You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
medium-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
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-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:
Complicated
It took me some time, maybe 25% of the book, to really get into it, and I found myself rereading areas because I’d become unfocused and miss something. That said, once i got into it, I couldn’t put it down. Very excited to read the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Kidnapping, Murder
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Such is a beautifully crafted story. The prose is stunning, very lyrical and immersive. I enjoyed the magic and the mystery. I just really enjoy reading Rebecca Ross’s writing and loved the way she wove in lore and mythology and was able to create a world that felt rich and deeply rooted in tradition.
The characters were compelling and I enjoyed watching their relationships evolve throughout the story. Despite the slower pace, it never lost my attention. I read this both as a physical book and audiobook and I think that made a big difference for me to be able to stay interested in the slower pace - the audiobook helped me to really immerse myself in the story due to the narrator’s accent and cadence.
Overall, this was a beautifully written and atmospheric read. If you love lyrical, enchanting prose and a story steeped in folklore, this is definitely worth picking up!
The characters were compelling and I enjoyed watching their relationships evolve throughout the story. Despite the slower pace, it never lost my attention. I read this both as a physical book and audiobook and I think that made a big difference for me to be able to stay interested in the slower pace - the audiobook helped me to really immerse myself in the story due to the narrator’s accent and cadence.
Overall, this was a beautifully written and atmospheric read. If you love lyrical, enchanting prose and a story steeped in folklore, this is definitely worth picking up!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
fast-paced
This is shelved as adult, and the character ages match, but there was an undercurrent of YA that then fully reared its head at the ending.
I enjoyed most of the book, although there are a few leaps in logic that I got stuck on (no one thought a bard who sings for spirits would have the same price on their magic as literally everyone else who weaves magic? Really?), and I loved parts of it. The magic, for instance, was whimsical and I enjoyed how vague its rules were. I felt that followed well with the people casting the magic, as they themselves are at the whims of the spirits who the magic casters cannot fully understand.
The ending, though, was sorely disappointing. As I mentioned, the book seemed to dive steeply into YA with how the events unfolded, and I just could not get behind either the actions or the beats themselves. And while I would say it doesn't end on quite a cliffhanger, too many threads are left unfinished and even those that were tied up felt lackluster to me. And again, some of the major plot logic just felt thrown to the wind at times.
People who enjoy Ross's YA works may like this book, but I would caution anyone going in wanting specifically adult fantasy (as I did) to stay away.
I enjoyed most of the book, although there are a few leaps in logic that I got stuck on (no one thought a bard who sings for spirits would have the same price on their magic as literally everyone else who weaves magic? Really?), and I loved parts of it. The magic, for instance, was whimsical and I enjoyed how vague its rules were. I felt that followed well with the people casting the magic, as they themselves are at the whims of the spirits who the magic casters cannot fully understand.
The ending, though, was sorely disappointing. As I mentioned, the book seemed to dive steeply into YA with how the events unfolded, and I just could not get behind either the actions or the beats themselves. And while I would say it doesn't end on quite a cliffhanger, too many threads are left unfinished and even those that were tied up felt lackluster to me. And again, some of the major plot logic just felt thrown to the wind at times.
People who enjoy Ross's YA works may like this book, but I would caution anyone going in wanting specifically adult fantasy (as I did) to stay away.