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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
Okay, that was fun. Should I have been bored with three people in one house for 90% of the book? Maybe. Wasn't though. I could have read several hundred pages more, if you want honesty. In fact, I loved this even more than Radiance. So take that how you will.
Loved Silhara and Martise so much. Their chemistry and how utterly besotted they were while also determined to never mention it. I just. That's my kind of angst right there.
Loved Silhara and Martise so much. Their chemistry and how utterly besotted they were while also determined to never mention it. I just. That's my kind of angst right there.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
slow-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
slow-paced
Girl is a servant/spy to a sorcerer. I need to re-read this at some point, I remember really enjoying it.
I didn't like most of Master of Crows, although it had its good parts. I made myself finish the book because I wanted to see how it ended, but I ended up skimming some of it.
Most of the story didn't hold my interest and the book felt way longer than it actually was. A lot of things, like the magic system, weren't described in a satisfying way so it ended up feeling flat. The characters and the romance didn't work for me either. The hero was a morally grey character, but he didn't have that spark that made him likable and I didn't buy into his feelings for the heroine. The heroine had very little personality, besides being servile and being in love with the hero for some inexplicable reason.
The best parts of the book was Gurn, the mute servant, and Cael, the magic dog, and neither of them said anything. :/
I loved two other books written by this author, Entreat Me and Radiance, so I'm kind of bummed that this one didn't work for me. I'll definitely try something else by Grace Draven, but probably not for a while.
Most of the story didn't hold my interest and the book felt way longer than it actually was. A lot of things, like the magic system, weren't described in a satisfying way so it ended up feeling flat. The characters and the romance didn't work for me either. The hero was a morally grey character, but he didn't have that spark that made him likable and I didn't buy into his feelings for the heroine. The heroine had very little personality, besides being servile and being in love with the hero for some inexplicable reason.
The best parts of the book was Gurn, the mute servant, and Cael, the magic dog, and neither of them said anything. :/
I loved two other books written by this author, Entreat Me and Radiance, so I'm kind of bummed that this one didn't work for me. I'll definitely try something else by Grace Draven, but probably not for a while.
I compared. I know! Silly silly me. But I had just read Radiance, and I loved the banter and easy comradeship between the two characters. While here, I compared and found it not as good.
Silhara was kind of an a-hole a lot of the time.
Martise was meak. Ok so yes she was a slave, but then at times she talked back. if she truly was a slave that would have gotten her beaten before. She kind of went from timid to extreme. Oh and worst spy ever, she did not even try.
The worldbuilding was missing.
I am all negative now. But the characters were still interesting. The story still good. I just compared, and compared.
I did like the God bits, or Gods. That was interesting.
A light fantasy romance with the emphasis on romance, and a bit of passion. So yes good, but not as good as Radiance. See, still comparing!
Silhara was kind of an a-hole a lot of the time.
Martise was meak. Ok so yes she was a slave, but then at times she talked back. if she truly was a slave that would have gotten her beaten before. She kind of went from timid to extreme. Oh and worst spy ever, she did not even try.
The worldbuilding was missing.
I am all negative now. But the characters were still interesting. The story still good. I just compared, and compared.
I did like the God bits, or Gods. That was interesting.
A light fantasy romance with the emphasis on romance, and a bit of passion. So yes good, but not as good as Radiance. See, still comparing!
Also posted to Jen in Bookland
Master of Crows was my online book club pick for this month. It is not a book that I ever would have picked up to read on my own, which is why I love book club. It gets me to read books I otherwise wouldn't. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.
The story opens with Martise being taken to Neith to work with Silhara and spy for the Conclave and I instantly loved it. Why? Well it reminded me of Beauty and the Beast, my favorite Disney movie growing up. I must have watched it 8 billion times. The opening is very reminiscent of that, and the story as a whole. Yes, it is very different, but basically it is the same. I might be the only one who thinks that though....
Martise is spying on Silhara for the Conclave, but she is only doing so so she can earn her freedom. Silhara knows she is spying, but that doesn't stop him from starting to care for her. It is a very slow build up, and was so sweet once he realized he just wanted her. When Gurn brings Anya back to the manor with him...that was just ended up being so sweet! I loved it. One of my favorite parts of the book.
Of course everything can't be sunshine and roses since there is the God Corruption trying to get Silhara. Of course Martise could help, but he tries to protect her and sacrifice himself in the process. It was really quite obvious what would happen at the end, but that doesn't mean I didn't like it. It was so cute and fun and happy and everything just worked out great. It was really nice, and I really enjoyed reading it, even though there were only really 3 characters for most of the story. A great read and I will have to look for more stories similar to this one.
Master of Crows was my online book club pick for this month. It is not a book that I ever would have picked up to read on my own, which is why I love book club. It gets me to read books I otherwise wouldn't. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book.
The story opens with Martise being taken to Neith to work with Silhara and spy for the Conclave and I instantly loved it. Why? Well it reminded me of Beauty and the Beast, my favorite Disney movie growing up. I must have watched it 8 billion times. The opening is very reminiscent of that, and the story as a whole. Yes, it is very different, but basically it is the same. I might be the only one who thinks that though....
Martise is spying on Silhara for the Conclave, but she is only doing so so she can earn her freedom. Silhara knows she is spying, but that doesn't stop him from starting to care for her. It is a very slow build up, and was so sweet once he realized he just wanted her. When Gurn brings Anya back to the manor with him...that was just ended up being so sweet! I loved it. One of my favorite parts of the book.
Of course everything can't be sunshine and roses since there is the God Corruption trying to get Silhara. Of course Martise could help, but he tries to protect her and sacrifice himself in the process. It was really quite obvious what would happen at the end, but that doesn't mean I didn't like it. It was so cute and fun and happy and everything just worked out great. It was really nice, and I really enjoyed reading it, even though there were only really 3 characters for most of the story. A great read and I will have to look for more stories similar to this one.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Amazing story and so well written! I really love how Grace focuses on the beauty within and her love stories always stem from an appreciation or friendship of the other person first and foremost. Ah this book was pure gold and I am sad I finished it so fast!
I really enjoyed this- it took a while to get going but once it did- wow!
I felt like the story found the right balance of detail for a fantasy - I didn't fully understand how magic worked in this world but it didn't really matter. The world is well built- it seems to have taken from a range of archaic periods and cultures (slaves, castles, horses ect.) and pulled them together seamlessly. I really liked the relationship that developed between the main characters- it felt real. Their relationship also felt like it was between equals despite the situation they were in.
NSFW:
One thing that did annoy me was the terminology used in the sex scenes (cunnus), it was appropriate given the archaic style setting but every time I read that word I was icked out and it threw me out the story, it's only a pet peeve and I've read many other weird euphemisms used in sex scenes but it did irritate me.
I felt like the story found the right balance of detail for a fantasy - I didn't fully understand how magic worked in this world but it didn't really matter. The world is well built- it seems to have taken from a range of archaic periods and cultures (slaves, castles, horses ect.) and pulled them together seamlessly. I really liked the relationship that developed between the main characters- it felt real. Their relationship also felt like it was between equals despite the situation they were in.
NSFW:
One thing that did annoy me was the terminology used in the sex scenes (cunnus), it was appropriate given the archaic style setting but every time I read that word I was icked out and it threw me out the story, it's only a pet peeve and I've read many other weird euphemisms used in sex scenes but it did irritate me.