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ann_s's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
syringaflower's review against another edition
2.0
Light spoilers, the actual spoiler is 'hidden' so no reveals of the clan. Proceed with caution.
I think the biggest problem I have with this book is the fact that Maddie is going in the same direction as Lydia in the later books of the Brotherband series. She is overpowered, unrealistically overqualified and to be blunt, quite the Mary Sue. Maddie has no flaws. Literally. None.
For example, the map scene:
I have to believe that no one in the entire kingdom, including the rangers themselves, were unable to find the hidden passageways --the same rangers that are detail oriented, and trained in this sort of thing-- But a young child is able to figure it all out in a few hours time, spread over two days?
I don't even want to get too much into the unrealistic scenario of the bandits in the beginning, on their way back to the castle. So all I'll say is: Three muscly men and two dainty girls + lots of 'braggy talk' and leaving openings.
The trap scene with Gilan and Horace:
You want me to believe that the commander of the rangers --the same rangers that are known to scout areas and move about unseen-- will walk into a trap without even doing as much as scouting the area beforehand?
The rangers I've known so far would never make such a novice mistake. They would've known everything before even leaving with an army.
It might be nitpicking at this point, but adding the cast of the Brotherband to this novel, only to have them disappear so soon, seemed unnecessary. More than half the cast did not even do as much as say a word. Wasted potentional right there. And it seems obvious they are a setup for the next book. But come on, would a little dialogue hurt?
Not to mention, even without the presence of Lydia does she have to be held up as Mary Sue 2.0. Can a book go by without having to say 'the girls are the best, the girls are the greatest the girls this the girls that'? If they really were that great, you wouldn't have to keep telling us that.
The writing style has become stale, repetitive and childish. This really bothers me because in the original RA series, it was far more engaging.
Speaking of telling, this entire book is nothing but telling instead of showing.
Telling us what people are doing, telling us who people are and what their history is- reintroducing characters that the readers should be familiar with at this point (It's book 13, give it a rest).
The new content is mediocre at best, and the villain was obvious from the getgo.
It's a real shame Flanagan chose to write these books in this way. In the earlier books even his (young) Cassandra was written well. He knows how to do it, but he choses not to.
You don't write female characters by making them basically a man. A woman-man that 'is not like other girls' and 'loathes girly things'. Come on.
I'm very reluctant to pick up the next book.
I think the biggest problem I have with this book is the fact that Maddie is going in the same direction as Lydia in the later books of the Brotherband series. She is overpowered, unrealistically overqualified and to be blunt, quite the Mary Sue. Maddie has no flaws. Literally. None.
For example, the map scene:
I have to believe that no one in the entire kingdom, including the rangers themselves, were unable to find the hidden passageways --the same rangers that are detail oriented, and trained in this sort of thing-- But a young child is able to figure it all out in a few hours time, spread over two days?
I don't even want to get too much into the unrealistic scenario of the bandits in the beginning, on their way back to the castle. So all I'll say is: Three muscly men and two dainty girls + lots of 'braggy talk' and leaving openings.
The trap scene with Gilan and Horace:
You want me to believe that the commander of the rangers --the same rangers that are known to scout areas and move about unseen-- will walk into a trap without even doing as much as scouting the area beforehand?
The rangers I've known so far would never make such a novice mistake. They would've known everything before even leaving with an army.
Spoiler
The guy with the name Dimon (Demon) is the bad guy. What a surprise... Not really. It was stated from the beginning that the throne was 'taken from him', and the introduction of this character to Maddie was one of him being 'a distant relative'. The red herring with the diplomat was not very convincing either.It might be nitpicking at this point, but adding the cast of the Brotherband to this novel, only to have them disappear so soon, seemed unnecessary. More than half the cast did not even do as much as say a word. Wasted potentional right there. And it seems obvious they are a setup for the next book. But come on, would a little dialogue hurt?
Not to mention, even without the presence of Lydia does she have to be held up as Mary Sue 2.0. Can a book go by without having to say 'the girls are the best, the girls are the greatest the girls this the girls that'? If they really were that great, you wouldn't have to keep telling us that.
The writing style has become stale, repetitive and childish. This really bothers me because in the original RA series, it was far more engaging.
Speaking of telling, this entire book is nothing but telling instead of showing.
Telling us what people are doing, telling us who people are and what their history is- reintroducing characters that the readers should be familiar with at this point (It's book 13, give it a rest).
The new content is mediocre at best, and the villain was obvious from the getgo.
It's a real shame Flanagan chose to write these books in this way. In the earlier books even his (young) Cassandra was written well. He knows how to do it, but he choses not to.
You don't write female characters by making them basically a man. A woman-man that 'is not like other girls' and 'loathes girly things'. Come on.
I'm very reluctant to pick up the next book.
courtneyschnabel's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
astenson's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
sallyavena's review against another edition
4.0
Maddy is much more likable in this one. Really no Will or Halt though, but the Heron crew makes an appearance. Ends in a huge cliff hanger
lizclev's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.25
thisbookishcat's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
4.0
Okay, this book set up so many cool overlaps and has set up so many potential things to happen, I really can't wait for the next one but I know I need to leave myself or I'll be super sad that it's all over.
nia_guy's review against another edition
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
1.5
noximuz's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book, easy to read. Looking forward to the next one.