bookgroundmel's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Cute story about the love of family. The plot is interesting and the magic system created with the mages is different. I wish there was more development between the sisters to connect better. The writing is beautiful and helps your emerse yourself into the world. I find this to be the weakest story out of what she's written but still a good read.
maninderkaur's review
2.0
I’m definitely in the minority for not loving this book like most people seem to, but I just found it boring. I felt like I was struggling to get through each chapter, the pace was that sluggish. The worldbuilding was easily the highlight, the relics were really cool, but the downfall for me was the plot and the characters. The initial case of Halcyon killing Xander just wasn’t interesting, I thought there’d be more to it but there wasn’t. Evadne’s role afterwards of becoming a scribe was interesting, but it felt like there was no urgency or direction until they headed to the mountain, and even past that I couldn’t get myself to care for the goal they were working towards. I didn’t see the effects of Selene essentially ruling the nation, so I didn’t care if she was defeated or not. The best characters were probably Halcyon, Straton, and Gregor, but none of them were particularly well-developed, and I couldn’t help but find Evadne and Damon a little dull. Overall, not a fan, and don’t think it’s worth reading.
mgfalla's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
snap_dragon's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
paunotfound's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
melaniedk's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I love Rebecca Ross and the worlds she creates. The foundation of this book is so solid, unsurprisingly: the characters feel real and whole and relatable; the world is fascinating and immersive; the story is unique and bittersweet. I feel that this whole story would have benefited from having been expanded on. It could have easily been a duology, and I think had it been longer, there would have been more opportunity to dive into the richness of the world and its people in a way that would have this good novel a great one.
kamjam's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
caitlin_bookchats's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It took me a bit to get into this book, the characters have since big things happen before we're really attached to them
That being said, once it kicked up it picked up and I found myself speeding to the end, as with Ross' other work.
That being said, once it kicked up it picked up and I found myself speeding to the end, as with Ross' other work.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, War, Death of parent, Death, Slavery, and Blood
Minor: Grief and Eating disorder