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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you NetGalley and ONYX Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a really easy book to read and get into. The characters were well developed and the plot was addictive. I would highly recommend.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Riftborne is built on intriguing ideas and a promising premise, but its execution often falls short. While I admire the ambition of its world-building and the attempt to weave complex relationships and mysteries into the narrative, the book is bogged down by inconsistencies, shallow characterization, and a writing style that underestimates its audience.
The Writing Style:
The prose is overly simplistic, filled with repetitive descriptions and clichés that disrupt the immersion. From phrases like “their eyes went up in flames” being overused when describing anger (seriously, someone get these people some eye drops—the ophthalmologists of this realm must be making a fortune), to modern anachronisms like “nightmare fuel” in a fantastical setting, the language often feels jarring and unpolished. Dialogue, too, suffers; exchanges frequently lean into clunky, uninspired insults or stilted, unnatural conversations.
The pacing is equally inconsistent. Chapters drag with filler material, redundant recaps, and moments that add little to the plot. For example, a scene where Fia “spends an hour” recounting events that took minutes emphasizes the tendency to stretch out mundane details while glossing over significant emotional or narrative moments. It's particularly frustrating because when the story does slow down, it's rarely for the moments that actually deserve that attention.
The Characters:
Fia, the main character, struggles to carry the story. While her Riftborne heritage hints at compelling depth, the lack of clarity around her backstory makes it difficult to connect with her struggles. Her erratic mood swings and tendency toward dramatics make her come across as immature rather than relatable. The supporting cast fares no better, often reduced to one-dimensional roles that either antagonize or enable Fia without any real development of their own.
The romance, in particular, feels forced and rushed. The leap from "I hate you" to "I would die without you" happens so fast it gives emotional whiplash without any meaningful interactions to justify the change. Their supposedly profound connection feels about as deep as a puddle, undermined by cringeworthy dialogue and possessive dynamics that feel out of place and outdated. Lines like “You’re mine” and declarations of unbearable longing after minimal interaction strain credibility and detract from the emotional weight the authors likely intended.
World-Building and Plot:
The world of Riftborne had the potential to be its saving grace, but the book leaves too many unanswered questions. Who are the Riftborne, why were they persecuted, and how does Fia fit into the larger narrative? Instead of exploring these mysteries, the plot often devolves into predictable twists and heavy-handed foreshadowing. Key details are spoon-fed to the reader, removing any sense of intrigue or discovery.
The magic system and political intrigue are introduced but never fully realized, leaving the world feeling hollow. Meanwhile, action scenes, like the climactic fight sequences, are underwhelming, plagued by vague descriptions and a lack of tension.
Final Thoughts:
Despite its flaws, Riftborne isn’t without merit. The foundation of an engaging story is there, and some moments hint at the authors’ potential to craft a richer, more compelling narrative in the future. However, the novel’s lack of polish, uneven pacing, and shallow character arcs make it a frustrating read.
Would I read the sequel? Maybe. I’m curious about the world Parker and Lennox have created, and I’d like to see if they can refine their storytelling and address the issues that detract from this first installment. But for Riftborne, the execution doesn’t live up to the promise of its ideas.
The Writing Style:
The prose is overly simplistic, filled with repetitive descriptions and clichés that disrupt the immersion. From phrases like “their eyes went up in flames” being overused when describing anger (seriously, someone get these people some eye drops—the ophthalmologists of this realm must be making a fortune), to modern anachronisms like “nightmare fuel” in a fantastical setting, the language often feels jarring and unpolished. Dialogue, too, suffers; exchanges frequently lean into clunky, uninspired insults or stilted, unnatural conversations.
The pacing is equally inconsistent. Chapters drag with filler material, redundant recaps, and moments that add little to the plot. For example, a scene where Fia “spends an hour” recounting events that took minutes emphasizes the tendency to stretch out mundane details while glossing over significant emotional or narrative moments. It's particularly frustrating because when the story does slow down, it's rarely for the moments that actually deserve that attention.
The Characters:
Fia, the main character, struggles to carry the story. While her Riftborne heritage hints at compelling depth, the lack of clarity around her backstory makes it difficult to connect with her struggles. Her erratic mood swings and tendency toward dramatics make her come across as immature rather than relatable. The supporting cast fares no better, often reduced to one-dimensional roles that either antagonize or enable Fia without any real development of their own.
The romance, in particular, feels forced and rushed. The leap from "I hate you" to "I would die without you" happens so fast it gives emotional whiplash without any meaningful interactions to justify the change. Their supposedly profound connection feels about as deep as a puddle, undermined by cringeworthy dialogue and possessive dynamics that feel out of place and outdated. Lines like “You’re mine” and declarations of unbearable longing after minimal interaction strain credibility and detract from the emotional weight the authors likely intended.
World-Building and Plot:
The world of Riftborne had the potential to be its saving grace, but the book leaves too many unanswered questions. Who are the Riftborne, why were they persecuted, and how does Fia fit into the larger narrative? Instead of exploring these mysteries, the plot often devolves into predictable twists and heavy-handed foreshadowing. Key details are spoon-fed to the reader, removing any sense of intrigue or discovery.
The magic system and political intrigue are introduced but never fully realized, leaving the world feeling hollow. Meanwhile, action scenes, like the climactic fight sequences, are underwhelming, plagued by vague descriptions and a lack of tension.
Final Thoughts:
Despite its flaws, Riftborne isn’t without merit. The foundation of an engaging story is there, and some moments hint at the authors’ potential to craft a richer, more compelling narrative in the future. However, the novel’s lack of polish, uneven pacing, and shallow character arcs make it a frustrating read.
Would I read the sequel? Maybe. I’m curious about the world Parker and Lennox have created, and I’d like to see if they can refine their storytelling and address the issues that detract from this first installment. But for Riftborne, the execution doesn’t live up to the promise of its ideas.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Really enjoyed this - not groundbreaking but a good read. Looking forward to the next ones!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Okay slay??? I liked this one! Was it groundbreaking? No. Did I enjoy every second of reading it? Yes.
Now just wishing the second book was at least announced. If it was out I would read it immediately, but it’s hard to say if I will jump at the chance to read the next book in a years time. Who knows though!
Now just wishing the second book was at least announced. If it was out I would read it immediately, but it’s hard to say if I will jump at the chance to read the next book in a years time. Who knows though!
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
I really like how this ended and I have some theories and can’t wait to see where the series goes!