sharp veer aside, and after treading a little further into the story, I can tell that this one is not for me. For several reasons, one of which being that Firethorn's choices just don't sit well with me to the point where I'm really not enjoying reading about them.

I skipped ahead, skimming several scenes that each made it seem like barely any time had passed and not much had happened that I couldn't infer. And (terrible, I know) I finally flipped to the end and read the last scene, which was lovely and sad and brilliantly written and I'm glad I did.

Because of all this, I don't really know how to rate it-- but I guess I have to stick with the middle of the road. Because I loved the writing. But I really don't care for the story, or even the characters.

What a weird review, but there it is I guess.