ronimac74's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting story with so many twists and turns. The author did such a great job keeping my interest in this world she developed and I loved the way she pulled the story together, in ways I didn't even see coming. Very excited to continue the next part in the series .
marpesea's review against another edition
Stopped at pg 78 (4 past Nancy Pearl's recommended 100 minus your age).
This book had some promise, but it got bogged down in the need to feel gritty and rough. What's the easiest way to make something gritty and rough? Prostitutes, attempted sexual assault, sexual harassment. In the first 78 pages there are multiple descriptions of open air sex workers and a seedy brothel (the owner pressures the main character to work there and the second time she barely escapes). I'm tired of reading fantasy worlds where sexual abuse is everywhere, especially when it's used as shorthand to make a world rough. Add to this a burgeoning, but boring romance and a slow plot-- not for me.
The rest of the story could have been interesting, but it didn't engage me enough to make me want to read any further.
This book had some promise, but it got bogged down in the need to feel gritty and rough. What's the easiest way to make something gritty and rough? Prostitutes, attempted sexual assault, sexual harassment. In the first 78 pages there are multiple descriptions of open air sex workers and a seedy brothel (the owner pressures the main character to work there and the second time she barely escapes). I'm tired of reading fantasy worlds where sexual abuse is everywhere, especially when it's used as shorthand to make a world rough. Add to this a burgeoning, but boring romance and a slow plot-- not for me.
The rest of the story could have been interesting, but it didn't engage me enough to make me want to read any further.
bookwife's review against another edition
4.0
Ok so I liked this book and I went to get the next one and it's there but it's been 3 years and the 3rd book in the series isn't out and there still isn't a release date for it... So I don't think I'll read the 2nd book until the 3rd has a release date. I would not have read this one if I had seen that before I started it. I can't find anywhere saying that the author isn't finishing the book but like I said I also can't find out if she IS going to. So why get my hopes up?
rini1310's review against another edition
4.0
4,2/5
I really liked this book. The world-building was good and the characters convincing.
Also NO love triangle!!
I really liked this book. The world-building was good and the characters convincing.
Also NO love triangle!!
forsakenfates's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars
“Death lived in a glass tower at the center of the White Court. I could see the tower from anywhere in the city. It cut the skyline like a blade. Death- She probably had a real name- was Kahl Ninu’s right hand and his personal executioner. Or at least, that’s what the rumors said.”
I’ve been wanting to read this book forever. I follow Lori M. Lee on Twitter and she seems like a great person and she really enjoys interacting with fans. Both the premise and the cover of this book drew me in! This book was definitely as good as expected, if not better. I loved the story, the characters, the world, and the writing. I also loved all the different elements wrapped into this story. You have time manipulation, steampunk, fantasy, and even mythology. It was a fascinating blend of elements.
The plot was somewhat slow in this book, but that was due to extensive world building. Lori did an amazing job setting up the story and introducing us to Kai, Reev, and Avan. There are plenty of other characters in this book too, that all have an important tie to those main three.
At first you think this book is about Kai and Avan leaving the city walls to find Kai’s brother, Reev, but it is so much more than that. Reev’s disappearance is more complicated and it requires Kai and Avan to go undercover at the Tournament to hopefully get Reev and leave the city again. The ending of this book shows just how complex and well-thought out the plot is and was totally unexpected for me.
The magic system in this book is very unique. And how Kai fits into this system is unclear (it is somewhat cleared up at the end but I still have a lot of questions). She can manipulate the threads of time, but it is not really clear what the full potential of her powers are. I really wished we could have seen more of Kai’s powers and what she is capable of. I really hope in subsequent books we learn more about them as she experiments with them.
Overall, this was a great introduction into a new series. Lori’s writing style is fantastic, she pulled me right in and there were many times I did not want to stop reading even though I had to, to either go to bed or go to class. I flew through this book in under 24 hours. That is how much I loved it. I’m also really glad I have a galley of the second book, The Infinite. So I can jump right into that without having to wait!
*I received a galley of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
“Death lived in a glass tower at the center of the White Court. I could see the tower from anywhere in the city. It cut the skyline like a blade. Death- She probably had a real name- was Kahl Ninu’s right hand and his personal executioner. Or at least, that’s what the rumors said.”
I’ve been wanting to read this book forever. I follow Lori M. Lee on Twitter and she seems like a great person and she really enjoys interacting with fans. Both the premise and the cover of this book drew me in! This book was definitely as good as expected, if not better. I loved the story, the characters, the world, and the writing. I also loved all the different elements wrapped into this story. You have time manipulation, steampunk, fantasy, and even mythology. It was a fascinating blend of elements.
The plot was somewhat slow in this book, but that was due to extensive world building. Lori did an amazing job setting up the story and introducing us to Kai, Reev, and Avan. There are plenty of other characters in this book too, that all have an important tie to those main three.
At first you think this book is about Kai and Avan leaving the city walls to find Kai’s brother, Reev, but it is so much more than that. Reev’s disappearance is more complicated and it requires Kai and Avan to go undercover at the Tournament to hopefully get Reev and leave the city again. The ending of this book shows just how complex and well-thought out the plot is and was totally unexpected for me.
The magic system in this book is very unique. And how Kai fits into this system is unclear (it is somewhat cleared up at the end but I still have a lot of questions). She can manipulate the threads of time, but it is not really clear what the full potential of her powers are. I really wished we could have seen more of Kai’s powers and what she is capable of. I really hope in subsequent books we learn more about them as she experiments with them.
Overall, this was a great introduction into a new series. Lori’s writing style is fantastic, she pulled me right in and there were many times I did not want to stop reading even though I had to, to either go to bed or go to class. I flew through this book in under 24 hours. That is how much I loved it. I’m also really glad I have a galley of the second book, The Infinite. So I can jump right into that without having to wait!
*I received a galley of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
aliijaayne's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't particularly love this book, that doesn't mean I hated it. It wasn't a bad book, it wasn't my cup of tea. It took me longer than it normally would for me to finish this book, because I didn't want to finish it. I kept wanting to find something else to read. The only reason I finished this book was because I had started it.
hmr7279's review
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75