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cnidariar3x's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
slow-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
3.25
Read this once when I was 12. Loved it. I wanted to be Thirrin so badly, she was my favorite literary character.
Rereading over a decade later, it's definitely not as great as I remembered. However, there was a lot that was better than expected.
For one, Im very glad the two mains didnt kiss. Theres some playful, young flirting for sure, but it feels refreshing whenever a relationship like this is left ambiguous.
The villain is compelling through all his hubris and ambition.
The Oak and Holly King? Phenomenal. Love them.
The battle scenes are also well done. Some take place over a few in-story hours, while others over days. All are treated with weight, nothing is taken for granted. Its clear the author has studied military history, because all mention od manoeuvers, phalanx, regiments etc. are meticulously structured like clockwork.
The downsides are more apparent reading as an adult. It seemed whenever Thirrin did anything around her troops/people they would cheer. This happens often enough to break immersion. It seemed a few times like they exist as a device to build up their Queen rather than expressing their own emotions.
Thirrin made alliances WAY too easily. While I loved how successful and confident I thought this was when I was younger (she always knows the right thing to say) it just seemed like all the alliances were formed over like 2 pages. Possibly an easy out by the author, but I would have loved more diplomatic problem-solving and interpersonal obstacles.
Perhaps Im just used to non-YA writing though.
I only cant let the former point go because the majority of the mid-section consists of the two mains travelling all over the North in order to gain allies. I would have loved if, for example, Thirrin had to overcome a deeply held prejudice, or gain the trust of the Leopards by developing some new tactic in their Troll War.
Again, maybe YA simply isnt the avenue for this, but idk.
All that being said, Im still glad I went out of my way to reread this. It means a lot to me, despite its flaws. This book got me out of a reading slump while I was young and I will always treasure how it reignited my love for reading.
Rereading over a decade later, it's definitely not as great as I remembered. However, there was a lot that was better than expected.
For one, Im very glad the two mains didnt kiss. Theres some playful, young flirting for sure, but it feels refreshing whenever a relationship like this is left ambiguous.
The villain is compelling through all his hubris and ambition.
The Oak and Holly King? Phenomenal. Love them.
The battle scenes are also well done. Some take place over a few in-story hours, while others over days. All are treated with weight, nothing is taken for granted. Its clear the author has studied military history, because all mention od manoeuvers, phalanx, regiments etc. are meticulously structured like clockwork.
The downsides are more apparent reading as an adult. It seemed whenever Thirrin did anything around her troops/people they would cheer. This happens often enough to break immersion. It seemed a few times like they exist as a device to build up their Queen rather than expressing their own emotions.
Thirrin made alliances WAY too easily. While I loved how successful and confident I thought this was when I was younger (she always knows the right thing to say) it just seemed like all the alliances were formed over like 2 pages. Possibly an easy out by the author, but I would have loved more diplomatic problem-solving and interpersonal obstacles.
Perhaps Im just used to non-YA writing though.
I only cant let the former point go because the majority of the mid-section consists of the two mains travelling all over the North in order to gain allies. I would have loved if, for example, Thirrin had to overcome a deeply held prejudice, or gain the trust of the Leopards by developing some new tactic in their Troll War.
Again, maybe YA simply isnt the avenue for this, but idk.
All that being said, Im still glad I went out of my way to reread this. It means a lot to me, despite its flaws. This book got me out of a reading slump while I was young and I will always treasure how it reignited my love for reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, Animal death, and Blood
Minor: Xenophobia, Alcohol, and Colonisation
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