knittingwild's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.25
minniestronni's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
leann_ange's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
I realize the inciting incident is Vetch getting taken to tend to a dragon, but it felt like the REAL inciting incident of this book was in the final 50 or so pages, and I mostly read a 300 page prologue with a 100 pages of explanation for how to raise a dragon beforehand for good measure.
That being said, while it was an excruciatingly slow start, once the book got past orientation day at the dragon compound I found the characters and world building to all be so likeable that I found the book enjoyable despite it all feeling like it was mostly set up for excitement in some future book. Well worth forcing myself through the beginning pages.
That being said, while it was an excruciatingly slow start, once the book got past orientation day at the dragon compound I found the characters and world building to all be so likeable that I found the book enjoyable despite it all feeling like it was mostly set up for excitement in some future book. Well worth forcing myself through the beginning pages.
jada's review against another edition
5.0
was my first mercedes lackey book. I liked it and I can't wait to read more of her
clarabooksit's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Slavery, Animal cruelty, Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Grief, and Colonisation
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, War, Violence, Sexism, Classism, and Bullying
Minor: Religious bigotry
xeni's review against another edition
4.0
I somehow had never read Joust before, though I've read almost all of Lackey's books! I listened to this one on audiobook, and it was a really fun way to engage with the story.
I really enjoyed the setting; desert settings are rare in fantasy, even rarer to have them done well. And here I could feel the heat, the thirst, the feeling of dry skin and scratchy sand.
I loved all the interactions with the dragon. I don't like most dragon rider stories anymore, but this one was interesting. I think it helps that the dragons are more like regular animals, perhaps on the level of a cat, a pig, or a dog.
That said, I did read reviews of the rest of the series and it seems the whole tale goes a bit downhill, shifts to different places, shifts focus to a whole revolution plot, something I'm not that interested in, so I'll leave it here.
I really enjoyed the setting; desert settings are rare in fantasy, even rarer to have them done well. And here I could feel the heat, the thirst, the feeling of dry skin and scratchy sand.
I loved all the interactions with the dragon. I don't like most dragon rider stories anymore, but this one was interesting. I think it helps that the dragons are more like regular animals, perhaps on the level of a cat, a pig, or a dog.
That said, I did read reviews of the rest of the series and it seems the whole tale goes a bit downhill, shifts to different places, shifts focus to a whole revolution plot, something I'm not that interested in, so I'll leave it here.
dessa's review against another edition
3.0
Pretty fun little fantasy.
Slavery bad!
Dragons good!
Engage!
Slavery bad!
Dragons good!
Engage!
drewanabri's review against another edition
4.0
This was...suprisingly good?
I've been an avid Lackey fan for years, but I've always associated her with cheesy, fun, mindless fantasy. Joust was a step above the typical Lackey book. There's still plenty of elaborate descriptions of clothes, wish-fulfillment scenarios, and adorable animal companions, but there's also some fairly complex examinations of trauma, xenophobia, and colonialism.
I really appreciated how much attention the book pays to Vetch's struggles with feeling gratitude and love towards the Jousters, despite the fact that they're the enemy who invaded his home and stole his land. The worldbuilding itself was also very enjoyable. For a fantasy version of Egypt with dragons, this book was solidly historically accurate. Things were just different enough to feel magical but it's still very easy to see and appreciate Lackey's real-world influences.
Altogether this was a very solid, epic-fantasy read.
I've been an avid Lackey fan for years, but I've always associated her with cheesy, fun, mindless fantasy. Joust was a step above the typical Lackey book. There's still plenty of elaborate descriptions of clothes, wish-fulfillment scenarios, and adorable animal companions, but there's also some fairly complex examinations of trauma, xenophobia, and colonialism.
I really appreciated how much attention the book pays to Vetch's struggles with feeling gratitude and love towards the Jousters, despite the fact that they're the enemy who invaded his home and stole his land. The worldbuilding itself was also very enjoyable. For a fantasy version of Egypt with dragons, this book was solidly historically accurate. Things were just different enough to feel magical but it's still very easy to see and appreciate Lackey's real-world influences.
Altogether this was a very solid, epic-fantasy read.
ultimatecryptid's review against another edition
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Incredible fantasy book! While I casually describe this book as a "girl-and-her-horse book but the horse is a dragon", I think there are many more layers to Joust. The axis of control is acknowledged and interrogated to a reasonable degree for a first book. The stables are a well-developed environment and the characters that Vetch interacts with are all interesting not only as a reader but to Vetch, which is one of my favorites aspects of the novel.
I feel like I could write articles about Joust, which is one my favorite ways to feel about a book.
I feel like I could write articles about Joust, which is one my favorite ways to feel about a book.