booksandpops4000's review
3.0
This book was a bit of a struggle for me. I had this book on my tbr for so long and just feel like i was not the moment to read this book. I also think this book was very much a set up for the rest of the serie and the two main charactrs i did not feel that connected to them. I have heard such good things about the later book in this series and want to try to read this book closer together in the next year!!
ashleysmuse's review
2.0
The book is very much a set-up for the other books in the series to follow. It wasn't the most exciting read but I am intrigued with where the story will go. So, though I only gave this book 2 stars I'll be looking to read the next book.
adventurous_abella's review against another edition
5.0
“Why couldn’t real life be that orderly? Instead it was a tangled fish line, with knots and connections you couldn’t see.”
~
Han’s and Raisa’s story surprised me, I really enjoyed it. I immediately liked Han’s hard exterior but moral code, and Raisa grew on me as she showed her gumption. Their worlds cross without them even knowing, as both are avoiding the impending future and mysteries it holds that neither are prepared for. An adventure full of magic, stories of old, palace politics, possible treason, love in the air, and a bit of action.
~
Han’s and Raisa’s story surprised me, I really enjoyed it. I immediately liked Han’s hard exterior but moral code, and Raisa grew on me as she showed her gumption. Their worlds cross without them even knowing, as both are avoiding the impending future and mysteries it holds that neither are prepared for. An adventure full of magic, stories of old, palace politics, possible treason, love in the air, and a bit of action.
brookeevenson's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
claudiaque's review
4.0
This was pretty fun! Typical chosen one and fantasy tropes abound but sometimes those are what you want. Interesting if slightly confusing world building, over powered MCs for their age (just read them as older) and lots of high school aged romance drama that was entertaining in spite of being rather silly and flippant. Overall, a light and fun fantasy read with a surprising emotional punch and great tension that I would recommend to people who like YA fantasy. Looking forward to the next one. Will write up a bit longer review when I crack open my laptop.
shelovestoread's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars!
I have wanted to read this series for about a year..now. As an international reader, ugh I faced so many hardships in getting this. First the monumental prices, than me giving up and getting, but than after 3 months Disney wouldn't distribute it to my country... Than had to turn to uk editions. Which I wasn't happy about but I like how they look now when I got them. Anyway than for the longest time I couldn't read them cuz undergrad was kicking my ass. Than. I finally picked it up but it stayed in my bag cuz no time to really.. but this weekend I put my heels down and here we are woho. I finished it. Anyway I'll shut up and get to the review.
This was a promising star to a new series! The book starts off really slow, it takes a really long time for the world building to happen. What surprises me was that a map was missing throughout this whole series and I had to confer to the companion/spinoff/the next series based in this world for the map. And it's weird Because that map is so detailed and without it I would have been flopping like a fish out of water. Lost.
MAPS ARE IMPORTANT PEOPLE.
Moving on, the world building keeps happening till the last page, and I have to say I really liked it. There are lots of kingdoms and a QUEENDOM! woho! Women's rule. Magicians and and clans and powerful people. And rules. The cultural diversity is complex and I was so there for that.
The characters, I like them. Han, was an enjoyment from the start, a little clueless 😂 Because I would be screaming at him to open his eyes and not be dumb™. And a little oh I ain't got no power but lemme try to be a hero syndrome. That erm didn't lead to anything good.
Raisa, the princess heir. Sometimes I really liked her. But sometimes she was really gullible and I wanted to shake her to come into her sense. But she is a 16 year old so.
The world is really complex with lots of areas to cover. The cultural diversity in the characters and clans is very much interesting, the different garbs, and rituals, and all the different trades and specialties. The different schools for healers, warriors and wizards. I cannot wait to find out more about this world as the series continue.
The plot is full of politics, a sense of impending doom, conspiracies.
I will say so I already guessed what the plot twist was so.... Er. 💀
I hope the other books are as good.
One thing I was annoyed by was the girls were called girlies. And so was the coins in the land 🙄😑 it was weird. I know the coins might have the face of the queen. But eh..maybe u can call the coin girlies. But the girls were also called [email protected]!]!]! What.
Anyway. A wonderful fantasy world with lots of potential. Can't wait to read more.
I have wanted to read this series for about a year..now. As an international reader, ugh I faced so many hardships in getting this. First the monumental prices, than me giving up and getting, but than after 3 months Disney wouldn't distribute it to my country... Than had to turn to uk editions. Which I wasn't happy about but I like how they look now when I got them. Anyway than for the longest time I couldn't read them cuz undergrad was kicking my ass. Than. I finally picked it up but it stayed in my bag cuz no time to really.. but this weekend I put my heels down and here we are woho. I finished it. Anyway I'll shut up and get to the review.
This was a promising star to a new series! The book starts off really slow, it takes a really long time for the world building to happen. What surprises me was that a map was missing throughout this whole series and I had to confer to the companion/spinoff/the next series based in this world for the map. And it's weird Because that map is so detailed and without it I would have been flopping like a fish out of water. Lost.
MAPS ARE IMPORTANT PEOPLE.
Moving on, the world building keeps happening till the last page, and I have to say I really liked it. There are lots of kingdoms and a QUEENDOM! woho! Women's rule. Magicians and and clans and powerful people. And rules. The cultural diversity is complex and I was so there for that.
The characters, I like them. Han, was an enjoyment from the start, a little clueless 😂 Because I would be screaming at him to open his eyes and not be dumb™. And a little oh I ain't got no power but lemme try to be a hero syndrome. That erm didn't lead to anything good.
Raisa, the princess heir. Sometimes I really liked her. But sometimes she was really gullible and I wanted to shake her to come into her sense. But she is a 16 year old so.
The world is really complex with lots of areas to cover. The cultural diversity in the characters and clans is very much interesting, the different garbs, and rituals, and all the different trades and specialties. The different schools for healers, warriors and wizards. I cannot wait to find out more about this world as the series continue.
The plot is full of politics, a sense of impending doom, conspiracies.
I will say so I already guessed what the plot twist was so.... Er. 💀
I hope the other books are as good.
One thing I was annoyed by was the girls were called girlies. And so was the coins in the land 🙄😑 it was weird. I know the coins might have the face of the queen. But eh..maybe u can call the coin girlies. But the girls were also called [email protected]!]!]! What.
Anyway. A wonderful fantasy world with lots of potential. Can't wait to read more.
arrianereads's review against another edition
5.0
I loved everything about this book, and cannot wait to dive into the sequel.