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rebl's review against another edition
4.0
‘The Fletcher’ is K. Aten’s debut novel and, bearing that in mind, does a rather good job of engaging the reader and constructing strong characters. You can certainly see the evolution and development of her storytelling skill since then, though.
As a lesbian born in the mid 80s, I went through my entire teenage life alongside Xena: Warrior Princess and, of course, this was where I first learned of Amazons, the legendary women at the heart of Aten’s book. Though Amazons, historically, were likely Scythian and not Greek, I’m drawn to anything that has such an intriguing backdrop as the Ancient Greek world and Amazonian women.
I noticed many similarities with Xena at times, however, as nearly all the details featured in the classic episode “Hooves & Harlots” cropped up in The Fletcher. From the centaur conflict and eventual birth of a hybrid child, to the challenge to the queen’s power, fights with chobos, or the use of an overhead gesture as a sign of peace. There’s still plenty here to show off Aten’s imagination and it’s not necessarily a negative to see so much content mirror the first (and I believe, best and most iconic) appearance of the amazons on Xena, but I found my internal monologue about the overt parallels distracting -- particularly in the first half of the novel.
The book features some fun and adventurous moments, including (and please read this as though you’re Cary Elwes in Men in Tights) an archery contest! There's a touch of magic in Kyri's athletic feats, hinting at a larger fantasy arc that I imagine Aten picks up in Book 2. She's done well to create a platform for the rest of the series. Not at all easy to do!
Our main character, Kyri, goes through some very sweet personal growth, building a new family and realising a host of new things about herself. At times, her reasons for avoiding her romantic interest seemed a little unconvincing, but she herself realises this eventually too, which is great to see. It was also so great to see a sweet story unfold without any overly graphic scenes, as such stories seem to be few and far between.
The story does lack a strong through-line though, in that there’s no real external conflict. Kyri wants to be an Amazon and that’s the crux of the story: passing the tests and assimilating into the culture. I myself have struggled to learn to balance internal and external conflict in my writing and I know from reading Waking the Dreamer that Aten has already made huge leaps in this area. I imagine I can learn lots from her--as a writer--as I continue to read her books, which are released with impressive frequency.
Despite this lack of conflict, there was enough happening in The Fletcher to keep me interested and engaged. I’m actually so terrible at following up on a series and the fact I want to read the next one tells me there’s a certain something in this story that’s got me hooked.
As a lesbian born in the mid 80s, I went through my entire teenage life alongside Xena: Warrior Princess and, of course, this was where I first learned of Amazons, the legendary women at the heart of Aten’s book. Though Amazons, historically, were likely Scythian and not Greek, I’m drawn to anything that has such an intriguing backdrop as the Ancient Greek world and Amazonian women.
I noticed many similarities with Xena at times, however, as nearly all the details featured in the classic episode “Hooves & Harlots” cropped up in The Fletcher. From the centaur conflict and eventual birth of a hybrid child, to the challenge to the queen’s power, fights with chobos, or the use of an overhead gesture as a sign of peace. There’s still plenty here to show off Aten’s imagination and it’s not necessarily a negative to see so much content mirror the first (and I believe, best and most iconic) appearance of the amazons on Xena, but I found my internal monologue about the overt parallels distracting -- particularly in the first half of the novel.
The book features some fun and adventurous moments, including (and please read this as though you’re Cary Elwes in Men in Tights) an archery contest! There's a touch of magic in Kyri's athletic feats, hinting at a larger fantasy arc that I imagine Aten picks up in Book 2. She's done well to create a platform for the rest of the series. Not at all easy to do!
Our main character, Kyri, goes through some very sweet personal growth, building a new family and realising a host of new things about herself. At times, her reasons for avoiding her romantic interest seemed a little unconvincing, but she herself realises this eventually too, which is great to see. It was also so great to see a sweet story unfold without any overly graphic scenes, as such stories seem to be few and far between.
The story does lack a strong through-line though, in that there’s no real external conflict. Kyri wants to be an Amazon and that’s the crux of the story: passing the tests and assimilating into the culture. I myself have struggled to learn to balance internal and external conflict in my writing and I know from reading Waking the Dreamer that Aten has already made huge leaps in this area. I imagine I can learn lots from her--as a writer--as I continue to read her books, which are released with impressive frequency.
Despite this lack of conflict, there was enough happening in The Fletcher to keep me interested and engaged. I’m actually so terrible at following up on a series and the fact I want to read the next one tells me there’s a certain something in this story that’s got me hooked.
jamietherebelliousreader's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars. A beautiful and shockingly emotional and moving fantasy coming of age story. Aten’s writing is superb and I am seriously obsessed with the way she tells stories. This was a really great first book to this series.
Kyri is a fletcher (she makes arrows) and a recent orphan after losing her father and she gets taken in by a group of Amazon women and the story really is about her adjusting to her new life. I loved a lot of the characters she meets along the way and the friendships she makes. Kyri herself is absolutely lovable. She’s got a sweet disposition about her. She’s naive and a bit innocent but she’s also stronger than I think she gives herself credit for.
The world building was well done and the ending left me wanting more so I will definitely be picking up book two soon because this series has piqued my interest.
Kyri is a fletcher (she makes arrows) and a recent orphan after losing her father and she gets taken in by a group of Amazon women and the story really is about her adjusting to her new life. I loved a lot of the characters she meets along the way and the friendships she makes. Kyri herself is absolutely lovable. She’s got a sweet disposition about her. She’s naive and a bit innocent but she’s also stronger than I think she gives herself credit for.
The world building was well done and the ending left me wanting more so I will definitely be picking up book two soon because this series has piqued my interest.
salbulga's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
reneetc's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Oh broken string and bent arrow!
You’ll never run out of something enjoyable to read when there are books such as The Fletcher, [b:The Archer|39670165|The Archer (The Arrow of Artemis, #2)|K. Aten|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522243881l/39670165._SY75_.jpg|61255407], and [b:The Sagittarius|41565724|The Sagittarius (The Arrow of Artemis, #3)|K. Aten|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1535583726l/41565724._SY75_.jpg|64862796] (a.k.a. The Arrow of Artemis Series) to read again and again. Goodreads members such as Marthese Formosa, Lex Kent, and Agirlcandream posted great reviews about The Fletcher; so, there's no need to rehash the whos, whats, whens, wheres, whys, and hows. With that being said, I’d like to address three main criticisms about the book I’ve read on other sites that may prevent someone from buying and binge-reading the entire series.
Criticism 1: Kyri’s character is too perfect/unique to be believable or relatable. Nineteen-year-old Kyri Fletcher is by no means a Mary Sue. Sure, Kyri's brave, selfless, protective, and has a unique set of skills when it comes to the bow and arrow; however, Kyri has flaws and is constantly trying to find her balance in life. She’s lived a sheltered life (i.e., strict patriarchal region, taught only by parents, no significant peer interactions, etc.). As can be expected from this type of life, Kyri is at times too serious (
You’ll never run out of something enjoyable to read when there are books such as The Fletcher, [b:The Archer|39670165|The Archer (The Arrow of Artemis, #2)|K. Aten|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1522243881l/39670165._SY75_.jpg|61255407], and [b:The Sagittarius|41565724|The Sagittarius (The Arrow of Artemis, #3)|K. Aten|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1535583726l/41565724._SY75_.jpg|64862796] (a.k.a. The Arrow of Artemis Series) to read again and again. Goodreads members such as Marthese Formosa, Lex Kent, and Agirlcandream posted great reviews about The Fletcher; so, there's no need to rehash the whos, whats, whens, wheres, whys, and hows. With that being said, I’d like to address three main criticisms about the book I’ve read on other sites that may prevent someone from buying and binge-reading the entire series.
Criticism 1: Kyri’s character is too perfect/unique to be believable or relatable. Nineteen-year-old Kyri Fletcher is by no means a Mary Sue. Sure, Kyri's brave, selfless, protective, and has a unique set of skills when it comes to the bow and arrow; however, Kyri has flaws and is constantly trying to find her balance in life. She’s lived a sheltered life (i.e., strict patriarchal region, taught only by parents, no significant peer interactions, etc.). As can be expected from this type of life, Kyri is at times too serious (
Content Warnings
Minor: Rape and Physical abuse
elvang's review against another edition
5.0
Refreshing and wonderful read. Kyri is a fletcher’s daughter thrown into circumstances which place her life at risk. Thanks to her father’s training, Kyri is ready to take on whatever challenge comes her way. I loved her mix of innocence and confidence, of awe and strength.
Lesbian fantasy novels are not usually on my must read list but K. Aten’s superlative effort may change this. I was grabbed from the opening scenes and fell easily into the lives of Kyri, Shana and Ori. I admit the movie Wonder Woman helped me to easily visualize each scene when Kyri enters the Amazon Telequire tribe but that tribute in no way takes away from this well written and well paced novel.
Don’t be intimidated by the cast of characters listed in the opening pages of the novel. There may be many players but they slip seamlessly into the narrative.
The novel builds from strength to strength as we watch Kyri “ an almond tree growing in an orchard of apples” find her place in the world. Her purity and sincerity are traits impossible to resist. It will be a pleasure to watch her come into her own and acknowledge her growing attraction to one warrior in particular in the Telequire tribe in future novels.
My favourite read thus far in 2018. So well done.
nikkiyrj's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A great read despite a few typos here and there and just my general dislike of long paragraphs in a book but I enjoyed the story! I was really intrigued with the whole Amazons part of the book and despite being fairly short, it did not disappoint me or fall short from my expectations. I found Kyri, the main character to be relatable and lovable too and her relationship with her friend Shana was very nice to read about too. The love interest didn't really appear till about half the book but it was well worth it waiting and I found both of them really cute! Though patience is always a virtue ;)
This book left me with a good impression and I'm definitely going to continue with the 2nd book and see how it goes from there.
This book left me with a good impression and I'm definitely going to continue with the 2nd book and see how it goes from there.
lacvbana's review against another edition
2.0
This book has a really interesting premise but it takes until over ⅔ into it to get used to the use of first person (I can never get behind that) and to get invested in the romance on any level. The characters and setting are really interesting though and I wouldn't write this story off completely and will definitely look into the other books in the series. The main character is sort of a caricature and seems too perfect to be real at times. Originally thought about giving 2 stars but I think the world building was worth a bump up to 3.....it's more like a 2.5 though.
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