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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
How did so much happen while nothing happened at all? Overall I enjoyed the story but it meandered so much the main plot point feels like a red herring for the real plot (like the first ToG book, if you’ve read that one). The atmosphere and vibe was very cool, and I loved the sass of the MC. I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator was awesome. I think I’ll read the second book just to see where the heck this story is going, but if the plot doesn’t pick a direction, I’ll probably drop the series.
I really enjoyed this one. Stariel is a land that contains both the mortal world and the fae. The border between worlds is collapsing and the newly chosen Lord of Stariel needs to find a magical artifact to strengthen the bond between the land and the lord. I like the way the story flipped a lot of tropes and while I did guess the identity of the bad guy, there were enough fun moments along the way that I really want to read book 2.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The main character is well written, and the side characters were enjoyable. Lots of fun repartee between the protagonist and her butler/friend. A quick, fun read.
However, there were some pacing issues. It took forever for the choosing ceremony to happen, even though you can guess from the blurb alone who will be chosen. Also I dislike a plot driven by lack of communication. In this case, you are well aware that other characters know what's happening, and their reasons for not telling the protagonist are silly. It was all to easy to guess what the big secrets would be, so that by the end I was just impatient for the protagonist to figure it out already.
Still a fun, easy story that I don't regret reading. I'll probably pick up the sequel as a palate cleanser between heavier books in the future.
However, there were some pacing issues. It took forever for the choosing ceremony to happen, even though you can guess from the blurb alone who will be chosen. Also I dislike a plot driven by lack of communication. In this case, you are well aware that other characters know what's happening, and their reasons for not telling the protagonist are silly. It was all to easy to guess what the big secrets would be, so that by the end I was just impatient for the protagonist to figure it out already.
Still a fun, easy story that I don't regret reading. I'll probably pick up the sequel as a palate cleanser between heavier books in the future.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
An estranged woman returns home so her family's magical estate can choose its next owner. It had potential, but the plot was underwhelming. The love triangle was awkward. All-around slow & lackluster. I didn't relate to how slow-paced, underwhelming, and surface-level this story was. The fae and magic elements barely entered the story. The love triangle was painfully awkward. And there was no worldbuilding! Not worth continuing with the series.
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I listened to this on Audible so firstly I'd like to comment on the narration. I thought the narrater did a really good job with this the cander and tone of Fintys voice was beautifully matched to the story.
Now onto the story itself we follow Hetta who returns to the family estate after her father dies to see who the estate will choose as the next Lord of Stariel.
Did I mention the estate was magical? In a choosing ceremony the estate will select the next lord but trouble lurks around the corner as Fea are returning to the mortal realm and only the lord can keep the estate safe.
This book was a wonderful tale of magic and mystery it was slightly predictable but this didn't take away my enjoyment of the story it was a nice easy listen and the writing style was very whimsical. This is the first book in a quartet I'm hoping the story picks up a bit in the next installment - if you're expecting gripping excitement this is probably not the book for you but if you're looking for a nice relaxing tale which unfolds and takes you on a journey through a sprawling country estate I'd say pick it up and give it a try.
Now onto the story itself we follow Hetta who returns to the family estate after her father dies to see who the estate will choose as the next Lord of Stariel.
Did I mention the estate was magical? In a choosing ceremony the estate will select the next lord but trouble lurks around the corner as Fea are returning to the mortal realm and only the lord can keep the estate safe.
This book was a wonderful tale of magic and mystery it was slightly predictable but this didn't take away my enjoyment of the story it was a nice easy listen and the writing style was very whimsical. This is the first book in a quartet I'm hoping the story picks up a bit in the next installment - if you're expecting gripping excitement this is probably not the book for you but if you're looking for a nice relaxing tale which unfolds and takes you on a journey through a sprawling country estate I'd say pick it up and give it a try.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I picked this up to fill the 'Self-published' bingo square for r/ Fantasy's 2022 Bingo challenge as it came recommended by the same community. This was a light, fun and fast gaslamp Fantasy read. I was very pleasantly surprised by the quality - most all of the self-published work I've come across has been via Kindle Unlimited; a catalogue that's historically proved more miss than hit with me.
The ending was a tad rushed, but the characterisation was decent throughout. I liked Hetta a lot as a protagonist. In particular, I enjoyed her wry humour and her self-possession. I also really liked the concept of Stariel estate being semi-sentient. Place as character is a trope that I'll always enjoy.
If you're in the market for a light, fun Fantasy-of-manners read - perhaps as a palate cleanser between heavier works - look no further.
The ending was a tad rushed, but the characterisation was decent throughout. I liked Hetta a lot as a protagonist. In particular, I enjoyed her wry humour and her self-possession. I also really liked the concept of Stariel estate being semi-sentient. Place as character is a trope that I'll always enjoy.
If you're in the market for a light, fun Fantasy-of-manners read - perhaps as a palate cleanser between heavier works - look no further.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A very enjoyable gaslamp fantasy fae novel. I wish there had been at least one more editing pass to remove the repeated phrases and info. I did appreciate that AJ Lancaster made a concerted effort to avoid some of the more annoying tropes of a book like this.
I liked that discussions of feelings and interest didn't go completely un-discussed. I also liked that Gwyn had a more interesting role than was first established. However, I do wish the central mysteries and issues were just a teensy bit harder to figure out (for the reader). It always makes me impatient when I've figured out the answer pretty early on and the characters are still bull-headedly ignoring the obvious.
ON HOLD @ 28%
i think i've been reading too much fantasy lately and i need to read some contemporary or thriller before i fall into a reading slump so on hold for the foreseeable future
i think i've been reading too much fantasy lately and i need to read some contemporary or thriller before i fall into a reading slump so on hold for the foreseeable future