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siavahda's review against another edition
4.0
Taking a star off for the incredibly unnecessary sexism baked into so much of the worldbuilding; and also the choice to a) make your MC 14 going through what she does, and b) have that 14yo threatened with rape and forced marriage, both of which were gratuitous rather than any kind of plot-necessary.
(Seriously, 14yos??? Why would you choose to write her so young? Literally nothing stopping you from making her older.)
That aside, this is a phenomenal start to a series I'm definitely going to read in full.
(Seriously, 14yos??? Why would you choose to write her so young? Literally nothing stopping you from making her older.)
That aside, this is a phenomenal start to a series I'm definitely going to read in full.
luna_lou13's review against another edition
4.0
Good world building and introduction of characters, can't wait to finish the other books in the series.
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The Details:
Narrated by Kyla Garcia
Unabridged
My first Tchaikovsky novel!
A story about tribes that can shape shift into their spirit animals, and one girl wrestling with the two spirits within her, of the wolf and the tiger and the expectations placed upon her by a world she doesn't fit into.
The discussion on reincarnation and having to make sure they pass away as their stepped animal form was fascinating and felt very culturally aware of different myth, legends and folklore. It was quite beautiful to learn about.
This was full of action and emotion. Poor Maniye couldn't catch a break but she became so much more than anyone was expecting and was a testament to her own strength and desire for survival and freedom.
Narrated by Kyla Garcia
Unabridged
My first Tchaikovsky novel!
A story about tribes that can shape shift into their spirit animals, and one girl wrestling with the two spirits within her, of the wolf and the tiger and the expectations placed upon her by a world she doesn't fit into.
The discussion on reincarnation and having to make sure they pass away as their stepped animal form was fascinating and felt very culturally aware of different myth, legends and folklore. It was quite beautiful to learn about.
This was full of action and emotion. Poor Maniye couldn't catch a break but she became so much more than anyone was expecting and was a testament to her own strength and desire for survival and freedom.
katja_weinert's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-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
3.5
sechurae's review against another edition
4.5
That was so good. Tchaikovsky has a knack for creating characters that you simply want to root for. His character relationships and dynamics are impeccable, and make you want to cry.
This book started off a little slow for me, as things were picking up, with Maniye trying to find her way, and Asmander travelling to the north. But the story soon picked up, and kept up a good pace.
Broken Axe though ;-;
This book started off a little slow for me, as things were picking up, with Maniye trying to find her way, and Asmander travelling to the north. But the story soon picked up, and kept up a good pace.
larissajay's review against another edition
3.0
An imaginative take on shape shifting, The TatW has a great story. I loved the ideas and the cultures portrayed, and the characters were creative and varied. There were a few great plot twists which I enjoyed.
I loved the development of Maniye and Hesprec, and the insights of Loud Thunder and Broken Axe.
My misgivings about the book was the pacing and the development. I felt from the start that Maniye and Asmander's parties would have to meet but the majority of the book is spent apart, with Maniye running away from lots of trouble every time. I can see why she would have to travel around so much, but it felt repetitive. She'd run from Broken Axe, find someone to shelter with, stay there awhile, then leave with the arrival of more trouble, usually Broken Axe. I got bored of Maniye having very little personality (her tenacity that Loud Thunder likes is her best quality).
When Maniye and Asmander did meet it was anticlimactic, which is allowed-- but it didn't really go anywhere. I never felt like friendship developed with any of the southerners and I found their bits slightly dull as they didn't really develop. Asmander kind of learns that duty isn't everything, but for no real plausible reason. He has a strange "pull" towards Broken Axe? Erm, okay. That makes sense as to why he gives up all his ideals for a stranger he wants to be liked by...
Even so I will still be reading the next book! This felt like more of a prequel so hoping Maniye will develop further in #2!
I loved the development of Maniye and Hesprec, and the insights of Loud Thunder and Broken Axe.
My misgivings about the book was the pacing and the development. I felt from the start that Maniye and Asmander's parties would have to meet but the majority of the book is spent apart, with Maniye running away from lots of trouble every time. I can see why she would have to travel around so much, but it felt repetitive. She'd run from Broken Axe, find someone to shelter with, stay there awhile, then leave with the arrival of more trouble, usually Broken Axe. I got bored of Maniye having very little personality (her tenacity that Loud Thunder likes is her best quality).
When Maniye and Asmander did meet it was anticlimactic, which is allowed-- but it didn't really go anywhere. I never felt like friendship developed with any of the southerners and I found their bits slightly dull as they didn't really develop. Asmander kind of learns that duty isn't everything, but for no real plausible reason. He has a strange "pull" towards Broken Axe? Erm, okay. That makes sense as to why he gives up all his ideals for a stranger he wants to be liked by...
Even so I will still be reading the next book! This felt like more of a prequel so hoping Maniye will develop further in #2!
pnutbutta's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
1.0
Not a fan of animorphs
mchao666's review against another edition
4.0
The rich world-building lets me forgive the subpar character development
daedilus's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
thegoddrums's review against another edition
5.0
Brutal. Tchaikovsky captures a prehistorical feeling very well- the world feels intense and unforgiving. The book is a little long winded at times, which contributes to the feeling of brutality, as negative events are not quickly wrapped up. Not as good of a book as Children of ruin/children of time, but I'd put it above all of his other fantasy books.