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Read this with my 11 year old and she really enjoyed it., not a book I think I would hate if I read alone but I wouldn't love it either.
The story is slightly twisted and the emotions of Saleh are crazily all over the place, not really focused and its what makes it slightly juvenile, I feel that Selah has been raised with the knowledge all her life that she will have to find her match yet when it comes down to it, its almost like she wasn't prepared at all, despite being forced to travel to now find her match its like she is relearning all over again, wouldn't her position at home have made her mature beyond her age?
Despite my feelings my daughter is smitten with the story so far which makes me feel its a book aimed more at her age then YA but only time will tell when we decide to start the next book.
The story is slightly twisted and the emotions of Saleh are crazily all over the place, not really focused and its what makes it slightly juvenile, I feel that Selah has been raised with the knowledge all her life that she will have to find her match yet when it comes down to it, its almost like she wasn't prepared at all, despite being forced to travel to now find her match its like she is relearning all over again, wouldn't her position at home have made her mature beyond her age?
Despite my feelings my daughter is smitten with the story so far which makes me feel its a book aimed more at her age then YA but only time will tell when we decide to start the next book.
Read- June 2020 for the MakeYourMythTaker Readathon (Pirate- dark cover)
- I didn't really have any expectations going into this book, I had heard it talked about but I hadn't seen anyone I know read it so I just didn't know what to expect. It's safe to say that I freaking loved it though. It's very rare that I tend to get 'book boyfriends' (that phrase makes me want to throw up but hey ho) these days but holy shit, I would have died for Bear, Captain Lang and especially Torden. I can for sure see myself re-reading this in the future but I will probably use the audiobook version next time I read this because there was definitely words I couldn't even begin to pronounce. I can't wait to get my hands on the second book next month.
- I didn't really have any expectations going into this book, I had heard it talked about but I hadn't seen anyone I know read it so I just didn't know what to expect. It's safe to say that I freaking loved it though. It's very rare that I tend to get 'book boyfriends' (that phrase makes me want to throw up but hey ho) these days but holy shit, I would have died for Bear, Captain Lang and especially Torden. I can for sure see myself re-reading this in the future but I will probably use the audiobook version next time I read this because there was definitely words I couldn't even begin to pronounce. I can't wait to get my hands on the second book next month.
Ugggggggggh okay so I thought this was a standalone but apparently not.
The cover is GORGEOUS
The mc isn't a stupid damsel until the very end
The plot is incredibly predictable
The ending was so damn unsatisfying even with a sequel to come
The first romance was better than the second #facts
I'll probably read the sequel if my library gets a copy of it
The cover is GORGEOUS
The mc isn't a stupid damsel until the very end
The plot is incredibly predictable
The ending was so damn unsatisfying even with a sequel to come
The first romance was better than the second #facts
I'll probably read the sequel if my library gets a copy of it
Grade: B
An e-galley was provided by HarperCollins via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Do you ever read a book and feel torn because you enjoyed it but also you know it probably wasn't the best thing ever? The Beholder bordered on simplistic at times, although that isn't necessarily a bad thing. A lot of books can get bogged down with complicated, unclear prose. I liked the main character, Selah, a lot. She's been raised as a future leader, and she wants to serve her people. She likes getting her hands dirty and doing behind-the-scenes work, which is admirable. I would've liked her interest in gardening to come through just a little bit more throughout the book, though! Her godmother sends soil and seeds for her aboard the Beholder, but she barely does any gardening after. And I would've liked her to be a little more active earlier on. She finds a bit of a backbone late in the book, and I wanted a little more of that to peek through earlier on. Make choices, girl! I know a lot of things were decided for her, but it felt like she was just moving through the plot at times.
If you enjoyed early YA books with love triangles and lots of fun romance, The Beholder is definitely for you. There's not really a love triangle. It's more Selah knowing her duty and being an open person who craves closeness so she warms up to those around her easily. In my opinion, there are three contenders at the moment, but it's clear by the end who Selah prefers, so we'll see what comes of that plotline in book two. (It's a duology, which I think is a great idea.) However, things do feel a bit insta-lovey. She only spends two weeks in each place, and especially in Norge, she and her suitor fall in love pretty fast. Obviously there's a need for urgency, but...love? That soon?
I really wanted to get to know the crew just a little better. Selah seems to care for them, but I'm just kind of a shrug emoji when it comes to them. I remember names but I barely remember who they are. One of the crew members comes ashore at one location, but not the location before and I honestly had forgotten about him.
The Beholder is set in a world clearly inspired by our own. Potomac corresponds with northern Virginia/Washington, D.C. area most likely, and then there are kingdoms and empires like the U.K., Norway, Russia, Germany, Italy, China, etc. The book is fantasy because it's not historical fiction but it clearly has roots in our world. I both liked and disliked how closely tied our world's tales and lore were to Selah's world. It felt a little weird because, on the one hand, her story is definitely Cinderella meets The Odyssey, but then there are characters named Homer (who tells the legend of Odysseus), Perrault (as in Charles), and Andersen (as in Hans Christian). So I'm not sure the marriage of the concepts worked as well as the author hoped. I also would've liked a clearer idea of the time period. They never take cars, but the voyage across the Atlantic goes pretty quickly and the way characters act seems kind of modern, yet maybe inspired by the last 150 years or so.
If you had trouble with the rebels plot in The Selection, you might dislike a similar plotline in The Beholder. I do have hopes it'll prove stronger here, though, and have more of an impact in book two, based on where this book ended.
Content warnings: honestly, nothing I can think of. There's some making out but it's all very tame.
The Verdict: I liked it! But it wasn't anything groundbreaking.
An e-galley was provided by HarperCollins via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Do you ever read a book and feel torn because you enjoyed it but also you know it probably wasn't the best thing ever? The Beholder bordered on simplistic at times, although that isn't necessarily a bad thing. A lot of books can get bogged down with complicated, unclear prose. I liked the main character, Selah, a lot. She's been raised as a future leader, and she wants to serve her people. She likes getting her hands dirty and doing behind-the-scenes work, which is admirable. I would've liked her interest in gardening to come through just a little bit more throughout the book, though! Her godmother sends soil and seeds for her aboard the Beholder, but she barely does any gardening after. And I would've liked her to be a little more active earlier on. She finds a bit of a backbone late in the book, and I wanted a little more of that to peek through earlier on. Make choices, girl! I know a lot of things were decided for her, but it felt like she was just moving through the plot at times.
If you enjoyed early YA books with love triangles and lots of fun romance, The Beholder is definitely for you. There's not really a love triangle. It's more Selah knowing her duty and being an open person who craves closeness so she warms up to those around her easily. In my opinion, there are three contenders at the moment, but it's clear by the end who Selah prefers, so we'll see what comes of that plotline in book two. (It's a duology, which I think is a great idea.) However, things do feel a bit insta-lovey. She only spends two weeks in each place, and especially in Norge, she and her suitor fall in love pretty fast. Obviously there's a need for urgency, but...love? That soon?
I really wanted to get to know the crew just a little better. Selah seems to care for them, but I'm just kind of a shrug emoji when it comes to them. I remember names but I barely remember who they are. One of the crew members comes ashore at one location, but not the location before and I honestly had forgotten about him.
The Beholder is set in a world clearly inspired by our own. Potomac corresponds with northern Virginia/Washington, D.C. area most likely, and then there are kingdoms and empires like the U.K., Norway, Russia, Germany, Italy, China, etc. The book is fantasy because it's not historical fiction but it clearly has roots in our world. I both liked and disliked how closely tied our world's tales and lore were to Selah's world. It felt a little weird because, on the one hand, her story is definitely Cinderella meets The Odyssey, but then there are characters named Homer (who tells the legend of Odysseus), Perrault (as in Charles), and Andersen (as in Hans Christian). So I'm not sure the marriage of the concepts worked as well as the author hoped. I also would've liked a clearer idea of the time period. They never take cars, but the voyage across the Atlantic goes pretty quickly and the way characters act seems kind of modern, yet maybe inspired by the last 150 years or so.
If you had trouble with the rebels plot in The Selection, you might dislike a similar plotline in The Beholder. I do have hopes it'll prove stronger here, though, and have more of an impact in book two, based on where this book ended.
Content warnings: honestly, nothing I can think of. There's some making out but it's all very tame.
The Verdict: I liked it! But it wasn't anything groundbreaking.
*3.5 stars
Not the greatest, but still very entertaining. Fast-paced and an easy read.
Not the greatest, but still very entertaining. Fast-paced and an easy read.
So I got this in the Fairy loot box and while I think it is a very cute premise I found it lacking a bit in the same way that the selection series or something grabbed me. I mean it feels like a weird dimension of a fantasy world that has actually places and live characters from our own reality. I like the set up of having to choose a potential marriage partner from a group of people, but this just felt like too many elements in one for it all. For example I didn’t get into the book until she got to London and met Bear who you could guess right away was the prince. So you would think the actual King is his father and like an older guard is filling in for him, but know his actua. DAD was playing as her pretend fiancée and everyone is shocked that she’s mad about that? And then immediately you jump to Asgard for the family drama and stuff there. Her romance with Toren was a lot cuter and fluffier, but her constant whining is very annoying just because she doesn’t do anything. And then there are spies and a revolution and the evil Imperia (Russia) I gave it three stars because I didn’t hate it but I’m. Going to try and sell this sprayed pages edition. So summary: Evil stepmother, Bear is a charming English Prick that still loved her, Torren is a strong muscle man that legit loved her and is heartbroken that is dad doesn’t approve. Anya ran off with a sailor not carrying about the consequences of her leaving without explanation. Female lead is going to leave/ aid a resistance (how original) needless to say I think I’ll just request the next book from my library if I’m curious to see who she marries (bet it’s going to be Lang by the end)
I just had great hopes for this book. I really wanted to like it or should I say love it? It was not a book that I ended up loving, but I still want to see how the series is going to end. I feel like my favorite character in this entire book was the grumpy Cobie. She was amazing and I want to meet her in real life. She was my favorite in the whole gang. I feel like she is the reason I will be continuing with the next book. I need to find out how everything is going to end. I am really glad that I went with the audiobook route and not the ebook, because I think I would have never picked up the physical book.
CAWPILE Rating:
Characters (7)- I don't know if I like the main character. She is so naive and makes the stupidist mistakes ever, but at least she can reflect on her mistakes. I like that she is trying to do everything to help her father and how could she not realise that her father was being poisoned. It's really easy to see. I don't know if Tordon or whatever his name is going to end up with the main character. I can't even remember the main character's name.
Atmosphere (6.5)- I felt stuffed and not good while reading this book. The situation that the main character was in got to me and it was uncomfortable. I felt like it was relatable at some times and not. I loved being in Asgard. It was like the main character learned to be in her own skin.
Writing (7)- The writing was fine and it did a great job at making me feel uncomfortable with the characters and the choices that they made. At least I understood what was going on most of the time and sometimes the writing was cringy. I hope the way of storytelling will change as the main character matures.
Plot (6.5)- this was the main problem with the ending. I don't get what happened and how the main character became the traitor. What did she do and what are her shipmates doing? I am so confused. Am I going to get explanation in the next book?
Intrigue (7)- I was not really interested in what was going on most of the time. I just thought that she was gonna do something big in the end. I am at least intrigued about the characters enough to read the sequel.
Logic (6.5)- Some of the things that the main characters chose to do didn't make sense. I just don't understand.
Enjoyment (7)- I will be reading the second book. I think this was a book that I would have liked if I was 15 and I was new to the world of young adult and yeah.
CAWPILE Rating:
Characters (7)- I don't know if I like the main character. She is so naive and makes the stupidist mistakes ever, but at least she can reflect on her mistakes. I like that she is trying to do everything to help her father and how could she not realise that her father was being poisoned. It's really easy to see. I don't know if Tordon or whatever his name is going to end up with the main character. I can't even remember the main character's name.
Atmosphere (6.5)- I felt stuffed and not good while reading this book. The situation that the main character was in got to me and it was uncomfortable. I felt like it was relatable at some times and not. I loved being in Asgard. It was like the main character learned to be in her own skin.
Writing (7)- The writing was fine and it did a great job at making me feel uncomfortable with the characters and the choices that they made. At least I understood what was going on most of the time and sometimes the writing was cringy. I hope the way of storytelling will change as the main character matures.
Plot (6.5)- this was the main problem with the ending. I don't get what happened and how the main character became the traitor. What did she do and what are her shipmates doing? I am so confused. Am I going to get explanation in the next book?
Intrigue (7)- I was not really interested in what was going on most of the time. I just thought that she was gonna do something big in the end. I am at least intrigued about the characters enough to read the sequel.
Logic (6.5)- Some of the things that the main characters chose to do didn't make sense. I just don't understand.
Enjoyment (7)- I will be reading the second book. I think this was a book that I would have liked if I was 15 and I was new to the world of young adult and yeah.
I was lucky enough to read an ARC of this and it blew me away. THE BEHOLDER alludes to the classic fairytales we all know and love, while feeling entirely fresh and new. It’s full of romance and intrigue and I literally could not stop reading until I got to an ending that left me desperate for a sequel. Teen me would have adored this book. (Adult me did just the same!)
ok correct me if i’m wrong but every character is cis white and het
The Beholder has a bit of a bumpy start for me, the writing was a bit stunted and it didn’t draw me in right away and I had to read some sentences over again to grasp their meaning (also the paragraph long introduction on the entire council was redundant as they don’t appear again).
But when we got to the ship, it really started and I’ve had no more problems with the writing style! The story was exciting and quite unique. Though the world was a bit weird, fairytales and real world mashed together and I think that could’ve been done better as it seemed totally random. It was funny in the beginning but it became a bit too much. But the story was so excited and cute I came to ignore that some characters are very much like some beloved fandom.
The plot twist in the first part is very much fun and will suprise a lot of people I think. I wasn’t one of them but I really enjoyed it, but what I enjoyed more is that Selah will have none of your shits. Despite her having to court and coming home with a prince, this was quite feministic, Selah wasn’t afraid to call out wrongs and stand up for her beliefs, even if it may cost her love.
Speaking about love... I think this book means to explore the challenges of young love. Yes, there was instalove, but it was very much displayed how it was a crush that has a potential to grow into more, but is also at a fragile state. I can live with that as it’s quite realistic and very naive which fits the story and age of Selah, who was raised in a very protective environment.
And then: the ending. It feels like it ends right in the middle of the story and I was screaming at the book. Ok it kinda ended, it’s not a cliffhanger, but didn’t feel like a real end and yes there will be a sequel but this ending is a still evil to me with nothing resolved and book 2 needs to be out now.
Sooo... it’s basically a weird fairytale mash up that’s fun to read. Like The Selection but less immature drama and more fun moments. And if you’ve ever wondered how it would be like to date Thor, this is your book!
But when we got to the ship, it really started and I’ve had no more problems with the writing style! The story was exciting and quite unique. Though the world was a bit weird, fairytales and real world mashed together and I think that could’ve been done better as it seemed totally random. It was funny in the beginning but it became a bit too much. But the story was so excited and cute I came to ignore that some characters are very much like some beloved fandom.
The plot twist in the first part is very much fun and will suprise a lot of people I think. I wasn’t one of them but I really enjoyed it, but what I enjoyed more is that Selah will have none of your shits. Despite her having to court and coming home with a prince, this was quite feministic, Selah wasn’t afraid to call out wrongs and stand up for her beliefs, even if it may cost her love.
Speaking about love... I think this book means to explore the challenges of young love. Yes, there was instalove, but it was very much displayed how it was a crush that has a potential to grow into more, but is also at a fragile state. I can live with that as it’s quite realistic and very naive which fits the story and age of Selah, who was raised in a very protective environment.
And then: the ending. It feels like it ends right in the middle of the story and I was screaming at the book. Ok it kinda ended, it’s not a cliffhanger, but didn’t feel like a real end and yes there will be a sequel but this ending is a still evil to me with nothing resolved and book 2 needs to be out now.
Sooo... it’s basically a weird fairytale mash up that’s fun to read. Like The Selection but less immature drama and more fun moments. And if you’ve ever wondered how it would be like to date Thor, this is your book!