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jscarpa14's review against another edition
4.0
***NOTE MY REVIEWS OFTEN CONTAIN SPOILERS***
Kate Winters is a fifteen year old orphan being raised by her Uncle Artemis in a small village where they run a book shop. When the wardens raid the town searching for Kate because of the powers that she doesn’t even know she possesses they’re taken captive and she is brought to the High Council of Albion. Her companion for the trip is a collector named Silas Dane, and man with zombie-like attributes who was returned from the dead by one of the skilled, a high councilwoman named Da’ru who with the help of a dangerous book called Wintercraft has taken control of powers no person should possess. Silas cannot die and he longs for death more than any other, when he discovers Kate who is not only skilled but a walker and descendent of the long ago bonemen he know she is his old hope for death. Kate must decide which is the lesser enemy Da’ru or Silas and how to use her newfound powers before everyone she loves is lost.
My main issue with this book is that I would like to have seen more world building into the world of Albion and the war with the Continent over possession of the skilled. While it’s an intriguing tale that draws you in, it almost feels like being pulled into the middle of the story, seeing the awful thing that happened through memories or conversations. I’d have rather began at the beginning experiencing each atrocity as it occurred. There are so many things we don’t fully understand in this tale because the time wasn’t taken to go into detail about them. Also I would have liked to see more personal interaction between Kate and Silas. Both characters were compelling, especially Silas and I would have liked to see more of a bond form between the misunderstood villain and his frightened but powerful captive. To be honest if there are future continuations in the world of Albion where Kate gets older I might actually enjoy seeing a relationship develop between her and Silas, though at the moment she’s a little young for that.
I truly enjoyed this book and was really drawn into the world of Albion, but I was left with more questions than answers at its conclusion which frustrated me as a reader. To enter a world where people are born with the ability to control the veil between the living and the dead, a world where the greatest threat facing them is all the knowledge they’ve lost because it’s the lack of that knowledge which allows them to controlled, threatened and abused.
Kate is a strong but also insecure heroine, she doesn’t really know what she can do and until she’s forced to see it herself she never believed powers like that truly existed. I’m not really sure if Silas can be considered a hero, villain or victim in this tale which is what makes him such an intriguing character. At first glance he appear a heartless villain, but as you continue to turn the pages of this tale you learn there’s a lot more to this character than what meets the eye.
The plot is wonderful with a decent pace, I guess I’d say more fast than slow, but not totally fast either. It’s intricate drawing you quickly into the tale and immersing you into Albion’s world and the struggles within it, but the real strong suit of this book is the intricacies of the main characters. I personally hope this is a series because as a reader I’m not ready to let these characters go. I want to know more, I want to understand them and their world. Overall it’s an excellent read that I would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy the fantasy genre.
Kate Winters is a fifteen year old orphan being raised by her Uncle Artemis in a small village where they run a book shop. When the wardens raid the town searching for Kate because of the powers that she doesn’t even know she possesses they’re taken captive and she is brought to the High Council of Albion. Her companion for the trip is a collector named Silas Dane, and man with zombie-like attributes who was returned from the dead by one of the skilled, a high councilwoman named Da’ru who with the help of a dangerous book called Wintercraft has taken control of powers no person should possess. Silas cannot die and he longs for death more than any other, when he discovers Kate who is not only skilled but a walker and descendent of the long ago bonemen he know she is his old hope for death. Kate must decide which is the lesser enemy Da’ru or Silas and how to use her newfound powers before everyone she loves is lost.
My main issue with this book is that I would like to have seen more world building into the world of Albion and the war with the Continent over possession of the skilled. While it’s an intriguing tale that draws you in, it almost feels like being pulled into the middle of the story, seeing the awful thing that happened through memories or conversations. I’d have rather began at the beginning experiencing each atrocity as it occurred. There are so many things we don’t fully understand in this tale because the time wasn’t taken to go into detail about them. Also I would have liked to see more personal interaction between Kate and Silas. Both characters were compelling, especially Silas and I would have liked to see more of a bond form between the misunderstood villain and his frightened but powerful captive. To be honest if there are future continuations in the world of Albion where Kate gets older I might actually enjoy seeing a relationship develop between her and Silas, though at the moment she’s a little young for that.
I truly enjoyed this book and was really drawn into the world of Albion, but I was left with more questions than answers at its conclusion which frustrated me as a reader. To enter a world where people are born with the ability to control the veil between the living and the dead, a world where the greatest threat facing them is all the knowledge they’ve lost because it’s the lack of that knowledge which allows them to controlled, threatened and abused.
Kate is a strong but also insecure heroine, she doesn’t really know what she can do and until she’s forced to see it herself she never believed powers like that truly existed. I’m not really sure if Silas can be considered a hero, villain or victim in this tale which is what makes him such an intriguing character. At first glance he appear a heartless villain, but as you continue to turn the pages of this tale you learn there’s a lot more to this character than what meets the eye.
The plot is wonderful with a decent pace, I guess I’d say more fast than slow, but not totally fast either. It’s intricate drawing you quickly into the tale and immersing you into Albion’s world and the struggles within it, but the real strong suit of this book is the intricacies of the main characters. I personally hope this is a series because as a reader I’m not ready to let these characters go. I want to know more, I want to understand them and their world. Overall it’s an excellent read that I would definitely recommend to readers who enjoy the fantasy genre.
bungleboo's review against another edition
3.0
I came across this on a buyers list from the shop and then had it sent as a proof. I really ike the sould of it and the blurb on the back made it sound really good.
I thought it stated of brill but then slowed in the middle, then got slower and a little slower. Maybe a re-read is in order to see if I misted something.
I thought it stated of brill but then slowed in the middle, then got slower and a little slower. Maybe a re-read is in order to see if I misted something.
bookladysreviews's review against another edition
3.0
So...at the beginning I was really excited and liked the book but after reading a few chapters I was bored and waited for something really good and full of action to happen.And I was disappointed when it didn't because I had great expectations and I was a bit disappointed.But I really liked the end because Silas and Kate formed a weird kind of relationship.The book and the story itself is a bit complicated and I don't really remember what happened with details so I won't say anything.But I really hope that in the second book,Kate and Silas will be together or start having feelings for each other.That way the story will get more interesting and people will enjoy reading it.Because if you've got romance involved or if you know that the characters have feelings for each other but nothing happens,then it gets better and you can't wait to read and learn what happens.Can't wait to read the second book!
beatshimera's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
scorpiobookfairy's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book, it was a unique story about a girl with an interesting ability. It was a little slow in some parts, but the characters were interesting.
hexatrance's review against another edition
This has some potential but honestly the magic seems a little mediocre and I'm more than half way through and I'm bored of it all being about Kate running away from a chase and nothing about what exactly Kate can do being clear. It's been a monotony of capture, escape, repeat so far. I also can't work out what time period and what age range this is aimed at (tho probably aimed at much younger than me). Idk how I got this book but I'm glad I know I'm not keeping it.
siobhan27's review against another edition
3.0
So this afternoon I finished an advanced copy of Shadowcry by Jenna Burtenshaw, set to be released at the end of June. The story line was quite inte
resting, something I haven’t seen in YA fiction yet this year. It is set in the town of Morvane where Kate, a young woman with a hidden talent resides. This story is set in a dystopian society where the High Council rules the different realms of the Continant. Wardens invade the city of Morvane and Kate in thrust into a world she never imagined existed, full of witchcraft and a secret book full of unimaginable secrets.
This being Jenna’s first book, I was surprised at her ability to write such a complex story that is filled with terror, loss, love and the idea of right and wrong. Kate is a strong teenager that has to deal with way more then any girl should at her age. Over the course of the book she grows into a young woman that stands strong on her own, not needing to rely on others to save her. She is an inspiring character, one that will develop more overtime.
This book is good for readers who liked the hunger games (although there is not as much violence), rangers apprentice and the maze runner. It has a lot of action and is full of suspense. Although the narrator is mostly female, it reads neutral so girls as well as boys will enjoy this book.
resting, something I haven’t seen in YA fiction yet this year. It is set in the town of Morvane where Kate, a young woman with a hidden talent resides. This story is set in a dystopian society where the High Council rules the different realms of the Continant. Wardens invade the city of Morvane and Kate in thrust into a world she never imagined existed, full of witchcraft and a secret book full of unimaginable secrets.
This being Jenna’s first book, I was surprised at her ability to write such a complex story that is filled with terror, loss, love and the idea of right and wrong. Kate is a strong teenager that has to deal with way more then any girl should at her age. Over the course of the book she grows into a young woman that stands strong on her own, not needing to rely on others to save her. She is an inspiring character, one that will develop more overtime.
This book is good for readers who liked the hunger games (although there is not as much violence), rangers apprentice and the maze runner. It has a lot of action and is full of suspense. Although the narrator is mostly female, it reads neutral so girls as well as boys will enjoy this book.