Scan barcode
A review by alexvb
Returner's Wealth by Paul Stewart, Chris Riddell
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
This was an enjoyable quick read with a fun adventure and interesting characters! I am very satisfied with how the details started and the eventually got explained towards the end.
It feels like a cross between Stardust - our main character young man is going to an unknown land to seek riches for a girl he thinks he loves - and Eragon - a boy is picked up by old stubborn man who drags him along and there's dragons. There is enough story to feel like a completed standalone in this book, but there is definitely room for the next installment if you wanted to stay in this world!
My only complaint is there is the super typical YA instalove trope from the 2010s so I did NOT appreciate chapters Thirty-Two (this is a whole chapter of the Male Gaze sexualising a young girl while she's practically dying from being attacked and injured in a fight.) and Forty-Four(?) (instalove with an implied sex scene).
Related to the plot and my feelings: I'm sad about what happened between Thrace and Aseel to be honest, I want to believe they'll get back together eventually. Side note: it's kind of hypocritical and a double-standard that Aseel could do what Thrace also did but only Thrace had to pay the price? Bit shitty.
But besides that, I had a great time with this book!
It feels like a cross between Stardust - our main character young man is going to an unknown land to seek riches for a girl he thinks he loves - and Eragon - a boy is picked up by old stubborn man who drags him along and there's dragons. There is enough story to feel like a completed standalone in this book, but there is definitely room for the next installment if you wanted to stay in this world!
My only complaint is there is the super typical YA instalove trope from the 2010s so I did NOT appreciate chapters Thirty-Two (this is a whole chapter of the Male Gaze sexualising a young girl while she's practically dying from being attacked and injured in a fight.) and Forty-Four(?) (instalove with an implied sex scene).
Related to the plot and my feelings: I'm sad about what happened between Thrace and Aseel to be honest, I want to believe they'll get back together eventually. Side note: it's kind of hypocritical and a double-standard that Aseel could do what Thrace also did but only Thrace had to pay the price? Bit shitty.
But besides that, I had a great time with this book!