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3.41 AVERAGE
3.41 AVERAGE
This book started out really well- exciting, interesting world and characters, good establishment of the problem… but then it got confusing. The povs were very similar. I didn’t understand Karis’ actions most of the time. There were too many characters to keep track of. The pirate captain should’ve been the main character, to be honest. Also, didn’t understand why the magistrate needed to be destroyed… some weird interactions with that guy. Too much internal conflict, and not enough fun. By the end, I was just skimming to get through it.
Something I really liked about this book was all the diversity representation. I think that's important to mention... not just the LGBT representation, but there was even disability representation, which is still quite rare, so... kudos for that! That being said, it didn't make the book one of my favourites. The characters felt quite bland, things happened quite quickly, I would have wanted to see more build up to get to where we ended, so that was a bit of a pity.
I'm so happy to have been a sensitivity reader on this project. It was a brilliant read, thrilling and infused with magic!
Finally, a character named Karis. This is the representation I've always wanted.
Edit: I've never been so insultingly bored than when I was reading this. So disappointing. Here's to hoping there'll be another Karis in a better book.
Edit: I've never been so insultingly bored than when I was reading this. So disappointing. Here's to hoping there'll be another Karis in a better book.
It's a good YA fantasy standalone I might have picked up on my own although I received 2 signed special edition copies in book subscription boxes.
Detailed review coming soon.
Detailed review coming soon.
Karis was taken off the streets at a young age and made to serve the country's ruling class as an acolyte. All she dreams of is escaping and finding her only family member - her older brother.
While exploring one day, while avoiding her superiors, she discovers a unique artifact of the ages past - an intact automaton - a metal soldier run on magic. But all the automatons stopped working centuries before. Only this one she manages to wake up - and rather than a mindless thing, this one has a personality and free will.
Together they team up to stop the ruling class from trying to wake the other automatons and find Karis' brother.
+++
I can't say I liked this book, but I didn't DISlike it either. I just found that I personally could not connect with the world or characters.
While exploring one day, while avoiding her superiors, she discovers a unique artifact of the ages past - an intact automaton - a metal soldier run on magic. But all the automatons stopped working centuries before. Only this one she manages to wake up - and rather than a mindless thing, this one has a personality and free will.
Together they team up to stop the ruling class from trying to wake the other automatons and find Karis' brother.
+++
I can't say I liked this book, but I didn't DISlike it either. I just found that I personally could not connect with the world or characters.
Arrived with my fairyloot crate - absolutely stunning edition and aesthetically pleasing.
However~~~~
Prepare for the rant.
I understand where she was going with this and there are a lot of themes of inclusivity within the novel that I appreciated. There’s a lot of things that were skipped over though, and a few times characters contradicted themselves so I had to read a few pages a couple times.
I liked the rune system and how they were viewed differently in different regions but I found that hard to link up without any kind of reference to wars among the islands/countries being extended and viewpoints explained more in depth, was also glossed over after three instances where different rune types were used. In 370 pages.
And to top it all, the plot was predictable with one thing that I would say almost took me by surprise if I hadn’t guessed at it five pages beforehand. Characters weren’t well developed enough for me to feel emotionally connected to them.
Gets a low end of a 3* for not being absolutely horrible I had to put it down but wasn’t quite gripping enough to have me tearing through it eagerly to find out what happens.
However~~~~
Prepare for the rant.
I understand where she was going with this and there are a lot of themes of inclusivity within the novel that I appreciated. There’s a lot of things that were skipped over though, and a few times characters contradicted themselves so I had to read a few pages a couple times.
I liked the rune system and how they were viewed differently in different regions but I found that hard to link up without any kind of reference to wars among the islands/countries being extended and viewpoints explained more in depth, was also glossed over after three instances where different rune types were used. In 370 pages.
And to top it all, the plot was predictable with one thing that I would say almost took me by surprise if I hadn’t guessed at it five pages beforehand. Characters weren’t well developed enough for me to feel emotionally connected to them.
Gets a low end of a 3* for not being absolutely horrible I had to put it down but wasn’t quite gripping enough to have me tearing through it eagerly to find out what happens.
Free copy provided in exchange for an honest review. This in no way affects my rating or review.
4 adorable stars!
Literally everyone in this book was a little cinnamon roll. EVERYONE. It was actually astounding, and I loved it!
The novel begins with our dear Karis as she tries – and fails, for the nth time – to break into the only place where she can find info on her brother. After this plot is thwarted, a variety of events lead to Karis awakening the only living automaton in the world – our darling Alix.
Alix is an absolute sweetheart, and I hope to god that he never changes. He’s brave but sweet and oh-so soft, and I love it!
“Your light is stunning. It’s brave and beautiful. So just be you, because that’s enough. It’s always been enough.”
Karis to Alix.
Yes yes yes, here is where I completely and totally agree with Karis! Alix is pure sunshine, and he deserves to be protected.
But more about our MAIN main character. Karis is brutal and tough and fierce and fiery, but she’s really just a loving sister under all that, determined to find her brother. She may act like she doesn’t care, but she has a big heart, and she’ll show it to those closest to her, which I loved. Another thing I loved was the way she accepted and rarely looked down upon herself for being asexual. She knew she’d never have a romantic relationship with anyone, but that was ok with her! Karis accepted herself, and that’s what matters most.
“I might not have what Dane and Zara do, but that doesn’t mean what I have is weaker.”
Karis thinking about her asexuality.
You go girl! Own it!
Apart from the characters, I also really liked the worldbuilding and fantasy elements! The idea of scriptwork and automatons and everything was a nice combination between technology and magic, and I found it really interesting. Some concepts were a little difficult to grasp in the beginning, but I soon worked everything out, and loved all the interesting elements of the world that Victoria created.
All in all, this was an interesting and creative book, and I really enjoyed reading about the characters and the bonds of friendship that they developed! Lots of fun and really cute. Thank you so much to the author and TBR & Beyond Book Tours for the free review copy!
4 adorable stars!
Literally everyone in this book was a little cinnamon roll. EVERYONE. It was actually astounding, and I loved it!
The novel begins with our dear Karis as she tries – and fails, for the nth time – to break into the only place where she can find info on her brother. After this plot is thwarted, a variety of events lead to Karis awakening the only living automaton in the world – our darling Alix.
Alix is an absolute sweetheart, and I hope to god that he never changes. He’s brave but sweet and oh-so soft, and I love it!
“Your light is stunning. It’s brave and beautiful. So just be you, because that’s enough. It’s always been enough.”
Karis to Alix.
Yes yes yes, here is where I completely and totally agree with Karis! Alix is pure sunshine, and he deserves to be protected.
But more about our MAIN main character. Karis is brutal and tough and fierce and fiery, but she’s really just a loving sister under all that, determined to find her brother. She may act like she doesn’t care, but she has a big heart, and she’ll show it to those closest to her, which I loved. Another thing I loved was the way she accepted and rarely looked down upon herself for being asexual. She knew she’d never have a romantic relationship with anyone, but that was ok with her! Karis accepted herself, and that’s what matters most.
“I might not have what Dane and Zara do, but that doesn’t mean what I have is weaker.”
Karis thinking about her asexuality.
You go girl! Own it!
Apart from the characters, I also really liked the worldbuilding and fantasy elements! The idea of scriptwork and automatons and everything was a nice combination between technology and magic, and I found it really interesting. Some concepts were a little difficult to grasp in the beginning, but I soon worked everything out, and loved all the interesting elements of the world that Victoria created.
All in all, this was an interesting and creative book, and I really enjoyed reading about the characters and the bonds of friendship that they developed! Lots of fun and really cute. Thank you so much to the author and TBR & Beyond Book Tours for the free review copy!