alexisbz2222's review
5.0
I absolutely loved this book and everything in it. The characters and the world-building especially. Everyone and everything felt so real. Amora is everything a protagonist should be, she is strong, passionate, and filled with determination. Every choice she makes is the right choice, but not obviously so. I love the dynamic between her and Cassian, they are perfect for each other and lift each other up. I absolutely cannot wait to read the next book.
chlobreads's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jillselwyn's review against another edition
4.0
*brief mention of personal mental health issues at the beginning*
I have loved, and I mean loved pirates and mermaids since I was really little. According to my mom The Little Mermaid was rewound on the VCR Player at minimum, three times a day before I was old enough for preschool. I even have a giant thigh tattoo of mermaid scales because there are scars underneath them from a very bad time in my life that I almost had to go to the hospital for, and I decided that I wanted mermaid scales because it would make me happy to see them every day. They still do after three years. I plan to get more pieces in random spots of my body by different artists as I get older.
Anyway, you're not here for my life's story, but I thought I'd put this book and the elements of it in perspective for you!
So, I've read Adalyn Grace before, but sort of backwards order. I read Belladonna first, then this one. I had no clue what to expect other than I have a signed paperback from YallFest and I needed to at least like the book. I fucking ate this up.
This was amazing. Every minute of it held my attention. I tabbed so much, and would have tabbed more if I had not started reading prior to Christmas as I got an entire annotation kit for the holidays from my parents! This whole novel was so beautifully written, that a lot of the time I forgot this was her debut.
I loved how one like myself could go into it assuming a love triangle was going to occur between Amora and Ferrick and Bastian, but Adalyn Grace so - well - gracefully subverted that expectation with Vataea!
I thought that she was going to fail in the beginning, but in a way where her magic wouldn't show, not that she would lose control! I had no thought to the idea that she could lose her magic in that fight with Kaven, though I'm very aware looking back that the cave scene certainly set up for it, but it all moved so fast it didn't sink in until after!
Even when Bastian is drunk and admits to being Kaven's brother after the whole "no secrets talk", I prepared for a "I hate you now I'm gonna get captured by walking away and have to be saved" or something like that, but Amora shocked me with her maturity an the way she handled the situation I was so delighted! I love the way magic works in this world, the world-building was immaculate, there's very little that I didn't get out of this that I wish I had.
In fact only two things did I wish for at the end - one, more time and possibly even points of view with Vataea, and same with Ferrick, though Vataea was definitely more important to me. Now I'm not sure if we'll get her pov in the next one, but I hope we'll at least get to spend more time with her! Also this would make a phenomenal film oh my god! Anyway I'm gonna go debate whether to start the next book right now or read one of my new books!
I have loved, and I mean loved pirates and mermaids since I was really little. According to my mom The Little Mermaid was rewound on the VCR Player at minimum, three times a day before I was old enough for preschool. I even have a giant thigh tattoo of mermaid scales because there are scars underneath them from a very bad time in my life that I almost had to go to the hospital for, and I decided that I wanted mermaid scales because it would make me happy to see them every day. They still do after three years. I plan to get more pieces in random spots of my body by different artists as I get older.
Anyway, you're not here for my life's story, but I thought I'd put this book and the elements of it in perspective for you!
So, I've read Adalyn Grace before, but sort of backwards order. I read Belladonna first, then this one. I had no clue what to expect other than I have a signed paperback from YallFest and I needed to at least like the book. I fucking ate this up.
This was amazing. Every minute of it held my attention. I tabbed so much, and would have tabbed more if I had not started reading prior to Christmas as I got an entire annotation kit for the holidays from my parents! This whole novel was so beautifully written, that a lot of the time I forgot this was her debut.
I loved how one like myself could go into it assuming a love triangle was going to occur between Amora and Ferrick and Bastian, but Adalyn Grace so - well - gracefully subverted that expectation with Vataea!
I thought that she was going to fail in the beginning, but in a way where her magic wouldn't show, not that she would lose control! I had no thought to the idea that she could lose her magic in that fight with Kaven, though I'm very aware looking back that the cave scene certainly set up for it, but it all moved so fast it didn't sink in until after!
Even when Bastian is drunk and admits to being Kaven's brother after the whole "no secrets talk", I prepared for a "I hate you now I'm gonna get captured by walking away and have to be saved" or something like that, but Amora shocked me with her maturity an the way she handled the situation I was so delighted! I love the way magic works in this world, the world-building was immaculate, there's very little that I didn't get out of this that I wish I had.
In fact only two things did I wish for at the end - one, more time and possibly even points of view with Vataea, and same with Ferrick, though Vataea was definitely more important to me. Now I'm not sure if we'll get her pov in the next one, but I hope we'll at least get to spend more time with her! Also this would make a phenomenal film oh my god! Anyway I'm gonna go debate whether to start the next book right now or read one of my new books!
shelleyd's review against another edition
4.0
What a powerful novel. From the moment action starts it simply doesn’t stop and magic and adventure fill every page. A stunning world that held me completely enchanted from page one.
atra's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
remiluna's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely love this book. A princess, pirates, magic, mermaids, romance and curses! The story was very well written and super engaging. Love love love it!
tbeitbn07's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bwookshehehe's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? It's complicated
3.75