A review by random_spider
The Dangerous Gift by Tui T. Sutherland
4.5
Synopsis:
- Snowfall became the youngest IceWing Queen after her mother passed away from a plague. Now holding the highest title, she find herself responsible for meeting the hundreds of strange dragons flying over her kingdom's west coasts. Unsure of the outsider's intentions, she equipped powerful animus-touched ornaments to prepare for the worst. But little did she know about what a certain opal ring was capable of. Is she getting insane...or does she felt some kind of emotion she aren't suppose to feel? She wondered whether the animus gift was instead a curse in disguise.
Strengths:
1. Psychological.
2. Creative and artistic dream/vision sequences.
3. Both a personal story and plot moving.
4. A needed change of pace for the 3rd arc.
5. Nice humor.
6. Mature themes/messages.
7. The best character development.
8. SCAVENGERS!!! πΆπΆββοΈπΆββοΈ
Flaws:
1. Abrupt Jerboa backstory (which was also derivative despite its touching, tragic nature.)
2. Sort of disrupts the 3rd arc.
Remarks and Rating:
- YES!!! I really, really, REALLY love to be surprised by a good book β€οΈβ€οΈβ€οΈ (seriously, this was the best feeling as a reader.)
- We're back to Pyrrhia, baby! LET'S GO π₯³.
- Finally, the scavengers were given some major characterization. I was literally waiting for this to happen since The Brightest Night.
- For someone who was just treated as a placeholder in Darkness of Dragons, it was surprising how Snowfall became one of the best written point-of-view of the series. This book managed to fleshed out this new character by giving her realistic characterization like true personal dilemmas, flaws and internal challenges, and amazing growth within one entry. This was Tui T. Sutherland at her peak. Hoping she would continue this type of writings and further improve.
- This was probably the least action-packed book of the series. Which was not bad per se. It's a good change of pace that focuses more on the grounded emotions and internal struggles of the main character (a 'v.s. self' opposition), while still having the threat of an overarching villain.
- The character of Lynx was hella enjoyable. Her synergy with Snowfall was one of the best (but still can't beat Turtle x Peril, in my opinion.)
- I believe this book actually suffers on my rankings of this series...just because it's one of the 3rd act books. It's simply too different and kinda ruins the cohesiveness of its arc despite how freaking good the novel was in a vacuum. NO JOKE. Outside of that single factor on my ranking criteria, this was literally the best this series has put out. But I personally don't mind the change since the 3rd arc was getting a little stale already.
- With everything considered, I'll rate Wings of Fire: The Dangerous Gift a 9/10.
WINGS OF FIRE BOOKS RANKED:
1. The Dangerous Gift (9/10)
2. Moon Rising (8/10)
3. Talons of Power (8/10)
4. Winter Turning (7/10)
5. The Hidden Kingdom (7/10)
6. The Poison Jungle (7/10)
7. The Lost Continent (7/10)
8. The Dark Secret (6/10)
9. The Brightest Night (6/10)
10. The Dragonet Prophecy (6/10)
11. The Lost Heir (5/10)
12. The Flames of Hope (4/10)
13. Darkness of Dragons (4/10)
14. Escaping Peril (4/10)
15. The Hive Queen (4/10)
JUSTIFICATION:
- I know I said this book's ranking will suffer because it doesn't feel like a Wings Of Fire arc book, and that I know I also said that it was a major factor in my criticisms.
Well...I'm only a mere human (or a random spider, I guess) I can't help but appreciate a stunning craft. THIS WAS PEAK Tui T. Sutherland. It felt like this doesn't belong in the ranking, huh? Like it should be on its own higher category. You heard me right! This is TOO GOOD for a Wings Of Fire book.
Snowfall (the main-protagonist) was written masterfully, and she had the best character development in the 15 books by far (learning empathy, recognizing her kingdom's toxic culture and making efforts to improve them, and overcoming her own debilitating paranoia.) And the way this book expertly handled events on both Pyrrhia and Pantala was commendable, with its creative methods --- just OMG it's...*sigh* what a chef's kiss ππ.
And hey, Lynx was an excellent side-character.
I know I can't give it a perfect 10/10 rating (5 stars) because it doesn't feel like it was a series entry, but it sure was damn way, way, WAY up there among my read list.