lazygal's review
3.0
What if you have great intentions, but go about things really wrong? That's Annalise. She's got great ideas as to how the kingdom should run, but her plotting and planning isn't going to go well. And then there's Evra, who has these terrible visions that show a threat but of course don't show who and when and what. They would make a terrific team, except did you get the part about Annalise doing things horribly? I love the fact that they're strong women but in very different ways. Things are wrapped up at the end but are they really? We'll see...
eARC provided by publisher.
eARC provided by publisher.
kylielovesbooks's review
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley for an audiobook copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
It took me a while into this book and I really don't know why because I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. It might have been because the physical book I was reading was similar so it was just hard to keep track of what was happening in which.
The characters were interesting. We had 2 main characters, Annalise and Evra. Annalise lived in the castle and was next in line for throne. Evra has just discovered her clearsee (spelling?) magic, one of the most rare magical gifts. While these 2 girls had great personalities, it was told from each of their POV's in the first person, so there were so many times I couldn't remember which POV I was on unless someone else said one of their names. A lot of the side characters were really great too.
The plot once I really got into it was captivating. We learn about some things Annalise that she isn't proud of and doesn't want Evra to find out being a clearsee (able to see past/present/future visions). It really seems like these 2 girls have the same overall goal and will be fast friends to conquer that goal, but it really ends up the opposite which was different and refreshing. All the twists and turns at the end really had me excited to listen to every single minute.
While I think this is a standalone, there is a lot of potential for a future sequel and I would be very interested to learn more about these characters.
It took me a while into this book and I really don't know why because I ended up enjoying it quite a bit. It might have been because the physical book I was reading was similar so it was just hard to keep track of what was happening in which.
The characters were interesting. We had 2 main characters, Annalise and Evra. Annalise lived in the castle and was next in line for throne. Evra has just discovered her clearsee (spelling?) magic, one of the most rare magical gifts. While these 2 girls had great personalities, it was told from each of their POV's in the first person, so there were so many times I couldn't remember which POV I was on unless someone else said one of their names. A lot of the side characters were really great too.
The plot once I really got into it was captivating. We learn about some things Annalise that she isn't proud of and doesn't want Evra to find out being a clearsee (able to see past/present/future visions). It really seems like these 2 girls have the same overall goal and will be fast friends to conquer that goal, but it really ends up the opposite which was different and refreshing. All the twists and turns at the end really had me excited to listen to every single minute.
While I think this is a standalone, there is a lot of potential for a future sequel and I would be very interested to learn more about these characters.
rebar351's review
3.0
I have to say I enjoyed the authors duo-logy grace and glory more! Couldn’t really connect with story!
canderson's review
3.0
I’m giving this a three because I normally like Tracy Banghart’s books and I loved the narrator’s voice, but I’d say this fell more in a two category. But, there were so many holes in this novel, and honestly too many easy ways out. The premise was interesting; that everyone had a little bit of magic but Evra was weird and scary because she has none. Yet, it seemed like there were multiple characters who didn’t appear to have any magic and they weren’t weird... Toward the end, I had to go back and listen to two chapters again because someone miraculously appears just in time to be a super important character with very little transition. I actually did it twice because I thought maybe I misheard details leading up to the reveal.
Another big issue: the advisors. They’re supposed to be celibate; does that rule spontaneously disappear the second the new ruler steps into power? I mean this towards the end of the novel — as it’s utilized as a “taboo” for mid-novel but then the rule is forgotten at the end.
I really thought this novel had such promise, but I’m left feeling very “meh” about the whole thing. The majority of Evra’s story felt a bit clunky, while Annalise’s seemed more solid.
Overall, not a bad read. It was quick and interesting and the narrator was pleasant to listen to.
Another big issue: the advisors. They’re supposed to be celibate; does that rule spontaneously disappear the second the new ruler steps into power? I mean this towards the end of the novel — as it’s utilized as a “taboo” for mid-novel but then the rule is forgotten at the end.
I really thought this novel had such promise, but I’m left feeling very “meh” about the whole thing. The majority of Evra’s story felt a bit clunky, while Annalise’s seemed more solid.
Overall, not a bad read. It was quick and interesting and the narrator was pleasant to listen to.
tracythewriter's review
5.0
I started writing A SEASON OF SINISTER DREAMS years ago. I was on vacation with my family, and I was struggling with my writing...it looked like my dreams of being published might not come true. I was looking for a way to process my grief and feel hope and joy in my writing again. I decided to write a traditional fantasy just for myself, inspired by the books of Robin McKinley that I'd loved as a teenager, and by my dog, Scrabble, who was big and yellow and looked so at home in the wilds of Northern Ontario, where we were staying. The book changed and grew over the years. But at its heart, it's always been a story about managing grief, the hope that those who leave us are never really gone, and what it takes to be at peace with yourself and what you can offer the world. The irony, for a book about grief, is that a week before its release, I had to say goodbye to Scrabble, my inspiration and constant companion for almost 15 years. And now, as his book goes out into the world, I find myself hoping, as ever, that those we love stay with us, and that I'll see him again someday. <3 I hope you all enjoy A SEASON OF SINISTER DREAMS.
cats_cardigans_and_catalogs's review
4.0
Can stand alone fantasies please come back! I heartily enjoyed this one. I loved seeing the character development and growth. It can be a challenge to have unlikable characters, but the author did an excellent job of balancing it. I was rooting for both girls and I'm very happy with the ending. Not five stars because the writing itself wasn't amazing, but the story was.
mallorypen's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Now THIS is how you write a morally gray, sympathetic character! I was rooting for Annalise as much as I was shocked by her actions; her rationale felt so sound while she was puzzling through it, and then the consequences were as surprising to me as they were to her. The twists and turns held me in suspense; there was enough hints to feel like the twists were grounded in the plot, but I didn’t put them together before the various mysteries were revealed (for the most part.
Annalise’s character was so rich with conflict and gray morals and anguish and triumph, Evra felt just a little flat in comparison. That being said, she and the other supporting characters were all well-written and believable. The story arc felt well-paced, and the resolution was satisfying and left plenty of room to dwell on what may happen next even after the novel ended.
Spoiler
Once we met the actual golden wolf, I guessed that was Kendrick. I also really enjoyed how the antihero Annalise (I don’t think she was an actual villain) had to deal with the consequences of her actions, rather than confessing/redeeming herself and then dying. Being forced to live with her choices, but also being given the opportunity to really do good with the power she spent her life achieving, is a great way to handle her character.Annalise’s character was so rich with conflict and gray morals and anguish and triumph, Evra felt just a little flat in comparison. That being said, she and the other supporting characters were all well-written and believable. The story arc felt well-paced, and the resolution was satisfying and left plenty of room to dwell on what may happen next even after the novel ended.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and War
lacyduckie's review
4.0
Tracy Banghart writes some great Fantasy™ but honestly I would read anything she writes. I kind of wish A Season of Sinister Dreams had been part of a series. Mostly because I'm partial to them. There's so much more room to flesh out a story and it's universe. But ASoSD is a solid standalone.
__whatsrachelreading__'s review
3.0
A Season of Sinister Dreams tells a story of two sisters seeking vengeance, Tracy Banghart creates a magical wold with amazing characters. Annalise and Emma are such good characters, seeking revenge and are strong female characters. They both have struggled and East have their own agenda that can be stopped. a Season of Sinister Dreams is a magic world with hardships and triumphs and many twists along the way.
The plot starts off slow, taking several chapters before it captured my attention. .The story also left me a little confused about the world building. There were several parts where I felt there needed to be more explanation that could have gave readers more insight, especially being a standalone.
The audio narration was average. I found my self loosing interest in the first several chapter. The pacing was well done and dialogue was easily decode. I would recommend this book to m lovers of YA fantasy with strong female characters and a few twists.
Thank you to Little Brown Books for young Readers, Hattete Audio, and Natgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
The plot starts off slow, taking several chapters before it captured my attention. .The story also left me a little confused about the world building. There were several parts where I felt there needed to be more explanation that could have gave readers more insight, especially being a standalone.
The audio narration was average. I found my self loosing interest in the first several chapter. The pacing was well done and dialogue was easily decode. I would recommend this book to m lovers of YA fantasy with strong female characters and a few twists.
Thank you to Little Brown Books for young Readers, Hattete Audio, and Natgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion.
galvezelise12's review
2.0
I have such mixed feelings about this book and the characters. A Season of Sinister Dreams is told from the dual POV of Annalise who is the cousin to the prince and Evra who is just a farm girl with surprising powers.
I am going to be honest and say that I pretty much disliked Annalise throughout the entire book. She is cold, manipulative and basically refuses to listen to anyone else because she is convinced they are trying to sabotage her or hold her back. I am all for fierce females but when they feel no remorse for the terrible things they do and justify their actions with the excuse of "well at least I am not doing what the king was doing". You could say that she has some character development at the end but to me it was very minimal and I felt that her character was only slightly better.
Evra is an easy character to like because she is extremely kind but is also so naïve. She struggles throughout most of the book to understand her new powers as a Clearsee. Even with her gift as a Clearsee, she does not do much in the book with it. She relies a lot on her bestfriend Tamsin and her brother Hagan for just about everything.
Overall A Season of Sinister dreams is a fast paced and action packed fantasy standalone. I think if this book had been spread out into a duology, it would have allowed for a lot more character and plot development. The story felt almost too rushed because the author was trying to fit everything in into one book. The chemistry between characters was not really there and the romance in this book felt extremely forced and underdeveloped.
I had high hopes for this book but it really fell flat for me.
I am going to be honest and say that I pretty much disliked Annalise throughout the entire book. She is cold, manipulative and basically refuses to listen to anyone else because she is convinced they are trying to sabotage her or hold her back. I am all for fierce females but when they feel no remorse for the terrible things they do and justify their actions with the excuse of "well at least I am not doing what the king was doing". You could say that she has some character development at the end but to me it was very minimal and I felt that her character was only slightly better.
Evra is an easy character to like because she is extremely kind but is also so naïve. She struggles throughout most of the book to understand her new powers as a Clearsee. Even with her gift as a Clearsee, she does not do much in the book with it. She relies a lot on her bestfriend Tamsin and her brother Hagan for just about everything.
Overall A Season of Sinister dreams is a fast paced and action packed fantasy standalone. I think if this book had been spread out into a duology, it would have allowed for a lot more character and plot development. The story felt almost too rushed because the author was trying to fit everything in into one book. The chemistry between characters was not really there and the romance in this book felt extremely forced and underdeveloped.
I had high hopes for this book but it really fell flat for me.