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mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book in a lengthy and ongoing epic fantasy series. This pleases me considerably as it proved to be exactly what I wanted.
This isn't in the top tier of my favorite fantasy ever--not Le Guin, Tolkien, or Guy Gavriel Kay--but it delighted me in a hard time.
4.5 out of 5 hawk stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Spoiler
I found the main character, Kaylin, very likable, and I loved the strong elements of found family and friendship. The secondary world fantasy, the supporting cast, the magic, and the various races of beings are well drawn and fascinating. All that said, be advised that the plot contains some very dark elements, wherein children are in peril and hurt.This isn't in the top tier of my favorite fantasy ever--not Le Guin, Tolkien, or Guy Gavriel Kay--but it delighted me in a hard time.
4.5 out of 5 hawk stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
storytimewithlily's review
I'm 1/4 of the way through and I still don't understand what people are saying, what anyone is doing or why any of it is happening. There is no explanation for anything or anyone. What is the world like? Are the Briani things like elves? what's with the glowing light? why does she need to wear those cuffs? who tf are these people and what tf is going on?!
lilcoppertop's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
nmthonet's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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? Yes
4.5
mamap's review
3.0
so cryptic that it's often hard to follow the story. the characters are very vivid and interesting. sometimes slow.
jholloed's review
3.0
Liked this as a first book in a series. But if I had not read the prequil short story, I think I would have been much more confused, as her origins are much hinted at, used to compell the plot, but never revealed.
Interested to see how she grows up in the next round.
Interested to see how she grows up in the next round.
diziet_sma's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
livarleth's review
5.0
This is some very well written fantasy. When it is over it leaves you with about a hundred questions and a hope of them being answered in the next book. The heroine is very easy to relate to at some points and easily loved. The story is huge with at least a handful of different side stories.
katelin00's review
4.0
Update: just finished rereading this again and I finally figured out why I just can’t give the series more than 4 stars. Kaylin! I have a hard time with her lack of punctuality and her immaturity. It bothers me that she’s got all this power but doesn’t want to learn. She doesn’t want to know how the world works. She just wants to be a hawk. That’s admirable but also, learn what they require because that’s obviously necessary to being a hawk!
I definitely prefer a heroine like Kate Daniels to Kaylin Neya.
Originally posted to A Bookworm's Confessions
So this has been on my to-read list for the longest time. It sounded interesting when I bought it at least a year or two ago. I don't know why it took me so long but hey, I finally read it.
There are some negative reviews for this book but I found myself enjoying it. Some world building had to occur for this book and it was difficult to understand when I first started reading. I felt like Sagara needed to have a glossary in the book so I could understand the world a little better before I started reading. Basically this world is an alternate universe. Elantra is a big city. This world isn't technologically advanced and they rely on horses and carriages. It's almost medieval but this world also has magic. There are 5 different races that we are introduced to. You have the immortals: Dragons and Barrani. Then you have the mortals: Liontines (Lion type humans), Aerians (People with wings), Tha'alani (creatures with probe things on their heads. They can read you mind and memories and can almost show you images), and humans. Each race has a different culture and it's pretty interesting.
Kaylin Neya is our heroine. She is a chronically late person who is also a little special. When she was younger there was a series of murders of children around her age. Each child who was found dead had strange markings on their arms and thighs. One day marks appeared on Kaylin but she was never killed. We learn why later. Kaylin’s marks have given her some power that no one understands. She knows she can heal and she does what she can for the midwives. She helps mothers and children in danger from complicated births. She also can heal injuries. Her powers are not always in her control and it's had some deadly consequences. Because of this the Hawklord requires her to wear a bracer that tamps down her powers.
When the murders begin again, Kaylin must face her childhood home in the fiefs. The fiefs are a poor area run by an outcaste Barrani named Nightshade. Lord Nightshade is in charge of the fief and even though he is an outlaw, the Lords of Law do not mess with him. He gifts Kaylin with a mark on her cheek. It is a nightshade flower. The Barrani can see this mark even if Kaylin tried to hide it. This mark protects in within Nightshade but puts her in danger outside of it.
To help Kaylin find the culprit behind the murders, she is forced with work with a Dragon and Severn. Severn betrayed Kaylin in the worst way even though he did what was necessary at the time. I will not reveal that detail either. Because of what he did, Kaylin doesn't trust him. She can't help but feel their old companionship because Severn was part of her life for so long. I find it funny that the first time she sees him she basically tries to kill him.
I really liked this book but for some reason it took me awhile to review it. I don't know why but oh well. I will reread it sometime in the future. I like to reread because I know I miss things. I would recommend this book. My only problem is that you don't really get a full explanation of the world of Elantra. It's difficult to figure things out sometimes. I feel that there should have been more of an introduction. I like that we are dropped into the middle of the story. I would have at least liked a glossary. J.R. Ward has that in her books and it's quite useful.
I definitely prefer a heroine like Kate Daniels to Kaylin Neya.
Originally posted to A Bookworm's Confessions
So this has been on my to-read list for the longest time. It sounded interesting when I bought it at least a year or two ago. I don't know why it took me so long but hey, I finally read it.
There are some negative reviews for this book but I found myself enjoying it. Some world building had to occur for this book and it was difficult to understand when I first started reading. I felt like Sagara needed to have a glossary in the book so I could understand the world a little better before I started reading. Basically this world is an alternate universe. Elantra is a big city. This world isn't technologically advanced and they rely on horses and carriages. It's almost medieval but this world also has magic. There are 5 different races that we are introduced to. You have the immortals: Dragons and Barrani. Then you have the mortals: Liontines (Lion type humans), Aerians (People with wings), Tha'alani (creatures with probe things on their heads. They can read you mind and memories and can almost show you images), and humans. Each race has a different culture and it's pretty interesting.
Kaylin Neya is our heroine. She is a chronically late person who is also a little special. When she was younger there was a series of murders of children around her age. Each child who was found dead had strange markings on their arms and thighs. One day marks appeared on Kaylin but she was never killed. We learn why later. Kaylin’s marks have given her some power that no one understands. She knows she can heal and she does what she can for the midwives. She helps mothers and children in danger from complicated births. She also can heal injuries. Her powers are not always in her control and it's had some deadly consequences. Because of this the Hawklord requires her to wear a bracer that tamps down her powers.
When the murders begin again, Kaylin must face her childhood home in the fiefs. The fiefs are a poor area run by an outcaste Barrani named Nightshade. Lord Nightshade is in charge of the fief and even though he is an outlaw, the Lords of Law do not mess with him. He gifts Kaylin with a mark on her cheek. It is a nightshade flower. The Barrani can see this mark even if Kaylin tried to hide it. This mark protects in within Nightshade but puts her in danger outside of it.
To help Kaylin find the culprit behind the murders, she is forced with work with a Dragon and Severn. Severn betrayed Kaylin in the worst way even though he did what was necessary at the time. I will not reveal that detail either. Because of what he did, Kaylin doesn't trust him. She can't help but feel their old companionship because Severn was part of her life for so long. I find it funny that the first time she sees him she basically tries to kill him.
I really liked this book but for some reason it took me awhile to review it. I don't know why but oh well. I will reread it sometime in the future. I like to reread because I know I miss things. I would recommend this book. My only problem is that you don't really get a full explanation of the world of Elantra. It's difficult to figure things out sometimes. I feel that there should have been more of an introduction. I like that we are dropped into the middle of the story. I would have at least liked a glossary. J.R. Ward has that in her books and it's quite useful.
optomkg423's review
3.0
The beginning of this book was way too confusing. I felt like there were huge holes in the story that disrupted the flow and made me think way too much. I'm glad that some of it was resolved in the end, but I felt like there needed to be another book before this one for me to keep on track. Overall I liked the book, but it was very hard for me to stay on track with it.