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alivaster's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve grown up on fantasy books, and after Harry Potter, I’m constantly on the lookout for another magical book series that can capture my mind since I go through series so quickly. I really enjoyed FRAGMENTS OF LIGHT and found myself really lost in the world of Arcadia. It’s a thrilling and different new world that kept me on my toes.
I’m always wary of indie books because in my experience, they tend to be rushed, not edited well, or there may be characters or plot aspects that are underdeveloped. However, Beth Hodgson blew me away with her book because it was extremely well-written. If I hadn’t known it was an indie book, I would have never guessed it. It’s as if it was published by a well-known traditional publisher. You can tell a lot of effort went into the making of this book to prepare it for publication – so kudos to Hodgson.
The first thing that caught my eye was the cover. The minute I saw it, I'm not going to lie, I wanted it for my bookshelf. I bought the paperback version and it is more gorgeous in print than it is on the computer, so a definite plus! Not only is the cover nice to look at, but it also has beautiful artwork within its pages, and the story itself is captivating. From the first chapter and throughout the book, I found it hard to put down because the characters and the world was so diverse and each character truly had their own voice. I tend to have problems keeping characters separate, but her characters were crafted well and have distinct personality differences.
I was also really satisfied with Hodgson’s world’s construction. It’s very strong and you can tell there was a lot of time and thought that was put into it. When I’m reading adult fantasy and sci-fi, I find myself really enjoying books that have complexity and diversity in their cast. Hodgson delivered, no questions asked.
A downside of the book is the fact that it really is a long book. If you’re not a fan of long stories, this might not work well for you. The paperback comes in at 658 pages, however, none of that space is wasted or wishy-washy. There isn’t a point in the book where you think it should be over. It all feels like it’s supposed to be there and everything felt necessary to ensure the reader understood the world and the enormity of what was happening.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who asks. It’s a world where Final Fantasy, Star Wars, and Game of Thrones collide – with a healthy dose of magic. Magic, time travel, cyber punk aspects, a princess, and cyborgs… there’s something for everyone in this book to love. Can't wait to read the next book of the series.
Note: Also, please note that this book has adult content, so it isn’t suitable for younger readers or being read to them as a bedtime story unlike other books I’ve recommended. Genre: Adult Fantasy/Sci-Fi due to language and adult situations.
I’m always wary of indie books because in my experience, they tend to be rushed, not edited well, or there may be characters or plot aspects that are underdeveloped. However, Beth Hodgson blew me away with her book because it was extremely well-written. If I hadn’t known it was an indie book, I would have never guessed it. It’s as if it was published by a well-known traditional publisher. You can tell a lot of effort went into the making of this book to prepare it for publication – so kudos to Hodgson.
The first thing that caught my eye was the cover. The minute I saw it, I'm not going to lie, I wanted it for my bookshelf. I bought the paperback version and it is more gorgeous in print than it is on the computer, so a definite plus! Not only is the cover nice to look at, but it also has beautiful artwork within its pages, and the story itself is captivating. From the first chapter and throughout the book, I found it hard to put down because the characters and the world was so diverse and each character truly had their own voice. I tend to have problems keeping characters separate, but her characters were crafted well and have distinct personality differences.
I was also really satisfied with Hodgson’s world’s construction. It’s very strong and you can tell there was a lot of time and thought that was put into it. When I’m reading adult fantasy and sci-fi, I find myself really enjoying books that have complexity and diversity in their cast. Hodgson delivered, no questions asked.
A downside of the book is the fact that it really is a long book. If you’re not a fan of long stories, this might not work well for you. The paperback comes in at 658 pages, however, none of that space is wasted or wishy-washy. There isn’t a point in the book where you think it should be over. It all feels like it’s supposed to be there and everything felt necessary to ensure the reader understood the world and the enormity of what was happening.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who asks. It’s a world where Final Fantasy, Star Wars, and Game of Thrones collide – with a healthy dose of magic. Magic, time travel, cyber punk aspects, a princess, and cyborgs… there’s something for everyone in this book to love. Can't wait to read the next book of the series.
Note: Also, please note that this book has adult content, so it isn’t suitable for younger readers or being read to them as a bedtime story unlike other books I’ve recommended. Genre: Adult Fantasy/Sci-Fi due to language and adult situations.
wolfshine's review
5.0
So, I think it’s safe to say that this book had it all. Mystery, romance, intrigue. Oh, as well as cyborgs, magic, and brainwashing.
The way the author weaves different timelines, subplots, and characters together is done beautifully to create an engaging read with an explosive ending. Each character had a broad personality, and the choices that they made were carefully explored. Worldbuilding was amazing. It’s not easy to blend together all the genres in this book, but the author did it with finesse.
While very complex, this is definitely a worthwhile read for people who love both dystopia and fantasy.
The way the author weaves different timelines, subplots, and characters together is done beautifully to create an engaging read with an explosive ending. Each character had a broad personality, and the choices that they made were carefully explored. Worldbuilding was amazing. It’s not easy to blend together all the genres in this book, but the author did it with finesse.
While very complex, this is definitely a worthwhile read for people who love both dystopia and fantasy.
wanderonwards's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
I really enjoyed the world-building and the concept of magic in this story (plus the incredible artwork), but for me it was let down by the pacing and the lack of on-page character development.
rebeccacarter's review
5.0
Amazing. I loved everything about this story. It's such a colorful book in more than its representations of the color spectrum. It's vivid in evoking the senses. You can feel, smell, touch, see, hear all that is going on around you. And it touches your emotions. You can feel sorrow both for hero/heroine and villain. The story masterfully shifts from one time period to another, and the plot is well thought out, tossing in the unexpected. I can hardly wait for the sequel.
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