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cactusbby's review against another edition
It was just boring, wasn’t emotionally invested in the plot/characters
partypenguin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.5
chellebellereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
3.75
qkat's review against another edition
3.0
A basic YA fantasy that was just fine. It was nothing spectacular. Not horrible. 3 stars.
loveann1220's review against another edition
2.0
The first half was a bit slow, but I don't mind that as I love worldbuilding. That this didn't really have. I was also left with so many questions about the storm. And I suspect a lot of the questions I have pertaining to the storm will not be answered later. There was no reason for me to believe that they knew anything factual about the storm. Because they weren't asking any questions or studying it! They only question that was continually asked about the storm was, "How do we stop it?". That's it. Nothing about the cursed or the different curses or what happens to the cursed. Are all the curses physical? I have no idea. No questions about where it came from, what is inside of it (besides the creatures, which btw, where do THEY come from?). The only focus is on the ikons, which are like magical runes. It's their magic source, which I have even more questions about.
But then the second half felt so rushed, I was confused and couldn't keep up with the story. Also, the last like 5 pages?! Dalca just, what, changed his mind all of a sudden? So much happened, but there was almost no build-up, so it wasn't impactful. Much like my feelings toward the characters.
But I did like the writing style and the idea overall, I was getting Brandon Sanderson vibes from the storm (Stormlight Archive) and the ikons (Elantris). I just wish it was executed better and that I wasn't left with so many unanswered questions that I feel will never be answered.
As of right now, I am unsure if I will continue with the series.
But then the second half felt so rushed, I was confused and couldn't keep up with the story. Also, the last like 5 pages?! Dalca just, what, changed his mind all of a sudden? So much happened, but there was almost no build-up, so it wasn't impactful. Much like my feelings toward the characters.
But I did like the writing style and the idea overall, I was getting Brandon Sanderson vibes from the storm (Stormlight Archive) and the ikons (Elantris). I just wish it was executed better and that I wasn't left with so many unanswered questions that I feel will never be answered.
As of right now, I am unsure if I will continue with the series.
lambsbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Not only was this story super unique but it was amazing
pigsandbooks's review against another edition
2.0
Sooo boring I couldn’t get into it sorry! Now I know I’ve been saying this after I’ve finished a book for the last couple months now but..I hope the next book I read will be way better than this!
jonisbookquest's review against another edition
2.0
I think someone gave the author the challenge to write the most generic, boring YA she could come up with.
isnoyafantasy's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.75
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think I've ever doubted about getting a book this long and this often as I've done with this book. One version of the cover is the kind of cover that made me think this was no story for me. However, when I saw the other version of the cover I was instantly intrigued. Eventually I decided to just give this book a chance. The worst that could happen, after all, was that I in the end wouldn't really like it.
The beginning of the book is insanely strong. I really liked the way the author introduced the world to us and how I never got the feeling there were loads of info-dumps or lengthy explanations. Sometimes that meant that it took me a while to fully understand something, but it also made me feel like I was really dropped into a strange world and exploring. The middle dragged a little though, but once I reached the finale I couldn't put the book down.
What I liked about this book is the emotional writing style. It's clear that this book focusses on what the characters feel, what they think of the world around them, what they want and need and long for. I can imagine that some people might therefore think the prose is a little too repetitive and flowery, but I really loved how the author made us feel all those emotions too. I was there with those characters, living this story and feeling all these things.
I also really loved how the story eventually ended and how everything was explained. I already had an inkling that this might be where the story was going at some point, but the execution was amazingly well done. I'm also really curious what's waiting for us in the next book. Because at first glance it seems that a lot of issues are solved, but I'm pretty sure this is only the beginning of the solution. I already got an arc via Netgalley and I can't wait to dive in.
The beginning of the book is insanely strong. I really liked the way the author introduced the world to us and how I never got the feeling there were loads of info-dumps or lengthy explanations. Sometimes that meant that it took me a while to fully understand something, but it also made me feel like I was really dropped into a strange world and exploring. The middle dragged a little though, but once I reached the finale I couldn't put the book down.
What I liked about this book is the emotional writing style. It's clear that this book focusses on what the characters feel, what they think of the world around them, what they want and need and long for. I can imagine that some people might therefore think the prose is a little too repetitive and flowery, but I really loved how the author made us feel all those emotions too. I was there with those characters, living this story and feeling all these things.
I also really loved how the story eventually ended and how everything was explained. I already had an inkling that this might be where the story was going at some point, but the execution was amazingly well done. I'm also really curious what's waiting for us in the next book. Because at first glance it seems that a lot of issues are solved, but I'm pretty sure this is only the beginning of the solution. I already got an arc via Netgalley and I can't wait to dive in.