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4.35 AVERAGE
4.35 AVERAGE
I think I'd have loved this, if I had stumbled upon it when I was thirteen and just discovered fantasy. It is the very classic style quest of the good, chosen hero against evil.
Having read a lot of fantasy since then, this just had way too many tropes for my taste, which made it very predictable.
It felt a bit like Sword in the Stone meets Tolkien meets Last Unicorn, in a decidedly YA version.
While I do love good YA, and this story was enjoyable, it just didn't grab me anywhere as much as for example Bartimaeus or Alanna did.
The morals seemed a bit too much "on top", instead of being woven into the story smoothly. The good guys are incredibly good, and the bad guy is horrendous. We only get one middle ground character, and he felt like Smeagols twin. As I do have a soft spot for Gollum I did enjoy him. I also thought the character rather well written, but the way the others interact with him felt a bit off.
The dialogue felt a bit too easy and unpolished at times, as if the characters were much younger than they actually are.
The pacing and timeline jumped around a bit, and felt disjointed in a few places.
I did however like most of the characters!
If you're not used to dragons, unicorns, mages and battles, it might be quite addictive and intriguing.
For veterans of the genre the twists will be easy to spot and guess, for newer readers there will be quite some surprising turns!
So while it didn't really work perfectly for me, I think it might be ideal for readers new to the genre, or those wanting an easy fantasy with the classic feel to it!
Having read a lot of fantasy since then, this just had way too many tropes for my taste, which made it very predictable.
It felt a bit like Sword in the Stone meets Tolkien meets Last Unicorn, in a decidedly YA version.
While I do love good YA, and this story was enjoyable, it just didn't grab me anywhere as much as for example Bartimaeus or Alanna did.
The morals seemed a bit too much "on top", instead of being woven into the story smoothly. The good guys are incredibly good, and the bad guy is horrendous. We only get one middle ground character, and he felt like Smeagols twin. As I do have a soft spot for Gollum I did enjoy him. I also thought the character rather well written, but the way the others interact with him felt a bit off.
The dialogue felt a bit too easy and unpolished at times, as if the characters were much younger than they actually are.
The pacing and timeline jumped around a bit, and felt disjointed in a few places.
I did however like most of the characters!
If you're not used to dragons, unicorns, mages and battles, it might be quite addictive and intriguing.
For veterans of the genre the twists will be easy to spot and guess, for newer readers there will be quite some surprising turns!
So while it didn't really work perfectly for me, I think it might be ideal for readers new to the genre, or those wanting an easy fantasy with the classic feel to it!
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
fast-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
Fantastic. Intriguing. I could throw around a thousand adjectives that all add up to the fact this was an amazing book, and I feel like I might be doing it justice.
On a slightly more useful note, I can tell you this is a classic high fantasy with a world shaking plot that deals with huge themes. That's an intimidating task for any author to handle, but Woodscourt does it beautifully. It's filled with great characters. Each one is interesting, evocative, and well portrayed. You care about them. You want to know what happens. This is the book that you hand to—well, EVERYONE—but if you have to be picky, you hand this book to anyone who likes classic kingdom-stirring fantasy such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, or The Sword of Truth series. Then hand it to everyone else, just to be on the safe side.
On a slightly more useful note, I can tell you this is a classic high fantasy with a world shaking plot that deals with huge themes. That's an intimidating task for any author to handle, but Woodscourt does it beautifully. It's filled with great characters. Each one is interesting, evocative, and well portrayed. You care about them. You want to know what happens. This is the book that you hand to—well, EVERYONE—but if you have to be picky, you hand this book to anyone who likes classic kingdom-stirring fantasy such as The Chronicles of Narnia, The Lord of the Rings, or The Sword of Truth series. Then hand it to everyone else, just to be on the safe side.
⚡️ Vintage epic storytelling style
⚡️ Adventure
⚡️ Hidden identities
⚡️ Lovable and creepy sidekick
⚡️ Magic is outlawed
There are a lot of elements of this book to love but my favourite thing about this books are the characters, most specifically Nathaera and Kive. Nathaera is cute and quirky and says the funniest things that made me laugh out loud several times. And Kive, my sweet, innocent, demented Kive is just so insane and creepy at times that I just want to hug him and squeeze him tight to keep him safe and make him feel loved (after making sure he knows I'm not a rat, bird or bug of course lol). I did find it hard in the beginning to connect with the story and I think that's because it's been a long time since I've experienced this unique writing style. It has a vintage, epic feel that reminds me of LOTR, so at first I may have found it difficult, but thankfully I stuck with it because I was really drawn into the plot and the twists that happen along the way and the writing style really accentuated the story! Im really excited to see where these characters go from here. I'm sure book 2 has just as many surprising twists that will keep me hooked throughout!
⚡️ Adventure
⚡️ Hidden identities
⚡️ Lovable and creepy sidekick
⚡️ Magic is outlawed
There are a lot of elements of this book to love but my favourite thing about this books are the characters, most specifically Nathaera and Kive. Nathaera is cute and quirky and says the funniest things that made me laugh out loud several times. And Kive, my sweet, innocent, demented Kive is just so insane and creepy at times that I just want to hug him and squeeze him tight to keep him safe and make him feel loved (after making sure he knows I'm not a rat, bird or bug of course lol). I did find it hard in the beginning to connect with the story and I think that's because it's been a long time since I've experienced this unique writing style. It has a vintage, epic feel that reminds me of LOTR, so at first I may have found it difficult, but thankfully I stuck with it because I was really drawn into the plot and the twists that happen along the way and the writing style really accentuated the story! Im really excited to see where these characters go from here. I'm sure book 2 has just as many surprising twists that will keep me hooked throughout!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book is, essentially, a George Washington fairytale -- a retelling of the American Revolution done in such a way that all the invigorating hope and perseverance for freedom from the best speeches of the era seemed to flood my heart as I read. Historical allusions, including the unpleasant and repulsive ones, mixed with the wonder of magic and unicorns (as well as the evil of the monstrous opposite), and the main character so beautifully channeled the spirit of President Washington that I felt that I walked with him for a time. I have an inkling that this book is going to linger with it and that I will be re-reading it, and its sequel, more than once.
I love fantasy, so this book did not disappoint! I cannot wait to read the second one! I highly recommend this book for any fantasy lover. The descriptions were so beautifully clear in my mind. The world-building was great, with terrific characters. It was such a well-written story.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've had this book quietly resting somewhere in my TBR pile for quite some time. Knowing me, I would have taken too long to finally read it if not for this reading challenge madness. I'm forever grateful.
This Coming of Age story has all the elements we love about classic Fantasy. A protagonist who is inherently good and a bit naïve. A villain who lost all traces of humanity for the sake of absolute power. Opposing kingdoms waging a long war based on falsehoods and fear. Dragons, unicorns, mages, elves. You name it!
While some argue this lacks the depth of some of the more dark and complex fantasy novels we can find nowadays, I completely disagree. Perhaps this book will fit better with a younger audience, but it didn't take anything away from its quality and how much I enjoyed it.
It's beautiful to read and imagine each place. The characters are endearing (or frustrating... or terrifying). There are some truly inspiring pieces of dialogue.
Overall (if you disregard cannibalism) this is a great story for young adults or even children. Or sentimental adults.
This Coming of Age story has all the elements we love about classic Fantasy. A protagonist who is inherently good and a bit naïve. A villain who lost all traces of humanity for the sake of absolute power. Opposing kingdoms waging a long war based on falsehoods and fear. Dragons, unicorns, mages, elves. You name it!
While some argue this lacks the depth of some of the more dark and complex fantasy novels we can find nowadays, I completely disagree. Perhaps this book will fit better with a younger audience, but it didn't take anything away from its quality and how much I enjoyed it.
It's beautiful to read and imagine each place. The characters are endearing (or frustrating... or terrifying). There are some truly inspiring pieces of dialogue.
Overall (if you disregard cannibalism) this is a great story for young adults or even children. Or sentimental adults.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
I randomly chanced upon an autographed copy of this book in an Idaho gas station, and oh how glad I am that I did!
The Crow King was such a fun read, and it was just the fantasy adventure I had been wanting. The characters are so fun (Kive <3), and I loved learning about their world and the magic within it.
I look forward to the next book!
The Crow King was such a fun read, and it was just the fantasy adventure I had been wanting. The characters are so fun (Kive <3), and I loved learning about their world and the magic within it.
I look forward to the next book!
