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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
So many books, too little time! The writing is lovely, though. Maybe later.
I was anticipating a book filled with dragons, adventure, and haunting secrets. What I got was lizard-creatures, a lot of walking, no adventure, and a whole lot of "why am I bothering to read this?"
In the medieval kingdom of Goredd, women are expected to be ladies, men are their protectors, and dragons get to be whomever they want. Tess, despite societal, religious, and parental pressures, is too curious and independent to properly fit into the mold everyone is trying to stuff her in. After her latest incident (almost ruining her sister's wedding by breaking an in-law's nose) her parents have had enough and arrange to have her admitted to a nunnery. Before it can come to pass, Tess yanks on her boots and sets out on a long road where she happens upon a childhood friend, a quigutl, who gives her both a purpose and protection on the road.
DNF @ 60%.
I confess to not having read [b: Seraphina|19549841|Seraphina (Seraphina, #1)|Rachel Hartman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387577872s/19549841.jpg|17375239] before picking up [b: Tess of the Road|33123849|Tess of the Road|Rachel Hartman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503583827s/33123849.jpg|53793345]. While I don't believe it was necessary since it follows her half-sister, I may have missed some world-building that explains how dragons/quigotl/humans fit together in society. I got the gist but it may have helped me see quigutl's as sub-species of dragons rather than the lizard-creatures I could only imagine them as. The beautiful cover SCREAMS normal dragons and I can't help but feel slightly lied to because of it.
When I started, I liked Tess. She always tried to do right by her family but always managed to somehow "screw things up" because, no matter how much her parents tried, she just can't fit the mold they wanted to stuff her in. There was always ongoing tension between her and them.
However, as the book progressed, I became frustrated at the breadcrumb reveals for her "tumultuous past" and the "memories [that] threaten[ed] to expose her to the world in more ways than one." They were timed extremely weird and came way too slow.
In fact, the entire pacing of the story was grueling. I kept wondering when the action was going to happen, why we kept flashing back to a relationship that DIDN'T MATTER to me, and why I was being fed piecemeal breadcrumbs of her past...only to be GOBSMACKED when (at 55%!) I figure out this isn't supposed to be an adventure to find the World Serpents...it's all about Tess learning to be at peace with herself (not the version of her that everyone tells her she should be).
If I'd gone into this expecting the plot to be about Tess working through the various societal, religious, and parental pressures that have been placed on her but never seem to fit in order to find that she actually wasn't broken, or flawed, or inherently bad (despite everyone telling her so her whole life) then I would have had a completely different rate. I would have been able to focus on her growth and each of the scars that she had to tear open to heal and accept herself.
Recommended for coming-of-age enthusiasts and Seraphina lovers. Not recommended for adventure enthusiasts because, despite appearances, it isn't one.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
In the medieval kingdom of Goredd, women are expected to be ladies, men are their protectors, and dragons get to be whomever they want. Tess, despite societal, religious, and parental pressures, is too curious and independent to properly fit into the mold everyone is trying to stuff her in. After her latest incident (almost ruining her sister's wedding by breaking an in-law's nose) her parents have had enough and arrange to have her admitted to a nunnery. Before it can come to pass, Tess yanks on her boots and sets out on a long road where she happens upon a childhood friend, a quigutl, who gives her both a purpose and protection on the road.
DNF @ 60%.
I confess to not having read [b: Seraphina|19549841|Seraphina (Seraphina, #1)|Rachel Hartman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1387577872s/19549841.jpg|17375239] before picking up [b: Tess of the Road|33123849|Tess of the Road|Rachel Hartman|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1503583827s/33123849.jpg|53793345]. While I don't believe it was necessary since it follows her half-sister, I may have missed some world-building that explains how dragons/quigotl/humans fit together in society. I got the gist but it may have helped me see quigutl's as sub-species of dragons rather than the lizard-creatures I could only imagine them as. The beautiful cover SCREAMS normal dragons and I can't help but feel slightly lied to because of it.
When I started, I liked Tess. She always tried to do right by her family but always managed to somehow "screw things up" because, no matter how much her parents tried, she just can't fit the mold they wanted to stuff her in. There was always ongoing tension between her and them.
She'd always known she was particularly flawed - it was the fabric of her life - but she hadn't been bad on purpose.
However, as the book progressed, I became frustrated at the breadcrumb reveals for her "tumultuous past" and the "memories [that] threaten[ed] to expose her to the world in more ways than one." They were timed extremely weird and came way too slow.
Spoiler
Why did we have to wait for an errant thought about Seraphina's pregnancy to find out she'd been pregnant? Additionally, this reveal came with absolutely no hint about why she'd been pregnant or who she'd been involved with. That comes later...and then you have to wait multiple times to find out how that relationship even came about (and it was BORING). Spacing the breadcrumbs out doesn't make me sit on the edge of my seat to know more...it makes me frustrated because it creates so many questions without even a hint at an answer later on.In fact, the entire pacing of the story was grueling. I kept wondering when the action was going to happen, why we kept flashing back to a relationship that DIDN'T MATTER to me, and why I was being fed piecemeal breadcrumbs of her past...only to be GOBSMACKED when (at 55%!) I figure out this isn't supposed to be an adventure to find the World Serpents...it's all about Tess learning to be at peace with herself (not the version of her that everyone tells her she should be).
"The hated innocent becomes hateful. Goodness withers when it is continuously ground underfoot. We fulfill our parents' direst prophesies, then curl around our own pain until we can't see beyond ourselves. You want to walk on? Walk out of that shadow. Walk, girl."
If I'd gone into this expecting the plot to be about Tess working through the various societal, religious, and parental pressures that have been placed on her but never seem to fit in order to find that she actually wasn't broken, or flawed, or inherently bad (despite everyone telling her so her whole life) then I would have had a completely different rate. I would have been able to focus on her growth and each of the scars that she had to tear open to heal and accept herself.
"Your credo goes further than you realized: walk on, yes, but don't walk past people who need you. Uncurl yourself, so you can see them and respond."
Recommended for coming-of-age enthusiasts and Seraphina lovers. Not recommended for adventure enthusiasts because, despite appearances, it isn't one.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tenía reflexiones muy buenas (que encima no eran forzadas dentro de la trama y eso se agradece) pero me ha parecido muy lento y, aunque la información no sobra, sí que me ha parecido cargante. La relación que he tenido con Tess ha sido un poco de amor-odio. Entendía su forma de actuar y yo sin duda habría hecho lo mismo. Aun así, su forma de odiarse durante toda la primera parte del libro era MUY desesperante. Parecía una niña tonta cuando ni de lejos lo es y eso me parece que se carga un poco al personaje. No sabría si recomendarlo o no. Más allá de sus reflexiones, no veo que merezca mucho la pena.
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
4.5 stars. If you are looking for a book about loving yourself in a culture that hates you, a book with excellent character development and a deep discussion about sexuality and rape culture, this book is for you. I never thought I’d find such a in depth commentary on rape culture in a YA fantasy novel, but I did and I couldn’t stop reading it. If you’re looking for an action packed fantasy novel with sword fights and daring escapes this book is probably not for you. It is character driven and will make you angry and make you look at our own world, and I mean really look at it, and see how our world and Hartman’s created world are not all that different. It made me angry and made me cry all and want to take Tess in my arms and tell her she was beautiful. A truly great novel.
Did not have time to finish this book at the moment, I am planning on picking it back up in the future.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-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:
Yes
Please note that this review is written for my use as a librarian and may not appeal directly to readers. Please review at your own risk.
Accelerated Reader has this book listed as being for upper grades, or readers in 9 to 12 grade. They also have listed that this read is worth 22 AR points.
I mostly liked this book, but part of me is still on the fence. I enjoyed the story and while I really disliked Tess at the beginning, I loved her by the end. There were parts of this book that made me laugh, parts that made me cry, and parts that made me scream in anger and frustration. I still have so many questions about Seraphina and what is going on with her, but those may never be answered and it isn’t Tess’s fault. I did really enjoy being able to learn more about Quigutl and their lives and beliefs. This book definitely walked a different road and showed another side of the world that Rachel Hartman created. It was good, if not aggravating.
Caution Notes*:
Sex/intimacy, sexual orientation, gender fluidity, rape, gender-based equal rights, teen pregnancy, family fueding, prostitution, and religion.
Recommended for:
Teens who aren’t squeamish but love fantasy and equality, especially young females, but really anyone who is going through an identity journey.
Summary:
-Do not read past this point if you would like to avoid spoilers-
This is the story of Tess, sister of Seraphina. Tess has had a difficult life trying to not be terrible and live up to her mother’s expectations, which could never happen anyway. Her mother is extremely against any form of intimacy before marriage and honestly, she doesn’t understand its role in marriage either. After Tess gets pregnant, she becomes the black sheep of the family and they all try to make her pay for it forever. She ends up running away from home, reconnecting with her long lost childhood friend. Pathka the quigutl takes her on an incredible journey to find a world serpent. These are great, mythical creatures that the quigutl believe created the world. They end up finding Anathuthia and both Tess and Pathka are forever changed by this incredible experience. I greatly summarize here, but Tess goes on many incredible side adventures while on her journey. She pretends to be a boy during this time in order to stay safe. After spending a lot of time stealing, an old gentleman that she helps enlightens her to the fact that she can do work in the fields or places she comes across to make some money. So she turns hay, ends up on a road crew that she grows to love, and makes her way down the road. She ends up with Josquin and falls in love with him. She tries to tell the scholars of her discovery but it backfires and the academy kills Anathuthia. Heartbroken and ill, Pathka finds his way back to Tess. She heals him and after he bites her, they both get a little better. Seraphina tells Tess that she is needed on a voyage to find another of the world serpents. At the end of this story, Tess starts out on her next adventure.
*Caution notes are not to say, don’t read the book. I only include these so that those individuals who have particular themes they do not like to read about or are not ready for their kids to read about are aware. I do not support censoring. :)
Accelerated Reader has this book listed as being for upper grades, or readers in 9 to 12 grade. They also have listed that this read is worth 22 AR points.
I mostly liked this book, but part of me is still on the fence. I enjoyed the story and while I really disliked Tess at the beginning, I loved her by the end. There were parts of this book that made me laugh, parts that made me cry, and parts that made me scream in anger and frustration. I still have so many questions about Seraphina and what is going on with her, but those may never be answered and it isn’t Tess’s fault. I did really enjoy being able to learn more about Quigutl and their lives and beliefs. This book definitely walked a different road and showed another side of the world that Rachel Hartman created. It was good, if not aggravating.
Caution Notes*:
Sex/intimacy, sexual orientation, gender fluidity, rape, gender-based equal rights, teen pregnancy, family fueding, prostitution, and religion.
Recommended for:
Teens who aren’t squeamish but love fantasy and equality, especially young females, but really anyone who is going through an identity journey.
Summary:
-Do not read past this point if you would like to avoid spoilers-
This is the story of Tess, sister of Seraphina. Tess has had a difficult life trying to not be terrible and live up to her mother’s expectations, which could never happen anyway. Her mother is extremely against any form of intimacy before marriage and honestly, she doesn’t understand its role in marriage either. After Tess gets pregnant, she becomes the black sheep of the family and they all try to make her pay for it forever. She ends up running away from home, reconnecting with her long lost childhood friend. Pathka the quigutl takes her on an incredible journey to find a world serpent. These are great, mythical creatures that the quigutl believe created the world. They end up finding Anathuthia and both Tess and Pathka are forever changed by this incredible experience. I greatly summarize here, but Tess goes on many incredible side adventures while on her journey. She pretends to be a boy during this time in order to stay safe. After spending a lot of time stealing, an old gentleman that she helps enlightens her to the fact that she can do work in the fields or places she comes across to make some money. So she turns hay, ends up on a road crew that she grows to love, and makes her way down the road. She ends up with Josquin and falls in love with him. She tries to tell the scholars of her discovery but it backfires and the academy kills Anathuthia. Heartbroken and ill, Pathka finds his way back to Tess. She heals him and after he bites her, they both get a little better. Seraphina tells Tess that she is needed on a voyage to find another of the world serpents. At the end of this story, Tess starts out on her next adventure.
*Caution notes are not to say, don’t read the book. I only include these so that those individuals who have particular themes they do not like to read about or are not ready for their kids to read about are aware. I do not support censoring. :)