Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
The world-building was super interesting to read about. Even though it's a fantasy novel, the story is set in a world similar to ours. The names of each country have been changed, but its fun to see the allusions to our current world. And each region has its own monarchy/ruling system with its stringent rules. There are quite a lot of mentions of politics in this book, which is quite interesting because most fantasy novels don't spend that much time on such topics.
I liked how Anna Bright writes the restrictions monarchs face, especially Selah. It's what pushes Selah's development. She spends nearly 80% of the book as a naive and dense girl who doesn't seem like she has any idea what being a ruler is like, then after falling in love with Torden, she realises her self worth and begins to stand up for herself. Which is great and all, but it would've been nice if she reached the realisation by herself. At least by the very last pages, Selahfinally is courageous enough to head straight on into a fight that is bigger than herself. The Imperiya sounds terrifying, and I wonder what role Selah and Potomac will play. And what's more, is Alessandra involved with the Imperiya? I can't wait to find out!
Selah doesn't get a break, does she? What sucks the most is how Selah is so isolated for all of the book. She has no friends, no one she can trust. She doesn't try to establish friendships with her crew (which could have honestly clued her in to all the secrets they've been hiding). Reading from Selah's perspective, we know that there is not a single person you can trust.The one person she can trust during her travels is Torden, but they've been cruelly ripped apart! I don't know if Selah will fall in love again, but the two of them were so cute together. Again, Selah doesn't get a break at all.
We don't get many answers in this book. Just more questions. Honestly, this book feels like a prelude to Selah's real adventures. Selah's still pratically a baby in this book, and I predict she'll be much more resilient and assertive in the next book. That's when her real obstacles and dangers will pop up. Wait - will there be a next book? I hope so!
I liked how Anna Bright writes the restrictions monarchs face, especially Selah. It's what pushes Selah's development. She spends nearly 80% of the book as a naive and dense girl who doesn't seem like she has any idea what being a ruler is like, then after falling in love with Torden, she realises her self worth and begins to stand up for herself. Which is great and all, but it would've been nice if she reached the realisation by herself. At least by the very last pages, Selah
Selah doesn't get a break, does she? What sucks the most is how Selah is so isolated for all of the book. She has no friends, no one she can trust. She doesn't try to establish friendships with her crew (which could have honestly clued her in to all the secrets they've been hiding). Reading from Selah's perspective, we know that there is not a single person you can trust.
We don't get many answers in this book. Just more questions. Honestly, this book feels like a prelude to Selah's real adventures. Selah's still pratically a baby in this book, and I predict she'll be much more resilient and assertive in the next book. That's when her real obstacles and dangers will pop up. Wait - will there be a next book? I hope so!
I don't know how to process my feelings on this one.
Originally reviewed on Cyn's Workshop
The Beholder by Anna Bright follows Selah as she is somewhat exiled by her wicked stepmother to find a husband, taking her away from her home and her ailing father.
While gifted with a promising premise, The Beholder‘s issues stem from the character dynamics. However, the saving grace of the novel lies in the world-building and mythology.
What Works
With The Beholder, what works best is the world-building. The reader gets to see the kingdom of Potomac through the eyes of the Selah and understand this world. It is similar to reality and takes on an alternate version of the world. This story very much lives in the realm of mythology.
On her journey, Selah meets Homer who tells her of his friend Odysseus and his wife Penelope, how she had to use her cleverness to escape a dire fate. It is so exciting to see this new world interpreted with many timelines intermingling. King Constantine is here in England and they are not a world power, but rather the Imperia which rules with an iron fist. And then there is the Kingdom of New York which is an interesting addition to the story. This addition creates such an intriguing element, bringing in something familiar to readers and turning it into something new.
All these elements create such a powerful image for the reader, giving the world-building a solid foundation.
Alongside Bright’s incorporation of Greek Mythology, there are also elements of Norse Mythology, as Bright brings Selah to Norway. There is so much world-building here alongside a mixture of cultures and mythology that allow this novel to be more than another Snow White retelling.
What Did Not Work
The dynamics and characterization were lacking. Selah is not a bad character, but her voice seems very static. There are times when she comes off as a spoiled princess. It is easy to understand her frustrations; she feels unloved and berated by her stepmother and is sent away from her ailing father in the face of humiliation. Selah is to be the next leader of her people and has a strong voice. However, she often comes off as meek rather than utilizing her strength and determination. Selah seeks the courage of Penelope in hopes that it will save her and return her to her father.
Bright does show growth for her character; that’s true, but unfortunately, Bright works against herself with the character dynamics.
There is too much romance in this novel. There are many hints that Selah is attracted to her ship’s captain, highlighted by many little moments of them briefly touching hands or shared looks. Bright has the reader thinking she will end up with him. The in England Selah falls in love with Bear. And then again, a week later, she falls in love with Prince Torden of Norway.
In short, it is unbelievable. A love triangle would have been better than this because Bright is taking away the magic of the romance by having her fall in love with every prince she meets. It works against the story and Selah. By doing this, it either shows Selah as fickle or so desperate for love, neither of which is an appealing color on her.
Final Thoughts
The Beholder is okay. While the world-building and interlinking of mythology make this a captivating read, the romances in the novel just make it unbelievable.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
The Beholder by Anna Bright follows Selah as she is somewhat exiled by her wicked stepmother to find a husband, taking her away from her home and her ailing father.
While gifted with a promising premise, The Beholder‘s issues stem from the character dynamics. However, the saving grace of the novel lies in the world-building and mythology.
What Works
With The Beholder, what works best is the world-building. The reader gets to see the kingdom of Potomac through the eyes of the Selah and understand this world. It is similar to reality and takes on an alternate version of the world. This story very much lives in the realm of mythology.
On her journey, Selah meets Homer who tells her of his friend Odysseus and his wife Penelope, how she had to use her cleverness to escape a dire fate. It is so exciting to see this new world interpreted with many timelines intermingling. King Constantine is here in England and they are not a world power, but rather the Imperia which rules with an iron fist. And then there is the Kingdom of New York which is an interesting addition to the story. This addition creates such an intriguing element, bringing in something familiar to readers and turning it into something new.
All these elements create such a powerful image for the reader, giving the world-building a solid foundation.
Alongside Bright’s incorporation of Greek Mythology, there are also elements of Norse Mythology, as Bright brings Selah to Norway. There is so much world-building here alongside a mixture of cultures and mythology that allow this novel to be more than another Snow White retelling.
What Did Not Work
The dynamics and characterization were lacking. Selah is not a bad character, but her voice seems very static. There are times when she comes off as a spoiled princess. It is easy to understand her frustrations; she feels unloved and berated by her stepmother and is sent away from her ailing father in the face of humiliation. Selah is to be the next leader of her people and has a strong voice. However, she often comes off as meek rather than utilizing her strength and determination. Selah seeks the courage of Penelope in hopes that it will save her and return her to her father.
Bright does show growth for her character; that’s true, but unfortunately, Bright works against herself with the character dynamics.
There is too much romance in this novel. There are many hints that Selah is attracted to her ship’s captain, highlighted by many little moments of them briefly touching hands or shared looks. Bright has the reader thinking she will end up with him. The in England Selah falls in love with Bear. And then again, a week later, she falls in love with Prince Torden of Norway.
In short, it is unbelievable. A love triangle would have been better than this because Bright is taking away the magic of the romance by having her fall in love with every prince she meets. It works against the story and Selah. By doing this, it either shows Selah as fickle or so desperate for love, neither of which is an appealing color on her.
Final Thoughts
The Beholder is okay. While the world-building and interlinking of mythology make this a captivating read, the romances in the novel just make it unbelievable.
See more reviews at Cyn's Workshop and follow me on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Tumblr | Spotify Podcast | YouTube | BookBub | Goodreads+ | LinkedIn
Got to admit, I was a little hesitant about reading this cause it was more romance-y then I normally read but HOLY SHIT. This was fantastic and I can’t wait to see more of Selah and our badass crew. (Also Torden is my fave boy)
This book definitely disappointed. There’s like a million and 2 things not to like but here’s a short list:
1. Selah is way too naive for someone who is supposed to be succeeding her Father. Like way to dang naive. She makes so many stupid decisions, makes too many stupid choices, and for someone who is supposed to be governing people and making alliances with other countries she knows NOTHING about anywhere else or anything past her eggplant fields.
2. She’s super annoying and melodramatic! After she fell in love in 2 minutes and the first boy “lied” to her for perfectly reasonable reasons she decides she’ll never be able to love again. (Surprise it only takes 3 more minutes)
3. Everything she does is so cringe. Don’t get me started on her speech for Anya. So bad. Also, can we talk about how this book has no consistency? You can’t preach a feminist subtext and have your main character so...unfeminist. She flip flops between wanting to be traditional and wanting to be the special woman out of a million. Everything was just bad.
4. Let’s talk about how all of the sudden there was a plot in the last 20 pages. Why? Why. Why? ...Why?
5. Complains that no one keeps her in the loop but when someone does she NEVER listens.
6. Sensitive as hell.
7. Cannot see obvious plot points I guess
8. This book could have been fun but Selah ruins everything.
1. Selah is way too naive for someone who is supposed to be succeeding her Father. Like way to dang naive. She makes so many stupid decisions, makes too many stupid choices, and for someone who is supposed to be governing people and making alliances with other countries she knows NOTHING about anywhere else or anything past her eggplant fields.
2. She’s super annoying and melodramatic! After she fell in love in 2 minutes and the first boy “lied” to her for perfectly reasonable reasons she decides she’ll never be able to love again. (Surprise it only takes 3 more minutes)
3. Everything she does is so cringe. Don’t get me started on her speech for Anya. So bad. Also, can we talk about how this book has no consistency? You can’t preach a feminist subtext and have your main character so...unfeminist. She flip flops between wanting to be traditional and wanting to be the special woman out of a million. Everything was just bad.
4. Let’s talk about how all of the sudden there was a plot in the last 20 pages. Why? Why. Why? ...Why?
5. Complains that no one keeps her in the loop but when someone does she NEVER listens.
6. Sensitive as hell.
7. Cannot see obvious plot points I guess
8. This book could have been fun but Selah ruins everything.
I‘m sorry, but the best thing about this book is it’s cover... I didn‘t like the protagonist, i didn’t like how fast she fell in love and switched affections, i also could not make sense of the world and story. i only finished because i kind of liked the northern mythology aspect of it in the second half...
this may be more of a 2.5 star, but I did enjoy some of the romance so...
I was pleasantly surprised by this book! I was a little unsure going in because it sounded like it could easily turn into a trope corny YA romance fest, but that did not happen at all. Selah is a very relatable character. She's just trying to help her father and country. You see her grow a lot during the book. My absolute favorite part of the book was the alternative history. I want to read a history textbook based on this version of the world. I could have done with a map while reading, so I'm hoping the finished copy will include one because it might help with some of the confusion. You have some countries that we recognize, like England, but then there's a BUNCH that you won't and I really would have appreciated seeing where they were located.