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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
4.5 stars.
Tess is one of the best, realest, most intriguing characters I’ve read in fantasy in a long time.
Loved this journey and I can’t wait for it to continue!
Tess is one of the best, realest, most intriguing characters I’ve read in fantasy in a long time.
Loved this journey and I can’t wait for it to continue!
I would describe this as cozy fantasy similar to legends and lattes with big friendship themes, but it has a lot of darkness. I hated Tess at first but she really grew over the course of the book and the world and characters were great.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I felt like I should have liked this book, but I just couldn’t get into it. It was well written, there was some interesting plot and character stuff going on, but I struggled to get into it.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Like my friend Tess, Tess of the Road often prefers to dress in a masculine way. Unlike my friend Tess, Tess of the Road is a seventeen year old alcoholic.
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Religious bigotry
Moderate: Sexual assault
One of those stories I never wanted to end. I loved the unlikeable protagonist, and was so invested in her and her personal growth. The author has so much talent at incorporating modern concerns and sensibilities into what is basically a fantasy set in a world much like Edwardian England. I love love love this book. It can be read as a stand-alone but some familiarity with the earlier books will be a treat.
I've become more sparing with five-star ratings, but this one deserves it. Read it, absorb it, and recommend it to your friends. This novel is everything you'd want in a YA story for mature teenagers. Sure, it's based in a medieval world, and there is magic and otherworldly creatures -- dragons and quigutl. But it deals with serious issues girls in our world have been dealing with for ages at home and in the larger world: sexual and gender inequality, social stigma, and other topics that I don't want to mention to prevent spoilers.
(Note this is book 2 of a series based in this author's world. You don't need to have read book 1 [I haven't, although I may go back to it now] to understand this book -- the main characters are related, but their experiences have nothing to do one with the other. You may be a bit worried that you are missing something in the beginning, but you won't be -- the backstory becomes clearer as this novel progresses and this novel is completely self-contained.)
(Note this is book 2 of a series based in this author's world. You don't need to have read book 1 [I haven't, although I may go back to it now] to understand this book -- the main characters are related, but their experiences have nothing to do one with the other. You may be a bit worried that you are missing something in the beginning, but you won't be -- the backstory becomes clearer as this novel progresses and this novel is completely self-contained.)
A layered story about the aftermath of trauma and the beginning of healing. Tess is a jagged, raw young woman who finds herself on the road, and her journey is both long and rewarding. I don't know if I would have expected to like this book as much as I did - and it might not appeal to some tastes - but I thought it was very good.
This was a 4-4.5
I don't even know where to begin this review. I think this might be one of my longest reviews ever written ultimately.
Tess is a conundrum to be at the beginning but as she slowly reveals what happened to her and what her childhood was like I begin to understand her.
I think I have a love/hate relationship with pretty much every single character.
I hated Tess when she was being a brat and acting out but as I said above I began to learn why. I still can't believe she was pregnant at 13/14!
I honestly can't believe her mother. I can understand why she might be that way but I can't condone it. So she had a miserable life due to her life choices!? Why take it out on her innocent daughter?
I don't know how to feel about the father. He wasn't really present even when he was there. He was forgettable.
Jeanne was a conundrum to me. Especially at the end when she reveals that she isn't naturally angelic and nice but was acting that way to help her twin. That was a big surprise to me. I hope she also goes 'on the road' and learns to grow up and deal with what she was handed.
Jacamo was also a surprise to me. He did a 180 at the end.
Partha was different in a good way for me. I never quite understood him but I liked that. It made the story interesting. I was certain that he was dead towards the end but was surprised when he wasn't. I find it ironic that Tess basically has her mother as a best friend in Partha. They are very similar.
I don't know how to feel about Seraphina. It's been long enough since I read Seraphina that I don't remember a lot but it was really nice to see some of what Seraphina was like when she was young and how she was treated by her family.
I don't quite understand the situation with Glisselda and her husband and Seraphina but I'm intrigued.
I think there was a lot of extra meaning in the 'road' but I didn't really like to think too deeply about that. It seemed almost religious to me and so I avoided thinking along those lines.
I honestly disliked Will the more I learned about his and Tess's situation. He basically raped her and used her and got her with child. I both hope she never sees him again and does so she can neuter him!
Josquin was a nice touch for me. I liked how he ended up with Tess. I'm a bit worried that now she is going on this big adventure that Jacomo might become a rival but I'm glad that Josquin is willing to let her continue on her personal road and wait for her. :)
I don't even know where to begin this review. I think this might be one of my longest reviews ever written ultimately.
Tess is a conundrum to be at the beginning but as she slowly reveals what happened to her and what her childhood was like I begin to understand her.
I think I have a love/hate relationship with pretty much every single character.
I hated Tess when she was being a brat and acting out but as I said above I began to learn why. I still can't believe she was pregnant at 13/14!
I honestly can't believe her mother. I can understand why she might be that way but I can't condone it. So she had a miserable life due to her life choices!? Why take it out on her innocent daughter?
I don't know how to feel about the father. He wasn't really present even when he was there. He was forgettable.
Jeanne was a conundrum to me. Especially at the end when she reveals that she isn't naturally angelic and nice but was acting that way to help her twin. That was a big surprise to me. I hope she also goes 'on the road' and learns to grow up and deal with what she was handed.
Jacamo was also a surprise to me. He did a 180 at the end.
Partha was different in a good way for me. I never quite understood him but I liked that. It made the story interesting. I was certain that he was dead towards the end but was surprised when he wasn't. I find it ironic that Tess basically has her mother as a best friend in Partha. They are very similar.
I don't know how to feel about Seraphina. It's been long enough since I read Seraphina that I don't remember a lot but it was really nice to see some of what Seraphina was like when she was young and how she was treated by her family.
I don't quite understand the situation with Glisselda and her husband and Seraphina but I'm intrigued.
I think there was a lot of extra meaning in the 'road' but I didn't really like to think too deeply about that. It seemed almost religious to me and so I avoided thinking along those lines.
I honestly disliked Will the more I learned about his and Tess's situation. He basically raped her and used her and got her with child. I both hope she never sees him again and does so she can neuter him!
Josquin was a nice touch for me. I liked how he ended up with Tess. I'm a bit worried that now she is going on this big adventure that Jacomo might become a rival but I'm glad that Josquin is willing to let her continue on her personal road and wait for her. :)