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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
A totally surprising five-star read for me. Why have I been sitting on this book for so long? I put it on my TBR ages ago and bought it last year.
Anyway, talking too much about the plot would involve spoilers more major than I'm willing to include in my review for something I loved this much and want to recommend. Instead, I'll go into the tropes this turns on its head.
Paranormal romance with between a human and a semi-immortal being: totally not creepy this time. Soulmates: believable-ish for once! Magic system: totally not bland, nor overpowered. Insta-lust : NO! Insta-love: HELL NO!
I really just can't fathom how so many trite, overused story pieces are put together in this while feeling fresh and interesting, because I've read SO MANY books where all of these go spectacularly wrong, or add up to the same old trash we've all seen a hundred times.
Anyway, talking too much about the plot would involve spoilers more major than I'm willing to include in my review for something I loved this much and want to recommend. Instead, I'll go into the tropes this turns on its head.
Paranormal romance with between a human and a semi-immortal being: totally not creepy this time. Soulmates: believable-ish for once! Magic system: totally not bland, nor overpowered. Insta-lust : NO! Insta-love: HELL NO!
I really just can't fathom how so many trite, overused story pieces are put together in this while feeling fresh and interesting, because I've read SO MANY books where all of these go spectacularly wrong, or add up to the same old trash we've all seen a hundred times.
I am ambivalent about this one. I liked the concept of the story and the setting, and I mostly liked the main characters, but I cannot stand when an author uses fake melodrama to create tension in the story. Each time a character (let´s be honest, usually the heroine) who, up until that moment, was independent, strong and self-reliant suddenly behaves like a spoilt brat, a puppy dies.
This book is a mix of romance and supernatural elements. The supernatural concept of this book very intriguing and new to me at least, although it's origins and inspiration are old.
The initial third or so of the book was superbly done. It pulled me right in. The author takes us into Ava's world and introduces the supernatural elements of the Irin very well.
It was interesting that we don't get the heroine's direct point of view until a few chapters in, but Hunter did an excellent job of introducing Ava to the reader through other character's eyes while still keeping a little bit of mystery about her.
The audiobook narrator was excellent, although I was skeptical whether a man was an appropriate narrator for a typical romance novel. It helps that this isn't your typical romance novel, and all of my doubt was erased by end of the first chapter.
During the last half of the book, once the "will they or won't they tension fades" and the romance begins to blossom, it felt like Hunter had trouble balancing the romance with the other elements, and I felt a little lost. However, the story was still good enough that I might go back and listen to or read those parts again just to figure it all out.
***SPOILER WARNING***
Some romance readers might be disappointed to find that there isn't a typical HEA at the end of this book. Some might feel the ending is just the opposite. Knowing it was a series, I expected the author to shift the romance to another couple in the next book, but I'm not sure that is what's happening here. I don't like it when the couple finally finds their happiness only to be ripped apart again for the sake of conflict. This ending has me wondering if I even want to read the second one.
The initial third or so of the book was superbly done. It pulled me right in. The author takes us into Ava's world and introduces the supernatural elements of the Irin very well.
It was interesting that we don't get the heroine's direct point of view until a few chapters in, but Hunter did an excellent job of introducing Ava to the reader through other character's eyes while still keeping a little bit of mystery about her.
The audiobook narrator was excellent, although I was skeptical whether a man was an appropriate narrator for a typical romance novel. It helps that this isn't your typical romance novel, and all of my doubt was erased by end of the first chapter.
During the last half of the book, once the "will they or won't they tension fades" and the romance begins to blossom, it felt like Hunter had trouble balancing the romance with the other elements, and I felt a little lost. However, the story was still good enough that I might go back and listen to or read those parts again just to figure it all out.
***SPOILER WARNING***
Some romance readers might be disappointed to find that there isn't a typical HEA at the end of this book. Some might feel the ending is just the opposite. Knowing it was a series, I expected the author to shift the romance to another couple in the next book, but I'm not sure that is what's happening here. I don't like it when the couple finally finds their happiness only to be ripped apart again for the sake of conflict. This ending has me wondering if I even want to read the second one.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
I have absolutely no clue why I've never read (listened) to this series. Really well done, and the narrator rocked. Anyone that can go from normal voice reading into a casual german accent rocks it for me. I'm going to continue with the audio.
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
yes! yes! yes! five stars and straight to my “favorites.” this is exactly what i’m hoping to find when i start a book. i loved it so much and am writing this after having finished book two which is just as awesome. i love a sweet romance weaved with a strong fantasy storyline .. i might even dare say i enjoyed this a bit more than ACOTAR which is saying something because while “rhys and feyre forever,” i’m now also on team malachi and ava ❤️.
i’m a sucker for the finding of ones true “mate” and a well-told portrayal of how their connection/familiarity is realized. the scribe and singer have it all, lyrical whispering of one soul to another. sharing of angelic magic and rituals for bonding and strengthening. it was the BEST kind of romance novel, imo. i imagined missing my love and then being able to be with him in my dreams. so good. the author depicted their longing and love so well. i can’t wait to read the third book ....
i’m a sucker for the finding of ones true “mate” and a well-told portrayal of how their connection/familiarity is realized. the scribe and singer have it all, lyrical whispering of one soul to another. sharing of angelic magic and rituals for bonding and strengthening. it was the BEST kind of romance novel, imo. i imagined missing my love and then being able to be with him in my dreams. so good. the author depicted their longing and love so well. i can’t wait to read the third book ....
4 The Scribe Stars
I liked this book and I really wasn’t sure if I would.
The world building was subtle and really grabs your attention. I was immediately intrigued by the prologue and I was ready to get right in.
Ava is different and I liked that we got to see some of her struggles and how she deals with it. You can’t help but feel for her. She just wants to be normal.
Malachi is a mystery even now I want to know more about him. When these two meet it’s more than the spark it’s like they were both searching for each other. I very much liked that they were friends before anything too romantic happens that just made it more believable.
I get that the author wanted to make who and what Ava is a mystery for a good while but I was a little annoyed with the whole doctor part. The consulting doctor we get a whole scene and that was interesting then poof she sees this other doc and it was all vague I just didn’t really like that. I guess I was hoping to see more of the struggle Ava was going through.
Because then when she gets some answers it would have been more a victory for her and the readers.
I loved the way this book ends yes it is a little bit of a cliffy but it works for this book and I am going to keep going with the series.
Loved the narration Zachary Webber just fits, he kills it with the tone and the voices of each character.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
I liked this book and I really wasn’t sure if I would.
The world building was subtle and really grabs your attention. I was immediately intrigued by the prologue and I was ready to get right in.
Ava is different and I liked that we got to see some of her struggles and how she deals with it. You can’t help but feel for her. She just wants to be normal.
Malachi is a mystery even now I want to know more about him. When these two meet it’s more than the spark it’s like they were both searching for each other. I very much liked that they were friends before anything too romantic happens that just made it more believable.
I get that the author wanted to make who and what Ava is a mystery for a good while but I was a little annoyed with the whole doctor part. The consulting doctor we get a whole scene and that was interesting then poof she sees this other doc and it was all vague I just didn’t really like that. I guess I was hoping to see more of the struggle Ava was going through.
Because then when she gets some answers it would have been more a victory for her and the readers.
I loved the way this book ends yes it is a little bit of a cliffy but it works for this book and I am going to keep going with the series.
Loved the narration Zachary Webber just fits, he kills it with the tone and the voices of each character.
*You don't have to like my review but its 100% my opinion, and I am allowed to have it.*
***Audiobook Review***
I listened to this book for book club. I enjoyed the story and the direction it is going even if it did seem a little slow to me. The setting, world building and characters were all great. I think I needed a little more action in the middle to keep me 100% invested. In the beginning I knew I would be continuing with the series, in the middle I decided I would not and then in the end I decided I probably will because of that first chapter sneak peak. I am usually the person who likes book 1 the least in a new series and I have a strong feeling this will be the same with each book getting better and better.
The narration was great, It was Zachary Webber after all! I was a little surprised that he narrated this one alone but I think he did a great job and wouldn't have change it if I could.
I listened to this book for book club. I enjoyed the story and the direction it is going even if it did seem a little slow to me. The setting, world building and characters were all great. I think I needed a little more action in the middle to keep me 100% invested. In the beginning I knew I would be continuing with the series, in the middle I decided I would not and then in the end I decided I probably will because of that first chapter sneak peak. I am usually the person who likes book 1 the least in a new series and I have a strong feeling this will be the same with each book getting better and better.
The narration was great, It was Zachary Webber after all! I was a little surprised that he narrated this one alone but I think he did a great job and wouldn't have change it if I could.