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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
I love fantasy (which it appears to be), romance (which it also appears to be), personality conflicts and misunderstandings (which it appears to have), and conceited men (which Shintaro Karish simply must be). Appearances are deceptive sometime.
The fantasy's there certainly. Shintaro "Taro" Karish and Dunleavy "Lee" Mallorough are Source and Shield respectively--basically magic users, one an active channeler and the other the channeler's protector, who intervene with nature when frequent disasters strike their geologically unstable locale. Pairs are bonded for life (and one's continued existence depends on the other's), but unfortunately they don't have so much choice in the matter of who their better half gets to be. Lee got stuck with Taro, which is absolutely the last thing she wanted. It's a perfect setup for a "meet cute" romance, but it's not because Lee just won't let it happen. We'll ignore the fact that Pairs aren't supposed to hook up. Lee just won't let it happen.
There are personality conflicts and misunderstandings to be sure. There's just not enough, or, rather, they're not reasoned enough or spectacular enough. The book is told from Lee's POV, and she really doesn't like Taro. The excellent reasons she must have for such animosity? Rumors. Rumors that are never substantiated by the text. Taro is nothing at all like the Gaston wannabe there on the cover. He'd never get Lee to shine his shoes (I don't think he'd ask even if Lee'd go for it, not that she would), and I can't even imagine him striking that pose. He's a nice guy who just happens to be wealthy and extra pretty. In short, he's an innocent victim of prejudice against the popular kid.
And yet I liked it quite a bit. It's an easy breezy book with an interesting but not brain taxing plot about trying to figure out why the natural disasters are increasing in one specific location. It's also quite witty at times. Lee can be delightfully sarcastic; she just needs to adjust her perception of reality to actually reflect realty. She is working on it, just slowly.
The fantasy's there certainly. Shintaro "Taro" Karish and Dunleavy "Lee" Mallorough are Source and Shield respectively--basically magic users, one an active channeler and the other the channeler's protector, who intervene with nature when frequent disasters strike their geologically unstable locale. Pairs are bonded for life (and one's continued existence depends on the other's), but unfortunately they don't have so much choice in the matter of who their better half gets to be. Lee got stuck with Taro, which is absolutely the last thing she wanted. It's a perfect setup for a "meet cute" romance, but it's not because Lee just won't let it happen. We'll ignore the fact that Pairs aren't supposed to hook up. Lee just won't let it happen.
There are personality conflicts and misunderstandings to be sure. There's just not enough, or, rather, they're not reasoned enough or spectacular enough. The book is told from Lee's POV, and she really doesn't like Taro. The excellent reasons she must have for such animosity? Rumors. Rumors that are never substantiated by the text. Taro is nothing at all like the Gaston wannabe there on the cover. He'd never get Lee to shine his shoes (I don't think he'd ask even if Lee'd go for it, not that she would), and I can't even imagine him striking that pose. He's a nice guy who just happens to be wealthy and extra pretty. In short, he's an innocent victim of prejudice against the popular kid.
And yet I liked it quite a bit. It's an easy breezy book with an interesting but not brain taxing plot about trying to figure out why the natural disasters are increasing in one specific location. It's also quite witty at times. Lee can be delightfully sarcastic; she just needs to adjust her perception of reality to actually reflect realty. She is working on it, just slowly.
This was a really fun read!I'm actually pretty surprise by how much I enjoy it.
This was a different fantasy from what I'm use too. No big fighting intense magic fight. As the power are less about the flare and more about the feeling. The characters were a also different from what I'm use to. Especially Dunleavy. She is not the normal kind of main fantasy character. She is witty, but doesn't always open her mouth. She knows that sometimes it's better to just ignore people and let them talk without fighting them. A concept that I should probably use myself in life. She is not shy, but doesn't like attention. She tries not to have argument and doesn't like to pry, which I think is what put her apart from most MC. She is very flawed, which is always something I love in a character.
As you can tell, I love her quite a bit.
The other characters were also complex enough to keep me interested in them. I love how slow the relationship between the 2 characters is. We still have a long way to go and I'll enjoy every step of the way to get that sweet sweet trust that they will build.
Now the magic system. As I said it's not explosive or anything, but the Source/Shield is unique and fascinating. The organization that makes them what they are is also interesting and complex. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of them and their fishy work.
This was a different fantasy from what I'm use too. No big fighting intense magic fight. As the power are less about the flare and more about the feeling. The characters were a also different from what I'm use to. Especially Dunleavy. She is not the normal kind of main fantasy character. She is witty, but doesn't always open her mouth. She knows that sometimes it's better to just ignore people and let them talk without fighting them. A concept that I should probably use myself in life. She is not shy, but doesn't like attention. She tries not to have argument and doesn't like to pry, which I think is what put her apart from most MC. She is very flawed, which is always something I love in a character.
As you can tell, I love her quite a bit.
The other characters were also complex enough to keep me interested in them. I love how slow the relationship between the 2 characters is. We still have a long way to go and I'll enjoy every step of the way to get that sweet sweet trust that they will build.
Now the magic system. As I said it's not explosive or anything, but the Source/Shield is unique and fascinating. The organization that makes them what they are is also interesting and complex. I'm really looking forward to seeing more of them and their fishy work.
i liked the premise and i very much enjoyed our leads but i was kind of meh about everything else? but then again was super tired while i was reading this so that could have effected my feelings on the book as a whole? also, i wish this was in 3rd person pov rather than in 1st person.
Summary: Dunleavy or Lee has been training to be a Shield her whole life. All she wants is to be bonded with a nice reliable Source. Instead she gets Lord Shintaro Karish (Taro), the Stallion of Triple S. They are assigned to the most high profile area in the land where an inexplicable disaster strikes down all of the other Pairs. Lee and Taro must work together to save everyone.
Thoughts: I was really excited about this; I'd seen good reviews and I liked the covers of the series (yes, I judge books by their covers-so do you probably!) I mostly liked the characters and there was a fair bit of humor. I enjoyed the world created by Moore and I was interested in the mystery behind this. Karish is a Source which means he can channel the tremendous forces such as earthquakes and tornadoes which afflict the world and Lee is a Shield which means she protects him from dying as he does that. I definitely see potential for this story to grow and develop in the next books. But overall it just seemed really choppy, like characters would change from chapter to chapter and tone inexplicably shifted. This definitely hurt my enjoyment of the story.
Lee was a little annoying admittedly; she carries enormous guilt for something that is not her fault and she is awfully prejudiced toward Taro. Taro is very charming and I liked seeing his efforts to prove himself as an ordinary Source rather than as a Lord. Their interactions together were my favorite part.
There is a mystery here-what is up with that force that strikes down all of the other pairs? But it is weird, is the best way I can describe it. I don't want to spoil it for anyone but that was definitely the part I had the most trouble with.
Overall: 3.5/5. While I was disappointed, I still plan to try to read the rest of the series as soon as I can get them.
Cover: Cute. I don't feel it accurately portrays the plot of the novel although it is relevant, if that makes sense.
Thoughts: I was really excited about this; I'd seen good reviews and I liked the covers of the series (yes, I judge books by their covers-so do you probably!) I mostly liked the characters and there was a fair bit of humor. I enjoyed the world created by Moore and I was interested in the mystery behind this. Karish is a Source which means he can channel the tremendous forces such as earthquakes and tornadoes which afflict the world and Lee is a Shield which means she protects him from dying as he does that. I definitely see potential for this story to grow and develop in the next books. But overall it just seemed really choppy, like characters would change from chapter to chapter and tone inexplicably shifted. This definitely hurt my enjoyment of the story.
Lee was a little annoying admittedly; she carries enormous guilt for something that is not her fault and she is awfully prejudiced toward Taro. Taro is very charming and I liked seeing his efforts to prove himself as an ordinary Source rather than as a Lord. Their interactions together were my favorite part.
There is a mystery here-what is up with that force that strikes down all of the other pairs? But it is weird, is the best way I can describe it. I don't want to spoil it for anyone but that was definitely the part I had the most trouble with.
Overall: 3.5/5. While I was disappointed, I still plan to try to read the rest of the series as soon as I can get them.
Cover: Cute. I don't feel it accurately portrays the plot of the novel although it is relevant, if that makes sense.
Though I'd been wanting to read this for a while I didn't have hugely high expectations because of the cover. Turns out that was wrong.
This book was a quick easy read that draws you into a fascinating world with fun characters. Some of the twists might be a little obvious but I really enjoyed it.
This book was a quick easy read that draws you into a fascinating world with fun characters. Some of the twists might be a little obvious but I really enjoyed it.
3.5 Stars
As many other reviewers had mentioned, the hideously corny title and cover of this book belie its contents. The plot was twisty, the world-building innovative, and Taro was quite the swoonworthy hero. So much so that Lee, despite being the heroine and usually having good intentions, came across as unlikeable as she griped about him. I can't put my finger on what exactly was so engaging about this book, except that it was a good balance of adventure and mystery with a hint of romance that I strongly rooted for.
As many other reviewers had mentioned, the hideously corny title and cover of this book belie its contents. The plot was twisty, the world-building innovative, and Taro was quite the swoonworthy hero. So much so that Lee, despite being the heroine and usually having good intentions, came across as unlikeable as she griped about him. I can't put my finger on what exactly was so engaging about this book, except that it was a good balance of adventure and mystery with a hint of romance that I strongly rooted for.
This book and entire series is entirely underrated. The cover art as well as tagline are the worst possible representation of the story. I'm mostly convinced the artist was given an extremely unfaithful summary of the story and characters.
That being said, the world building of this book and characters is so well done. It's an interesting, unusual concept for a fantasy world and the characters are real enough to feel close to home. Moira J. Moore always does a great job of placing the reader in her world without just giving them a written summary of events and history. Instead, she allows the characters to tell their world's story and sprinkles details throughout in a natural way. Too often, fantasy or sci-fi authors feel the need for a preamble from our main character to tell us how we got here instead of letting it be told organically.
Lee is a strong, interesting main character because the reader will not always agree with her opinions or actions, and that doesn't stop Moore from writing her that way. This makes her feel very real and relatable. I first read this book as a teenager who thought I didn't like female main characters, and this book made me realize that isn't true--I just don't like authors who can't give female characters a fair shake. It changed how I approach books with female protagonists and all because Lee is so visceral and believable.
All in all, this is one of my absolute favorite fantasy series and it should be appreciated by anyone who enjoys a light, fun story with wonderful and heroic characters.
That being said, the world building of this book and characters is so well done. It's an interesting, unusual concept for a fantasy world and the characters are real enough to feel close to home. Moira J. Moore always does a great job of placing the reader in her world without just giving them a written summary of events and history. Instead, she allows the characters to tell their world's story and sprinkles details throughout in a natural way. Too often, fantasy or sci-fi authors feel the need for a preamble from our main character to tell us how we got here instead of letting it be told organically.
Lee is a strong, interesting main character because the reader will not always agree with her opinions or actions, and that doesn't stop Moore from writing her that way. This makes her feel very real and relatable. I first read this book as a teenager who thought I didn't like female main characters, and this book made me realize that isn't true--I just don't like authors who can't give female characters a fair shake. It changed how I approach books with female protagonists and all because Lee is so visceral and believable.
All in all, this is one of my absolute favorite fantasy series and it should be appreciated by anyone who enjoys a light, fun story with wonderful and heroic characters.
Resenting the Hero by Moira J. Moore is a book in the fantasy genre, one in which I was unimpressed.
This book was not at all what I had anticipated it to be. I thought it would be an interesting romantic fantasy book with lovable characters and an intriguing premise of a connection between Source and Shield (which I'm still a little confused on what those actually are). However, I was very disappointed in the writing, it seemed confusing and the author's thoughts kept jumping around until I was unsure of what I was reading. I didn't care of either character, Dunleavy or Kintaro and I couldn't even finish the book because neither character had significant depth.
I was expecting a lot more from this book and thought it would be a new series I would love to continue, but alas I was wrong.
This book was not at all what I had anticipated it to be. I thought it would be an interesting romantic fantasy book with lovable characters and an intriguing premise of a connection between Source and Shield (which I'm still a little confused on what those actually are). However, I was very disappointed in the writing, it seemed confusing and the author's thoughts kept jumping around until I was unsure of what I was reading. I didn't care of either character, Dunleavy or Kintaro and I couldn't even finish the book because neither character had significant depth.
I was expecting a lot more from this book and thought it would be a new series I would love to continue, but alas I was wrong.
The first time I read this series was in 2013. I remember that the first book wasn’t my favorite but I was intrigued enough to keep going. And I remember that I LOVED the rest of the series.
Fast forward 6 years and I realized that I remember loving the series but couldn’t remember much about it. Time for a reread!
I am very particular about fantasy books. I don’t have the attention span to wade through the old fashioned info dump world building that a lot of fantasy novels start with. I get bored and wander off to something easier. So I often find myself craving a fast moving fantasy series that will just pull me in from the first line and I won’t get bored when the world building slips in.
This book and series is great at that! It is a unique world with characters you can fall in love with. You fall into them easily, and am very invested in their growth. I’m so excited to keep reading.
This is one of those series that does not get enough love. Please check it out. If you are craving a good fantasy to fall in love with, you’ve found it!
Fast forward 6 years and I realized that I remember loving the series but couldn’t remember much about it. Time for a reread!
I am very particular about fantasy books. I don’t have the attention span to wade through the old fashioned info dump world building that a lot of fantasy novels start with. I get bored and wander off to something easier. So I often find myself craving a fast moving fantasy series that will just pull me in from the first line and I won’t get bored when the world building slips in.
This book and series is great at that! It is a unique world with characters you can fall in love with. You fall into them easily, and am very invested in their growth. I’m so excited to keep reading.
This is one of those series that does not get enough love. Please check it out. If you are craving a good fantasy to fall in love with, you’ve found it!
This was an interesting little book that had a very intriguing premise. Though I must say the actual execution was a bit less exciting. The book wasn't terrible, but I don't feel that the blurb explaining what to expect was entirely truthful.
Also the main character was a bit annoying. She was absurdly slow on the uptake and didn't do a whole lot other than being in the right place at the right time. Being in her head was also not really much of a joy.
Overall I feel a general sense of 'mehness' about the book. It wasn't bad by any means, but not quite what I'd been expecting either. And what I'd been expecting left me slightly disappointed with the end result.
The world seemed interesting though, if not entirely fleshed out.
Also the main character was a bit annoying. She was absurdly slow on the uptake and didn't do a whole lot other than being in the right place at the right time. Being in her head was also not really much of a joy.
Overall I feel a general sense of 'mehness' about the book. It wasn't bad by any means, but not quite what I'd been expecting either. And what I'd been expecting left me slightly disappointed with the end result.
The world seemed interesting though, if not entirely fleshed out.