Scan barcode
melaniebopp's review
4.0
Following immediately where Path of Needles ends, Kat and Jim have escaped one enemy only to find that there is a more powerful one behind it all. The spirit Koschei, previously Ivan Ivanovich, Tsar of Russia, is searching for their father, who is still missing, for reasons no one is able to tell them. Kat and Roger have been separated, with Roger walking the path of pins while Kat struggles to negotiate the fairy tale underground. Ranging from New York City to Prague to the Underworld, the story quickly amps up the danger and destruction.
Warning - I am starting with the few things I didn't like. To get them out of the way. Because there was a lot more to like about the book, as you can see by my rating.
I have to say I wish there was more Roger in this book. I know that we are seeing it all from Kat's point of view, but Roger's role in this skyrocketed in importance and (for me, at least) interest. Instead of taking center stage as he walks the inspiration for the title of the novel, his journey is set up as an aside, the stage on which Kat's story was built. And that really bothers me. Roger is the solution to the problem, but I always felt like he was more a footnote as the story progressed.
Also, from an editorial standpoint, there are a few bits that read a bit younger than the young adult genre - specifically when someone has given Kat something to use "when really needed." Twice. And when she remembers about that thing, she remembers them saying to use it "when really needed." Twice. That stood out to me, for some reason.
End rant.
Everything else, however, I really enjoyed. Kat's ability to see into the past, to see the Truth of things, comes in handy as she is forced to unravel the mystery around her. Not only does she need to find her father, she must find him before Koshei does. And all the time, staying hidden from the Shades and Nycterent (demon-dog-hunter-creatures. nasty). And negotiating the personalities around her. And work closely with more than one person who wants to kill her. And deal with loss and betrayal. So she's got a bit more on her plate than the normal teen.
Kat's strong, though, and even when she has no idea what to do, even when she fails, she tries. And that's worth a lot in my book. She is able to work with those around her, even when, as I said, they don't necessarily want to help her. She is the nexus around which the plot rotates.
Jim's role was far more interesting as well - he's discovered more about his own abilities, and knowing the ending as I do now, I wonder what those abilities will bring to his future.
I think my favorite character, however, is Niall the Kelpie. I loved reading his interactions with Kat, with Kat's mother, and with Jim. I hope we do get more of him in the future, and that we get to see him freed. Hopefully without it killing Kat.
So yes, overall, I really enjoyed this book. I did receive my copy from the author in exchange for an honest review, and I would like to apologize for taking so long to get that review up. Looking forward to the next!
Warning - I am starting with the few things I didn't like. To get them out of the way. Because there was a lot more to like about the book, as you can see by my rating.
I have to say I wish there was more Roger in this book. I know that we are seeing it all from Kat's point of view, but Roger's role in this skyrocketed in importance and (for me, at least) interest. Instead of taking center stage as he walks the inspiration for the title of the novel, his journey is set up as an aside, the stage on which Kat's story was built. And that really bothers me. Roger is the solution to the problem, but I always felt like he was more a footnote as the story progressed.
Also, from an editorial standpoint, there are a few bits that read a bit younger than the young adult genre - specifically when someone has given Kat something to use "when really needed." Twice. And when she remembers about that thing, she remembers them saying to use it "when really needed." Twice. That stood out to me, for some reason.
End rant.
Everything else, however, I really enjoyed. Kat's ability to see into the past, to see the Truth of things, comes in handy as she is forced to unravel the mystery around her. Not only does she need to find her father, she must find him before Koshei does. And all the time, staying hidden from the Shades and Nycterent (demon-dog-hunter-creatures. nasty). And negotiating the personalities around her. And work closely with more than one person who wants to kill her. And deal with loss and betrayal. So she's got a bit more on her plate than the normal teen.
Kat's strong, though, and even when she has no idea what to do, even when she fails, she tries. And that's worth a lot in my book. She is able to work with those around her, even when, as I said, they don't necessarily want to help her. She is the nexus around which the plot rotates.
Jim's role was far more interesting as well - he's discovered more about his own abilities, and knowing the ending as I do now, I wonder what those abilities will bring to his future.
I think my favorite character, however, is Niall the Kelpie. I loved reading his interactions with Kat, with Kat's mother, and with Jim. I hope we do get more of him in the future, and that we get to see him freed. Hopefully without it killing Kat.
So yes, overall, I really enjoyed this book. I did receive my copy from the author in exchange for an honest review, and I would like to apologize for taking so long to get that review up. Looking forward to the next!
More...