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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
I already squealed a ton about how much I love the cover of this one but I also love the story! This really reminds me of Game of Thrones with the plethora of characters, the many plot lines that intersect, the children separated and traveling around and the pops of darker/more serious themes throughout the book. This one is classified as a YA but the story gets pretty dark/mature fast so definitely for the upper end of the age range (personally, I'd even maybe consider it NA instead) so keep that in mind if you pick it up, which I totally suggest you do! This story is set up beautifully, the world building is intriguing and I can just feel it is going to be epic! The plot is more complicated with the many characters and the world building but it is very much worth it in my opinion and I can't wait to read the sequels! I also really love the fact there are some strong mother characters featured in this one!
Rating: 4.25/5
CW: Abuse, rape, violence/physical assault, death and, for lack of a better way to put this, a special fetish...
A huge thank you to the author and Book of Matches Media for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: 4.25/5
CW: Abuse, rape, violence/physical assault, death and, for lack of a better way to put this, a special fetish...
A huge thank you to the author and Book of Matches Media for the arc in exchange for an honest review.
I watched all of GoT and this story is perfect for GoT fans. These are squemming characters and lovable ones, none of them are safe from being deeply hurt. Between all the violence and the triggering behaviour, some feminist issues are brought up.
I knew there would be some violence but somehow I was taken aback by some of it.
Overall the premise was interesting, I want to read the following books of this story but the book was very slow paced.
I received this copy from @orangeskyaudio and @netgalley in return of an honest opinion.
I knew there would be some violence but somehow I was taken aback by some of it.
Overall the premise was interesting, I want to read the following books of this story but the book was very slow paced.
I received this copy from @orangeskyaudio and @netgalley in return of an honest opinion.
I feel this book tried a little too hard and missed the mark.
First, too many POVs. And it’s not the number of them really, it’s how little time you spend in each one. Instead of learning about the people, you get a spattering of seemingly inconsequential people. I suppose if this is story driven and you’re not meant to know or care about the actual characters then this makes sense (but why would I want a book this thick about characters I don’t care about?)
Second, you get no solid world building beyond the where. The magic system might as well be non existent and created by whimsy alone. One chick turns into a raven and nothing is ever explained about that. Like.. are there other shifters? It mentions healers but not how they heal and apparently there is a seer named Brandon (coughBrancoughknockoff)
Third, and perhaps the most annoying is Joffre- I mean the king and his apparent tyranny. The tyranny that doesn’t seem to be felt by anyone beyond “wah I have to give my daughter up and he’s gunna be mean to her”
I mean.. it’s only felt by the southerlands (aka Pyke/Iron Islands) in the form of the work camps and the resource squeeze. I’m really not seeing how the king negatively impacts any of the other regions aside from the bride as tribute thing. I think the ball was really dropped here by ignoring anything of what life was like.
The only positive is the writing itself, it’s a shame that the content is so lame
First, too many POVs. And it’s not the number of them really, it’s how little time you spend in each one. Instead of learning about the people, you get a spattering of seemingly inconsequential people. I suppose if this is story driven and you’re not meant to know or care about the actual characters then this makes sense (but why would I want a book this thick about characters I don’t care about?)
Second, you get no solid world building beyond the where. The magic system might as well be non existent and created by whimsy alone. One chick turns into a raven and nothing is ever explained about that. Like.. are there other shifters? It mentions healers but not how they heal and apparently there is a seer named Brandon (coughBrancoughknockoff)
Third, and perhaps the most annoying is Joffre- I mean the king and his apparent tyranny. The tyranny that doesn’t seem to be felt by anyone beyond “wah I have to give my daughter up and he’s gunna be mean to her”
I mean.. it’s only felt by the southerlands (aka Pyke/Iron Islands) in the form of the work camps and the resource squeeze. I’m really not seeing how the king negatively impacts any of the other regions aside from the bride as tribute thing. I think the ball was really dropped here by ignoring anything of what life was like.
The only positive is the writing itself, it’s a shame that the content is so lame
Twenty years ago, King Eoghan’s father forced marriages between the Kingdom’s four reaches to forge alliances and secure his place at the head of the kingdom. Now, the cruel King Eoghan has his own brutal request: each of the four couples at the head of the reaches must give their eldest daughters to him. None want to, but not to do so would be treason. However, before they are to be presented, all four daughters disappear. This throws the already fraught land into even more chaos, as the children cross the kingdom on their own quests while those left behind must determine how to play their hand.
The premise of the book was intriguing, and I was really looking forward to it. However, the story itself seemed to drag on. There are so many characters and perspectives that it was difficult to follow along and keep them separate. There was only one narrator for the audiobook, and I feel that having a cast of narrators, one per perspective, would have helped keep that separate. Apparently if you have the print version of the book, there is a guide at the beginning to tell you who’s who in the story, but the audiobook doesn’t have that available. I think the plot would have been better served to cut out a few storylines.
I see a lot of people comparing this book to Game of Thrones. I haven’t read that series yet, and after having read this book, I’m thinking maybe I shouldn’t.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.
The premise of the book was intriguing, and I was really looking forward to it. However, the story itself seemed to drag on. There are so many characters and perspectives that it was difficult to follow along and keep them separate. There was only one narrator for the audiobook, and I feel that having a cast of narrators, one per perspective, would have helped keep that separate. Apparently if you have the print version of the book, there is a guide at the beginning to tell you who’s who in the story, but the audiobook doesn’t have that available. I think the plot would have been better served to cut out a few storylines.
I see a lot of people comparing this book to Game of Thrones. I haven’t read that series yet, and after having read this book, I’m thinking maybe I shouldn’t.
Many thanks to NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of this book.
High Fantasy isn't my favorite genre but I enjoy one from time to time. With that in mind, take my review with a grain of salt.
Overall, this book was fine. In true High Fantasy style, we spend A LOT of time introducing the characters and the current situation the kingdom is in. In the grand scheme of things, using half of the first book to do this seems fine. (It is a trilogy and the other books are over 700 pages). But in the mix of things, it was rather daunting and took me a very long time to actually get even remotely invested into anything that was happening. Half way through, the picture became clearer. And once all the characters had their proper introduction, the story started to line up. So much so, I was actually able to predict a lot that ended up happening. (Not necessarily a bad thing, but I don't generally attempt to predict the plot. And I wasn't even trying to figure it out. It was easy). Even so, the author did have a nice thought out plot and storyline. Everything came together nicely.
Honestly, I'm not sure I'll finish the series. I'll add the other books to my "to read" list and maybe one day I will.
PS - Does give Game of Thrones vibes.
Overall, this book was fine. In true High Fantasy style, we spend A LOT of time introducing the characters and the current situation the kingdom is in. In the grand scheme of things, using half of the first book to do this seems fine. (It is a trilogy and the other books are over 700 pages). But in the mix of things, it was rather daunting and took me a very long time to actually get even remotely invested into anything that was happening. Half way through, the picture became clearer. And once all the characters had their proper introduction, the story started to line up. So much so, I was actually able to predict a lot that ended up happening. (Not necessarily a bad thing, but I don't generally attempt to predict the plot. And I wasn't even trying to figure it out. It was easy). Even so, the author did have a nice thought out plot and storyline. Everything came together nicely.
Honestly, I'm not sure I'll finish the series. I'll add the other books to my "to read" list and maybe one day I will.
PS - Does give Game of Thrones vibes.
Captivating like gold. Mesmerizing like diamonds. A new fantasy to trail blazes like Sarah J Maas and Leigh Bardugo!
This is my first Sarah Cradit book and I was not prepared for how much this book consumed me. Phenomenal world building and fantastic characters make for an out of this world read! The story is both mesmerizing and entertaining. At different points, the story gave me the chills.
This is book will have you under its spell and will stay with you long after you’ve finished. I give this 5 fantastic stars!
This is my first Sarah Cradit book and I was not prepared for how much this book consumed me. Phenomenal world building and fantastic characters make for an out of this world read! The story is both mesmerizing and entertaining. At different points, the story gave me the chills.
This is book will have you under its spell and will stay with you long after you’ve finished. I give this 5 fantastic stars!
DNF - 30%
I was really looking forward to listening to The Kingless Crown after being approved to review it; however, it was a bumpy ride. While I initially thought the story would be exciting, giving me A Song of Ice and Fire vibes, I quickly got confused with all of the characters and plots that were being introduced. It was like every chapter had a new story and, without the help of the narrator changing her voice to show who was speaking, I felt it impossible to keep up. Nevertheless, I decided to trek on in hopes that things would start to become clearer as the characters and I got acquainted.
While I’m amazed I lasted for as long as I did, I couldn’t find the drive to keep going. Though the story was starting to get interesting (after 7 hours), I wasn’t excited enough to find out what happened next. With such anti-climatic plots, I had no desire to see if the characters achieved their quests or if war broke out. I wish things were different, but there was just no way I was going to spend another 14 hours listening to the narrator completely butcher the Scottish accent. Publishers, if you’re reading this and preparing to record an audiobook, please make sure that when a narrator says they can do a Scottish accent, that it’s genuine and not some ear-bleeding nonsense that insults my father’s homeland!
*Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a pre-release copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.*
I was really looking forward to listening to The Kingless Crown after being approved to review it; however, it was a bumpy ride. While I initially thought the story would be exciting, giving me A Song of Ice and Fire vibes, I quickly got confused with all of the characters and plots that were being introduced. It was like every chapter had a new story and, without the help of the narrator changing her voice to show who was speaking, I felt it impossible to keep up. Nevertheless, I decided to trek on in hopes that things would start to become clearer as the characters and I got acquainted.
While I’m amazed I lasted for as long as I did, I couldn’t find the drive to keep going. Though the story was starting to get interesting (after 7 hours), I wasn’t excited enough to find out what happened next. With such anti-climatic plots, I had no desire to see if the characters achieved their quests or if war broke out. I wish things were different, but there was just no way I was going to spend another 14 hours listening to the narrator completely butcher the Scottish accent. Publishers, if you’re reading this and preparing to record an audiobook, please make sure that when a narrator says they can do a Scottish accent, that it’s genuine and not some ear-bleeding nonsense that insults my father’s homeland!
*Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher, for providing me with a pre-release copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.*