Scan barcode
greene_house_gases's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
chloejaynne's review
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.
jessermac's review
3.0
This exceeded my expectations and I enjoyed it so much more than The Stone Key. I would have given it four stars if Isobelle had just trimmed the fat a little - the first four hundred pages or so really could have been edited down to two hundred max with all the important bits intact (sparing us from tiresome descriptions of all the meals and spiced buns that Elspeth always seemed to be eating.)
The last third of the book picked up significantly once the quest really got underway - this is what I have been waiting for since all the way back at the end of 'Ashling'.
I have been waiting impatiently for the reappearance of Darga, and for some further clues to the mystery of Straaka and Miryum, so this book filled that need very well. I was surprised at the reveal of Elspeth's entourage at Skylake (and pleased to note the presence of Sparrow and newly-buffed Dameon especially). I was happy with the rest of the entourage, including the reappearance of the Brildane, and that Dragon was back and for the most part conscious. Isobelle dealt a few blows that I didn't see coming but appreciated - the suddenness of Elspeth leaving for the mountains, and the death of Atthis.
The book read like a stop-gap to the final installment, and the cliffhanger only reinforced this view. However, that's ok. It means that the next book should start where we left off, and continue the action pretty rapidly - there will be no dallying around at Obernewtyn in the final installment.
Although Elspeth's quest is properly underway, reading this book revealed that there is still a lot of work ahead for Isobelle to finish and tie up this series. I am really excited to get there, and have renewed faith that it will actually be a satisfying conclusion. (my faith took a tumble in the huge gap between Keeping Place and Stone Key, and a further tumble after reading the Stone Key).
Side bar - THAT sex scene. For reals. I mean, Rushton is pretty dreamy and Isobelle set up a nice little cosy scenario for their 'lovemaking'. But haven't Rushton and Elspeth been together for years? I just sort of assumed all their hot spring swims and late night tower room rendezvous led to the deed. I'm cynical - I feel like Isobelle just belatedly decided that they had never had sex just to give us a scene to make their parting (or lack thereof) all the more dramatic.
The last third of the book picked up significantly once the quest really got underway - this is what I have been waiting for since all the way back at the end of 'Ashling'.
I have been waiting impatiently for the reappearance of Darga, and for some further clues to the mystery of Straaka and Miryum, so this book filled that need very well. I was surprised at the reveal of Elspeth's entourage at Skylake (and pleased to note the presence of Sparrow and newly-buffed Dameon especially). I was happy with the rest of the entourage, including the reappearance of the Brildane, and that Dragon was back and for the most part conscious. Isobelle dealt a few blows that I didn't see coming but appreciated - the suddenness of Elspeth leaving for the mountains, and the death of Atthis.
The book read like a stop-gap to the final installment, and the cliffhanger only reinforced this view. However, that's ok. It means that the next book should start where we left off, and continue the action pretty rapidly - there will be no dallying around at Obernewtyn in the final installment.
Although Elspeth's quest is properly underway, reading this book revealed that there is still a lot of work ahead for Isobelle to finish and tie up this series. I am really excited to get there, and have renewed faith that it will actually be a satisfying conclusion. (my faith took a tumble in the huge gap between Keeping Place and Stone Key, and a further tumble after reading the Stone Key).
Side bar - THAT sex scene. For reals. I mean, Rushton is pretty dreamy and Isobelle set up a nice little cosy scenario for their 'lovemaking'. But haven't Rushton and Elspeth been together for years? I just sort of assumed all their hot spring swims and late night tower room rendezvous led to the deed. I'm cynical - I feel like Isobelle just belatedly decided that they had never had sex just to give us a scene to make their parting (or lack thereof) all the more dramatic.
placesweread's review
3.0
A little bit disappointing - a lot of eating, sleeping, dreaming and traveling - but while I feel it is ramping up to a great finale, I think this book would have been more interesting if Elspeth had gone on the journey to the Red Land with the others.
meekela_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Wow my review below from like almost a decade ago is still somehow accurate. Definitely one of the stronger books in the series.
It is cruelty to make us wait for the next one.
This book was much like the others in the series in the sense that it was amazing and filled with anticipation and action and all other good stuff.
It did get a little tedious in parts but it was necessary for the story line.
It is cruelty to make us wait for the next one.
This book was much like the others in the series in the sense that it was amazing and filled with anticipation and action and all other good stuff.
It did get a little tedious in parts but it was necessary for the story line.
prisoner_of_books's review against another edition
3.0
I thought this book was amazing and I need the next book now but I don’t have it!! However the reason this book didn’t make it to a 4/5 star rating was due to how long it was. There was so much repetition of things I already new like this book felt like a giant recap the only parts that were interesting were the start and ending and a few small parts in between. It took me a month to finish this book and it was because of the slow slow pace of their travels.
Yes it was very descriptive but I just felt like we didn’t need to know all those details and read a page about each hour of the journey especially when everything was just repeating what I already knew. The only thing that made me keep on reading this books was the fact that I had skipped ahead and found out something that made me not want to miss anything l.
Although when the drawn out journey isn’t included, this book was pretty good, Carmody was able to incorporate a lot of suspense into most parts of the book (mostly the start and ending) that led me to keep on reading.
Overall I do recommend this series however I will say to prepare yourself for a recap of everything you have learnt about Elspeth’s quest and a long and very descriptive journey.
Yes it was very descriptive but I just felt like we didn’t need to know all those details and read a page about each hour of the journey especially when everything was just repeating what I already knew. The only thing that made me keep on reading this books was the fact that I had skipped ahead and found out something that made me not want to miss anything l.
Although when the drawn out journey isn’t included, this book was pretty good, Carmody was able to incorporate a lot of suspense into most parts of the book (mostly the start and ending) that led me to keep on reading.
Overall I do recommend this series however I will say to prepare yourself for a recap of everything you have learnt about Elspeth’s quest and a long and very descriptive journey.
belwau's review against another edition
I haven't read much fantasy in a while and completely forgot how much description there is. Get ready for pages and pages of mountains. Don't get me wrong, though, IC always delivers the goods but it takes about 450 pages to get to the really interesting action and I highly recommend skimming pages 356-456. The beginning had a very similar feel to The Keeping Place which is incidentally my least favourite Obernewtyn book and I can't help but feel that it would've been more fitting tacked onto the end of The Stone Key. That way it would've tied in more nicely with the whole Rushton drama so that The Sending could actually start with the sending. The last 300 or so pages are definitely worth it and, even though we've been waiting for Elspeth to be sent on her quest for a long time coming, IC should be commended on still being able to surprise. Some parts in particular really had me biting my nails in the way that only IC can make me do and she ends it on such a cliffhanger.
So for Obernewtyn fans: if you've already gotten to book six, chances are you'll devour this book regardless.
So for Obernewtyn fans: if you've already gotten to book six, chances are you'll devour this book regardless.
scrappyreadermum's review against another edition
4.0
No so sure whether is this a three or four stars. There was a lot that I felt repeated (whenever elspeth had deep thoughts.) also, I don’t feel like much actually happened.
But the writing has a way of dragging me in and I love the characters. Im sad about her and rushton having to part ways. I hope the future changes 😕
I just want to know what this all leads to. This series has been around for so long and I started the first book in year 9 or 10. I’ll keep it at four. The last book is a little daunting so I’m going to start that next year
But the writing has a way of dragging me in and I love the characters. Im sad about her and rushton having to part ways. I hope the future changes 😕
I just want to know what this all leads to. This series has been around for so long and I started the first book in year 9 or 10. I’ll keep it at four. The last book is a little daunting so I’m going to start that next year
wordmouse's review against another edition
4.0
Firstly, I have to admit to a certain bias when it comes to this series. I have been actively waiting for this book for any number of years, and I was somewhat relieved about this not being the last one. While it means that I don't get to see how it ends yet, it also means that there's more to come for me to enjoy.
The Sending was a good next chapter to the Obernewtyn series; the plot is moving along and we got to see a few old friends along the way. Finally we have a few answers about questions that have been raised from the very beginning about Elspeth's quest and how some of the clues she has spent years collecting fit together.
I alternated between devouring chapters at a time, and lingering over every paragraph as I remembered what about this series had made such a big impression on me years ago.
I have to say I hope the next one comes out soon. Although if it takes a few extra years, the series will last that much longer.
The Sending was a good next chapter to the Obernewtyn series; the plot is moving along and we got to see a few old friends along the way. Finally we have a few answers about questions that have been raised from the very beginning about Elspeth's quest and how some of the clues she has spent years collecting fit together.
I alternated between devouring chapters at a time, and lingering over every paragraph as I remembered what about this series had made such a big impression on me years ago.
I have to say I hope the next one comes out soon. Although if it takes a few extra years, the series will last that much longer.