cindeereads's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book it has been the best book by this author I have ever read looking forward to reading more. I loved all of the characters so very much especially Shyla and Rendor I loved the slow build of their romance I loved how it was not rushed and fit well into the story as well as together. I loved Shyla for how much she cares about people and her determination to do what is right I also loved the other people around her like Shek the healer and Hanif both these characters are great for her and others. I loved the story it started with Shyla being accused of something she did not do she then goes on a quest to find that item other things happen she falls in love gets a great power really looking forward to more.
toastedbagel's review against another edition
4.0
One word to describe this would be... frustrating. Frustrating that everyone is out to get Shyla, threaten or coerce something from her, and usually through force or deception. In that sense I could understand very well Shyla's indignation and perception of her world. I never doubted her loyalty to Banqui and admired the lengths she would go to for someone that trusted and helped her in these bleak times. I also really liked Zhek and Hanif as supportive figures for Shyla.
The romance aspect was quite sudden, and could do with more development. But of the potential love interests, I'm glad this was the one that blossomed. I also would have liked if the overall story was more evenly paced, as oftentimes pages were either too lengthy or too rushed.
That aside, Maria V Snyder has once again crafted an intricate and unique world with a clever and brave lead character that anyone can get behind with. Worth the read!
The romance aspect was quite sudden, and could do with more development. But of the potential love interests, I'm glad this was the one that blossomed. I also would have liked if the overall story was more evenly paced, as oftentimes pages were either too lengthy or too rushed.
That aside, Maria V Snyder has once again crafted an intricate and unique world with a clever and brave lead character that anyone can get behind with. Worth the read!
hoping4more's review against another edition
5.0
I don’t have nearly as much time to read these days so I’m picky with my choices. Maria never lets me down and she certainly didn’t with this book!
Tomb Raider vibes meshed with a City of Ember world is the closest I could compare, but really she created a completely new concept and storyline that was so refreshing after so much of the same repeated tropes I’ve been seeing on the shelves.
A treasure hunter raised by monks and shunned by the rest of her city for how she looks is thrust into a life or death race to find an impossible artifact. The pacing was perfect and the plot twists expertly crafted. I can’t wait to read book 2!
Tomb Raider vibes meshed with a City of Ember world is the closest I could compare, but really she created a completely new concept and storyline that was so refreshing after so much of the same repeated tropes I’ve been seeing on the shelves.
A treasure hunter raised by monks and shunned by the rest of her city for how she looks is thrust into a life or death race to find an impossible artifact. The pacing was perfect and the plot twists expertly crafted. I can’t wait to read book 2!
withyly's review against another edition
3.0
I'm a sucker for any kind of fantasy setting that could very well be our own in the future. The idea that the earth being too hot and people have to live in underground cities was fascinating and the general worldbuilding was done well. That was probably one of the few aspects I found enjoyable. I have very mixed feelings about this story because while I liked how this world was designed, so many other aspects were a struggle to get through or took me out of my reading.
Firstly, the writing style relies heavily on telling instead of showing and it didn't immerse me into the story as well as it could have. There were some parts that were described really well (e.g. the prince's special rooms and the black river) but they were only a small part of the book. I would have loved to get a deeper understanding of the caves, the communes, the air shafts, etc. and get a deeper appreciation of the city as a whole. Also, there were some weird words/phrases that seemed out of place in this setting, like "doozy" or "hq" or "hot". Hot sounds sensible in context, but this was used to describe her thoughts on a man.
Parts of the story are ridiculously stretched out to the point where I zoned out. When Shyla, it went on for so long that I wished it had been halved because literally nothing happened and the time dedicated to that scene could've been better spent developing other areas of the book. For example, the magic system. Shyla spends a good majority of the book scoffing at magic and then it turns out It's not a very deep system considering how big of a plot point it is. Part of the reason is definitely that Shyla is a Mary Sue.
One of my biggest gripes with this book was just how many stupid decisions Shyla made as a functioning adult. One example is when Gasp! Horror! Who would have thought? Me, I did. It was done so clearly to advance the plot and it was even more annoying because Shyla deliberately tells the reader why she did it when it was a really stupid choice.
Another gripe was how Shyla just....
This next point is me making links to issues outside of the context of this story. I usually don't, but this one was so stark that my mind immediately jumped to it. Shyla, being sun-kissed, has blond hair. Cool beans, some brown people have blond hair. But then Shylaand this comment sent bells clanging through my head. I thought I could be reading too much into it, but then I came across another review which made a note of it as well (and in greater depth). That kind of comment only came up that one time, but it was enough to tinge the rest of my reading with a sour note.
The best character was Rendor, hands down. He's the only one who gets any kind of character development and we see two very different sides of him as he struggles with his loyalties. Is he a guard that will follow all orders for the prince or is he a friend that is loyal to Shyla? Is he a cruel monster who tortures prisoners without emotion or is he a caring man who would do anything to keep Shyla safe? The two opposing sides of him were interesting to read through and ponder, and I would have loved to see more of him in the story.
I think I'll keep reading this series to see where it goes. This first book was only setting everything up, so there's a good chance some of the things I didn't enjoy (not enough depth in worldbuilding or characterisation) will be built upon.
Firstly, the writing style relies heavily on telling instead of showing and it didn't immerse me into the story as well as it could have. There were some parts that were described really well (e.g. the prince's special rooms and the black river) but they were only a small part of the book. I would have loved to get a deeper understanding of the caves, the communes, the air shafts, etc. and get a deeper appreciation of the city as a whole. Also, there were some weird words/phrases that seemed out of place in this setting, like "doozy" or "hq" or "hot". Hot sounds sensible in context, but this was used to describe her thoughts on a man.
Parts of the story are ridiculously stretched out to the point where I zoned out. When Shyla
Spoiler
was caught by the Invisible Army and undergoing testingSpoiler
magic is real and it's ridiculously easy to pick up even though there's a whole "do you believe" and "are you worthy" thing going on. Why is magic so easy to use?One of my biggest gripes with this book was just how many stupid decisions Shyla made as a functioning adult. One example is when
Spoiler
she and Jayden (I have no idea how to spell his name because I listened to this as an audiobook) were fighting, she made a point to knock him in the head but only enough to stop him instead of knocking him out completely. And what happens? Jayden recovers, takes Shyla by surprise and then she's taken away!Another gripe was how Shyla just...
Spoiler
took control of the Invisible Army. Like yeah, okay, she implanted Tamburah's eyes for her own and she's their true leader but she literally still has no idea how the organisation runs, she doesn't have any experience leading a group of rebels and not to mention that she only just started to learn magic and isn't very powerful either. But yes, these people who fight against the evils of the city will accept all of this and hop behind her because she's a Mary Sue who cares about saving all these people she barely has a relationship withThis next point is me making links to issues outside of the context of this story. I usually don't, but this one was so stark that my mind immediately jumped to it. Shyla, being sun-kissed, has blond hair. Cool beans, some brown people have blond hair. But then Shyla
Spoiler
takes Tamburah's blue eyes and Rendor tells her that she looks lovely. The blond hair and blue eyes combination is largely associated with European features,The best character was Rendor, hands down. He's the only one who gets any kind of character development and we see two very different sides of him as he struggles with his loyalties. Is he a guard that will follow all orders for the prince or is he a friend that is loyal to Shyla? Is he a cruel monster who tortures prisoners without emotion or is he a caring man who would do anything to keep Shyla safe? The two opposing sides of him were interesting to read through and ponder, and I would have loved to see more of him in the story.
I think I'll keep reading this series to see where it goes. This first book was only setting everything up, so there's a good chance some of the things I didn't enjoy (not enough depth in worldbuilding or characterisation) will be built upon.
milkteajeon's review against another edition
19% as of 29/07/19 - as you can tell i haven't touched this in 5 months and somehow i don't think i will be picking it up again any time soon,, it's just. so. slow
fishwearingsocks88's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
angelajasz's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
tthe_cancerian's review against another edition
4.0
I still liked this after my re-read. However, the romance felt a little forced to me because the characters didn't spend as much time together as it would take to form a connection that deep.
I enjoy Snyder's writing style and narratives, so I end up liking most of her books. She has a classic style that is reminiscent of earlier YA, and it satisfies my need for the type YA fantasy that I want.
Now I can binge-read the final 2 books, and finish this trilogy.
I enjoy Snyder's writing style and narratives, so I end up liking most of her books. She has a classic style that is reminiscent of earlier YA, and it satisfies my need for the type YA fantasy that I want.
Now I can binge-read the final 2 books, and finish this trilogy.
fiona_gs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5