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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really enjoyed this until the last 25% or so - it fizzled out.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I adored this book, although it does have a bit of a slow start but when the story started to get good I was unable to put the book down. Such a unique concept with a good mix of mythical creatures and world but also some real world adventure. There was also a good plot which surprised you at times especially near the end. This book also had a hint of dark academia. I really loved this story!.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Charming, enchanting, mysterious, and dark. A great standalone fantasy novel.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Torture, Abandonment
slow-paced
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Bumped to a 3.75 but unfortunately too many things underdeveloped to hit the spot. I liked the mystery and intrigue in the first half, the writing in places is lovely, the keys to unlock travel between different worlds/places in the world is interesting, as is the portrayal of the gods. However, after the first half I found it increasingly frustrating. I feel like there are numerous plot holes, an underdeveloped magic system and why completely time skip the majority of the year of traveling and exploring the political intrigue of the world of scholars? It artificially advanced/jumped the plot and made it seem like she suddenly had a load of knowledge and sleuthing skills out of literally nowhere despite living a very sheltered upbrining. The character building was a bit underdevloped, mostly in relation to the surrounding characters who could have been quite promising. I found the ending a bit predictable and convenient. Want to like this book more than I actually do! Reminds me of the Starless Sea in many ways, but SS had much better world building.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Blood, Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was shockingly surface-level? Violet was an avenue for the plot rather than an actual character, with the vast majority of her growth and struggles and development happening off page during time jumps. Aleksander at least had some depth to him, but he is technically the secondary character to Violet’s protagonist.
The descriptions and scenery were lovely and really lended the story a refined and flowery air. I understand why the book is comp’d to Addie LaRue (between the writing and also the lack of agency in the protagonist).
The biggest missed opportunities were: there’s no attempt made to explain how the reveurite works / what the Scholars do / why they’re so powerful, instead there are some corruptions hinted at but not explained or dismantled; and Violet and Aleksander’s entire relationship hinges on conversations and a connection that doesn’t actually take place on the page, instead skipped over as “they talk for hours every week for months” which is not remotely the same as selling your audience on their connection or chemistry.
And the only secondary/minor characters with any depth are… Penelope. And that’s it. Everyone else could honestly have just not been there and nothing would have been different.
I have high hopes for Summers’ future, but this debut was only okay.
{Thank you Redhook for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review}
The descriptions and scenery were lovely and really lended the story a refined and flowery air. I understand why the book is comp’d to Addie LaRue (between the writing and also the lack of agency in the protagonist).
The biggest missed opportunities were: there’s no attempt made to explain how the reveurite works / what the Scholars do / why they’re so powerful, instead there are some corruptions hinted at but not explained or dismantled; and Violet and Aleksander’s entire relationship hinges on conversations and a connection that doesn’t actually take place on the page, instead skipped over as “they talk for hours every week for months” which is not remotely the same as selling your audience on their connection or chemistry.
And the only secondary/minor characters with any depth are… Penelope. And that’s it. Everyone else could honestly have just not been there and nothing would have been different.
I have high hopes for Summers’ future, but this debut was only okay.
{Thank you Redhook for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review}