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A review by mackle13
Impyrium by Henry H. Neff
4.0
3.5
Overall, I enjoyed this story. It reads like a sort of MG High Fantasy, and I liked the world building and how it didn't seem, to be, to be overly info-dumpy. Things were gradually laid out as they became relevant, and I liked the different perspectives we got to see through the two main characters eyes.
Really, I think the characters were a highlight for me. They were written so well - so believable and relatable, and they came from very different backgrounds with very different perspectives, so it was nice to see the world through their eyes and also to watch their growing friendship.
It was also nice to see characters slightly out of the norm. Hazel is a young albino girl and Hob is part First Nations - not demographics we often see portrayed in positive lights. (I recall reading something once about how almost all albino characters in books and movies are evil, and here we have no just a non-evil albino character, but a main character as well.)
One of the best things about the story, for me, was that it wasn't entirely straight forward. People's loyalties were questioned and tested, and while I didn't fall for the obvious red herring, I did find myself turning pages eagerly to find out exactly what was going on and who was betraying who.
The said - while I enjoyed the story as I was reading it, I can't say it left all that strong of an impression on me. I do want to continue the series - assuming the series does get continued - but I could also see myself sort of forgetting about it after a few months, let alone years.
***
ETA: One thing I had wanted to mention that I forgot to was the seeming ages of the girls.
The three sisters are triplets, all around 12; however, Hazel was the only one who actually seemed to be roughly 12 - perhaps slightly younger. Isabel read closer to 15 and Violet around 18, which made Hazel seem very immature by comparison. It was a bit jarring and I had to keep reminding myself that the girls are actually all meant to be the same age.
I think it actually would've worked better if all the girls were a bit older - like if they were all meant to be 15. Especially because of the things that are expected of them in this story.
Hob also seemed a bit older than his given age, but he had a rough life and was forced to take care of his family early on, so it made a little more sense in his case.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. It reads like a sort of MG High Fantasy, and I liked the world building and how it didn't seem, to be, to be overly info-dumpy. Things were gradually laid out as they became relevant, and I liked the different perspectives we got to see through the two main characters eyes.
Really, I think the characters were a highlight for me. They were written so well - so believable and relatable, and they came from very different backgrounds with very different perspectives, so it was nice to see the world through their eyes and also to watch their growing friendship.
It was also nice to see characters slightly out of the norm. Hazel is a young albino girl and Hob is part First Nations - not demographics we often see portrayed in positive lights. (I recall reading something once about how almost all albino characters in books and movies are evil, and here we have no just a non-evil albino character, but a main character as well.)
One of the best things about the story, for me, was that it wasn't entirely straight forward. People's loyalties were questioned and tested, and while I didn't fall for the obvious red herring, I did find myself turning pages eagerly to find out exactly what was going on and who was betraying who.
The said - while I enjoyed the story as I was reading it, I can't say it left all that strong of an impression on me. I do want to continue the series - assuming the series does get continued - but I could also see myself sort of forgetting about it after a few months, let alone years.
***
ETA: One thing I had wanted to mention that I forgot to was the seeming ages of the girls.
The three sisters are triplets, all around 12; however, Hazel was the only one who actually seemed to be roughly 12 - perhaps slightly younger. Isabel read closer to 15 and Violet around 18, which made Hazel seem very immature by comparison. It was a bit jarring and I had to keep reminding myself that the girls are actually all meant to be the same age.
I think it actually would've worked better if all the girls were a bit older - like if they were all meant to be 15. Especially because of the things that are expected of them in this story.
Hob also seemed a bit older than his given age, but he had a rough life and was forced to take care of his family early on, so it made a little more sense in his case.