alishaforeverev's review against another edition
4.0
I am so charmed by monstrous characters with hearts of gold.
natwrite's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
dlberglund's review against another edition
3.0
At first, I was disappointed to learn that I had again starred listening to a book that was the second in a series, however, I don't believe it is necessary to read the first to understand the second. It seems they are set in the same universe, but Valiant is not a direct sequel of Tithe.
The beginning of the story was quite problematic. Early on, A jarring event occurs that propels our anti-hero Val into voluntary teenage homelessness in New York City. The whole situation strikes me as so ridiculous, illegal, and unsympathetic. I can forgive no one involved, and I was sure I wasn't going to care about a character who was surrounded by such turds. Surprisingly, Val grew on me, and I even forgave one of the characters her weaknesses by the end of the book.
Val is pulled into a borderland between fairy tales and what we know as reality. She accepts quickly that there are trolls and mermaids and all manner of unnamed creatures, most of whom would prefer to eat humans than interact with them. She also is quickly drawn into a life that revolves around getting the next fix of her chosen drug, in a not-at-all-subtle magical fairy medicine metaphor. By the end, I believed in Prince Valiant and the web of unreality around her. I don't know what the future could look like for her, but it was worth the read.
(Review based on the audiobook.)
The beginning of the story was quite problematic. Early on, A jarring event occurs that propels our anti-hero Val into voluntary teenage homelessness in New York City. The whole situation strikes me as so ridiculous, illegal, and unsympathetic. I can forgive no one involved, and I was sure I wasn't going to care about a character who was surrounded by such turds. Surprisingly, Val grew on me, and I even forgave one of the characters her weaknesses by the end of the book.
Val is pulled into a borderland between fairy tales and what we know as reality. She accepts quickly that there are trolls and mermaids and all manner of unnamed creatures, most of whom would prefer to eat humans than interact with them. She also is quickly drawn into a life that revolves around getting the next fix of her chosen drug, in a not-at-all-subtle magical fairy medicine metaphor. By the end, I believed in Prince Valiant and the web of unreality around her. I don't know what the future could look like for her, but it was worth the read.
(Review based on the audiobook.)
elusivity's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting take on an urban-faerie adventure. Could have been taken further, though.
Also, many characters lacked depth, and others acted unreasonably. I mean... would you really go live on the streets just because your 4+ months bf did what he did? Seems a bit drastic. And the love that came out of no where between the main characters...
Not bad for a casual read, though.
Also, many characters lacked depth, and others acted unreasonably. I mean... would you really go live on the streets just because your 4+ months bf did what he did? Seems a bit drastic. And the love that came out of no where between the main characters...
Not bad for a casual read, though.
bubbles__'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
jopriestleyx's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Different cast of characters to book one (that comes back around to tie in with book one in book three) threw me off a bit, but was very interesting. Trust the process on this one.
About a group of homeless (human) teenagers trying to survive as a group on the cusp of the faerie world. They struggle with very real issues, and have very real reactions to things.
The teens use a drug called 'never' designed for Fae to deal with being around iron so much, but it also allows humans access to Fae magic. It offers intoxicating things to the isolated teens- protection, magical ability ability & closeness.
Romance in this one felt a little questionable. How old is the immortal Fae guy that committed treason?? I do not feel like you become a potion master and master swordsman within your first several decades of life
About a group of homeless (human) teenagers trying to survive as a group on the cusp of the faerie world. They struggle with very real issues, and have very real reactions to things.
The teens use a drug called 'never' designed for Fae to deal with being around iron so much, but it also allows humans access to Fae magic. It offers intoxicating things to the isolated teens- protection, magical ability ability & closeness.
Romance in this one felt a little questionable. How old is the immortal Fae guy that committed treason?? I do not feel like you become a potion master and master swordsman within your first several decades of life
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Drug use
Dubious consent due to drug influence, dubious consent due to shape shifting. Heavy exploration of homelessnessanniedo's review against another edition
4.0
4.5!
Okay, to be honest, I was not really looking forward to reading this because there's no Kaye/Roiben, and also because it has mostly mortals and takes place in the mortal world. Which was stupid and judgmental of me, because I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK! Even more so than Tithe, actually!
I wasn't too keen on the mostly human aspect of Valiant at first, but I actually came to appreciate its relatability and reality.
I'm a sucker for anything Beauty and the Beast inspired, and I was not let down with the romance in this book :) However I wish there was more build up and subtle hints before the romance took off. I definitely loved it, but it could've done with some more developing and pining.
The action was great as well!!! I got pretty invested in the story, even though the beginning was a little slow. I didn't mind it, but I can imagine that lots of other readers will.
I also want to note how much I love that Val and Ravus are NOT the typical conventionally beautiful leads that we see in fiction. Ravus is straight up ugly, and Val has a shaved head and dark circles. But they're still badass. They still triumph. It barely even affects the plot. I fucking love that about them.
And besides that, they're also just so likable. It's such a shame that Holly Black never wrote anything more for them. I genuinely love Val--she's a fantastic heroine, and I identify with her the most out of all of Holly's ladies.
Okay, to be honest, I was not really looking forward to reading this because there's no Kaye/Roiben, and also because it has mostly mortals and takes place in the mortal world. Which was stupid and judgmental of me, because I REALLY LIKED THIS BOOK! Even more so than Tithe, actually!
I wasn't too keen on the mostly human aspect of Valiant at first, but I actually came to appreciate its relatability and reality.
Spoiler
In particular, I loved reading about the ugliness of addiction. I'm so used to reading about magical and political conflicts in YA fantasy, that its refreshing to see a main character deal with something so utterly scary, personal, and human.I'm a sucker for anything Beauty and the Beast inspired, and I was not let down with the romance in this book :) However I wish there was more build up and subtle hints before the romance took off. I definitely loved it, but it could've done with some more developing and pining.
The action was great as well!!! I got pretty invested in the story, even though the beginning was a little slow. I didn't mind it, but I can imagine that lots of other readers will.
I also want to note how much I love that Val and Ravus are NOT the typical conventionally beautiful leads that we see in fiction. Ravus is straight up ugly, and Val has a shaved head and dark circles. But they're still badass. They still triumph. It barely even affects the plot. I fucking love that about them.
And besides that, they're also just so likable. It's such a shame that Holly Black never wrote anything more for them. I genuinely love Val--she's a fantastic heroine, and I identify with her the most out of all of Holly's ladies.
angieross's review against another edition
4.0
After rereading this as an adult, there is a lot that the 13 year old version of me didn't catch the first time.