khobb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.75
I really enjoyed the characters in this book, there are many and some have very little page time but they all feel complex and realistic.
The folklore aspects of the story were interesting, but found that all the more magical parts of the story from Sara or Kieran’s point of view were boring when compared with the Blue, Tucker, Jamie storylines that took place mostly in the “world of the here and now”. The other world story lines outside of Tamson house didn’t seem particularly important, even the climactic parts like Kieran’s duel feel like they have no affect on the overall plot or his character.
My one other critique is the Kieran and Sara romances of the story feel shallow. They fall in love in a timespan of a day which to me made the intense feelings that they had for their partners feel fake. That being said the non romantic relationships plus Blue/Sally and Tucker/Maggie romances felt a lot more real and I really enjoyed most of the characters relationships and their dialogue be quite funny, heartwarming, and gut wrenching.
The folklore aspects of the story were interesting, but found that all the more magical parts of the story from Sara or Kieran’s point of view were boring when compared with the Blue, Tucker, Jamie storylines that took place mostly in the “world of the here and now”. The other world story lines outside of Tamson house didn’t seem particularly important, even the climactic parts like Kieran’s duel feel like they have no affect on the overall plot or his character.
My one other critique is the Kieran and Sara romances of the story feel shallow. They fall in love in a timespan of a day which to me made the intense feelings that they had for their partners feel fake. That being said the non romantic relationships plus Blue/Sally and Tucker/Maggie romances felt a lot more real and I really enjoyed most of the characters relationships and their dialogue be quite funny, heartwarming, and gut wrenching.
amandaskye's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
glendaleereads's review against another edition
4.0
I think De Lint is my new favorite author, this is his third book I've read and he has not disappointed me. The only complaint I would have about this novel and mostly of just De Lint's writing style than the plot of the story, is that he sometimes goes off on irrelevant things, hes so detailed that at times it can become tedious because it makes the story drag on, this is something I've noticed in the previous books I've read of him. But even though he does this. it still gives readers such descriptive details that make you feel like your one of the characters of this book.
I've always enjoyed reading fantasy but I've never really ventured outside young adult fantasy, this is a definite change from what I'm used to reading, way more sophisticated and detailed and I really enjoy it.
I've always enjoyed reading fantasy but I've never really ventured outside young adult fantasy, this is a definite change from what I'm used to reading, way more sophisticated and detailed and I really enjoy it.
marissa_richie's review against another edition
2.0
I really like the worlds that the author creates but the dialogue is often terrible. The characters seem like they are well developed until they speak...
dreadpirateshawn's review against another edition
2.0
Does everyone have that one Spiritual Friend who is a self-proclaimed Thinker of Deep Thoughts? But then they talk and they just sound kinda hand-wavey?
That's what most of this book felt like to me.
There was an aura of spiritual depth, but it seemed to be just a veneer over a conceptual MacGuffin. There was a lot of talk of great Evil, but it mostly came across as a strong creature that Lurked in the Shadows for much of the book.
The world-building was interesting (albeit slow), but the characters felt a bit archetypal -- Gruff-but-straightshooting-cop, Hot-sometimes-girlfriend, Professor-type... I did find Ex-biker to grow fairly interesting. And there were various events that were engaging enough to continue reading. But ultimately I finished it mostly on principle.
That's what most of this book felt like to me.
There was an aura of spiritual depth, but it seemed to be just a veneer over a conceptual MacGuffin. There was a lot of talk of great Evil, but it mostly came across as a strong creature that Lurked in the Shadows for much of the book.
The world-building was interesting (albeit slow), but the characters felt a bit archetypal -- Gruff-but-straightshooting-cop, Hot-sometimes-girlfriend, Professor-type... I did find Ex-biker to grow fairly interesting. And there were various events that were engaging enough to continue reading. But ultimately I finished it mostly on principle.
jonahbarnes's review against another edition
Interesting premise, but the book seemed too long to tell this story.
carolined314's review against another edition
2.0
Blue-eyed Native Americans, colonialism, magic girl gets makeover and still can barely save the day, needing lots of tough men for support
Content Warnings
Moderate: Colonisation, Violence, and Death
Minor: Sexual content
laphenix's review against another edition
2.0
A little bit on the mundane side of fantasy, but an interesting read nonetheless.
milointhewoods's review against another edition
4.0
as i’ve mentioned with de lints other books, i don’t know much about indigenous people, in canada or america, so i cannot comment on the accuracy or appropriacy of their representation here. i really really enjoyed this read, but it wasn’t quite the same tone as memory and dream, which is my favorite de lint book. also, i adored the setting and the description of Tamson House - i just fell in love with it as a place, and would immediately love to move in, but i didn’t find the characters particularly compelling. especially sara and kieran, who i found annoying and tucker, who i had no sympathy for at all.
somewheregirl7's review against another edition
2.0
I love Charles deLint. He's been one of my favorite authors for a very long time and every time I pick up one of his books I am enchanted and enthralled.
So what in the heck happened with Moonheart? The characters are two-dimensional, info-dumping, monologueing self-analysts who can't keep my interest for more than a page. The plot feels thready and implausible with leaps of faith that are larger than the Grand Canyon. There are so many story lines that the story is convoluted and jumps around. I am not sympathetic to any of the characters and most annoy me.
I made it half-way through this book, just hoping the darn thing would get better, before discarding it. I completely lost it, however, when Taliesin was introduced as the villian. Erm. No.
So what in the heck happened with Moonheart? The characters are two-dimensional, info-dumping, monologueing self-analysts who can't keep my interest for more than a page. The plot feels thready and implausible with leaps of faith that are larger than the Grand Canyon. There are so many story lines that the story is convoluted and jumps around. I am not sympathetic to any of the characters and most annoy me.
I made it half-way through this book, just hoping the darn thing would get better, before discarding it. I completely lost it, however, when Taliesin was introduced as the villian. Erm. No.