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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I liked the universe and the characters, the cozy quartet on a road trip. I didn't care for the ending. enough that I might not carry on with the series. Still debating it.
Didn't mind this book! Worldbuilding was easy to understand, though the geography was a bit confusing.. didn't matter too much though so not the end of the world. Ziva kinda annoyed me at times tbh. Idk I felt like this was trying to be deeper than it ended up being but it also wasn't shallow?? I liked the pacing! Not specifically revved to read the second book but if I come across it, I wouldn't be opposed to reading.
I just wasn't finding it very compelling.
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Tricia always manages to build this little worlds with such interesting and relatable characters. The magic users are so interesting and I want to know about all of them! Ziva’s struggles with anxiety is very relatable. It does become a little “convenient problem” but I think that’s due to the fast paced story. I’m so happy to see what happens in book two. I hope that we get more of a conversations between Ziva and her sister who just seemed to not be on the same page. They obviously want different things and it’s about time they recognize and address it.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. My opinion was not affected by the free copy.
I was really curious when I saw that the MC was going to have anxiety issues, and before I go into the negatives I need to praise that representation right away. It was written so well. All of her insecurities and doubts and the inner thoughts she was experiencing felt so real. I loved the description of the panic attack and how clear they are that this isn't something you can really fix or rationalize.
As always, I deal with the negatives first so I end on a positive note. There aren't too many in this book. I think maybe the pacing got a little repetitive after a while. The characters would go to a location, they'd encounter some conflict, usually some misunderstanding between them occurred, and they would move on to a new location and repeat. It's very lucky that the characters all talked to each other in a fairly believable way and I liked following them on this journey, because that formula would've gotten old super fast otherwise. I still wish there was some variety but it wasn't too bad thanks to the character interactions.
Also, there is a section at the beginning of the story that doesn't feel like it has any purpose whatsoever. I'm not saying the incident wasn't believable or wasn't well-written, I just don't see why it was included in the story. If it was taken out, absolutely nothing would've been lost. Unless the characters introduced in that bit come back, there was no reason for the scenes to exist.
I do wish this wasn't told in first person, because it did feel like sometimes there had to be some writing gymnastics to excuse why the narrator would be listening in on certain conversations. Especially if this MC is supposed to have social anxiety and prefers being alone or with just her sister. I think the narrative could have still shown the thoughts, feelings, and reactions while being in third person.
I always have to talk about the romance a little. This one was built up at a decent pace. Maybe the attraction still felt a little too sudden-- especially as the very first time the character was attracted to someone in eighteen years-- but the relationship built up well over time. Did it need to be in the story? No. Would much change if it was taken out? No. But it was a little better than most YA romances.
I already mentioned the anxiety written well, and the way the characters interacted was good, too. I especially loved the dynamic between the sisters. The way they talked to each other felt so genuine. I always look for that kind of thing when siblings are included in a story. I also think the world-building is off to a good start. I want to know more about how this world operates from the little snippets we've been given.
At first I wasn't entirely thrilled with the addition of magic to this story. I still think it would've been cool if the MC was just a regular swordsmith without magic to help her along. But I did like the way her magic worked, and the solution with the sword was very intriguing. I think maybe there was some unnecessary sequel baiting, but I'll still read the sequel when it comes out. I am curious where the story might be going next.
A very intriguing start with some good characters and a world I want to learn more about!
I was really curious when I saw that the MC was going to have anxiety issues, and before I go into the negatives I need to praise that representation right away. It was written so well. All of her insecurities and doubts and the inner thoughts she was experiencing felt so real. I loved the description of the panic attack and how clear they are that this isn't something you can really fix or rationalize.
As always, I deal with the negatives first so I end on a positive note. There aren't too many in this book. I think maybe the pacing got a little repetitive after a while. The characters would go to a location, they'd encounter some conflict, usually some misunderstanding between them occurred, and they would move on to a new location and repeat. It's very lucky that the characters all talked to each other in a fairly believable way and I liked following them on this journey, because that formula would've gotten old super fast otherwise. I still wish there was some variety but it wasn't too bad thanks to the character interactions.
Also, there is a section at the beginning of the story that doesn't feel like it has any purpose whatsoever. I'm not saying the incident wasn't believable or wasn't well-written, I just don't see why it was included in the story. If it was taken out, absolutely nothing would've been lost. Unless the characters introduced in that bit come back, there was no reason for the scenes to exist.
I do wish this wasn't told in first person, because it did feel like sometimes there had to be some writing gymnastics to excuse why the narrator would be listening in on certain conversations. Especially if this MC is supposed to have social anxiety and prefers being alone or with just her sister. I think the narrative could have still shown the thoughts, feelings, and reactions while being in third person.
I always have to talk about the romance a little. This one was built up at a decent pace. Maybe the attraction still felt a little too sudden-- especially as the very first time the character was attracted to someone in eighteen years-- but the relationship built up well over time. Did it need to be in the story? No. Would much change if it was taken out? No. But it was a little better than most YA romances.
I already mentioned the anxiety written well, and the way the characters interacted was good, too. I especially loved the dynamic between the sisters. The way they talked to each other felt so genuine. I always look for that kind of thing when siblings are included in a story. I also think the world-building is off to a good start. I want to know more about how this world operates from the little snippets we've been given.
At first I wasn't entirely thrilled with the addition of magic to this story. I still think it would've been cool if the MC was just a regular swordsmith without magic to help her along. But I did like the way her magic worked, and the solution with the sword was very intriguing. I think maybe there was some unnecessary sequel baiting, but I'll still read the sequel when it comes out. I am curious where the story might be going next.
A very intriguing start with some good characters and a world I want to learn more about!
This book was simply amazing!!! I love all the main characters and their story lines. The writing is as always so captivating, it’s like I’m there in the story. Although Ziva really gets on my nerves from time to time but I love her and Kellyn developing story
blade of secrets - 4 stars ; january 13th , 2023 1:01am
i. am. broken.
second read of the year , second cliffhanger of the year .
i read this book in literally 24 hours because i could not stop reading - it was that good .
praying i get to the bookstore soon so i can get my hands on the next one . this book was so good i cannot even explain it . the main character wasn’t like every other perfect mc who has no flaws . she has social anxiety and overthinks a lot and in general is such a relatable character . i’m so so glad i picked this book as my second read of the year .
i highly recommend this book for everyone to read . if you liked the shadows between us , you’ll like this one , too . if you like fantasy in general , this book is wonderful .
i. am. broken.
second read of the year , second cliffhanger of the year .
i read this book in literally 24 hours because i could not stop reading - it was that good .
praying i get to the bookstore soon so i can get my hands on the next one . this book was so good i cannot even explain it . the main character wasn’t like every other perfect mc who has no flaws . she has social anxiety and overthinks a lot and in general is such a relatable character . i’m so so glad i picked this book as my second read of the year .
i highly recommend this book for everyone to read . if you liked the shadows between us , you’ll like this one , too . if you like fantasy in general , this book is wonderful .