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findbeauty_choosejoy's review against another edition
4.0
I find it harder to keep the imagery clear when reading this book in contrast with the others in the series. It’s fitting in that it is consistent with what Hem is feeling/experiencing, but it also gives the latter half of the story line a muffled sense. This is my least favorite of the series, but an essential and meaningful part of the overarching plot. Also... I love Saliman.
acey1221's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this installment in the Books of Pellinor series. I think it was a beautiful exploration of Hem, letting us as readers get to know him better, love him and consider his own insecurities and role in the story.
What I think was so profound about The Crow was that Hem is the brother of the Fated One and so his story is reflective of people who surround someone of great importance. The Crow gives Hem a moment to shine. With his sister as this all-important person, Hem is important as well. His part of the story is valuable. Hem is a brave and selfless character who has been done great wrongs through his life and truly been through trauma but those experiences make him stronger and more human.
What I think was so profound about The Crow was that Hem is the brother of the Fated One and so his story is reflective of people who surround someone of great importance. The Crow gives Hem a moment to shine. With his sister as this all-important person, Hem is important as well. His part of the story is valuable. Hem is a brave and selfless character who has been done great wrongs through his life and truly been through trauma but those experiences make him stronger and more human.
storyfabric's review against another edition
3.0
Though I love this series, every time I read through these books I have a difficult time reading all the way through this one. It's not that I don't enjoy and connect with the characters, although the jarring change from Maerad's story/pov could be a part of it. It's not that the story isn't interesting and important. Idk, just, for some reason it wasn't nearly as compelling as the other three books.
elzbethmrgn's review against another edition
3.0
As with the others in this series I enjoyed it, and I will read the finish off the story in [b:The Singing|2550219|The Singing (The Books of Pellinor, #4)|Alison Croggon|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1331239719s/2550219.jpg|2557914]. As with the previous books, the first and final third were strong while the middle third lagged, and I had some complaints with the way Hem felt towards other people, remembering that he is a 12 year old boy (and really this could just be me, because I have never been or been close to a boy of 12), but this wasn't enough to turn me off entirely.
linwearcamenel's review against another edition
5.0
Although the focus of the book switched from Maerad to Hem, it is just as satisfying and allows readers to come to know a different part of this world.
annalise's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I'll admit it, the first time I read this book, I was not as much of a fan as I am coming back to it now. I remember at the time, reading The Crow and waiting for The Singing to come out (which maybe tells you how long ago I first read this), I found it frustrating that this book happened concurrently with The Riddle and that we the readers already knew what happened in the glimpses of Maerad and Cadvan's story we got through letters/visions/etc. in The Crow.
But coming back to it again now, I appreciate this book so much more. Hem is constantly framed as "the brother of the Chosen One," but also has an integral part to play in "Maerad's" story and it's fascinating getting to see him come into his own before the finale of The Singing. The tension and tragedy of the fall of Turbansk in the first half of the book is also incredibly sad but beautifully written (I'd mark that as a spoiler, except we the readers already know that Turbansk falls thanks to The Riddle, and I'd argue that in this direction the concurrent timelines actually do work quite well in giving us a foreseeing of Turbansk's fate).
But coming back to it again now, I appreciate this book so much more. Hem is constantly framed as "the brother of the Chosen One," but also has an integral part to play in "Maerad's" story and it's fascinating getting to see him come into his own before the finale of The Singing. The tension and tragedy of the fall of Turbansk in the first half of the book is also incredibly sad but beautifully written (I'd mark that as a spoiler, except we the readers already know that Turbansk falls thanks to The Riddle, and I'd argue that in this direction the concurrent timelines actually do work quite well in giving us a foreseeing of Turbansk's fate).
mikkaybear's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a loooong time to get into this book--I read the first few chapters, put it down for five months, and only just picked it up again (and had to start from the beginning). Nevertheless, I liked it. It was dark, but there were moments of real beauty in language and plot. I'm so looking forward to getting back to Maerad!
tamjs's review against another edition
4.0
Like many other reviewers, I was reluctant to read this book because it's not about Maerad and Cadvan, and because I didn't really like Hem in the last book. BUT, I have to say now, I loved this book! It may actually be my favorite in the series, so far. I grew to really love Hem, and enjoyed his character development and relationships with Saliman and Irc.
marneechua's review against another edition
5.0
This book was my favorite in the series. It definitely threw me off when I picked it up and it wasn't about Maerad, especially after how the 2nd book is left. Instead it follows the adventures of Hem, her newly discovered brother and the important piece that he has to play in saving the world. I think the author comes into her own in this book and really takes us to a whole new level. This is at times a very sad, but also a very beautiful story about the nature and value of friendship.