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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
ros_lanta's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
The first time I read this book, I'm fairly sure I would have rated it a lot lower. Following on from the action-packed, pretty much perfect The Stone Key, this originally felt unsatisfying, with much less happening in comparison. It is not difficult to tell that originally the story was intended to be the first half of a novel, building up to a climax which doesn't actually come until the next and final book, The Red Queen. It's a fairly slow book and at times bleak.
On rereading the book though, I absolutely love it. When read as part of the full series, with the next book available to pick up straight away, it works. There are character developments that I love to see, and Elspeth's quest - anticipated through most of the series - finally begins. It's not a perfect book - I think 100-200 pages could have easily been trimmed without adversely impacting the story - but it is a good one. I ended it desperate to continue on and reread The Red Queen.
In many ways the Obernewtyn Chronicles aged with the main character (and with those of us readers who discovered it as children). Not only do the books increase in length and plot complexity, they get darker and examine more adult issues, and this is very apparent here. While the books have always been set in a dystopia, with darker topics referenced, the earlier books could easily be read by preteens; I would not recommend that for either The Stone Key or The Sending, which both fall far more towards the older end of YA. Carmody generally handles these topics well.
On rereading the book though, I absolutely love it. When read as part of the full series, with the next book available to pick up straight away, it works. There are character developments that I love to see, and Elspeth's quest - anticipated through most of the series - finally begins. It's not a perfect book - I think 100-200 pages could have easily been trimmed without adversely impacting the story - but it is a good one. I ended it desperate to continue on and reread The Red Queen.
In many ways the Obernewtyn Chronicles aged with the main character (and with those of us readers who discovered it as children). Not only do the books increase in length and plot complexity, they get darker and examine more adult issues, and this is very apparent here. While the books have always been set in a dystopia, with darker topics referenced, the earlier books could easily be read by preteens; I would not recommend that for either The Stone Key or The Sending, which both fall far more towards the older end of YA. Carmody generally handles these topics well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual assault, Violence, and Pedophilia
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