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gabe_reads's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really enjoyed this book! I really liked the setting, the world and the history and the magic that has been built with such care. The Essences are an interesting mechanism to have working in the background, and I like hints at the more important matters that we're not aware of.
I think the book improves as it goes on, which I think may be partly because the main characters grow older. And I think they're written better when they're older. Not even sure who my favourite character is, they're all great. I thought the cast was very refreshing and interesting.
I had so many questions by the end and I'm really looking forward to the next one! I hope it doesn't take as long as the first!!
I think the book improves as it goes on, which I think may be partly because the main characters grow older. And I think they're written better when they're older. Not even sure who my favourite character is, they're all great. I thought the cast was very refreshing and interesting.
I had so many questions by the end and I'm really looking forward to the next one! I hope it doesn't take as long as the first!!
alexampersand's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.5
I had a really great time with this book - fantasy sometimes makes me apprehensive as a genre when it starts into supremely high fantasy, but this book did an excellent job of humanising the characters and making them still fully able to connect and relate to.
The story was a lot deeper and layered than I first expected when reading it - especially after Part One when the narrative perspective seems to shift. It felt a little jarring at first, but once I settled into it I really grew to appreciate the complex history that's been woven, something that made a lot of sense reading the Authors Note at the back, and how many years and how much thought has gone into creating this world for the author.
I desperately wanted some more answers about the overarching plots than we got in the resolution - but I suppose if anything that's a testament to the strength of investment in the story, and has me eagerly awaiting Book Two!
The story was a lot deeper and layered than I first expected when reading it - especially after Part One when the narrative perspective seems to shift. It felt a little jarring at first, but once I settled into it I really grew to appreciate the complex history that's been woven, something that made a lot of sense reading the Authors Note at the back, and how many years and how much thought has gone into creating this world for the author.
I desperately wanted some more answers about the overarching plots than we got in the resolution - but I suppose if anything that's a testament to the strength of investment in the story, and has me eagerly awaiting Book Two!
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