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sdloomer's review
4.0
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review!
--3.75/5 stars--
A lovely first-person narrative about doing your duty, temptation, finding love, and above all, finding yourself.
After a death-defying ordeal, Bristal finds out she's an elicromancer--immortal, powerful, and bound to a life of responsibility--with a talent in shape-shifting. Immediately thrust into a world of politics where she must tread a fine line between prosperity and betrayal, her talent becomes second-nature to her as she navigates the perils of court while in disguise.
I enjoyed reading through Bristal's eyes, especially because of her shape-shifting ability: we're able to see how well (or not) she adapts to different bodies, and how she uses them to her advantage, all the while trying to keep each one separate from the others, as well as her own self. Which immediately brought up the question, "Which 'self' is actually Bristal?" as I read further. Of course we get to see Bristal as herself between "jobs" but I still couldn't shake the feeling that even Bristal didn't quite know who she really was and how to value herself as herself. Which only made me read that much more intently.
I deeply enjoyed Kingdom of Ash and Briars. Not only did the small mystery surrounding Bristal keep me engrossed, but the story itself was extremely absorbing. The pressure Bristal endures is overwhelming and though she's become an exceedingly powerful being, even she isn't immune to the want to hide under a rock and just get away from everything. How she withstands it is what separates her from other heroines.
--3.75/5 stars--
A lovely first-person narrative about doing your duty, temptation, finding love, and above all, finding yourself.
After a death-defying ordeal, Bristal finds out she's an elicromancer--immortal, powerful, and bound to a life of responsibility--with a talent in shape-shifting. Immediately thrust into a world of politics where she must tread a fine line between prosperity and betrayal, her talent becomes second-nature to her as she navigates the perils of court while in disguise.
"The coming generations may forget that the price of the peace they will enjoy was paid in blood."This is the first time in a long time where I've deliberately stayed up well past midnight just so I could finish a book. I was so intrigued about the world, which Ms. West does a fine job of crafting, and the elicromancers themselves: there are only three, but they have such a high obligation toward protecting the world they live in that the stress is unimaginable. Sixteen-year-old Bristal is charged with a stupid amount of tasks to accomplish her goal of peace in the realm, and it comes as no surprise that this book takes place over a good amount of years. There are very clear nods to other well-recognizable fairy tales, and I believe Ms. West has weaved a lovely piece of work that manages to capture the essence of them all--but with Bristal's own flair.
I enjoyed reading through Bristal's eyes, especially because of her shape-shifting ability: we're able to see how well (or not) she adapts to different bodies, and how she uses them to her advantage, all the while trying to keep each one separate from the others, as well as her own self. Which immediately brought up the question, "Which 'self' is actually Bristal?" as I read further. Of course we get to see Bristal as herself between "jobs" but I still couldn't shake the feeling that even Bristal didn't quite know who she really was and how to value herself as herself. Which only made me read that much more intently.
"Fear must not have the final say in what becomes of you."There were still lingering questions I had after I made it to the last page, however. I won't list any of them here for spoiler-y reasons, but I felt that there were some small holes in the main plot in the first "part" of the book (the book is divided into three parts). It's probably just me wanting every last detail about every character, no matter how important to the plot, but the first part felt a bit choppy to read. Motives were vague, some plot points brushed off as trivial without much detail--but ended coming back as major objectives further in--and oftentimes the flow of the story felt interrupted for unusual reasons, most of which weren't integral to the story. However, my satisfaction completely overwhelmed my curiosity when I reached the end, and I don't have any "true" complaints: the writing was absolutely terrific, characters were well-rounded, and we have a very solid plot line and obvious objective.
I deeply enjoyed Kingdom of Ash and Briars. Not only did the small mystery surrounding Bristal keep me engrossed, but the story itself was extremely absorbing. The pressure Bristal endures is overwhelming and though she's become an exceedingly powerful being, even she isn't immune to the want to hide under a rock and just get away from everything. How she withstands it is what separates her from other heroines.
moreliajoy's review
I had put this on hold randomly through libby and totally forgot why I had done that in the first place. So when I just turned on the audiobook, I was hopping in blind to the genre, plot, and just everything. I sooooo need to do this more often. Because it was so much fun to read this book blind, I'll just give my feelings but not much else.
I really liked it. It's not the Highest Quality Literature™, but it is certainly enjoyable and worth reading. The characters were well written and I became attached to them. It has some deeper questions in it that add to the themes in good ways. The romance is more of a warm hug compared to most YA books.
Good reading to you all!
P.S. I know this wasn't really a review
I really liked it. It's not the Highest Quality Literature™, but it is certainly enjoyable and worth reading. The characters were well written and I became attached to them. It has some deeper questions in it that add to the themes in good ways. The romance is more of a warm hug compared to most YA books.
Good reading to you all!
P.S. I know this wasn't really a review
kaitlynfolk's review against another edition
1.0
This is one of, if not the worst books I have ever read. I made it halfway through before calling it quits. There is zero character development and the story just rushes from plot point to plot point. I felt no connection to any of the characters. I was really excited for this book and am left feeling so underwhelmed and disappointed.
csevet's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
harmoni_hazel's review against another edition
It was so stupid and boring. Do not read there is no drama
pantsreads's review
4.0
emotionalbookreport's review
3.0
3.5
I honestly wasn’t expecting this to be a retelling. I bought it because the cover was pretty!!!
But a sleeping beauty retelling wasn’t unwanted I guess. It was very fast paced, which was kind of a breath of fresh air from all of the high fantasy I’ve been reading recently. The magic system was interesting, but maybe not completely thought out. It was a solid 3 most of the way through, but I’m also a sucker for cutesy, lovey dovey couples, and the end (kind of a spoiler, but if you don’t see it coming maybe get your eyes checked :P ) had me smiling.
I honestly wasn’t expecting this to be a retelling. I bought it because the cover was pretty!!!
But a sleeping beauty retelling wasn’t unwanted I guess. It was very fast paced, which was kind of a breath of fresh air from all of the high fantasy I’ve been reading recently. The magic system was interesting, but maybe not completely thought out. It was a solid 3 most of the way through, but I’m also a sucker for cutesy, lovey dovey couples, and the end (kind of a spoiler, but if you don’t see it coming maybe get your eyes checked :P ) had me smiling.
wheninapril's review against another edition
4.0
I am a huge fan of retellings. I loved The Restless Girls, Circe, Uprooted and I was so sure I would love Kingdom of Ash and Briars as well. I mean.. Look at the cover! Isn’t it gorgeous?!!! ❤
Now.. My take on Kingdom of Ash and Briars is a bit complicated. I mean, the book was fast pacing, we got a strong female lead and I loved the writing style. But yet after finishing, I am not satisfied. It just feels incomplete.. I don’t know why! I just liked this book, when it had the full potential of being loved!
I think the place it got a little lacking is the re-telling factor. The book is not a single story retelling, we have got Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and bit of Mulan flavor in it. Part of me wished for a simple Sleeping Beauty retelling (that part was really enjoyable), and part of me wished for a more developed relationship story of Bristal-Anthony and Bristal-Rosie. I think that would have made it easier to feel more connected with Bristal?! I mean we get to know that she cares about Anthony and Rosie, but the relationship between them somehow came as very two-dimensional. I get that due to the *circumstances* she couldn’t show her affection, but a little bit inside dilemma/angst would have been better.
SO, My overall rating for this book is 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Thank you TimesReads for sending the Review copy on my way in exchange of an Honest Review.*
Click here for Blog Post
Now.. My take on Kingdom of Ash and Briars is a bit complicated. I mean, the book was fast pacing, we got a strong female lead and I loved the writing style. But yet after finishing, I am not satisfied. It just feels incomplete.. I don’t know why! I just liked this book, when it had the full potential of being loved!
I think the place it got a little lacking is the re-telling factor. The book is not a single story retelling, we have got Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella and bit of Mulan flavor in it. Part of me wished for a simple Sleeping Beauty retelling (that part was really enjoyable), and part of me wished for a more developed relationship story of Bristal-Anthony and Bristal-Rosie. I think that would have made it easier to feel more connected with Bristal?! I mean we get to know that she cares about Anthony and Rosie, but the relationship between them somehow came as very two-dimensional. I get that due to the *circumstances* she couldn’t show her affection, but a little bit inside dilemma/angst would have been better.
SO, My overall rating for this book is 3.5 out of 5 Stars
Thank you TimesReads for sending the Review copy on my way in exchange of an Honest Review.*
Click here for Blog Post