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jenmkin's review against another edition
5.0
This series is a delight, and this first book sets the tone for those that come after it. It's a fun new way to think of magic.
barktea's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
the_story_girl389's review against another edition
4.0
Shannon Hale is an amazing writer. But I think we all already know that, so...
The plot was not the best. It took me a little to get into the story itself, or get attached to Ani. In fact, Ani was never my favorite character. I did enjoy her growth in the book though, from being kind of a spoiled, ignorant brat to a kind, wise girl. I DID however enjoy the side characters very much, the workers especially. Enna and Conrad and Razo and Finn (even though he wasn't technically a worker) were all sooo adorable! And the villain had good motivation and all that.
The writing, though... let's just take a minute to talk about Shannon Hale. She has this amazing lyrical voice that comes out really nicely in this book. I didn't notice it quite as much in Princess Academy, but it was definitely never choppy.
And her style of subtle fantasy is really great with the wind and talking to birds and stuff. This was kind of like what she did in Princess Academy with linder wisdom and quarry speak.
Overall, really great and I'm excited for the rest of the series!
The plot was not the best. It took me a little to get into the story itself, or get attached to Ani. In fact, Ani was never my favorite character. I did enjoy her growth in the book though, from being kind of a spoiled, ignorant brat to a kind, wise girl. I DID however enjoy the side characters very much, the workers especially. Enna and Conrad and Razo and Finn (even though he wasn't technically a worker) were all sooo adorable! And the villain had good motivation and all that.
The writing, though... let's just take a minute to talk about Shannon Hale. She has this amazing lyrical voice that comes out really nicely in this book. I didn't notice it quite as much in Princess Academy, but it was definitely never choppy.
And her style of subtle fantasy is really great with the wind and talking to birds and stuff. This was kind of like what she did in Princess Academy with linder wisdom and quarry speak.
Overall, really great and I'm excited for the rest of the series!
tishtashohmygosh's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
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
5.0
magsisreading's review against another edition
3.0
slow pacing and then it picks up like hell at the end, which was good but also kind of chaotic to read and idk i didn’t like it as much
sarahmismash's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this twist on the classic fairy tale, and how Shannon made us love (most) of the charactors, and understand them perfectly. Most of them anyway... The good guys.
syddey_syd's review against another edition
5.0
This is simply my favourite book. Nothing else to say.
eire_valmore's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
maeganv's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
ketsueki_randi's review against another edition
Had to rate in order to write a review will delete rating when I get to a computer
DNF at about 33% (roughly 3 hours in)
Even though this is technically ya it read very much like middle grade with a 17 year old protagonist. Where I stopped reading it felt like I should have been halfway through. A lot of the twist were fairly obvious and I didn't feel connected because everyone felt so one dimensional. I get that this book was written back in 05 and a lot has changed since then but that still doesn't change that I wasn't enjoying the book and from the get know I knew the book wouldn't be higher than a 3 even if I finished it.
DNF at about 33% (roughly 3 hours in)
Even though this is technically ya it read very much like middle grade with a 17 year old protagonist. Where I stopped reading it felt like I should have been halfway through. A lot of the twist were fairly obvious and I didn't feel connected because everyone felt so one dimensional. I get that this book was written back in 05 and a lot has changed since then but that still doesn't change that I wasn't enjoying the book and from the get know I knew the book wouldn't be higher than a 3 even if I finished it.