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milktoast's review against another edition
2.0
I've been on sort of a binge of YA fantasy books lately, so at this point I'm a bit more critical than I would be if I just randomly picked one up. Brightly Woven is not bad, but....besides the worldbuilding heavily folding in religion (something I'm always excited to see in fantasy), it just wasn't that interesting. There is a long list of tropes that I don't mind if well executed, like a heroine with a special secret one in a million power, a love interest who is a jerk because of his secret pain/ because he just cares so much, and a magic system that is illdefined. This book had all of those, and it did almost nothing interesting with them.
I will say that heroine's secret power was interesting in that it was a BAD power, and had the book pushed that further, I would have been more into it. If the politics of the realm had been more complex, I would have been more into it. If the themes explored at the beginning of the book (a lot to do with agency) had been delivered on better in the second half, I would have been more into it. As it is though, I can only really see it as a moderately entertaining book that didn't live up to its potential. Which is not the most terrible thing, and wouldn't stop me from trying another book by the author (I believe it's her debut?) if I heard good things, but. I wouldn't highly recommend this one.
I will say that heroine's secret power was interesting in that it was a BAD power, and had the book pushed that further, I would have been more into it. If the politics of the realm had been more complex, I would have been more into it. If the themes explored at the beginning of the book (a lot to do with agency) had been delivered on better in the second half, I would have been more into it. As it is though, I can only really see it as a moderately entertaining book that didn't live up to its potential. Which is not the most terrible thing, and wouldn't stop me from trying another book by the author (I believe it's her debut?) if I heard good things, but. I wouldn't highly recommend this one.
_camk_'s review against another edition
4.0
When I started this book, it took be a while to get into it, but once I did, I really loved it. It was refreshing and had an interesting plot line. It had magic and romance and action - all what I love in a book.
bookgirl4ever's review against another edition
2.0
Sydelle is whisked away from her village by a mysterious wizard in exchange for rain in her drought stricken land. The wizard, Wayland North, says he needs her to help approach the queen and Imperial Sorceress to prevent war between their land and another. North never really explains much to Sydelle about why her, yet she is willing to follow him on his journey, finding out along the way that she too is capable of magic and in a way that hasn't been seen for years.
North is reminiscent of eccentric Howl from the beloved Howl's Moving Castle, and Sydelle reminded me of Clary from City of Bones (who I didn't care for). Recommended 7-9th grades.
North is reminiscent of eccentric Howl from the beloved Howl's Moving Castle, and Sydelle reminded me of Clary from City of Bones (who I didn't care for). Recommended 7-9th grades.
sqeeker's review against another edition
5.0
This was a really great and refreshing new fantasy book. I've been longing for something like this to read for a while.
Plot: The whole story/plot and the way that magic works was very well thought out. The story was complex, but I could follow and understand it all. Magic was very interesting. It had it's limitations for sure, and it wasn't distracting to the main characters or story. I really enjoyed how the author matched certain powers to different colors. I thought that was really clever. The ending was really good, and tied up most loose ends, but there was one thing that I still have a question about.
Characters: I LOVED the characters in the book. Sydelle is a wonderful heroine that has her doubts and fears, but she can stand up for herself. She does what she has to. I loved her personality. North was a great new look on wizards. He wasn't confident with his abilities or relied on them. He had a lot of short comings, but you care for him. I also liked the side characters a lot, especially Owain. It was nice to see that North and Sydelle had some help on their journey. I always like to see good friends in books.
Overall this was a great great read!! I hope this author writes more!!
Plot: The whole story/plot and the way that magic works was very well thought out. The story was complex, but I could follow and understand it all. Magic was very interesting. It had it's limitations for sure, and it wasn't distracting to the main characters or story. I really enjoyed how the author matched certain powers to different colors. I thought that was really clever. The ending was really good, and tied up most loose ends, but there was one thing that I still have a question about.
Characters: I LOVED the characters in the book. Sydelle is a wonderful heroine that has her doubts and fears, but she can stand up for herself. She does what she has to. I loved her personality. North was a great new look on wizards. He wasn't confident with his abilities or relied on them. He had a lot of short comings, but you care for him. I also liked the side characters a lot, especially Owain. It was nice to see that North and Sydelle had some help on their journey. I always like to see good friends in books.
Overall this was a great great read!! I hope this author writes more!!
kristid's review against another edition
4.0
How fun was this book! It has a little bit of everything; magic, adventure, romance and mystery.
Fantasy is my favorite genre, it always has been, so Brightly Woven already had that going for it before I even started. I went into the book expecting to love it. And for the most part I did.
It was beautifully written, simplistic, but engaging. It was easy to get lost in this story, and the writing played a critical role in that. The plot was just as intricate as the woven strands in Sydelle's creations. I didn't even try to guess what was going to happen, because I failed miserably at every attempt. Initially the plot was a little slow moving. Even though we were getting to know the characters and having them start their adventure it still took me a while to be thoroughly engaged. I'm not sure exactly why, I guess it was because I had just meet Sydelle and I didn't really get to learn about her as a person before we were whisked off to a far away land. If that makes any sense at all.
There was a lot of mystery shrouding the characters in this novel. I enjoyed that aspect immensely, but at the same time it kept me from really connecting with one in particular. There was a distance I felt with North and Sydelle that I wished I could have diminished a lot sooner. Although I did love North and Sydelle, I think that my favorite character was Owain. I delighted in his brief appearances in the story. Something about him was so genuine, I can't imagine the novel without him.
This was a fantastic debut and I really hope to see more from Bracken soon! I'd love a continuation of this story, even though it did wrap up nicely.
Fantasy is my favorite genre, it always has been, so Brightly Woven already had that going for it before I even started. I went into the book expecting to love it. And for the most part I did.
It was beautifully written, simplistic, but engaging. It was easy to get lost in this story, and the writing played a critical role in that. The plot was just as intricate as the woven strands in Sydelle's creations. I didn't even try to guess what was going to happen, because I failed miserably at every attempt. Initially the plot was a little slow moving. Even though we were getting to know the characters and having them start their adventure it still took me a while to be thoroughly engaged. I'm not sure exactly why, I guess it was because I had just meet Sydelle and I didn't really get to learn about her as a person before we were whisked off to a far away land. If that makes any sense at all.
There was a lot of mystery shrouding the characters in this novel. I enjoyed that aspect immensely, but at the same time it kept me from really connecting with one in particular. There was a distance I felt with North and Sydelle that I wished I could have diminished a lot sooner. Although I did love North and Sydelle, I think that my favorite character was Owain. I delighted in his brief appearances in the story. Something about him was so genuine, I can't imagine the novel without him.
This was a fantastic debut and I really hope to see more from Bracken soon! I'd love a continuation of this story, even though it did wrap up nicely.
kaitrosereads's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! Brightly Woven was beyond amazing! From the reviews I had read for it I knew it would be good but it blew me away. It was better than I ever imagined. I know I don't have words to adequately describe how awesome it was but I will give it my best shot. =]
Brightly Woven is Alexandra Bracken's debut novel. From the writing alone you would not be able to tell. Her writing was so beautiful and it flowed so well. I never wanted to stop reading. I had to take the book with me everywhere I went so I could sneak in some reading.
The characters were nothing like I expected. When I read the summary I really didn't think I would like Wayland North but that was definitely not the case. North was a wizard who needed Sydelle's help but he kept a lot of stuff from her. I didn't like that about him but it was for a good reason. And Sydelle was brilliant! She was brave and feisty and I just loved her. She is one of the best heroines I have ever read about.
Overall, Brightly Woven needs to be on everyones list of books to read. It was full of adventure, mystery, romance, and magic. It has a little bit of everything and I think everyone will find something to love about it. I am praying for a sequel because I want more of Sydelle and North's story!
Brightly Woven is Alexandra Bracken's debut novel. From the writing alone you would not be able to tell. Her writing was so beautiful and it flowed so well. I never wanted to stop reading. I had to take the book with me everywhere I went so I could sneak in some reading.
The characters were nothing like I expected. When I read the summary I really didn't think I would like Wayland North but that was definitely not the case. North was a wizard who needed Sydelle's help but he kept a lot of stuff from her. I didn't like that about him but it was for a good reason. And Sydelle was brilliant! She was brave and feisty and I just loved her. She is one of the best heroines I have ever read about.
Overall, Brightly Woven needs to be on everyones list of books to read. It was full of adventure, mystery, romance, and magic. It has a little bit of everything and I think everyone will find something to love about it. I am praying for a sequel because I want more of Sydelle and North's story!
asteinke19's review against another edition
5.0
This book was truly beautiful to me. Like I can't even describe how much I loved this book! The charactors of Sydelle and North were engaging and intriguing. I read this book in one day and was truly astounded by how good this book was. I would recomend this to ANYONE!
rinn4's review against another edition
5.0
Lovely. I normally do not read non-series items but this one caught my eye. Comfortable story good characters, pacing could be a little better but that is only upon reflection. It was not a feeling I had while actually reading. Recommended to Graceling and Tamora Pierce fans.
asma_aj's review against another edition
3.0
fter years of draught season at Cliffton village, a mysterious wizard brings rain to the desperate village. In return, he chooses Sydelle to be his assistance. While Sydelle dreamed of leaving her home, the last thing she wanted was to be with a disagreeable and enigmatic companion, Wayland North. But after a few rough events, it's clear that North isn't just a random wandering wizard, but one with information to stop the impending war looming over the kingdom. And Sydelle may be key to stopping this war-- but at a very high cost.
Personal Take: I am so impressed by Brightly Woven. For a standalone fantasy novel, it ticked a lot of the fantasy elements; world building, heroes and heroines, journeying into foreign lands.
To read the rest of the review, please visit A Reading Kabocha @ http://areadingkabocha.blogspot.com .
Personal Take: I am so impressed by Brightly Woven. For a standalone fantasy novel, it ticked a lot of the fantasy elements; world building, heroes and heroines, journeying into foreign lands.
To read the rest of the review, please visit A Reading Kabocha @ http://areadingkabocha.blogspot.com .