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cheermio's review against another edition
3.0
with the amount of hype i was seeing around this book i expected it to be a lot better. parts of the world building were really good but most of the characters, their interactions with one another and their motivations were far from believable. the love story alone was so ridiculous - it felt forced.
the main character's obliviousness to EVERYTHING was distressing. I know Stockholm syndrome is a real thing. and I know being kidnapped and held hostage at a young age would mess someone up but most of that was unaddressed which felt like a cop out. even though I'm tired of series, this could have definitely done with a sequel. the end was rushed, everything was rushed, it just was only okay.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley.
the main character's obliviousness to EVERYTHING was distressing. I know Stockholm syndrome is a real thing. and I know being kidnapped and held hostage at a young age would mess someone up but most of that was unaddressed which felt like a cop out. even though I'm tired of series, this could have definitely done with a sequel. the end was rushed, everything was rushed, it just was only okay.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher via netgalley.
prismvoid's review against another edition
4.0
Very good book for a first time novelist! Its a book about war, historical revisionism, and sacrifice.
mrs_merdle's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book hard to put down, even though there was a fair amount I didn't love about it. Despite those things (most seem due to either the protagonist's youth, or maybe the author's?) I am looking forward to reading the sequel.
melissarochelle's review against another edition
3.0
I wish I could make flowers grow and trees move like Elanna.
Alas...
I liked this book, but I felt like it I needed more world-building. There was a lot about the history of the places that I just didn't get. Battle history, who controlled what, and what is this empire versus this kingdom/country.
Again, I liked this book, but I felt like the main character's transformation from NO THIS ISN'T MY HOME to LET ME SAVE ALL THE THINGS was a little...fast. (Or maybe I was missing something about the timeline...was it months? Days? Weeks?)
So...I'll say it one more time: I liked this book. I mean, I liked it enough to want MORE.
Good for fans of:
[bc:Uprooted|22544764|Uprooted|Naomi Novik|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480121122s/22544764.jpg|41876730] [bc:The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic|16158565|The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic|Emily Croy Barker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1356093770s/16158565.jpg|21998981] [bc:The Queen of the Tearling|18712886|The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling, #1)|Erika Johansen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417685148s/18712886.jpg|24267689] [bc:The Goblin Emperor|17910048|The Goblin Emperor|Katherine Addison|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1373039517s/17910048.jpg|24241248] [bc:A Darker Shade of Magic|22055262|A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1)|V.E. Schwab|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1400322851s/22055262.jpg|40098252]
Alas...
I liked this book, but I felt like it I needed more world-building. There was a lot about the history of the places that I just didn't get. Battle history, who controlled what, and what is this empire versus this kingdom/country.
Again, I liked this book, but I felt like the main character's transformation from NO THIS ISN'T MY HOME to LET ME SAVE ALL THE THINGS was a little...fast. (Or maybe I was missing something about the timeline...was it months? Days? Weeks?)
So...I'll say it one more time: I liked this book. I mean, I liked it enough to want MORE.
Good for fans of:
[bc:Uprooted|22544764|Uprooted|Naomi Novik|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1480121122s/22544764.jpg|41876730] [bc:The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic|16158565|The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic|Emily Croy Barker|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1356093770s/16158565.jpg|21998981] [bc:The Queen of the Tearling|18712886|The Queen of the Tearling (The Queen of the Tearling, #1)|Erika Johansen|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417685148s/18712886.jpg|24267689] [bc:The Goblin Emperor|17910048|The Goblin Emperor|Katherine Addison|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1373039517s/17910048.jpg|24241248] [bc:A Darker Shade of Magic|22055262|A Darker Shade of Magic (Shades of Magic, #1)|V.E. Schwab|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1400322851s/22055262.jpg|40098252]
adsyllata's review against another edition
3.0
2.5. meh. very middle of the road. it was a fantasy novel.
arickman's review against another edition
4.0
I switched between the audiobook and ebook. The narrator did an awesome job and I hope they use the same one for the other books in this series. I wasn't sure about El because I didn't much care for her in the beginning. I'm glad to say that El actually grew thru the book and it helped me enjoy the story so much more.
ssbsky's review
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
2.5
rhodamack09's review against another edition
I never DNF but I am just not feeling this book right now. I think I should put it aside and try again later.
refriedbeans's review
3.0
3.5. The writing was enjoyable to read with flowing descriptions that did not get caught up on themselves. The magic system was simplistic but at least easy to follow.
I was looking forward to a fantasy story featuring a strong female lead, and unfortunately Bates did not come through. El had potential, as did the other female characters such as Sophy and the warden of the mountain, but ultimately they either got caught up in boy drama or petty arguments that detracted from their development.
I was looking forward to a fantasy story featuring a strong female lead, and unfortunately Bates did not come through. El had potential, as did the other female characters such as Sophy and the warden of the mountain, but ultimately they either got caught up in boy drama or petty arguments that detracted from their development.
mwhiting522's review against another edition
3.0
This book had an interesting premise, but I didn’t care for the main character. Elanna was a little too inconsistent as a character and, honestly, a bit annoying.