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nm_1215's review against another edition
4.0
This story was a gripping thriller that had me at the edge of my seat from start to finish. The story started a bit slow for me, however it did pick up quickly around 25% in the story. Gillig masterfully weaves together a complex narrative filled with suspense, romance, mystery, & most importantly, unexpected twists. I do love the unique plot line with the cards & I also love the Nightmare’s lines.
Each of the characters are vividly drawn and their motivations are explored, adding layers of intrigue to the story. Though, I do expect a bit more on their backgrounds in the next book. The characters that intrigued me the most were Ione & Emory which I do hope we get to learn more in the next book. I do find Rayne’s & Elspeth’s relationship endearing, though I didn’t know how to feel with Els’ insistent adamance towards the others not knowing about her degeneration. Like how do you expect the others to tell them their life stories when you can’t even reveal the one secret you have?
The pacing is relentless, ensuring that the tension never lets up, & the atmospheric setting adds to the overall sense of unease. Plus, that ending was absolutely mind gripping.
Each of the characters are vividly drawn and their motivations are explored, adding layers of intrigue to the story. Though, I do expect a bit more on their backgrounds in the next book. The characters that intrigued me the most were Ione & Emory which I do hope we get to learn more in the next book. I do find Rayne’s & Elspeth’s relationship endearing, though I didn’t know how to feel with Els’ insistent adamance towards the others not knowing about her degeneration. Like how do you expect the others to tell them their life stories when you can’t even reveal the one secret you have?
The pacing is relentless, ensuring that the tension never lets up, & the atmospheric setting adds to the overall sense of unease. Plus, that ending was absolutely mind gripping.
misskitty14's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Folks weren't kidding when they said The Shepard King series offers a unique magic system! I won't get too into it, but I really like not only how magic works but also the in-world logic behind how it works. I think this underscores Gillig's capacity for world-building.
Aside from the magic system, I really love the tree-theming of this world: all the noble houses derive their names and insignias from different tree types, which connects back to their society and culture's focus on the forest and natural world. The one critique I have regarding this world-building is when the characters drop the f-bomb. While I'm not personally opposed to cussing (in fact, I quite enjoy it), it took me out of the book a bit. Ultimately, I found the use of "trees" as an expletive to suffice.
The characters are interesting and I love how they each have a variety of different motivations and challenges. Elspeth isn't the most amazing FMC and there isn't anything particularly unique about her, but I do like the idea that she is just a "normal" girl trying to exist in this space. Is the romance predictable? Yes, but the banter adds some fun to the whole thing.
I will say, I wish we got more banter between Elspeth and the Nightmare. Anytime we get those Venom-esque interactions, I was reminded how much I love that stuff.
The poems that open each chapter (a combination of Providence Cards and passages from The Old Book of Alders) were a bit of a hit-and-miss. They certainly added flavor and offered additional ways to learn about the magic system and this world, but in terms of their literary skill, they were bleh.
Excited to continue with Two Twisted Crowns.
Aside from the magic system, I really love the tree-theming of this world: all the noble houses derive their names and insignias from different tree types, which connects back to their society and culture's focus on the forest and natural world. The one critique I have regarding this world-building is when the characters drop the f-bomb. While I'm not personally opposed to cussing (in fact, I quite enjoy it), it took me out of the book a bit. Ultimately, I found the use of "trees" as an expletive to suffice.
The characters are interesting and I love how they each have a variety of different motivations and challenges. Elspeth isn't the most amazing FMC and there isn't anything particularly unique about her, but I do like the idea that she is just a "normal" girl trying to exist in this space. Is the romance predictable? Yes, but the banter adds some fun to the whole thing.
I will say, I wish we got more banter between Elspeth and the Nightmare. Anytime we get those Venom-esque interactions, I was reminded how much I love that stuff.
The poems that open each chapter (a combination of Providence Cards and passages from The Old Book of Alders) were a bit of a hit-and-miss. They certainly added flavor and offered additional ways to learn about the magic system and this world, but in terms of their literary skill, they were bleh.
Excited to continue with Two Twisted Crowns.
erikas_joe_g's review against another edition
5.0
"He came for the girl, and got the monster instead."
Anyone who knows me knows that's enough for me to die for this book.
Anyone who knows me knows that's enough for me to die for this book.
nlynn13's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
aroth638's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I enjoyed this, I thought the magic system was unique and interesting but beyond that nothing really blew my mind. Would have loved to see more development in the side characters. Hoping for that in book 2.
chlo_23's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sanyalasagna's review against another edition
3.0
So many inconsistencies tbh and it felt like this was very generic high fantasy. I really craved more world building, character dev from FMC and just in general the overall plot.
Loved Nightmare tho
Loved Nightmare tho