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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Classism
Moderate: Child death, Death, Death of parent
Minor: Vomit
talk about a cliffhanger! And talk about talking mad shit on someone and then making out with them in the same sentence (you know who you are)
the first 100 pages of a new series are always tough given the amount of world building and characters. However, this book spread it out enough to where it was entertaining while giving you background. It gave tasteful plot twists and characters that bring out some kind of emotion (anger, sadness, mostly anger). Gotta love wizards, demons, gangs, clans, and everything the like. I give 4 stars because I am so-so about the characters. Everyone’s inner monologue says one thing then they do the total opposite :(
Anyway, I did really like this. Can’t wait to read the next one.
the first 100 pages of a new series are always tough given the amount of world building and characters. However, this book spread it out enough to where it was entertaining while giving you background. It gave tasteful plot twists and characters that bring out some kind of emotion (anger, sadness, mostly anger). Gotta love wizards, demons, gangs, clans, and everything the like. I give 4 stars because I am so-so about the characters. Everyone’s inner monologue says one thing then they do the total opposite :(
Anyway, I did really like this. Can’t wait to read the next one.
Here are the things I have been told about book one in this series that I can verify: it reads like a long, long prologue. Here's what I've been told about this series as a whole that I cannot yet verify: it gets so much better from here.
I'm interested in finding out, but so far I'm not on Team This Series Is The Best Thing Ever.
Audiobook thoughts: there are accents, and that's nice, but I don't know how much I appreciate the effort the narrator went to when I felt like skipping large chunks of the narrative.
I'm interested in finding out, but so far I'm not on Team This Series Is The Best Thing Ever.
Audiobook thoughts: there are accents, and that's nice, but I don't know how much I appreciate the effort the narrator went to when I felt like skipping large chunks of the narrative.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
It took me a while to get sucked in to this book. I think the changing perspectives made it difficult, but once I was hooked, I couldn't stop! Will be immediately starting on the next volume!
I really liked this one! Only reason it's 4 stars and not 5 is because I felt some of the timing was inconsistent and/or confusing. But it's really a 5 star read.
I read another series by Chima and really liked it so I thought I would pick this one up. I also really liked it. This is just really solid straight ahead fantasy. You have the supernatural, magic, people who are probably not who they appear to be, all kinds of romantic triangles hinted at and some great selfless heroism. Chima is currently one of my favorite contemporary fantasy authors and I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
adventurous
challenging
funny
relaxing
medium-paced
Wow, I really enjoyed this book. The first 25% or so is a bit slow, though still interesting - I could see why some people were put off or put the book aside - but it is well worth it and the book really picks up afterwards
Raisa and Han are similar and different in many ways. They are both teenagers so prone to moodiness, defiance, and self-pity at times - but both are also intelligent and motivated so they don't let their moods drang them down for long. They are also both charming and talented but prone to sometimes stupid spontaneous decisions, though they are entertaining to read about. The huge difference is their upbring - Raisa is a princess, heir to the kingdom and Han grew up in the slums, even leading his own street gang for a time. Both have spent time living in the clan territories and their lives have strange intersections.
Though the book is described as about them both - they really spend very little time together in this book. Han is busy trying to figure out what to do with himself after leaving his gang and Raisa is getting re-acquainted with court life and intrigues after living away for several years. They both get into mischief and face dangers.
Raisa, despite being a princess, is not particularily prim and proper (though she appreciates pretty dresses) and some of her adventures left me laughing out loud. Han is very sympathetic to me, he tries to do his best despite difficult circumstances, and he does it with swagger.
They have some great friends and family and some creepy foes. I'm looking to reading the next book!
Raisa and Han are similar and different in many ways. They are both teenagers so prone to moodiness, defiance, and self-pity at times - but both are also intelligent and motivated so they don't let their moods drang them down for long. They are also both charming and talented but prone to sometimes stupid spontaneous decisions, though they are entertaining to read about. The huge difference is their upbring - Raisa is a princess, heir to the kingdom and Han grew up in the slums, even leading his own street gang for a time. Both have spent time living in the clan territories and their lives have strange intersections.
Though the book is described as about them both - they really spend very little time together in this book. Han is busy trying to figure out what to do with himself after leaving his gang and Raisa is getting re-acquainted with court life and intrigues after living away for several years. They both get into mischief and face dangers.
Raisa, despite being a princess, is not particularily prim and proper (though she appreciates pretty dresses) and some of her adventures left me laughing out loud. Han is very sympathetic to me, he tries to do his best despite difficult circumstances, and he does it with swagger.
They have some great friends and family and some creepy foes. I'm looking to reading the next book!
This is one those backlist titles that I've been wanting to read for a long, long time. It was fun but I don't know if I enjoyed it enough to continue reading the whole series. Will think about this later.