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3.42 AVERAGE
3.42 AVERAGE
I love elemental magic, so I thought I would give this new series a try.
The verdict? I'm ready for the next book right now. I can't wait for more.
The verdict? I'm ready for the next book right now. I can't wait for more.
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway. I found it to be somewhat hard to get into, nothing really drew me in. The story was ok, end was well done.
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ice Crown
Book 1: Imagine a young teen growing up in the outskirts of society, which they call The Storm. While this is not explained, this section consists of the poorest tenements. Unlike her neighbors, her mother sacrificed so that Talise could eat and have the capability of wielding magic. Magic can be created with fire, water, air, or earth, but the elements only respond to people with the energy and time to spend learning it.
The description of the magic system and japanese-based society is wonderful. Talise’s situation is made more painful as she meets the other applicants competing to be the Mage for the Emperor. She can only escape the Storm if she wins; there is no other option. Somewhere in her past (perhaps her mom), someone gained a black mark and was banished to the dregs. Talise can only erase the black mark with utter excellence after 10 years of schooling. This is no easy task, and she unfortunately has to deal with privileged youths like Aaden....Aaden, whose aloofness belies his privilege.
Normally I don’t like to read about teenage angst, but this story is so well-rounded, I felt like I was on the boat reaching the new world for the first time. Yes, it felt like immigrants reaching America in colonial times. Conform to social rules or get the red A on your forehead...flashbacks to a haunting novel in school.
Aaden was not the upperclass snob you would expect. He was actually dealing with his own terror over the Storm, which might be his fate. But Talise is not the empathetic type of teen. She only sees her own needs, her own competitive control over the forms of magic. I just wanted them to cooperate.
Book 1: Imagine a young teen growing up in the outskirts of society, which they call The Storm. While this is not explained, this section consists of the poorest tenements. Unlike her neighbors, her mother sacrificed so that Talise could eat and have the capability of wielding magic. Magic can be created with fire, water, air, or earth, but the elements only respond to people with the energy and time to spend learning it.
The description of the magic system and japanese-based society is wonderful. Talise’s situation is made more painful as she meets the other applicants competing to be the Mage for the Emperor. She can only escape the Storm if she wins; there is no other option. Somewhere in her past (perhaps her mom), someone gained a black mark and was banished to the dregs. Talise can only erase the black mark with utter excellence after 10 years of schooling. This is no easy task, and she unfortunately has to deal with privileged youths like Aaden....Aaden, whose aloofness belies his privilege.
Normally I don’t like to read about teenage angst, but this story is so well-rounded, I felt like I was on the boat reaching the new world for the first time. Yes, it felt like immigrants reaching America in colonial times. Conform to social rules or get the red A on your forehead...flashbacks to a haunting novel in school.
Aaden was not the upperclass snob you would expect. He was actually dealing with his own terror over the Storm, which might be his fate. But Talise is not the empathetic type of teen. She only sees her own needs, her own competitive control over the forms of magic. I just wanted them to cooperate.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-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:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
ARC received from the author.
I must confess that this was the first book I read from Kay Moody. And I loved it.
I liked the first part with young Talise and almost cried at the thought of she would not be able to prove what she can.
The process of shaping was well described and you can almost see cherry blossom tress, the fire ribbons or the ice crown.
After finishing the book my only thought is that both the teacher and Aaden want her to win. I think they manipulated her about Marnie's funeral for some reason and I can't wait to find out the reason why
I must confess that this was the first book I read from Kay Moody. And I loved it.
I liked the first part with young Talise and almost cried at the thought of she would not be able to prove what she can.
The process of shaping was well described and you can almost see cherry blossom tress, the fire ribbons or the ice crown.
After finishing the book my only thought is that both the teacher and Aaden want her to win. I think they manipulated her about Marnie's funeral for some reason and I can't wait to find out the reason why
I was given an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book was way too short. That made it feel very rushed.
It tells the story of Talise, a girl who can bend the elements to her will. Being a citizen of the Storm, the crime-laden area of her civilization, the only way she can escape her life there is by becoming a Master Shaper. From a young age, she's placed at a school to learn how to bend the elements and prepare for the competition that could earn her the role of Master Shaper.
The premise itself reminded me a lot of Avatar the Last Airbender, but if all of the nation trained together and not apart. There's also the distinction of people not being mostly confined to shaping just one element.
So, at a young age, Talise earns a spot at a school for shapers. When she graduates, if she doesn't become a Master Shaper, she has to return to the Storm, which no one thinks she'll survive, including her.
As I said earlier, the story is short and feels rushed. Ten years of time is pretty much glossed over in like three sentences and we're never told much about Talise's backstory. She's from the Storm because some earlier ancestor of hers broke the law and saw exiled there. This society has an unjust law that basically says if you mess up, you and everyone descended from you, will be punished for it. So, we have no idea why Talise needs to win the competition in the first place.
There isn't much info given about the world as a whole other than the Storm is bad, the Crown is good, people can shape elements and the law I mentioned earlier. I think some effort should've been put a little more into how the world works.
My biggest issue though, is the climax. Instead of the competition itself being the climax of the story, the actual climax is the prep for this big competiton? And the story ends on the way heading to the competition with Talise getting another, more well-connected student, who is her biggest threat, disqualified for breaking a very minor rule This didn't feel like a good conclusion or well-executed one at all. It feels unfinished.
This book was way too short. That made it feel very rushed.
It tells the story of Talise, a girl who can bend the elements to her will. Being a citizen of the Storm, the crime-laden area of her civilization, the only way she can escape her life there is by becoming a Master Shaper. From a young age, she's placed at a school to learn how to bend the elements and prepare for the competition that could earn her the role of Master Shaper.
The premise itself reminded me a lot of Avatar the Last Airbender, but if all of the nation trained together and not apart. There's also the distinction of people not being mostly confined to shaping just one element.
So, at a young age, Talise earns a spot at a school for shapers. When she graduates, if she doesn't become a Master Shaper, she has to return to the Storm, which no one thinks she'll survive, including her.
As I said earlier, the story is short and feels rushed. Ten years of time is pretty much glossed over in like three sentences and we're never told much about Talise's backstory. She's from the Storm because some earlier ancestor of hers broke the law and saw exiled there. This society has an unjust law that basically says if you mess up, you and everyone descended from you, will be punished for it. So, we have no idea why Talise needs to win the competition in the first place.
There isn't much info given about the world as a whole other than the Storm is bad, the Crown is good, people can shape elements and the law I mentioned earlier. I think some effort should've been put a little more into how the world works.
My biggest issue though, is the climax. Instead of the competition itself being the climax of the story, the actual climax is the prep for this big competiton? And the story ends on the way heading to the competition with Talise getting another, more well-connected student, who is her biggest threat, disqualified for breaking a very minor rule This didn't feel like a good conclusion or well-executed one at all. It feels unfinished.
The book is obviously a novella which makes it very difficult for any real character development or connection with the characters.
The premise is interesting.
The premise is interesting.
Ice Crown
A nice novella. I was instantly drawn into this fantasy world and found myself wanting to know what happened next. There's a lot of strong emotions and interesting use of magic. It's hard to please my high standard reading tastes but this book passed my criteria so I'm happy to continue reading and discover more about Talise and the world of Kamdaria! Just note that the ending is a little abrupt and a bit of a cliffhanger.
A nice novella. I was instantly drawn into this fantasy world and found myself wanting to know what happened next. There's a lot of strong emotions and interesting use of magic. It's hard to please my high standard reading tastes but this book passed my criteria so I'm happy to continue reading and discover more about Talise and the world of Kamdaria! Just note that the ending is a little abrupt and a bit of a cliffhanger.