scribesprite's review against another edition
4.0
I was looking forward to this book so I sort of had high expectations but it delivered. Maybe not the awww mind-blowing kind of delivery I was hoping for but still.
The story starts (after the prologue) with Nyssa being a young woman having a relatively normal life except for the fact that she is an orphan. She doesn't know her life is in danger. She doesn't know that a power crazed man named Alaric wants to find her and use the words tattooed on the back of her head. She doesn't know she had a twin brother. She doesn't know she is part of an ancient clan that she had always believed was a legend nothing more. Now she must run away with her uncle from everything she's known-or thought she knew-save her life and possibly more.
This is fantasy, however it doesn't have a map. Which is small thing but seriously, no map?
I liked that Nyssa wasn't given a love interest just for the sake of making things more dramatic. Nyssa is a good protagonist. She is smart and assertive. The point of view changes between a few character but it's mostly Nyssa.
One thing that I liked throughout the book was the group always staying together. At first it's only Nyssa and her uncle but eventually two more members are included later in their hiding escapade. It was nice to see that they were so caring towards one another even though they don't say all these mushy lines. They stuck together through the thick and thin however tempting it was to leave.
The story starts (after the prologue) with Nyssa being a young woman having a relatively normal life except for the fact that she is an orphan. She doesn't know her life is in danger. She doesn't know that a power crazed man named Alaric wants to find her and use the words tattooed on the back of her head. She doesn't know she had a twin brother. She doesn't know she is part of an ancient clan that she had always believed was a legend nothing more. Now she must run away with her uncle from everything she's known-or thought she knew-save her life and possibly more.
This is fantasy, however it doesn't have a map. Which is small thing but seriously, no map?
I liked that Nyssa wasn't given a love interest just for the sake of making things more dramatic. Nyssa is a good protagonist. She is smart and assertive. The point of view changes between a few character but it's mostly Nyssa.
One thing that I liked throughout the book was the group always staying together. At first it's only Nyssa and her uncle but eventually two more members are included later in their hiding escapade. It was nice to see that they were so caring towards one another even though they don't say all these mushy lines. They stuck together through the thick and thin however tempting it was to leave.
lumos_libros's review against another edition
4.0
I'm kind of surprised this book is not more popular, but I guess it's competing against a lot of new awesome books coming out this summer. I want to point out that I actually had no idea this book was published earlier as [b:The Keepers' Daughter|6555281|The Keeper's Daughter|Gill Arbuthnott|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1327475375s/6555281.jpg|7788877], same story just different cover and title.
Nyssa has not known too much about her life before coming to the Drowned Boy . It has always bothered her a bit not knowing where she came from and who her family was. All she has to show for her past is a broken bamboo flute and a tattoo. Of course one day that just changes when the shadowmen come to town. She finds out the truth piece by piece rather quickly. Before she really can gather her thoughts she must get out of town because she's in danger. But why her? What's so special about her? Why all the mystery behind her tattoo? The questions do get answers but not before some heartache.
This book had the potential to be an epic fantasy. It has an interesting premise, characters that won't give up, neat other world setup, and ties up modern ideas in a believable way. Perfect formula, but we just needed the author to dig a little deeper into the characters to give more umph to their experience.
What got me hooked was the characters because the plotline has been used before, but I actually loved how the book ended. Gives a good sense of how important family is and how deep that bond goes. I'm glad it showed the power of the printed word and that's all I'm going to say about that.
Nyssa has not known too much about her life before coming to the Drowned Boy . It has always bothered her a bit not knowing where she came from and who her family was. All she has to show for her past is a broken bamboo flute and a tattoo. Of course one day that just changes when the shadowmen come to town. She finds out the truth piece by piece rather quickly. Before she really can gather her thoughts she must get out of town because she's in danger. But why her? What's so special about her? Why all the mystery behind her tattoo? The questions do get answers but not before some heartache.
This book had the potential to be an epic fantasy. It has an interesting premise, characters that won't give up, neat other world setup, and ties up modern ideas in a believable way. Perfect formula, but we just needed the author to dig a little deeper into the characters to give more umph to their experience.
What got me hooked was the characters because the plotline has been used before, but I actually loved how the book ended. Gives a good sense of how important family is and how deep that bond goes. I'm glad it showed the power of the printed word and that's all I'm going to say about that.
etinney's review against another edition
3.0
Well. This will be kind of a boring review. A simple pros and cons list will do. And I'm tired.
Pros: Characters (especially female protagonist) were believable and protagonists were likable. Author showed and did not tell. Background was given to help reader understand. There was a climax.
Cons: Ending was unbelievable and annoying. Details and useless facts thrown at readers. Plot plodded along. Plot, climax, and resolution are boring and predictable. Time is confusing because author uses a historic period with modern phrases and topics (for example: saying "oh my God" when people believe in goddesses).
See? This sounds like a teacher's review for a book she wants to use for a high school class. This is because it sounds like it. Well written and semi-boring but ok. That is why it is three stars. I recommend it for people who want a time filler book. It is not much of a standout.
Pros: Characters (especially female protagonist) were believable and protagonists were likable. Author showed and did not tell. Background was given to help reader understand. There was a climax.
Cons: Ending was unbelievable and annoying. Details and useless facts thrown at readers. Plot plodded along. Plot, climax, and resolution are boring and predictable. Time is confusing because author uses a historic period with modern phrases and topics (for example: saying "oh my God" when people believe in goddesses).
See? This sounds like a teacher's review for a book she wants to use for a high school class. This is because it sounds like it. Well written and semi-boring but ok. That is why it is three stars. I recommend it for people who want a time filler book. It is not much of a standout.
breannamorgan's review against another edition
5.0
This is the kind of book that makes books worth reading, it was a real gem that I didn't expect, I devoured it in a day and couldn't keep my hands on it. I thought it was absolute magic. The characters were strong and loveable, although one of my favourites was the White Wolf, who wasn't loveable in the least. I thought the plot was neat and well thought out, and it was really cool that she got most of it from snippets heard on a bus in Scotland.
flyingsails's review against another edition
4.0
This wasn't spectacular or anything, but it was a good solid, enjoyable fantasy.
bwilcox's review against another edition
3.0
I was a clever idea of a story, but kinda long..... THere was some parts I just skipped over, and it felt like it just kept going and going.....
xamonster's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. It's a quick read, full of adventure, danger, and mystery. Glad I picked it up at the friends of the library book sale!
lettermeisje's review against another edition
4.0
Very nice and good book, though the characters have a lot of luck on their side. Not sure what to think of that. Perhaps that's because it's a children's book?
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
4.0
Quite a unique premise. A little slow as they jump back and forth between the same settings. But interesting characters carry it.
breanna_morgan's review against another edition
5.0
This is the kind of book that makes books worth reading, it was a real gem that I didn't expect, I devoured it in a day and couldn't keep my hands on it. I thought it was absolute magic. The characters were strong and loveable, although one of my favourites was the White Wolf, who wasn't loveable in the least. I thought the plot was neat and well thought out, and it was really cool that she got most of it from snippets heard on a bus in Scotland.