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fantasylover5's review
3.0
Very hard to get into but once you hit a certain point it gets easier to read.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
2.0
2/5
I was excited to read this book like I usually am, but this one was all over. I liked the characters but there was so many to keep track of. I loved the world but I felt there wasn’t enough explanation of it
I was excited to read this book like I usually am, but this one was all over. I liked the characters but there was so many to keep track of. I loved the world but I felt there wasn’t enough explanation of it
marieintheraw's review against another edition
1.0
Overall, this book came down to a confusing tale that felt, well, half-baked.
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
aseel_reads's review against another edition
I'm so confused as to who the characters are, whether this is based on greek mythology, and just generally, I have zero clue as to what is going on.
ninamartinez94's review
3.0
While I did find myself enjoying a lot about this book, ultimately I felt pretty confused throughout and still have some trouble describing what the book is actually about even after I’ve finished it. The style of the book was fun with Odd as “the bard” and telling both his story as well as his cousin’s, but I think a lot of the book just went over my head. Seeing as how this is aimed at teenagers, I’m not sure that the world was explained well enough for it to make much sense outside of the action portions of the book. It could be because I don’t have a lot of experience with the stories and myths this book takes inspiration from, but overall I felt frustrated throughout a lot of the book. It was definitely an entertaining read however, so I’m sure if you had that additional context it would be more enjoyable! Unfortunately I just don’t think this was the book for me.
Thank you to @NetGalley and @PenguinTeen for the #gifted eARC!
Thank you to @NetGalley and @PenguinTeen for the #gifted eARC!
stiricide's review
DNF p. 4, you can see other reviews for why. The frontload of the worldbuilding is nearly impossible to get past, even if I could, the needlessly flowery prose is already annoying me.
novelhaus's review
2.0
This concept was such an interesting one that called to me but it didn't quite live up to my expectations.
Unfortunately, I found myself confused in several parts and had a little bit of a difficult time keeping up with what was happening. I thought the world-building was a bit complicated but overall pretty good. I could place myself in the world but, again, I think if I was in the world I would be completely lost as to what was going on and why I should care.
I didn't really connect with any of the characters that well either. I wanted to, as I always do when I read something, but it was just difficult.
Overall I think this had such a cool premise but the execution wasn't quite there. There are a lot of references to various greek myths, which I am very familiar with, so that helped a bit but someone not familiar might be even more confused.
E-arc was received by Penguin Teen in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Penguin Teen!
Unfortunately, I found myself confused in several parts and had a little bit of a difficult time keeping up with what was happening. I thought the world-building was a bit complicated but overall pretty good. I could place myself in the world but, again, I think if I was in the world I would be completely lost as to what was going on and why I should care.
I didn't really connect with any of the characters that well either. I wanted to, as I always do when I read something, but it was just difficult.
Overall I think this had such a cool premise but the execution wasn't quite there. There are a lot of references to various greek myths, which I am very familiar with, so that helped a bit but someone not familiar might be even more confused.
E-arc was received by Penguin Teen in exchange for an honest review. Thank you Penguin Teen!
typop's review
5.0
An amazing and well crafted tale
I came to this book after a positive Kirkus review, and I’m so glad I read it. It’s a rare book where plotting, characterization, and world building come together to create a thrilling, gorgeous story. This book deserves more readers—don’t hesitate!
I came to this book after a positive Kirkus review, and I’m so glad I read it. It’s a rare book where plotting, characterization, and world building come together to create a thrilling, gorgeous story. This book deserves more readers—don’t hesitate!
eli_deatherage's review
3.0
This was a really weird one for me. I read this book over a year ago, and immediately gave it 3 stars. The world was interesting but the writing style was very slow, difficult to follow at times, and just didn't keep me engaged. However, as days, then weeks, then months rolled by, I found myself still thinking about aspects of the book and wishing I knew more or that there had been more depth in areas. I can fully understand why they're are so many DNF reviews, I almost put it down myself at a couple points, but I also totally get why some people gave it 5 stars. The references to Homer, Beowolf, King Arthur and more bring a sense of the epics, the runners traversing the skyscrapers' rooftops via zip lines a sense of thrill, and the dark mysterious creatures down in the streets a sense of dread and something darker at work. I stand by my rating of 3 stars, but I will strongly recommend to those who enjoy stepping out of the norm, in terms of genre and writing style, and enjoy a dystopia that brings aspects of a dark past with a darker future.