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lyakimov's review against another edition
3.0
this was another book I needed to finish off my bookshelf. this book was okay, but I did not love it. Of course there is a love triangle, which I dislike, but it was not a big part of the story so I really appreciate that. i was not really invested in the world and was kinda confused with the world building. it was a quick read though.
eesh25's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
Sixteen years ago, the kingdom of Winter was invaded by Spring. Only a few people escaped while most were killed and the rest were enslaved. Now, only eight of the refugees remain. One of them is Meira.
Meira was only an infant when Winter was invaded. She doesn't remember her home but she desperately wishes to feel like she belongs. The way to do that, for her, is by contributed as much as she can to fighting against Spring and freeing the enslaved Winterians. She's willing to anything to save her people, even if she is a mere peasant's daughter. She's strong and she's willing to fight.
And yes, Meira is not the first female protagonist who wants to fight for her kingdom. But she's different in the sense that she's well-trained, but not perfect at everything. She's determined but she's still just a teenage girl who will make mistakes. I found her character to be refreshing in that. Because usually we either get incompetent yet arrogant, or perfect and arrogant. Meira is not arrogant. She's simply aware of her strengths and unwilling to back down. I liked her.
Another thing I liked were the kingdoms. Sure, we've read the season kingdom thing before. But this book had normal kingdoms as well as the seasonal ones. And there's a reason given for why the season kingdoms are the way that they are.
Also, a love triangle was introduced (which is always a huge fucking NO! for me) but it was quickly resolved with very little drama. Of course, there was that dick measuring contest scene that I serious did not appreciate, and the author seemed to be trying to make Meira look special by two princes being in love with her even though, contrary to popular belief, a woman's worth is not defined by the amount of guys who want to bone her. She can be important and special all on her own, thank you very much.
That was one of my biggest complaints with the novel. Along with it being quite predictable. Seriously, if you're a YA fantasy reader, you will not be surprised by many of the revelations. The biggest one, about Meira, was actually so expected that I actually laughed.
Other than that, it reminded me of [b:Falling Kingdoms|12954620|Falling Kingdoms (Falling Kingdoms, #1)|Morgan Rhodes|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1337026387s/12954620.jpg|18111704] when it came to how conveniently unexplained some of the things were. Imagine someone breaking into the royal palace and the author just forgetting to explain the details of how that was done. There were some details, but not nearly enough. It's something I think will get better like the writing did. It's a classic new-YA-fantasy-author characteristic.
Overall, the book had its ups and downs. It helped me, finally and fully, understand why Dumbledore had to die. I liked the world and the characters, but wasn't fond of other things that will surely get better as the author writes more. It's a promising start for the series. Worth checking out.
phoenix2's review against another edition
3.0
The key point of this book is the strong protagonist. I do love when the main hero escapes the "oh, I won't to marry the prince who'll save the kingdom" and becomes the character that has a purpose. The love triangle, though, was a little weak. I mean, I get it that she was in love with the king since they grew up together, but when did she develop genuine feelings for the prince? Not to mention that the whole marriage arrangement were a little out of the blue and the girl just went with it while hating Sir for setting her up. Other than those two weak spots, the story was interesting, and the whole four kingdoms and four rhythms was unique and a clever idea. Plus, it didn't confuse too much. The Winter camps were the strongest point of this book for me, as the whole horror and mightiness of the situation boiled up to that. So, in conclusion, I liked this book, though it wasn't one of those who made me want to keep reading nonstop.
bookliandiia's review against another edition
5.0
My first book in English!
I really really loved it! I really enjoyed reading it! I really liked the story, the world, the magic, and also characters were great, I mean protagonists, because antagonists were awful af! I especially liked the trio Meira, Theron and Mather ♡ The writing was great as well.
The book can totaly be as a stand-alone. I give it 4,5/5 ★ because of some violent details, that I hate observing in general. Nevertheless, this book is going to be in my top favourites! ♡♡♡
I really really loved it! I really enjoyed reading it! I really liked the story, the world, the magic, and also characters were great, I mean protagonists, because antagonists were awful af! I especially liked the trio Meira, Theron and Mather ♡ The writing was great as well.
The book can totaly be as a stand-alone. I give it 4,5/5 ★ because of some violent details, that I hate observing in general. Nevertheless, this book is going to be in my top favourites! ♡♡♡
magencorrie's review against another edition
1.0
1 star.
Oh, I really wanted to enjoy this one. I really wanted to like it more than I did, but sadly, I didn't. I just couldn't get into it. Nonetheless, I did enjoy the world that Raasch created; a very unique concept on seasons and magic.
review to come
Oh, I really wanted to enjoy this one. I really wanted to like it more than I did, but sadly, I didn't. I just couldn't get into it. Nonetheless, I did enjoy the world that Raasch created; a very unique concept on seasons and magic.
review to come
obanlord's review against another edition
4.0
Great book, seemed the plotwist since the beginning, still something is well resolved, let's hope for the next two to be as exciting
snikkidee's review against another edition
2.0
I was just bored with this book. There was plenty of action but I didn't care because I didn't care about the characters.