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A review by jupiterlee
The Heart Forger by Rin Chupeco
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I know stats wise, it looks like I took a week to read this, but in honesty I read it in two sittings.
Now, whether I put that down to the fact I was so captivated by the story it flew in, or that I made myself read it so it didn't take me a week, I am not entirely sure.
Do not get me wrong, the last 70 pages had me so focused on the story and what was coming that it went by in no time, but up until that moment I think I was pushing myself to read it as I knew that I might struggle other wise. At times I felt like I should have read 100 pages but turned out I had only read 40...
Despite there being a lot happening, I feel that it is still very slow paced.
We certain did get more of a mystery plot line this time, with minor sub plots going on throughout, but I also felt that I was constantly waiting for things that just did not happen. I might have been pushing too much for this to be more action, as when I feel that when we do get action, we do not get it in long hauls and the battles often end before you really get into it. However, the introduction to new characters and the expansion of old characters, was welcome and it was great seeing how they all worked so effortlessly together. And Rin purposefully (well I think) does not mention some characters in the present tense POV so it is keeping you guessing (and worrying) about their fate.
I am really loving the morally grey characters. As everything is unfolding you are not sure who's side you should be on as everyone has their points but Rin is giving you just enough back story for you to know something is not adding up but keeps a part of it dangling in front of you that keeps you engaged. And with secrets comes characters that have their own agenda's but again I feel that we have just seen the tip of Tea's plan and we do not have the full story (I may have missed something though).
I will admit that again the one think I am struggling with is the daeva's and the gems that come from them. I cannot remember which daeva is what, and what gem does what, and what the colours in the heartglass mean, so again a glossary would have been a very welcome and loved addition to the end of the book so I could refer to it as much as possible.
One thing that I will be intrigued to see is how the perspectives will work in the final novel as it looks that Bard and Tea are no longer going to be together, and it looks like our past tense story has mostly caught up to present tense (except one major death and plot point....).
All that being said, and it can look more negative than I intended, I am excited to read Tea's conclusion. I already know there is a death of a character I like (because it tells you at the end of the first one), but I am dreading the moment as it might break my heard, and I am not entirely sure if this is going to have a happy ending for many people, but I feel that we are going to have some good moments until the end.
The romance in the book is done well for young adults in that it is not in your face, and it doesn't completely take over the plot, and LGBTQIA+ relationships (or hints at one) are not forced in a way that feel like a tick the box exercise. They were seamlessly slotted into the story and that's the way it should be. However, if you are looking for some adult spicy romance, this is definitely not a story you'll find that in (although hot passion between some of the character is hinted at, just not written more about).
Now, whether I put that down to the fact I was so captivated by the story it flew in, or that I made myself read it so it didn't take me a week, I am not entirely sure.
Do not get me wrong, the last 70 pages had me so focused on the story and what was coming that it went by in no time, but up until that moment I think I was pushing myself to read it as I knew that I might struggle other wise. At times I felt like I should have read 100 pages but turned out I had only read 40...
Despite there being a lot happening, I feel that it is still very slow paced.
We certain did get more of a mystery plot line this time, with minor sub plots going on throughout, but I also felt that I was constantly waiting for things that just did not happen. I might have been pushing too much for this to be more action, as when I feel that when we do get action, we do not get it in long hauls and the battles often end before you really get into it. However, the introduction to new characters and the expansion of old characters, was welcome and it was great seeing how they all worked so effortlessly together. And Rin purposefully (well I think) does not mention some characters in the present tense POV so it is keeping you guessing (and worrying) about their fate.
I am really loving the morally grey characters. As everything is unfolding you are not sure who's side you should be on as everyone has their points but Rin is giving you just enough back story for you to know something is not adding up but keeps a part of it dangling in front of you that keeps you engaged. And with secrets comes characters that have their own agenda's but again I feel that we have just seen the tip of Tea's plan and we do not have the full story (I may have missed something though).
I will admit that again the one think I am struggling with is the daeva's and the gems that come from them. I cannot remember which daeva is what, and what gem does what, and what the colours in the heartglass mean, so again a glossary would have been a very welcome and loved addition to the end of the book so I could refer to it as much as possible.
One thing that I will be intrigued to see is how the perspectives will work in the final novel as it looks that Bard and Tea are no longer going to be together, and it looks like our past tense story has mostly caught up to present tense (except one major death and plot point....).
All that being said, and it can look more negative than I intended, I am excited to read Tea's conclusion. I already know there is a death of a character I like (because it tells you at the end of the first one), but I am dreading the moment as it might break my heard, and I am not entirely sure if this is going to have a happy ending for many people, but I feel that we are going to have some good moments until the end.
The romance in the book is done well for young adults in that it is not in your face, and it doesn't completely take over the plot, and LGBTQIA+ relationships (or hints at one) are not forced in a way that feel like a tick the box exercise. They were seamlessly slotted into the story and that's the way it should be. However, if you are looking for some adult spicy romance, this is definitely not a story you'll find that in (although hot passion between some of the character is hinted at, just not written more about).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
Minor: Confinement, Death, Torture, Blood, Grief, and Murder