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3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
I hate Elara. I want to resurrect her so I can kill her again.
This novella was surprisingly good. I would actually like to know more about Coriane than what was included here. At this point in the Red Queen series, I think Coriane's story would've been more interesting to read than Mare Barrows.
2.5 Stars
I read this short thing as an experiment, to see if I could get back into the Red Queen universe. And I just . . . nope.
It wasn't bad. I liked Queen Coriane as a character much more than Mare. But the plot was kind of confusing. Half of the book focused on her falling in love with Tibe, and not nearly enough time was given to elaborate on how Elara caused Coriane to fall into insanity and take her own life. I think this should have been the length that Steel Scars was.
It was nice to dabble back into the universe for a bit, but sadly, I do not think Aveyard is the author for me.
I read this short thing as an experiment, to see if I could get back into the Red Queen universe. And I just . . . nope.
It wasn't bad. I liked Queen Coriane as a character much more than Mare. But the plot was kind of confusing. Half of the book focused on her falling in love with Tibe, and not nearly enough time was given to elaborate on how Elara caused Coriane to fall into insanity and take her own life. I think this should have been the length that Steel Scars was.
It was nice to dabble back into the universe for a bit, but sadly, I do not think Aveyard is the author for me.
medium-paced
Stories like this are really conflicting for me for a few reasons, and this one in particular.
Backstories and world building like this should be included as a normal part of the series. I don't know what book or who started the idea of releasing novellas as additional material to purchase (because why not make more $$ and milk it), but it is getting obnoxious because the information about characters and plot should be available to all readers. Stories like this make things in the main novel more clear, so it's sad that the novel isn't all inclusive. It would have taken minimal effort to incorporate this story into a flashback involving Julian or Sara or even Tibe..its only 55 pages!
I also thought it was confusing. So the diary entries and her thoughts are in italics, but why bother having narratives? It's supposed to be about Cori and her diary. The diary should've played more of a focus. Or the book could have explained how Julian knew what was going on. It wasn't entirely clear to the reader what was even happening. Was it all made up? You would think so.. But the last two pages made it seem unlikely.
I enjoyed the story but don't enjoy the lack of information provided to the reader from the get go. It's disappointing and a trend that probably won't end anytime soon.
3 stars because it was good material about Narda and the development of the Houses.
Backstories and world building like this should be included as a normal part of the series. I don't know what book or who started the idea of releasing novellas as additional material to purchase (because why not make more $$ and milk it), but it is getting obnoxious because the information about characters and plot should be available to all readers. Stories like this make things in the main novel more clear, so it's sad that the novel isn't all inclusive. It would have taken minimal effort to incorporate this story into a flashback involving Julian or Sara or even Tibe..its only 55 pages!
I also thought it was confusing. So the diary entries and her thoughts are in italics, but why bother having narratives? It's supposed to be about Cori and her diary. The diary should've played more of a focus. Or the book could have explained how Julian knew what was going on. It wasn't entirely clear to the reader what was even happening. Was it all made up? You would think so.. But the last two pages made it seem unlikely.
I enjoyed the story but don't enjoy the lack of information provided to the reader from the get go. It's disappointing and a trend that probably won't end anytime soon.
3 stars because it was good material about Narda and the development of the Houses.
This novella is about Queen Coriane in her youth. It shows how she met King Tiberias, how she eventually gave birth to Cal, how she eventually met her end, and… angst. A whole lot of angst from beginning to end, starting from "OH NO MY BROTHER LOVES MY BEST FRIEND, THEY'RE GONNA LEAVE ME ALONE!" and spiraling down into further depression with each chapter. Her diary is filled with endless whining which adds absolutely nothing new to the story, aside from the fact that Coriane is way too dumb the whole time she was dealing with Elara.
Uh, did you miss the part about how she can get into your mind?
1★ for Elara at the end of this whole self-pity mess. Otherwise I would give this novella nothing.
Elara would be easy to get close to. She would not expect Queen Coriane to speak to her, let alone sing to her. But Coriane would do both.
Uh, did you miss the part about how she can get into your mind?
1★ for Elara at the end of this whole self-pity mess. Otherwise I would give this novella nothing.
dark
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
informative
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This review originally posted on queensofnerdcraft.wordpress.com
The first story, Queen Song, is about Coriane, Tiberius the Sixth’s first wife and Cal’s mother. We slowly watch her go mad from the pressure and while Corianne is the point of view character, this story is really about the future queen, Elara, the tormentor. We get to see just how driven Elara is through her interactions with the soft and gentle Coriane. Elara is Coriane’s mental illness, that inner force that it’s hard to battle against.
Continue Reading at: https://queensofnerdcraft.wordpress.com/2016/02/12/cruel-crown-by-victoria-aveyard-a-tragedy-in-two-parts/
The first story, Queen Song, is about Coriane, Tiberius the Sixth’s first wife and Cal’s mother. We slowly watch her go mad from the pressure and while Corianne is the point of view character, this story is really about the future queen, Elara, the tormentor. We get to see just how driven Elara is through her interactions with the soft and gentle Coriane. Elara is Coriane’s mental illness, that inner force that it’s hard to battle against.
Continue Reading at: https://queensofnerdcraft.wordpress.com/2016/02/12/cruel-crown-by-victoria-aveyard-a-tragedy-in-two-parts/