A review by shomarq
The Storm of Echoes by Christelle Dabos

adventurous reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

Man, this book.

This book was dealing with way too much. It grappled with a solution to our biggest questions that was an enormous, many-tentacled thing and it lost a large number of battles. There was way too much time spent with Ophelia's brain asking questions that we already knew we needed answers to and repeating information, and it felt like the author was afraid of losing the reader in her reveals. It results in a lot of abstract meanderings that, while some of them are beautiful written, drag down the pace and overcomplicate explanations that didn't need to be, and then suddenly transition into one or two enormous infodumps that directly answer each question.

There was also a large amount of ableist rhetoric due to the themes and settings of the book, coming not only from villains but from heroes. It was mostly exasperating and occasionally revolting.

Also, that ending was a mess. You lose track of everyone in time and space (and not in a way that is reflective of the whole
Right Side, Wrong Side
thing), resulting in a very confusing denouement. And it feels like an enormous error to not win one of the biggest battles that is central to Ophelia's growth:
having Thorn let go of Ophelia's hand, and forcing her to go on Yet Another Journey To Find Her Happiness, seems like such a waste of growth and joy and potential. Haven't they suffered enough, Jesus f Christ.
Expand filter menu Content Warnings