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gabyk_lib's review against another edition
3.0
There's some interesting stuff in this but I'm struggling to understand the central romance and why she's in love with him
bbckprpl's review against another edition
3.0
This book had a great storyline, a strong female lead character, and a fascinating setting - steam punk-ed, alternative Regency, magically inhabited Europe - so it has a lot to recommend it. And, in the end, I was left adding the sequel to my TBR pile, so that's a plus too. But there was a lot in between - complex world building that was not as seamlessly constructed as I would have liked; a supporting cast of characters whose storylines weren't as compelling as they should have been (or as well explained); political motivations and plot points that were tangled and confusing - that I wasn't thrilled by. So, three stars, and hoping that the difficulties iron themselves out in the next installment.
muyaho_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
lautir's review against another edition
1.0
Given all the reviews about it I went in expecting something new and fresh in terms of the treatment of characters. But to me it felt like everything that had been done before. People claimed that it was a good portrayal of feminism in fantasy but for me it was like someone who only half-assed studied women in culture.
So while that irked me a fair bit, my dislike for this novel can be traced back to the simplistic writing style, the extremely boring plot line of running across the country in one direction then quickly setting off in the direction they just came from.
Very little is explained about the world yet new words are thrown at you throughout the story so it makes it nearly impossible to grasp a solid idea of the world the story takes place in.
I also have no idea why this isn't in the YA section of bookstores, none of the content really qualifies it for general fantasy/fiction.
I had to force myself through the last 100 pages and it was painful. I didn't care about the main character, I didn't care about the overarching plot line that was only hinted at here and there and I didn't feel any sense of danger even though the whole book is pretty much one long chase scene.
So while that irked me a fair bit, my dislike for this novel can be traced back to the simplistic writing style, the extremely boring plot line of running across the country in one direction then quickly setting off in the direction they just came from.
Very little is explained about the world yet new words are thrown at you throughout the story so it makes it nearly impossible to grasp a solid idea of the world the story takes place in.
I also have no idea why this isn't in the YA section of bookstores, none of the content really qualifies it for general fantasy/fiction.
I had to force myself through the last 100 pages and it was painful. I didn't care about the main character, I didn't care about the overarching plot line that was only hinted at here and there and I didn't feel any sense of danger even though the whole book is pretty much one long chase scene.
westcoastchelle's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my WORD this book was $%%^&@%^#$&$%*@#$%Q@#^#E%^UYEDRGHE%^&@$%^!%%^%*
It starts a little slow. Mostly because the world is so complex that it's easy to get lost in the names, places and politics. The main character Cat is just fantastic, and her personality is what got me through the opening and into the meat of the story.
And what a meaty story it was!! Can I just say right now I love every single character? Some I love to hate, some I love to love. But all in all, I just love it to bits! Yes, that's a lot of love, that's how I feel about this story :D
Can't wait to read the next one!!
It starts a little slow. Mostly because the world is so complex that it's easy to get lost in the names, places and politics. The main character Cat is just fantastic, and her personality is what got me through the opening and into the meat of the story.
And what a meaty story it was!! Can I just say right now I love every single character? Some I love to hate, some I love to love. But all in all, I just love it to bits! Yes, that's a lot of love, that's how I feel about this story :D
Can't wait to read the next one!!
felinity's review against another edition
4.0
This has been on my to-read list for years, and when I finally got around to actually reading it I was incredibly glad for book vouchers and ereaders that let me buy book 2 immediately!
The worldbuilding is intrinsically detailed, the cultures a fascinating and diverse mix, and the magic a strange and mysterious hint. In short, as with [b:Jaran|228337|Jaran (Jaran, #1)|Kate Elliott|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388350765s/228337.jpg|1529707], the anthropologist in me was totally enthralled to explore Cat's world and join in her search for self.
I do wish, though, that there had been a little introduction to give some context, even if just explaining the alternate history Afro-Celt-Roman mixture. I had successfully avoided spoilers, and that meant I had no idea what was going on or who was what and where; the cold mages in particular were a real mystery to me. Maybe that's intentional, but I found it a little frustrating at times. That's the only reason I docked points. The rest was compelling reading, once I got past the first couple of chapters.
The worldbuilding is intrinsically detailed, the cultures a fascinating and diverse mix, and the magic a strange and mysterious hint. In short, as with [b:Jaran|228337|Jaran (Jaran, #1)|Kate Elliott|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1388350765s/228337.jpg|1529707], the anthropologist in me was totally enthralled to explore Cat's world and join in her search for self.
I do wish, though, that there had been a little introduction to give some context, even if just explaining the alternate history Afro-Celt-Roman mixture. I had successfully avoided spoilers, and that meant I had no idea what was going on or who was what and where; the cold mages in particular were a real mystery to me. Maybe that's intentional, but I found it a little frustrating at times. That's the only reason I docked points. The rest was compelling reading, once I got past the first couple of chapters.
ria_mhrj's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first Kate Elliott book I have read and I am pleased to say it won't be the last. The first 100 or so pages were rather dense and it took me some time to find my bearings (and there are still some aspects of the world that I wouldn't be confident to answer a quiz on!) but once the dreaded contract took place, I found myself hooked. The last 300 pages melted away and I am very excited by the prospect of a sequel.
misssusan's review against another edition
3.0
Oh no I feel like an Internet Book Traitor. So many sources I trust loved this book! And yet I don't really see what the fuss is about? D: I mean it's not bad but it's not terribly exciting either; I never had trouble putting it down. I didn't actively feel the need to continue till like three quarters of the way through and I rather think Elliott could have cut a hundred pages out and had a better book for it. Maybe it's the worlduilding everyone loved, I like the concept of an Afro-celtic fantasy mash up too. But somehow I still feel like a little something's missing there too which is unfair because it's not like Elliott didn't spend lots of time worldbuilding. I was more into it by the end though which is good as I already bought the sequel before even starting the book. 3 stars
jeannedes's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75