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silver_valkyrie_reads's review
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Okay, so most of the stories here were solidly in the "not as good as the main saga, but enjoyable enough I'll read them". That last (and longest) one though...
Look, objectively I understand that it was a beautiful redemption story. But also, that was the slowest and most depressing middle grade fantasy I've ever read. Like Chesterton pointed out about children and dragons, I don't need to be told that the world is hard and people make terrible decisions that make it even harder for themselves and everyone around them. And a large part of the reason I read middle grade and YA fantasy is because they are always pointing out the world can be better, while grown up books just want to wallow in the misery. For my taste, that story wallowed for a long time before it got around to the redemptive ending.
Look, objectively I understand that it was a beautiful redemption story. But also, that was the slowest and most depressing middle grade fantasy I've ever read. Like Chesterton pointed out about children and dragons, I don't need to be told that the world is hard and people make terrible decisions that make it even harder for themselves and everyone around them. And a large part of the reason I read middle grade and YA fantasy is because they are always pointing out the world can be better, while grown up books just want to wallow in the misery. For my taste, that story wallowed for a long time before it got around to the redemptive ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Kidnapping, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death and Dementia
Minor: Child death
emileereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Thanks to Netgalley and Waterbrook Multnomah for a the gifted book I read in partnership with the audio.
This short story collection runs the gamut from a ballad to a love story to an emotional novella. I loved being back in the world of Aerwiar and experiencing all it holds once again. I love the Saga books and recommend them on audio, but I actually think I would recommend this one in print so you can be more immersed in the story.
I saw someone else say this on Goodreads "...This collection of tales is like very high end fan fiction. It IS high end though." And that is the perfect description of this collection!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping