geldauran's review against another edition
5.0
I really really liked this book. The entire concept is so fun- the book description mentions that the continents of the world have been thrown into different time periods, but its a little more complicated than that. The boundaries are not so neat. There are pockets of different times all over the place- sometimes there are hundreds inside what was formerly one country. Imagine crossing the street and suddenly you're in a part of a city that belongs a thousand years in the future or past- and how the world would deal with that kind of catastrophic event. Trade, politics, technology, and religion are all revolutionized and suddenly mapping the new shape of the world, the new timeline of the world, is the name of the game. The world building really really really shines in this book in a way that reminds me a bit of the His Dark Materials books.
They're actually kind of similar to the HDM books in a few ways: 1) a young, clever girl is our protagonist 2) takes place in a world that looks kinda like ours, but is clearly different 3) magic exists, primarily in objects, and naturally causes a lot of trouble for everyone. This book wasn't as dark as the HDM series, but it didn't suffer for that- there's something to be said for sheer wonder and fun with only the tiniest twinge of existential angst. I heartily recommend.
They're actually kind of similar to the HDM books in a few ways: 1) a young, clever girl is our protagonist 2) takes place in a world that looks kinda like ours, but is clearly different 3) magic exists, primarily in objects, and naturally causes a lot of trouble for everyone. This book wasn't as dark as the HDM series, but it didn't suffer for that- there's something to be said for sheer wonder and fun with only the tiniest twinge of existential angst. I heartily recommend.
hayleyham's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Torture, Kidnapping, and Abandonment
Minor: Xenophobia, Deportation, and Gun violence
yokorie's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5
A fantastic book. The worldbuilding was extremely rich and engaging, and I look forward to exploring more of this world in future books. Which is why I was a little upset and took issue with some of the turns that Grove took within the story.
Grove at points makes use of "deus ex machina," a term used to describe a seemingly impossible coincidence to get characters out of a sticky situation. The book starts out just fine, but these increase in number as the book continues.
I also feel that there were some plot points that were not followed up on, and some of the character's actions and decisions were not explained sufficiently or dropped entirely. Unfortunately, I cannot be specific with my examples as many occur in the second half of the book and would require spoilers, but I will say that even the title and tagline on the cover leave me at a loss as to how they relate back to the story.
The reason that I didn't dock more than half a star for these things, as well as the fact that I'm more disappointed than angry, is that Grove is clearly a fantastic writer and a brilliant worldbuilder. I hope that Grove has set aside some of these ideas to be resolved in later books, and that she wasn't pressured to send the final copy before it was time (no pun intended.) I also couldn't help but feel that she sold herself short at times, or wrote herself into a corner even though she pushed the envelope in every other aspect of the book.
That aside, these elements do not diminish how enjoyable it was to read the Glass Sentence. I am amazed that it's only Grove's first book. Aside from the worldbuilding, I very much enjoyed Sofia as a protagonist. She's adventurous and curious, determined and kind. The characters she meets along the way are also interesting, and compliment each other well. I have no complaints about any other aspect of the book (pacing, length, setting, etc.), and hope my lengthy paragraph above doesn't make it seem like I disliked the book. What I listed were my only issues with the book.
Hopefully some of the kinks iron themselves out and the second book is better than ever, but until then the Glass Sentence deserves the high praise it has been receiving and was a wonderful way to start off my 2015 reading challenge.
A fantastic book. The worldbuilding was extremely rich and engaging, and I look forward to exploring more of this world in future books. Which is why I was a little upset and took issue with some of the turns that Grove took within the story.
Grove at points makes use of "deus ex machina," a term used to describe a seemingly impossible coincidence to get characters out of a sticky situation. The book starts out just fine, but these increase in number as the book continues.
I also feel that there were some plot points that were not followed up on, and some of the character's actions and decisions were not explained sufficiently or dropped entirely. Unfortunately, I cannot be specific with my examples as many occur in the second half of the book and would require spoilers, but I will say that even the title and tagline on the cover leave me at a loss as to how they relate back to the story.
The reason that I didn't dock more than half a star for these things, as well as the fact that I'm more disappointed than angry, is that Grove is clearly a fantastic writer and a brilliant worldbuilder. I hope that Grove has set aside some of these ideas to be resolved in later books, and that she wasn't pressured to send the final copy before it was time (no pun intended.) I also couldn't help but feel that she sold herself short at times, or wrote herself into a corner even though she pushed the envelope in every other aspect of the book.
That aside, these elements do not diminish how enjoyable it was to read the Glass Sentence. I am amazed that it's only Grove's first book. Aside from the worldbuilding, I very much enjoyed Sofia as a protagonist. She's adventurous and curious, determined and kind. The characters she meets along the way are also interesting, and compliment each other well. I have no complaints about any other aspect of the book (pacing, length, setting, etc.), and hope my lengthy paragraph above doesn't make it seem like I disliked the book. What I listed were my only issues with the book.
Hopefully some of the kinks iron themselves out and the second book is better than ever, but until then the Glass Sentence deserves the high praise it has been receiving and was a wonderful way to start off my 2015 reading challenge.
hethelmarie's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing!! ugh.. now I have to wait til the next book comes out.. TT^TT that's in a few more months.. the anticipation is killing me!! XD
stitchykitch's review against another edition
2.0
I wished I could have loved this book, but of course I say that because I didn't. It was a great adventure story, but I had the hardest time keeping track of 'time,' which, if you've also read the book, you might find ironic.
kiwi_the_cat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
kathykekmrs's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
l0cal_cem3tery's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
readerjenn's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
2.0
An incredibly intricate, fascinating world with lands existing side by side geographically, but disjointed across time. Explorers, pirates, fantastic people and creatures (the Lachrima! Eep!), "marks" (read: physically determined castes), maps of memories, and a fast-driving, action-packed plot. That being said, I had difficulty believing the characters, visualizing the overly detailed land and cityscapes, and most of all, ignoring the unnecessary interjections of an unnamed narrator voice (especially telling me how Sophia figures out how she looks "wise beyond her years." Come on.). As a first novel, the imagination behind the world-building and plot sequence is applaudable, but I hope the rest of the trilogy further flesh out the characters and remedy the dialogue.
Also, what was with the description of STATUES everywhere? There must be other ways to represent lost civilizations and describe art collections. And the winks. Way too winks from quite a few different older, male, friendly companions. But that brings me back to the more realistic, well-rounded character descriptions.
In sum, imaginative, exciting, but reserving judgment and excitement for the sequels.
Also, what was with the description of STATUES everywhere? There must be other ways to represent lost civilizations and describe art collections. And the winks. Way too winks from quite a few different older, male, friendly companions. But that brings me back to the more realistic, well-rounded character descriptions.
In sum, imaginative, exciting, but reserving judgment and excitement for the sequels.