The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
tellie's review against another edition
5.0
Now, I'm gonna start by saying that I was a little iffy about this book when I first got it, but I instantly fell in love and was utterly blown away by how amazing this book is. The main character is mindblowingly amazing and the things that she has to deal with in this installment just make you realize just how resilient us ladies can be. Bring on book 2, I need to know what happens next!
silverfern's review against another edition
4.0
I got this book on audible, so I have officially listened to it two times the full way through, but I have also listened to it casually or to fall asleep to many times.
I think I forgot to log the rating the very first time I listened to it, so after one of the times I had 'partially listened to it' I logged it as 3 stars. However. I certainly do not feel this way after having read it this time. It is at least a 4 star read...possibly 4.5/5
The book has wonderful fantasy elements, really interesting characters who are complex and flawed - but never in an irritating way. There is a lot of mystery and unknowns in the novel which the reader gradually unravels, and I loved the moments of having things fall into place, or when a character finally learning a piece of information that the reader has known about for a while (thanks to another character's POV).
I love a lot of characters, and even the ones I don't like, I want to know more about. We are introduced to many characters in the novel, but I never felt overwhelmed, and I took an interest in them all - though obviously some more than others.
I really love Scheuerer's ability to create a High Fantasy universe, I think she is wonderful at creating characters, who behave in a believable manner, with a continuity that feels true to their personality - even as they grow.
I'm so happy I decided to re-read this novel and fall in love with the Oremere Chronicles once again. Despite this being a re-read, I still got caught up in the fantasy and mystery of it all, and sped through the book with excitement to experience 'what happens next'.
I highly recommend this novel and the series as I whole. Scheuerer also has another series [b:A Lair of Bones|58234220|A Lair of Bones (Curse of the Cyren Queen, #1)|Helen Scheuerer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1622556259l/58234220._SY75_.jpg|91274934] that is nearing completion, which I will happily explore after the Oremere chronicles.
[bc:A Lair of Bones|58234220|A Lair of Bones (Curse of the Cyren Queen, #1)|Helen Scheuerer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1622556259l/58234220._SY75_.jpg|91274934]
(Side note: I also learnt that Scheuerer lives in NZ! I can't believe I didn't know that. I found her novels about 3 years ago and enjoyed them instantly. So it was a nice surprise to find out she lives in the same country as me. In fact, I think I'd like to try to go to her next book launch if I'm able to :)
I think I forgot to log the rating the very first time I listened to it, so after one of the times I had 'partially listened to it' I logged it as 3 stars. However. I certainly do not feel this way after having read it this time. It is at least a 4 star read...possibly 4.5/5
The book has wonderful fantasy elements, really interesting characters who are complex and flawed - but never in an irritating way. There is a lot of mystery and unknowns in the novel which the reader gradually unravels, and I loved the moments of having things fall into place, or when a character finally learning a piece of information that the reader has known about for a while (thanks to another character's POV).
I love a lot of characters, and even the ones I don't like, I want to know more about. We are introduced to many characters in the novel, but I never felt overwhelmed, and I took an interest in them all - though obviously some more than others.
I really love Scheuerer's ability to create a High Fantasy universe, I think she is wonderful at creating characters, who behave in a believable manner, with a continuity that feels true to their personality - even as they grow.
I'm so happy I decided to re-read this novel and fall in love with the Oremere Chronicles once again. Despite this being a re-read, I still got caught up in the fantasy and mystery of it all, and sped through the book with excitement to experience 'what happens next'.
I highly recommend this novel and the series as I whole. Scheuerer also has another series [b:A Lair of Bones|58234220|A Lair of Bones (Curse of the Cyren Queen, #1)|Helen Scheuerer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1622556259l/58234220._SY75_.jpg|91274934] that is nearing completion, which I will happily explore after the Oremere chronicles.
[bc:A Lair of Bones|58234220|A Lair of Bones (Curse of the Cyren Queen, #1)|Helen Scheuerer|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1622556259l/58234220._SY75_.jpg|91274934]
(Side note: I also learnt that Scheuerer lives in NZ! I can't believe I didn't know that. I found her novels about 3 years ago and enjoyed them instantly. So it was a nice surprise to find out she lives in the same country as me. In fact, I think I'd like to try to go to her next book launch if I'm able to :)
brii_brii's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
bisousl's review
adventurous
medium-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
3.5
Alcoholic secret magic user searches for a way to get rid of her magic, and is arrested and on her way to the king when captured/saved by a society of warrior women.Â
Multiple pov, with strong focus on women.Â
The story is interesting and I am curious on where the story will go. The characters feel kind of distant, but I could see that the next books could have more growth and connection between them.Â
Multiple pov, with strong focus on women.Â
The story is interesting and I am curious on where the story will go. The characters feel kind of distant, but I could see that the next books could have more growth and connection between them.Â
reyes_sf's review against another edition
2.0
I never managed to connect with either the characters or the story, and by 50% I was already skimming pages to get to the end, which turned out to be a massive cliffhanger. Unfortunately, this book was not for me, so I won´t be reading the rest of the series.
aes3699's review
Read years ago and knew all the plot twists. Also think I aged out genre
shennlein's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
foxon's review
3.0
The last half of this book deserves 4 stars!
Plot: After a first chapter that proceeded at a breakneck pace, I was bummed the rest of the first half went by so. very. slowly. The latter part of the book was great, though. We get a couple good twists but end up with way more questions than we started with .
Characters: Bleak being whiny and Henri being moody didn't help my concentration level in the first half. I love Dash and feel bad he has such bad parents. But the real stand out characters for me were Fiore and Bren who were both so honorable and kind to Bleak when they didn't have to be. Swinton I find interesting because he isn't a traditional 'good guy' like the other two. He is also the only one without a cool name.
Feelings: I am hooked enough to read the rest of this series. Also about that ending
Plot: After a first chapter that proceeded at a breakneck pace, I was bummed the rest of the first half went by so. very. slowly. The latter part of the book was great, though. We get a couple good twists
Spoiler
Bleaks powers are crazy. Dash is Swinton's son?! Bleak is the woman from Dash's vision!Spoiler
How can Bren follow Bleak? What is Swinton's power? How did Dash's real mother die? What the hell is up with the queen of Oremere and why does she want to torture Ashai?Characters: Bleak being whiny and Henri being moody didn't help my concentration level in the first half. I love Dash and feel bad he has such bad parents. But the real stand out characters for me were Fiore and Bren who were both so honorable and kind to Bleak when they didn't have to be. Swinton I find interesting because he isn't a traditional 'good guy' like the other two. He is also the only one without a cool name.
Feelings: I am hooked enough to read the rest of this series. Also about that ending
Spoiler
Who is going to rescue Bren because someone needs to help that boynot_tessa's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ashley_apairofreaders's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5
This is a YA epic fantasy at its finest. Helen Scheuerer does an amazing job of presenting these flawed characters who are swept up in a much larger plot. She does a really good job of showing those characters grow from the beginning of the book until the end.
I love the way the plot builds and that the multiple POVs give you small pieces of each of the characters' stories, pieces of their past, and pieces of what the future might hold. It keeps you hooked as the plot plays out.
Overall, one of my favorite reads of 2023!
This is a YA epic fantasy at its finest. Helen Scheuerer does an amazing job of presenting these flawed characters who are swept up in a much larger plot. She does a really good job of showing those characters grow from the beginning of the book until the end.
I love the way the plot builds and that the multiple POVs give you small pieces of each of the characters' stories, pieces of their past, and pieces of what the future might hold. It keeps you hooked as the plot plays out.
Overall, one of my favorite reads of 2023!