ancillary_reader's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic debut; it's been a while since I've read good adult fantasy, so I'm very glad I picked this up. Complex and well-written, and it's nice to have a non-white heroine and get more diversity in the field - I'm particularly pleased that the paperback cover doesn't suffer from the whitewashing of the hardback cover.
plumeriade's review against another edition
2.0
I really like that this is a fantasy story taking place in a Hawaii-inspired world; heroines of color, yay! and the first part, when Lana is still on her home island, is great. the book starts of really strong. unfortunately, after they leave, it all goes downhill. there are too many different story threads with entirely different people happening at the same time, and things like the magical happenings are barely explained. I did a lot of skimming toward the end of the book. disappointing. I'll probably give the next book a shot though, it seems like the action may pick up.
meganmilks's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this, it's thoroughly imaginative and compelling, with unusual (to me) magical/spiritual logic. Loved the water spirit and the guardian characters, especially. I saw Alaya Dawn Johnson read at WisCon .ast week and she is fantastic. It sounds like the third book in this trilogy may not ever see light of day (she said, responding to an audience member's question about it) -- disappointing!
gayancalime's review against another edition
i got about half way through and it just dragged? idk i might come back to it and maybe i am too stressed to be reading something lke this. :(
laurabearhere's review against another edition
2.0
Great ideas... but the execution is not good, characters make no sense...
amdame1's review against another edition
3.0
Really intricate plot with unexpected twists and turns. Something about it didn't quite work for me - but then I would keep getting sucked back in.
evelikesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A very fast-paced, busy, yet readable story. There's a lot going on, and the book is quite feminist as well. I'm not giving it 5 stars because I had to finish it in a hurry and had to force myself to, which is always a pain. I don't know if this was just because I was sleepy that afternoon or it was a little too dense. But still, very good.
booksnomnom's review
5.0
It's the story of a girl growing up in a world you haven't read about before and her life takes such turns you can't predict them (even given the cover!) and yet it's though you have been in her skin at 13 or at 17.
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