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tien's review against another edition
5.0
Approximately 30 years after the publication of the first book, The Obernewtyn Chronicles is finally finished. Just like Harry Potter, each instalment is bigger than the previous with this seventh book notching up an astonishing 1,120 pages! Along with many fans, I was excited to continue on my journey with the Obernewtyn characters as they’ve been part of my life since my teens (about 20 years) and at the same time, a little sad that this is it, it’s time to say goodbye…
Whilst it’s a massive tome, I won’t babble too much because I do believe this book speaks mostly to the fans. It is a tapestry rich in details and so complex I don’t know how [a:Isobelle Carmody|26878|Isobelle Carmody|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1253191710p2/26878.jpg] keeps them all straight in her head! Some people may find this extremely frustratingly slow as I sometimes feel the need for speed but yet again, I remind myself that this is the last book that I need to savour…
The ending, of course, didn’t really surprise me and will satisfy the fans however the last paragraph surprised me very much as to me, there is a definite Christian undertone which I really did not detect in any of the previous books… I won’t say much more because of spoilers but if you haven’t read the book yet, please refrain from flicking to the last paragraph!
The Red Queen is a beautiful sweeping finale of Elspeth’s quest. I’m not embarrassed to admit that I shed some tears in farewell. [a:Isobelle Carmody|26878|Isobelle Carmody|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1253191710p2/26878.jpg], I await your next quest!
Whilst it’s a massive tome, I won’t babble too much because I do believe this book speaks mostly to the fans. It is a tapestry rich in details and so complex I don’t know how [a:Isobelle Carmody|26878|Isobelle Carmody|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1253191710p2/26878.jpg] keeps them all straight in her head! Some people may find this extremely frustratingly slow as I sometimes feel the need for speed but yet again, I remind myself that this is the last book that I need to savour…
The ending, of course, didn’t really surprise me and will satisfy the fans however the last paragraph surprised me very much as to me, there is a definite Christian undertone which I really did not detect in any of the previous books… I won’t say much more because of spoilers but if you haven’t read the book yet, please refrain from flicking to the last paragraph!
The Red Queen is a beautiful sweeping finale of Elspeth’s quest. I’m not embarrassed to admit that I shed some tears in farewell. [a:Isobelle Carmody|26878|Isobelle Carmody|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1253191710p2/26878.jpg], I await your next quest!
emma_m's review against another edition
3.0
As much as I love this series, the ending has left me conflicted. There are still a lot of unanswered questions, open endings and characters that weren't seen again, and I guess I just have to accept that as the nature of Isobelle Carmody's writing. This book sits as the ending of the series but not altogether as the end of Elspeth's story or that of any of the other characters.
My main problems
- still super confused about the beforetime storyline
- how did dragon end up in a cryochamber?
- kind of annoyed there was no closure for miryum
- really wanted to see Dragon ride into the infinity or raise the scepter and we didn't get to experience either
- too much world building thrown into the last 300 pages for characters/cultures we didn't care about
- ending did feel rushed, I feel that the author prefers writing meandering travel chapters
- her powers being blocked through most of the end (although it made sense) meant it felt like her powers didn't matter in the conclusion of her quest
- her reuniting after so much time with characters such as Matthew, Rushton, Daffyd and Gilane didn't deliver on what I wanted
- leaving all her friends and being unable to return to the places that she loved being her REWARD doesn't sit right with me, would have prefered if she stayed in the Red land and eventually got to go back to Obernewtyn
My main problems
- still super confused about the beforetime storyline
- how did dragon end up in a cryochamber?
- kind of annoyed there was no closure for miryum
- really wanted to see Dragon ride into the infinity or raise the scepter and we didn't get to experience either
- too much world building thrown into the last 300 pages for characters/cultures we didn't care about
- ending did feel rushed, I feel that the author prefers writing meandering travel chapters
- her powers being blocked through most of the end (although it made sense) meant it felt like her powers didn't matter in the conclusion of her quest
- her reuniting after so much time with characters such as Matthew, Rushton, Daffyd and Gilane didn't deliver on what I wanted
- leaving all her friends and being unable to return to the places that she loved being her REWARD doesn't sit right with me, would have prefered if she stayed in the Red land and eventually got to go back to Obernewtyn
laurenmitchell's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this SO MUCH and the only thing I was sad about was that there wasn't more of the last third of the book; I felt like the first third was so intricately detailed and then by the end it was a wee bit rushed. Not enough to take a star off though!
Banana, anyone?
Banana, anyone?
twistedrunes's review against another edition
2.0
Painfully slow.
It seemed that every character from the entire series needed to be mentioned, no matter how random. The book seems to have missed the editing stage with numerous spelling and continuity mistakes.
Then with such a disappointing ending.
It was a truly sad way to end my time with characters which have been with me most of my adult life.
It seemed that every character from the entire series needed to be mentioned, no matter how random. The book seems to have missed the editing stage with numerous spelling and continuity mistakes.
Then with such a disappointing ending.
It was a truly sad way to end my time with characters which have been with me most of my adult life.
ros_lanta's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
As the final book in a series I have loved since I was approximately 10 years old, I have decidedly mixed feelings about The Red Queen.
Firstly, the weak points. The book did not need to be over 1,100 pages long. There is a lot that could be taken out, particularly from the first half of the book, without significantly affecting the overall plot - and the book would have been much better for it. There were times when I had to push myself to keep reading because I lost interest. By contrast, the final events of the novel, which finally tie up all the story arc of the entire series, felt rushed and over with too soon, and there wasn't enough emotional resolution. There was also one particular choice made right at the end of the book that has bothered me ever since the first time I read it.
However, the book does also have strengths. The second half particularly was very gripping. There is some good character work, and you really get to see how much many of the characters have changed over the course of the series. The involvement of AIs is really interesting. There is also a lot of payoff, with things from previous books finally explained and made sense of.
Ultimately, this is a book that I love because it's Obernewtyn, but that is definitely flawed. I feel that with a stricter editor it could have been much tighter, more satisfying book. It's not a bad book, but it is underwhelming in comparison to what came before, and it's a shame that the series didn't go out on a high note.
Firstly, the weak points. The book did not need to be over 1,100 pages long. There is a lot that could be taken out, particularly from the first half of the book, without significantly affecting the overall plot - and the book would have been much better for it. There were times when I had to push myself to keep reading because I lost interest. By contrast, the final events of the novel, which finally tie up all the story arc of the entire series, felt rushed and over with too soon, and there wasn't enough emotional resolution. There was also one particular choice made right at the end of the book that has bothered me ever since the first time I read it.
However, the book does also have strengths. The second half particularly was very gripping. There is some good character work, and you really get to see how much many of the characters have changed over the course of the series. The involvement of AIs is really interesting. There is also a lot of payoff, with things from previous books finally explained and made sense of.
Ultimately, this is a book that I love because it's Obernewtyn, but that is definitely flawed. I feel that with a stricter editor it could have been much tighter, more satisfying book. It's not a bad book, but it is underwhelming in comparison to what came before, and it's a shame that the series didn't go out on a high note.
biblio_becca085's review against another edition
5.0
I have waited 16 years for the conclusion to this amazing story, and it did not disappoint. This is the series that got me on to epic fantasy - without Obernewtyn, I'd probably be a very different reader today. I have loved Elspeth, Rushton, Dameon and Matthew particularly since that first book when I was 14, and to finally come to the end of all of their stories is both heartbreaking and .. well, actually, just heartbreaking really. I haven't cried so much while reading a book in years.
I'm not even sure if you could call it a happy ending. All of the plot threads that Isobelle had been weaving for decades came to neat ends, but there is still so much that she could have explained. There's so much left up to our imaginations. And there's a huge message throughout the entire saga that people should definitely heed. If you've been put off by the years of silence from the author, don't be. It's finally finished. Start at the beginning, you won't regret it.
I'm not even sure if you could call it a happy ending. All of the plot threads that Isobelle had been weaving for decades came to neat ends, but there is still so much that she could have explained. There's so much left up to our imaginations. And there's a huge message throughout the entire saga that people should definitely heed. If you've been put off by the years of silence from the author, don't be. It's finally finished. Start at the beginning, you won't regret it.
ulknehs's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed it. Having just finished, I can't formulate a review - it's too raw. What a ride.
meganori's review against another edition
4.0
Although it was enjoyable, it is quite a relief to finally finish this series. It's taken nearly 20 years!
This book, although a little over long, was a good conclusion (3.5 stars). The best thing wasMaruman didn't die! I feel like that was something I was expecting/dreading throughout the entire series. I'm glad the grumpy old cat made it :)
This book, although a little over long, was a good conclusion (3.5 stars). The best thing was