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lycaonia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
knitreadkate's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
The Sending" by Isobelle Carmody, the sixth installment in the "Obernewtyn Chronicles" series, left me with mixed feelings. While technically shorter than its predecessors, the pacing made it feel much longer, and I found myself struggling to engage with the story.
For the first 65% of the book, very little seemed to happen, with much of the focus on the buildup between Elspeth and Rushton, only to have Elspeth abruptly leave without explanation just as Rushton seeks to bond with her. This left me feeling frustrated and disappointed, particularly with Elspeth's decision to leave Obernewtyn and abandon the bond wreath, leaving poor Rushton behind.
Despite the slow start, I did enjoy the moments shared between Elspeth and Rushton, as well as the surprises encountered during Elspeth's journey in the mountains and her interactions with Dragon.
One aspect that particularly irked me was the flippant mention of Malik's death, which felt abrupt and lacked the depth it deserved. It was unsettling to learn of such a significant event in passing, especially considering the lack of information provided in the preceding pages.
While there were certainly important elements in the book, they felt overshadowed by the slow pacing and unnecessary filler. It seemed as though the story could have been condensed into a shorter length without losing its impact, serving as a bridge between the action-packed previous installment and the anticipated conclusion of the series.
In conclusion, "The Sending" serves as a mixed bag within the "Obernewtyn Chronicles" series, with moments of intrigue and character development overshadowed by pacing issues and filler content. Despite its flaws, fans of the series may still find enjoyment in exploring Elspeth's continued journey, albeit with tempered expectations.
For the first 65% of the book, very little seemed to happen, with much of the focus on the buildup between Elspeth and Rushton, only to have Elspeth abruptly leave without explanation just as Rushton seeks to bond with her. This left me feeling frustrated and disappointed, particularly with Elspeth's decision to leave Obernewtyn and abandon the bond wreath, leaving poor Rushton behind.
Despite the slow start, I did enjoy the moments shared between Elspeth and Rushton, as well as the surprises encountered during Elspeth's journey in the mountains and her interactions with Dragon.
One aspect that particularly irked me was the flippant mention of Malik's death, which felt abrupt and lacked the depth it deserved. It was unsettling to learn of such a significant event in passing, especially considering the lack of information provided in the preceding pages.
While there were certainly important elements in the book, they felt overshadowed by the slow pacing and unnecessary filler. It seemed as though the story could have been condensed into a shorter length without losing its impact, serving as a bridge between the action-packed previous installment and the anticipated conclusion of the series.
In conclusion, "The Sending" serves as a mixed bag within the "Obernewtyn Chronicles" series, with moments of intrigue and character development overshadowed by pacing issues and filler content. Despite its flaws, fans of the series may still find enjoyment in exploring Elspeth's continued journey, albeit with tempered expectations.
wildlyminiaturesandwich's review against another edition
2.0
I have literally been reading this series for half of my life. I first started Obernewtyn when a friend gave it to me for my 16th birthday in 2000 and now, 16 years later, I'm finally on the last book.
It hasn't taken me this long to read the books though. Oh no, I finished the first four books within a few weeks of starting the series. Then of course I had to wait eight years for book five, which meant that by the time it came out I'd forgotten what happened in the first four and had to re-read them again before reading five. After another three year wait for this book, book six, I bought it ... and put it on the bookshelf.
You see, I assumed I was going to have to re-read the entire series yet again before starting The Sending because after three years I'd forgotten most of it. I was busy, I was reading other books, I didn't have time to get invested in the series all over again, I wasn't even sure why I liked the series any more ... Basically, I just REALLY didn't want to re-read them all again.
So the book sat there gathering dust for five years. Of course, it's only now after finally reading the sixth book that I realise there was absolutely no need to re-read the first five because this one has the entire story all crammed into the first half of the damn thing! I am not even kidding, someone who has never read any of these books could easily start with this book and not be lost at all.
After re-reading the first five books again (why!), I started reading The Sending at the end of May ... and have only just finished it now in the middle of July. The first time I tried to read it, I got about 30 pages in and was so bored I actually fell asleep, so I gave up and moved onto another series. I finished the entire Selection series (five books) before coming back to try again but once again I got another 40-50 pages in and gave up in tired frustration. This time I finished seven other books before coming back and I only came back to the The Sending because I had nothing else to read. By then I was determined to just finish the damn book whether I liked it or not.
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
I'm not gonna lie, I skipped MANY pages in the first half of the book. Even if I hadn't just re-read the entire series I still would have because it was just so frustratingly slow. I swear, snails move faster than the pace of the this book.
As I've mentioned, the whole first half of the book is literally just Elspeth wondering around Obernewtyn thinking about everything that happened in the first five books, moping about the fact that Rushton isn't there, and waiting to be summoned to go on her quest. Parts of it weren't even things that had happened in the first few books but just stuff thrown in by Carmody to obviously fill space. Elspeth repeats herself over and over again to the point where I wanted to tear pages out of the book and burn them!
The only interesting part in the first half of the book, in my opinion, was the fact that Elspeth and Rushton finally managed to get passed all of their fears and be intimate for the first time and even that was boring. After essentially "growing up" with Elspeth, watching her struggle to overcome her inner demons, crying with her as she intended to give in to her own death when Rushton was attacking her; I was looking forward to the moment ... Only to have it all fall flat and read as incredibly boring as the rest of the first half of the book. Sad.
The next quarter of the book is pretty much just Elspeth, Maruman, and Gahltha trekking through the high mountains with — surprise, surprise — nothing but Elspeth's thoughts to keep you entertained. Nothing truly interesting happens in this part of the book, unless of course you happen to find cantankerous, silent companions and barren, windy mountains interesting. If that's the case you're in for a treat as Elspeth describes it all in brain-meltingly vivid detail.
Elspeth eventually meets up with some long-lost friends and new companions in the mountains and that's when things start to become a little more interesting. And I do mean only a LITTLE more interesting. The last quarter of the book is very much the same as the previous one except there is more people talking ... too bad that talk is all centred around Elspeth YET AGAIN going over what happened in the first five books!
It's only really in the last few pages of the book, when things start to go horribly, predictably wrong that I found I wasn't having to force myself to read the book any more. And it's only because of that little bit of interest that I have even bothered to pick up the last book, even though I've heard it's worse than this one ... Well that tiny bit of interest and the fact that I've already wasted 16 years on this series and I just want it to be over.
Which is truly sad because I actually enjoyed the first half of the series, only to have it ruined by the last few books.
It hasn't taken me this long to read the books though. Oh no, I finished the first four books within a few weeks of starting the series. Then of course I had to wait eight years for book five, which meant that by the time it came out I'd forgotten what happened in the first four and had to re-read them again before reading five. After another three year wait for this book, book six, I bought it ... and put it on the bookshelf.
You see, I assumed I was going to have to re-read the entire series yet again before starting The Sending because after three years I'd forgotten most of it. I was busy, I was reading other books, I didn't have time to get invested in the series all over again, I wasn't even sure why I liked the series any more ... Basically, I just REALLY didn't want to re-read them all again.
So the book sat there gathering dust for five years. Of course, it's only now after finally reading the sixth book that I realise there was absolutely no need to re-read the first five because this one has the entire story all crammed into the first half of the damn thing! I am not even kidding, someone who has never read any of these books could easily start with this book and not be lost at all.
After re-reading the first five books again (why!), I started reading The Sending at the end of May ... and have only just finished it now in the middle of July. The first time I tried to read it, I got about 30 pages in and was so bored I actually fell asleep, so I gave up and moved onto another series. I finished the entire Selection series (five books) before coming back to try again but once again I got another 40-50 pages in and gave up in tired frustration. This time I finished seven other books before coming back and I only came back to the The Sending because I had nothing else to read. By then I was determined to just finish the damn book whether I liked it or not.
***SPOILERS AHEAD***
I'm not gonna lie, I skipped MANY pages in the first half of the book. Even if I hadn't just re-read the entire series I still would have because it was just so frustratingly slow. I swear, snails move faster than the pace of the this book.
As I've mentioned, the whole first half of the book is literally just Elspeth wondering around Obernewtyn thinking about everything that happened in the first five books, moping about the fact that Rushton isn't there, and waiting to be summoned to go on her quest. Parts of it weren't even things that had happened in the first few books but just stuff thrown in by Carmody to obviously fill space. Elspeth repeats herself over and over again to the point where I wanted to tear pages out of the book and burn them!
The only interesting part in the first half of the book, in my opinion, was the fact that Elspeth and Rushton finally managed to get passed all of their fears and be intimate for the first time and even that was boring. After essentially "growing up" with Elspeth, watching her struggle to overcome her inner demons, crying with her as she intended to give in to her own death when Rushton was attacking her; I was looking forward to the moment ... Only to have it all fall flat and read as incredibly boring as the rest of the first half of the book. Sad.
The next quarter of the book is pretty much just Elspeth, Maruman, and Gahltha trekking through the high mountains with — surprise, surprise — nothing but Elspeth's thoughts to keep you entertained. Nothing truly interesting happens in this part of the book, unless of course you happen to find cantankerous, silent companions and barren, windy mountains interesting. If that's the case you're in for a treat as Elspeth describes it all in brain-meltingly vivid detail.
Elspeth eventually meets up with some long-lost friends and new companions in the mountains and that's when things start to become a little more interesting. And I do mean only a LITTLE more interesting. The last quarter of the book is very much the same as the previous one except there is more people talking ... too bad that talk is all centred around Elspeth YET AGAIN going over what happened in the first five books!
It's only really in the last few pages of the book, when things start to go horribly, predictably wrong that I found I wasn't having to force myself to read the book any more. And it's only because of that little bit of interest that I have even bothered to pick up the last book, even though I've heard it's worse than this one ... Well that tiny bit of interest and the fact that I've already wasted 16 years on this series and I just want it to be over.
Which is truly sad because I actually enjoyed the first half of the series, only to have it ruined by the last few books.
chloejayne98's review against another edition
4.0
This series has been with me since I was 12, and yes sometimes the writing can be long-winded and dull, but Isobelle Carmody weaves an intricate story full of lovable and endearing characters that captivates me in such a way that this series is one of my favourite series.
gattolinos_nerdy_nook's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-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
4.0
I love how this book is bringing all the companions together. Seeing how each person interacts with one another and the environment brings a different perspective to the group.
Everyone was wonderful and I really enjoyed how the story progressed and really pick up with help. You can feel how close they are to the end of the quest.
I cannot wait until the final book.
Everyone was wonderful and I really enjoyed how the story progressed and really pick up with help. You can feel how close they are to the end of the quest.
I cannot wait until the final book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault
charlmax's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
roxyc's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Books 1-4 were brilliant and hooked me. I loved all the characters and the interwoven storylines.
But books 5&6 have been more of a struggle for me. So much filler, and painfully slow.
These books are massive, but could easily be pared down to a less intimidating size without losing anything. They could even be more engaging in a more concise form. But I'm invested in this series now and Rushton is a favourite, i need to know how it ends. However, it is difficult not to give in to the temptation to skim over a lot of it.
But books 5&6 have been more of a struggle for me. So much filler, and painfully slow.
These books are massive, but could easily be pared down to a less intimidating size without losing anything. They could even be more engaging in a more concise form. But I'm invested in this series now and Rushton is a favourite, i need to know how it ends. However, it is difficult not to give in to the temptation to skim over a lot of it.
rori_scarlet's review against another edition
5.0
I would give it 4 stars because it broke my heart but since it was able to make me feel so much it deserves 5 stars.
aceymtaylor's review against another edition
5.0
Such an amazing series and this book.... I absolutely loved it even if I wanted to slap some of the chars for the some of their actions even if they had no choice in them. Everyone seriously needs to go read it (or the entire series if you haven't!)