pinkhydroflask's review against another edition
1.0
RATING: 1/10
my goodness. there is only one word i can use to describe this novel and it is: BORING.
B O R I N G.
1. LONG WINDED
I swear, the thickness of this book could have been cut in HALF if the author didn't feel the need to over describe every single thing the protagonist saw, heard, touched, felt etc. It just felt so laborious to have to read all these descriptions that contributed absolutely nothing to the plot.
And the descriptions went on. It dragged the plot in lazy circles, without so much as suspense or mystery. There was barely any progress in the first two hundred pages, and I am so disappointed with this book because it clearly had the potential to be something more than the waste of paper it currently is.
2. PACE
Because the descriptions were coming on non-stop, it was inevitable that the plot of the book would be slow. This is one of the slowest books I've read, with sparse, vaguely 'exciting' moments coming through in minuscule amounts. There was nothing that made me interested in reading more, and it was so boring to stare at a book that moved at such a sluggish pace.
3. MAYA
i honestly have no damn clue as to what is going on with her. The whole book was so swamped with unnecessary descriptions of irrelevant things that there was barely any time for Maya's character to be explored. The beginning of the book showed that some people had a strong hatred towards her, which would have been a good plot enhancer had it been explored. Maya's character was bland and honestly uninspired, and the fact that the author was too busy focusing on unimportant descriptions just made Maya seem like she had cardboard for a personality.
4. THE CONCEPT
the concept of the book was really cool, and it was what drew me to it. however, i felt very let down by the subpar development and lack of exploration. there seemed to be so many ways the author could have twisted the story into a new perspective, but there was nothing of that in the story. it was three hundred pages of droning on and on and on and on with no end in sight.
OVERALL
utterly disappointing waste of my time. I expected a thrilling fantasy of hindu folklore and mythical tales, but i was severely let down. this book is just... bad. it was bad and i'm literally begging, PLEASE DO NOT READ IT.
my goodness. there is only one word i can use to describe this novel and it is: BORING.
B O R I N G.
1. LONG WINDED
I swear, the thickness of this book could have been cut in HALF if the author didn't feel the need to over describe every single thing the protagonist saw, heard, touched, felt etc. It just felt so laborious to have to read all these descriptions that contributed absolutely nothing to the plot.
And the descriptions went on. It dragged the plot in lazy circles, without so much as suspense or mystery. There was barely any progress in the first two hundred pages, and I am so disappointed with this book because it clearly had the potential to be something more than the waste of paper it currently is.
2. PACE
Because the descriptions were coming on non-stop, it was inevitable that the plot of the book would be slow. This is one of the slowest books I've read, with sparse, vaguely 'exciting' moments coming through in minuscule amounts. There was nothing that made me interested in reading more, and it was so boring to stare at a book that moved at such a sluggish pace.
3. MAYA
i honestly have no damn clue as to what is going on with her. The whole book was so swamped with unnecessary descriptions of irrelevant things that there was barely any time for Maya's character to be explored. The beginning of the book showed that some people had a strong hatred towards her, which would have been a good plot enhancer had it been explored. Maya's character was bland and honestly uninspired, and the fact that the author was too busy focusing on unimportant descriptions just made Maya seem like she had cardboard for a personality.
4. THE CONCEPT
the concept of the book was really cool, and it was what drew me to it. however, i felt very let down by the subpar development and lack of exploration. there seemed to be so many ways the author could have twisted the story into a new perspective, but there was nothing of that in the story. it was three hundred pages of droning on and on and on and on with no end in sight.
OVERALL
utterly disappointing waste of my time. I expected a thrilling fantasy of hindu folklore and mythical tales, but i was severely let down. this book is just... bad. it was bad and i'm literally begging, PLEASE DO NOT READ IT.
bookhaulin's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 stars.
The strongest bit of the book was in the beginning when life at the court is described. Didn't feel a real connection between the characters, and I didn't really appreciate the twist. The second half felt rushed and unfinished, when I'm assuming it's supposed to be the highlight of the novel.
Wonderful premise in terms of a world, and I think the plot had real promise (although the premise seems to be very overused in fantasy-lite YA these days...see:.), but it ultimately didn't deliver. Not an unpleasant or even offensive book, but it just didn't cross the line into being memorable for me.
The strongest bit of the book was in the beginning when life at the court is described. Didn't feel a real connection between the characters, and I didn't really appreciate the twist. The second half felt rushed and unfinished, when I'm assuming it's supposed to be the highlight of the novel.
Wonderful premise in terms of a world, and I think the plot had real promise (although the premise seems to be very overused in fantasy-lite YA these days...see:
Spoiler
Daughter of Smoke and Boneummar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.75
bookwife's review against another edition
2.0
This book was weird, right? It's not that I was necessarily confused because I think I understood what was happening for the most part but it was all just weird. It all felt too much. There was too much detail in everything. Also Maya was an idiot. Sure listen to the random chick in the mirror.. that makes sense. She was so dumb. Amar was perfect. I enjoyed him.
The book has some good things and some bad. But honestly I just got a little lost in the poetic details. It just came off as odd to me.
The book has some good things and some bad. But honestly I just got a little lost in the poetic details. It just came off as odd to me.
margauxberi's review against another edition
4.0
World building and imagery: 5. The story confused me: 3. Overall: 4.
orygunn's review against another edition
3.0
I think the book would've been much more enjoyable if I had a stronger grasp of southeast Asian legends and tales.
freckles1987's review against another edition
3.0
An enthralling tale woven from myth, fable, and fantasy starting a girl whose destiny is entwined with Death.