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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Yes
the author is going to kill Soren in book 2 this is my prediction based purely on the fact that he's my favorite character. also it felt like the author was trying to make some kind of commentary on racism but it kinda fell flat. also the romance was kinda meh. world building? excellent. characters? fun. magic system? interesting. OH and we could have cut 200-300 pages from this. I didn't need the mid act three drama.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Violence, Xenophobia, War
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I totally understand the hype on this book on German BookTok and wished it was the same for the English speaking part of BookTok. I was SO EMOTIONALLY INVESTED in the characters and the story, and even though elemental magic is so new invention, it felt fresh to me. There are two big scenes where Rhya uses her magic AND I LIVED FOR THEM!!!!! I was entertained, I was on the edge of my seat, I was devouring the book. Actually, I was upset how the MMC wanted to protect the FMC at times (even though I understood his motives) and I really hope it’ll be different in the other books (really reminded me of certain side characters (I’m looking at you, Dain and Chaol!)) Can’t wait for the next one!!!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well this is upsetting. One of my anticipated releases for the year and we have another DNF. Honestly I’m not sure where to start on this. My main issues are - the length/pacing of the book and lack of wtf is going on lol
The length I can truly only chop it up to this is the first of an epic fantasy series so “it must” be long because of all the foundational details that are happening. But wtf is happening?! And the pacing is just off and very clunky. And this is via audio.
And then the characters are truly all over the place, with no real depth or value or arc happening. At 75% and I know we have 3 characters but I can’t tell you anything other than she’s supposed to be important, 1 loves her j think and the other is supposed to protect her buuuut he just pops in and out. There’s no true connection of anything going on and it’s frustrating my brain. So I’m calling it.
The length I can truly only chop it up to this is the first of an epic fantasy series so “it must” be long because of all the foundational details that are happening. But wtf is happening?! And the pacing is just off and very clunky. And this is via audio.
And then the characters are truly all over the place, with no real depth or value or arc happening. At 75% and I know we have 3 characters but I can’t tell you anything other than she’s supposed to be important, 1 loves her j think and the other is supposed to protect her buuuut he just pops in and out. There’s no true connection of anything going on and it’s frustrating my brain. So I’m calling it.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-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
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2,5 five stars
Maybe I have grown too old for Romantasy or YA, but this was not it. While I liked the overall storyline, the romance completely killed it for me. Both Rhya and Penn are very emotional beings with absolutely ZERO ability to put these emotions into words. It’s so frustrating. Just TALK about it, dang it. I feel like authors enjoy dragging the storyline by making everything seem sooo complicated while it’s actually not.
Besides, Penn is just…eh. He’s your typical jealousTM hothead without any self control. He’s also pretty toxic, he’s jealous that Rhya is close with her female friend and wants to lock her up “for her safety”. Phew. Big red flag if a man is jealous of your friends. He’s also supposed to be like 200 or something, yet he acts like a 12 year old most of the time. Petty little baby man.
Maybe I have grown too old for Romantasy or YA, but this was not it. While I liked the overall storyline, the romance completely killed it for me. Both Rhya and Penn are very emotional beings with absolutely ZERO ability to put these emotions into words. It’s so frustrating. Just TALK about it, dang it. I feel like authors enjoy dragging the storyline by making everything seem sooo complicated while it’s actually not.
Besides, Penn is just…eh. He’s your typical jealousTM hothead without any self control. He’s also pretty toxic, he’s jealous that Rhya is close with her female friend and wants to lock her up “for her safety”. Phew. Big red flag if a man is jealous of your friends. He’s also supposed to be like 200 or something, yet he acts like a 12 year old most of the time. Petty little baby man.