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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Jo, další díl si přečtu. Snad se tam objeví ta cařice, o které se jen mluví, ale neobjevila se tam přímo. Na tu se těším, tak snad nebudu zklamaná.
As an alternate history YA romance, the actual plot is tough to buy into/follow and feels a little littered with some anachronistic analogies that don’t make sense for the world the author was building.
That being said, even if it’s a paper thin it, the characters that hang onto it are alright if not predictable (but it’s what I wanted) and if you’re in the market for excessive heart throbbing and boys that are head over heels for a girl who is the typical bumbly blank slate YA romantic heroine, this is your book.
As quarantine comfort food goes, I tore through it in two days after buying it for $2 on my kindle. Am I judging myself? Yes. Will I buy the sequel? No. Is it life changing storytelling? Well, it gave me a break from my kid and life in quarantine so I’d say temporarily life changing ;)
Devious. Entrancing. Gorgeous.
" We were a racing pride of lions, a stampede of horses, a herd of beasts running wild, invulnerable and free and thrilled with the mad beating of our own hearts. "
Oy, I feel as if a real racing pride of lions, stampede of horses, and a herd of beasts have trampled all over my own heart -- that is, if the dAMNED THING IS STILL BEATING ANYMORE
But honestly, this book is about resilience, courage in the face of vulnerability, and learning there is strength enough within to fight back.
I have not encountered a more timid main character in ages, that at first I was merely waiting to see when Selah would finally show some teeth and bite, but as the story went on, I simply realized that that's just not who she is.
And I'm okay with that.
Because this time I got to appreciate her humility, her innocence, and - best of all - her growth as a character. And that's only the beginning of her story.
This book is so, so beautiful.
You get to fall in love more than just once - and listen to me when I say that you HAVE TO let it happen. Don't hold your fangirl heart's feelings back because it's scared of getting hurt. FALL IN LOVE, whenever the story demands it. It is so much more worth it in the end. (Which isn't the real end yet, thank goodness for series ;))
Despite the awkward beginnings and bitter ends, the middle parts of the romances are the absolute best. They are pure magic, and will stay with you long after you've closed the book.
The setting is also a bit strange and curious. As I began reading, I was in constant confusion about when and where the story was taking place, seeing mentions of real places but no description of any time period. Near the middle of it, I just gave up trying to figure it out, because I realized I didn't need to put things in order myself - I had to let the story tell me what it wants me to know, when it needs to, and not get ahead of it. Besides, this is fantasy - anything can be made true in fantasy.
And then it registered that perhaps having real-life places interspersed with fictional locations mirrors the fact that The Beholder is inspired by a combination of several different classic stories, myths, and fairytales that all ring true with lessons that we apply in real life.
And it was precisely all of those combinations of location and tale that made The Beholder feel as if the story was lost in time; making it its own kind of crossover universe. And this actually reminded me of my favorite TV show, Once Upon A Time : seamless in its unity of characters and origins and connections with one another.
There are plot twists throughout the story that will break your heart. They may close chapters forever for Selah's voyage, or continue to expand her possibilities. Whatever they may be, you won't predict right away. But when they are revealed . . . Friends, this book is painful.
But The Beholder is also beauty and magic and endeavoring to live in the moment, no matter how fleeting the time they've been given.
It is to learn to carve your own path, to stand up for oneself and finally raise your voice, knowing that you have one.
" Time to begin writing my own story. To begin doing something worth writing about at all. "
I cannot wait for Selah's next adventure, to see her grow into a better version of herself and win alllll of the hearts because I know she can. After everything, she deserves it and more. <3
Side note : TORDEN, MY LOVEEEEE YOU'RE TOO PRECIOUS <3<3<3
At the beginning I said "okay, maybe this book is not for me", basically because I'm not used to reading books in wrote in first person but it wasn't that bad either, I also thought it was a self-conclusive book but then I found out there will be a continuation... nothing was in his favor but I decided to go ahead and hoped the ending would be close enough not to have to read the other one
I didn't, I quite possibly hated it.
It wasn't offensive it was just so badly written, the concept intriguing but my goodness the deliverance was lacking.
The main character had a Machiavellian stepmother who wanted her gone, to do so the main character was shipped off to find a suiter on the open seas in vastly different terrain.
In less than two months girl fell in love three times, plausible isn't it?
She was ignorant, judgemental and brash.
Here's a couple of my favourite moments:
-When the council, supposed intellectuals, wrote a bio containing the phrase, not fat but not thin. No one would ever describe anyone like such, especially when trying to marry them off... maybe try, average build. Also, a part of said dossier was 'reads too much.' No one would ever say that about any one. Also 'bad at parties,' ok try 'withdrawn' maybe.
-'Do not presume to comment on my food consumption.' - They were on a boat, for a couple of months, let's be rational there would be food rations, be grateful you get to eat.
-The fact she was given a whole new wardrobe and an opportunity to travel the world for free, experiencing amazing cultures and she wanted to stay at home with her dying dad and be a dirt farmer. Can someone please organize this for me? The husband I'd get out of it would just be a bonus.
-She complained of no one telling her anything but only after refusing to learn a bit of history/decorum from the person hired to teach her as much, a refusal made only out of spite might I add.
-Following the vein of ignorance, she was constantly judging everyone, every culture or idea that was different from hers was wrong or evil. No dear, that is what we call ignorant, racist and prejudice in the real world.
-There was a slow clap in the book. Cannot remember the scene it was involved with but there was a freaking slow clap. I don't think I need to say anything else here.
I honestly feel like this whole book was an utter disaster, beautiful cover, stunning edition from fairy loot with the pastel pink pages but the insides did not match.
Will not continue the series, would not recommend, received a second-star rating because of the snippets of fairy tales, the mention of Baba Yaga (one of my favourites) and because a character had the last name Grimm, like the brothers.
ANYWAYS - this book follows Selah, the future leader of a small nation, which relies on her marrying so that the future of the country is secured. But after she is publicly rejected by the boy she has chosen, she is forced by her step mother to go abroad, across the Atlantic, to find a new prospective mate. Her potential suitors have been carefully selected beforehand, and she has no say in who she's about to meet. BUT she has to secure a proposal ---- both the health of her father, and her country, are dependent on it.
OKAY SO - I read about 60% of this book before realizing that it's a duology. Up until that point, I thought the story would reach a resolution by the end of it.... alas, it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger instead. Nothing too bad that made me want to scream, but a little frustrating nonetheless.
I think the most enjoyable part of the book was Selah --- she's a fun protagonist to follow. I enjoyed the way she's a bit of a Pauper's Princess ( or a backwater princess, as I believe she is referred to as in the book ). She's not afraid of hard work and dirt, and works the fields at home, along with the workers. The way she reacts to the different customs in the prospective countries was also really fun!
My least favorite part of the book was how freaking confusing the world was. I'm still not sure if this story takes place in the past ( which at first, I got the strong expression of ) or in the future. But they also have some technology which make me think that maybe the novel is taking place in a wasteland future, post-disaster....
I also REALLY, REALLY wish the author would have made up her own countries. The author seems to have used modern Europe and then just changed around the names a little ( borrowing from the native languages of the regions in question, I think? ) to make up names for the different areas. One of the regions is Norway, and as I'm Scandinavian myself, I found myself cringing a little at the way the author constructed the lore there.
I think this would most likely have been a four star read if it hadn't been for the messy world. The writing was very enjoyable, the characters were a little forgettable, but also FUN, and I enjoyed the general premise. I am excited for the next one.