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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
This was an unexpectedly great gem of a YA fantasy novel. I picked it up on a whim at work because I knew that the author wrote queer women characters, but I didn’t think much of it at the time. Having devoured the book, I’m pretty blown away. It was awesome to read a story with a comfortably bisexual protagonist, in a fantasy world where sexuality just.... didn’t matter all that much. That’s totally the kind of representation that I love.
Even beyond that awesome inclusion, though, this novel is a really compelling work of fantasy. The gods, the magic, and the shape shifting are all familiar, but they work really well here. The prose was maybe my favorite surprise—so rich and detailed, way more so than the average YA novel. All in all, I liked it and I’ll definitely be picking up Of Fire and Stars soon!
Even beyond that awesome inclusion, though, this novel is a really compelling work of fantasy. The gods, the magic, and the shape shifting are all familiar, but they work really well here. The prose was maybe my favorite surprise—so rich and detailed, way more so than the average YA novel. All in all, I liked it and I’ll definitely be picking up Of Fire and Stars soon!
i actually really loved this. it was exciting and adventure filled from the beginning and i thought it perfectly preludes of fire and stars and of ice and shadows. i’m LIVING for the bisexual representation and i love the growth in asra. i think i liked this book better than the other two. i’m not one for prequels, most of the time i dont even finish them because i simply dont find them interesting but this one was great.
For a prequel it was a bit long but I loved the world building
The world building didn't make much sense to me. I like the idea of the gods, and the shadow goddess, but it wasn't explored much. Mostly I just didn't like the main character. I mean, she destroys the ring at the end?????? Um, ok? I liked Hal though!
So, this book was not nearly as good to me as Of Fire and Stars. I felt like something was missing the entire time I was reading this book.
The story was great and I enjoyed it a lot. The writing however was too simple (?) for my tastes, which is why I’m only giving three stars.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this book more than I expected to. I really enjoyed the character growth of the main character Asra. I liked her finding a new way to define family. Overall it was a fun adventure.
There is magic and dragons and found family and people becoming better people to help the world around them. There is a lot of death and pain, too, but also healing. Also queer characters and POC. And a bi protagonist. A lot of things I like.
Sometimes it feels like to moves too quickly and that the passage of time isn't well shown, but I also read it quickly so that might be me. Also, time between big events is usually boring and so it makes sense.
Sometimes it feels like to moves too quickly and that the passage of time isn't well shown, but I also read it quickly so that might be me. Also, time between big events is usually boring and so it makes sense.
It had a strong start, but I just got so frustrated because Asra seemed to get more and more stupid. "Oh you betrayed me? Well I'll help you again, so you can betray me again!"
Ok after thinking about it I'm bumping this up to a 3 and here's why:The bisexual main character ends up with a man. While there aren't a ton of books with bi mcs, they all end either with same sex relationships or in one case a triad. I'm just saying it's nice for a change? I mean statistically it's more likely as there are more men into women than women/non-binary people into women. (Am bi, am married to man.)
I vaguely remember a couple years ago there was some drama on twitter from lesbians about a book that did this. Was it this book? I don't remember at all.
Ok after thinking about it I'm bumping this up to a 3 and here's why:
I vaguely remember a couple years ago there was some drama on twitter from lesbians about a book that did this. Was it this book? I don't remember at all.