odeem's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book, but I can't really pinpoint why.
I feel like it's missing something, but I can't place my finger on what it needs. It did seem a bit terse in places, as well as lacking what I feel is some needed exposition.
I don't know if I'll ever be in a place to reread the book, but I am going to continue the series if that means anything. Maybe my rating and opinion will change when I finally finish the trilogy.
One of my biggest problems I could think of is that everyone really .. goes with the flow to a degree I think is unrealistic.
I feel like it's missing something, but I can't place my finger on what it needs. It did seem a bit terse in places, as well as lacking what I feel is some needed exposition.
I don't know if I'll ever be in a place to reread the book, but I am going to continue the series if that means anything. Maybe my rating and opinion will change when I finally finish the trilogy.
One of my biggest problems I could think of is that everyone really .. goes with the flow to a degree I think is unrealistic.
ld153's review against another edition
3.0
I quite enjoyed this book. I downloaded it on my Kindle as a free book. I was surprised how much I enjoyed it. It was about a girl who lived on a remote island and somehow gained powers. People began calling her the Herald of Ishra. A race of people from across the sea then came to her homeland to destroy her as her coming would be the demise of their people (according to prophecies).
It was quite slow moving, but I guess I was reading it on the bus so I did not really notice that. It was quite enjoyable though, as the plot was intriguing. I am curious to see how the series comes out
It was quite slow moving, but I guess I was reading it on the bus so I did not really notice that. It was quite enjoyable though, as the plot was intriguing. I am curious to see how the series comes out
eowynn01's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
This is a typical fantasy for me, slow starting but does eventually grab you so you want to know what happens next.
I did this as an audiobook and fantasy is always harder to get into when it is an Epic Fantasy like this one, but I got there!
There are lots of things going on and done as an audiobook was hard for me to keep track of them. But from what I got I feel it mixes lots of fantasy eliminates. I feel like we have the a bit of the YA Spooks apprentice, a little bit of The wheel of Time, a little bit of the classics from Tolkien and Lewis all meshed into this book to make a YA Epic Fantasy.
I give this 3, since I am interested in the next book and I didn't quite get the best experience from audiobook. If I reread this as an ebook or paperback it may change.
I did this as an audiobook and fantasy is always harder to get into when it is an Epic Fantasy like this one, but I got there!
There are lots of things going on and done as an audiobook was hard for me to keep track of them. But from what I got I feel it mixes lots of fantasy eliminates. I feel like we have the a bit of the YA Spooks apprentice, a little bit of The wheel of Time, a little bit of the classics from Tolkien and Lewis all meshed into this book to make a YA Epic Fantasy.
I give this 3, since I am interested in the next book and I didn't quite get the best experience from audiobook. If I reread this as an ebook or paperback it may change.
cj_jones's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty familiar storyline, where a young farmperson from a secluded unremarkable place becomes The Chosen One and they use their newfound powers to save the kingdom/galaxy.
I am torn on this book. I find the author's voice and the main character grating for a reason I cannot nail down, I'm annoyed by how often characters seem to just psychically 'know' things, but I'm interested in the story and finding out where it goes. I picked up the second book, hoping to resolve this conflict, and found little changing in my opinion. So I'm going to call it quits after that.
I am torn on this book. I find the author's voice and the main character grating for a reason I cannot nail down, I'm annoyed by how often characters seem to just psychically 'know' things, but I'm interested in the story and finding out where it goes. I picked up the second book, hoping to resolve this conflict, and found little changing in my opinion. So I'm going to call it quits after that.
sagauthor's review against another edition
4.0
Fun fantasy read. Strong beginning. The middle was a bit of a slog, but the ending was tense and resolved many conflicts. Well structured and written ending. Planning to pick up # 2.
mumblebee's review against another edition
3.0
This book had a really sluggish start. The setup wasn't as interesting as I'd like. But towards the end, things started happening, powers started manifesting, and it got a lot more interesting. I will definitely read the next one!
brewergnome's review against another edition
3.0
Ok, a little predictable, a little telegraphed, and a little too "easy" despite the difficulties they put in front of the protagonist. Still, fairly enjoyable, ignore the randomly interjected philosophy and religion and "I understand how the universe works" bits.
rosenectur's review against another edition
4.0
A fantasy story with a plot we've all heard before, regular girl finds out she has special powers, the people in her home town are fearful of her and the bad guy will stop at nothing to get to her. That troupe-y outline hides a story about family and sacrifice. I found it to be a pretty good story and an enjoyable read.
kjroelke's review against another edition
3.0
I had seen somewhere that this book was like Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings. That's terribly inaccurate, but that doesn't make this a terrible book. The world and fantastical ideas (namely the power of The Herald) feel very similar to [b:Eragon|113436|Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle, #1)|Christopher Paolini|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1366212852s/113436.jpg|3178011], especially how the protagonist describes her experiences with her powers. It was a good read for a free book, and if you like fantasy and are looking for a fun, easy read, this will do just fine!
This book has a very slow start. That's just a thing. Know it going in and it gets better. The world feels similar to Paolini's Alagaesia, and even the way the characters travel around feels similar to his Inheritance Cycle. However, the world is not as complete and the character development is not strong. If that is a make-or-break for you, then don't read the book.
I felt like Rathbone wrote standard, American/English names and then changed them a little so they looked cool (the protagonist's name is 'Catrin' which could have just as easily been 'Catherine'). The inter-personal relationships are lacking, and I felt like the protagonist (who is a female) was too weepy and almost pathetic until the final 10%-15% of the book.
All that being said, it's free, it's fantasy, and it's part of a series. The end of the book ended up being quite a page-turner (and maybe that's because I had already invested so much time into the book) and I look forward to reading the next one (which is also free).
Also, once downloaded the Audible audiobook (which features Whispersync for Voice) was only $3, and that was awesome too.
This book has a very slow start. That's just a thing. Know it going in and it gets better. The world feels similar to Paolini's Alagaesia, and even the way the characters travel around feels similar to his Inheritance Cycle. However, the world is not as complete and the character development is not strong. If that is a make-or-break for you, then don't read the book.
I felt like Rathbone wrote standard, American/English names and then changed them a little so they looked cool (the protagonist's name is 'Catrin' which could have just as easily been 'Catherine'). The inter-personal relationships are lacking, and I felt like the protagonist (who is a female) was too weepy and almost pathetic until the final 10%-15% of the book.
All that being said, it's free, it's fantasy, and it's part of a series. The end of the book ended up being quite a page-turner (and maybe that's because I had already invested so much time into the book) and I look forward to reading the next one (which is also free).
Also, once downloaded the Audible audiobook (which features Whispersync for Voice) was only $3, and that was awesome too.
daelly's review against another edition
2.0
Honestly, I think it was the way her powers were described and how natural it seemed to come to her that threw me off. Maybe I'm just picky.
I don't quite know how to describe it otherwise, but it felt as though I got bored of reading how her powers manifested, yet it was... informative? I felt she had too much going for her and too little resistance, but at the same time I'd be rolling my eyes in frustration if everyone kept doubting her and no one just went: Alright, I guess, this is how it is now.
The characters didn't catch me all that much and I felt like the side characters were too easily gone over, like they weren't developed enough. I felt a like of connection to most of them. The MC itself was a bit shaky for me, I also felt like she somewhat lacked more personality traits than simply: I care about people, I dislike the idea of war, but you know *shrug*.
Maybe I'm just picky. Actually, that is probably it. I'm picky.
I don't quite know how to describe it otherwise, but it felt as though I got bored of reading how her powers manifested, yet it was... informative? I felt she had too much going for her and too little resistance, but at the same time I'd be rolling my eyes in frustration if everyone kept doubting her and no one just went: Alright, I guess, this is how it is now.
The characters didn't catch me all that much and I felt like the side characters were too easily gone over, like they weren't developed enough. I felt a like of connection to most of them. The MC itself was a bit shaky for me, I also felt like she somewhat lacked more personality traits than simply: I care about people, I dislike the idea of war, but you know *shrug*.
Maybe I'm just picky. Actually, that is probably it. I'm picky.