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stvmln's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Harry Potter crossed with 1984; a complete masterpiece.
emachinescat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
4.0
Though it has imagery of war that is too graphic for my taste, this dystopian novel does its job well with complex, flawed, and relatable characters, a fascinating world and magic system, and themes of information control, intellectual and physical freedom, and the cost - and worth - of fighting the systems and traditions that deliberately seek to keep us in docile ignorance.
cmagnan's review against another edition
2.0
An interesting, maybe even remarkable world that's not short on conflict and all the mechanics needed to pressure cook a tense plot. Unfortunately, the characters fell flat for me, almost without exception. I'm writing this weeks after reading the novel, and I can't remember the name of a single character. Some of that's on my swiss cheese brain, but some of that stems from just not caring.
The protagonist was unlikeable, which is fine, but he was also not particularly interesting. He is gifted, of course, in a way that few are and that makes him remarkable, blah blah blah, now he's a protagonist. I did find his double-life stuff interesting, and wish his allegiances were either clearer or more tried. I thought his brother was far more interesting and I wish we followed him around.
Our protagonist falls for a girl, the only girl available to fall for, in fact, in one of the least earned romances I've read in a while. Neither of them has any reason to like the other. That's groan-worthy on it's own, but much of the third act hinges on the reader caring about these two characters as an item. I've stressed out more about seeing two halves an Oreo cookie separated than I ever did to see these two supposed lovebirds get together.
This is essentially a book about books, which I should be into. And I was, sometimes, but if every character died in a train crash and the story continued from a fresh POV, I don't think I would have been especially bothered.
And you know what? I think this the wrong character's story. The girl has a more compelling tale, and a more interesting gift, and maybe if she'd been the protagonist I would remember her name.
The protagonist was unlikeable, which is fine, but he was also not particularly interesting. He is gifted, of course, in a way that few are and that makes him remarkable, blah blah blah, now he's a protagonist. I did find his double-life stuff interesting, and wish his allegiances were either clearer or more tried. I thought his brother was far more interesting and I wish we followed him around.
Our protagonist falls for a girl, the only girl available to fall for, in fact, in one of the least earned romances I've read in a while. Neither of them has any reason to like the other. That's groan-worthy on it's own, but much of the third act hinges on the reader caring about these two characters as an item. I've stressed out more about seeing two halves an Oreo cookie separated than I ever did to see these two supposed lovebirds get together.
This is essentially a book about books, which I should be into. And I was, sometimes, but if every character died in a train crash and the story continued from a fresh POV, I don't think I would have been especially bothered.
And you know what? I think this the wrong character's story. The girl has a more compelling tale, and a more interesting gift, and maybe if she'd been the protagonist I would remember her name.
justmelisax's review against another edition
5.0
When I first bought this book I liked the idea of the story but wasn't to optimistic about it being executed well. I was wrong. I expected the book to be totally different and it surprised me in a good way. I finished it in 3 days and it left me empty, sad and longing for more.
gringuitica's review against another edition
4.0
So, a dystopia involving the library-that-wasn't (Alexandria)? Of course I loved it! Must get my hands on the sequel.
lottie1803's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
bookishexpat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
jay_mack9712's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
4.75
Yeah this was phenomenal!! A little slow off the get go but once you get into it you dont want to stop!! The world building and simply the concept of the Library is something that I was immediately drawn too!! Soo good! Listen the kiddlets are good but the ADULTS are better!! Hello Wolfe and Santi!! A love story that is right up my alley!! Also Wolfe's trauma is something that I am here for!!! SO yea I will be continuing on this series to see what happens!!!
chroniclesofabookmum's review against another edition
3.0
Ink and Bone is one of those series I bought on the bookstagram hype a few years ago and since then it has been sat on my shelf for a long time gathering dust. Since buying this book I haven’t really had any desire to pick it up. I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that I think I missed the main hype train and literally haven’t heard anything about it so didn’t really feel the need to pick it up.
I’m struggling with this review, for the most part of the book I really enjoyed it. I wanted to know more and I had a general intrigue in relation to what was going to happen next. This initially surprised me. I think I am a bad bookworm, when I say that I actually picked up this book with the intention to DNF and get rid of the series to make more room on my shelves. So when I actually realised I was enjoying the book it definitely took me by surprise.
What I did struggle with is the last 100 pages. My attention span reduced quite significantly, I was bored and I just wanted to finish the book so I could move on. When I say move on I don’t necessarily mean with the series. I cant really put my hands on what the big issue was apart from maybe they seemed pointless and I had already had enough. The connection I did have with the characters quickly deteriorated and went from caring about them and having a slight connection to not really having a connection at all and therefore not really caring about what happened next.
I feel like this is a shame and I dont think I will be carrying on with the series. I think if I read this book a year ago when I first really started getting into this genre I would have enjoyed it however right now this series isn’t for me.
I’m struggling with this review, for the most part of the book I really enjoyed it. I wanted to know more and I had a general intrigue in relation to what was going to happen next. This initially surprised me. I think I am a bad bookworm, when I say that I actually picked up this book with the intention to DNF and get rid of the series to make more room on my shelves. So when I actually realised I was enjoying the book it definitely took me by surprise.
What I did struggle with is the last 100 pages. My attention span reduced quite significantly, I was bored and I just wanted to finish the book so I could move on. When I say move on I don’t necessarily mean with the series. I cant really put my hands on what the big issue was apart from maybe they seemed pointless and I had already had enough. The connection I did have with the characters quickly deteriorated and went from caring about them and having a slight connection to not really having a connection at all and therefore not really caring about what happened next.
I feel like this is a shame and I dont think I will be carrying on with the series. I think if I read this book a year ago when I first really started getting into this genre I would have enjoyed it however right now this series isn’t for me.