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deluciate's review against another edition
5.0
Within the first two pages, I remembered why I like Juliet Marillier so much. Her writing is beautiful and evocative. I love the world she builds and the way her characters look at it.
I read this in a single setting, couldn't put it down. Looking forward to the next in the series.
I read this in a single setting, couldn't put it down. Looking forward to the next in the series.
aselkiereads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
illusie's review against another edition
3.0
This book is about Neryn who is trying to stay hidden while traveling. She has got a kind of magic and magic is forbidden unless you are part of the king's inner circel. The pacing is too slow, but I really like the story so I keep reading. Neryn is young, but brave. She really struggles with what to believe and who to trust. I like Flint. He's a complex character. I hope the pacing in the next book will be faster, because I'm curious about what will happen next.
knuckledown's review against another edition
4.0
As a longtime fan of Juliet Marillier's Sevenwaters series, it was about time that I read one of her young adult offerings. I noticed many similarities between Shadowfell and her adult books, but in a simplified form. There is a presence of magical beings, this time referred to as Good Folk, but the setting is a completely made-up land, as opposed to ancient Ireland.
Marillier has such a lovely writing style that I enjoyed the book even when I thought I could predict what was coming next. Even better, my predictions were sometimes proven wrong. Shadowfell can't touch the perfection of some Sevenwaters books, but it grabbed my attention nonetheless. She has laid the groundwork for an entertaining trilogy, and I look forward to the second book.
Marillier has such a lovely writing style that I enjoyed the book even when I thought I could predict what was coming next. Even better, my predictions were sometimes proven wrong. Shadowfell can't touch the perfection of some Sevenwaters books, but it grabbed my attention nonetheless. She has laid the groundwork for an entertaining trilogy, and I look forward to the second book.
harleyrae's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 Stars
I’m excited to see what the rest of the series has to offer.
I’m excited to see what the rest of the series has to offer.
xandra_lyn's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was a hard one to rate. For most of it, I would have rated a 2.
First, the bad. It was REALLY boring for most of it. A lot of walking in the rain and getting sick and being hungry. Tolkien got away with it because he was the first in the genre, and Rowling got away with it because it was the trio together. But the MC was all by herself and kept pushing people away and it was boring...and dumb.
Which leads me to how dumb and boring Neryn was. I know it's common to have a heroine like that, especially back in 2012. But over a decade later, it hasn't aged well. She kept vacillating between trusting and abhoring Flint, and the emotional development on it was poor at best absent at worst. Also, she read as much older, at least 20, although I could have seen maybe 17. But she wasn't...
Which leads me to my third complaint of having it not age well: Neryn was 15, and her love interest is about 20. I get that historically that was fine, and i get society wasn't as aware as we are now back when this was written. But we should have been, and it's cringy reading it now.
And yet...I'm curious about the world building. When there was dialogue, it was interesting and I liked Flint. I liked the Good Folk, and I'm curious how it will turn out.
Which is why it got bumped from a 2 to a 3.
First, the bad. It was REALLY boring for most of it. A lot of walking in the rain and getting sick and being hungry. Tolkien got away with it because he was the first in the genre, and Rowling got away with it because it was the trio together. But the MC was all by herself and kept pushing people away and it was boring...and dumb.
Which leads me to how dumb and boring Neryn was. I know it's common to have a heroine like that, especially back in 2012. But over a decade later, it hasn't aged well. She kept vacillating between trusting and abhoring Flint, and the emotional development on it was poor at best absent at worst. Also, she read as much older, at least 20, although I could have seen maybe 17. But she wasn't...
Which leads me to my third complaint of having it not age well: Neryn was 15, and her love interest is about 20. I get that historically that was fine, and i get society wasn't as aware as we are now back when this was written. But we should have been, and it's cringy reading it now.
And yet...I'm curious about the world building. When there was dialogue, it was interesting and I liked Flint. I liked the Good Folk, and I'm curious how it will turn out.
Which is why it got bumped from a 2 to a 3.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Torture, and Death
Minor: Sexual assault
In the very first chapter, a man gropes her and touches her inappropriately. She escapes. Torture: I feel what the enthrallers do to people torture, especially since it robs them of themselves.hibashakes's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my god! This book was absolutely without a doubt wonderful. I'm like gushing in my seat because I just finished the book and can't wait to read book #2.
This book has so many merits:
1. I absolutely loved the heroine, Neryn. The transformation in the book was mindblowing and realistic. In the beginning I was in awe of her. I honestly don't know how she could possibly take care of a dick of a father. Throughout it she pictured her old father, before hell descended upon her family. She had so much inner strength, and I was in awe of her. She was very realistic, and I fell in love with her from the beginning, and if it was possible by the end of the book I was very proud of her transformation.
2. I absolutely loved the description of the geography in the book. I honestly felt as if on the journey with Neryn. Alban is such a beautiful place and we only got acquainted with a small portion! I'm excited for when she goes on her journy to the North, West and East.
3. The history was absolutely refreshing and complex in a tnrilling way. It starts out mysterious and throughout the story I hungered for more! I really want to know about the history of the Big Ones (the Hag of Isles, Lord of the North, the White Lady and the Master of Shadows). I also REALLY want to learn about the culture and society before King Keldec's reign. I also would like to learn more about the Goood Folk and their history (linking back to the Big Ones).
4. I cant forget Flint. Oh my, he was so strong and self-less. Even though the story is told in Neryn's point of view, we get a glimpse of his turmoils and troubles in the last 100pgs or so. I absutely loved him! Especially his role in the story made him even more attractive.
All in all, this book was beyond words. Even the relationahip between Neryn and Flint of the book. It honestly made me love the book even more. It was so realistic unlike most fantasy books when there insta-love or that they selfish,y fall in love and bring others in danger. I love how in the span of 410 pages Marillier creates a normal, realistic relationship between Flint and Neryn. I recomment this book to everyone!
This book has so many merits:
1. I absolutely loved the heroine, Neryn. The transformation in the book was mindblowing and realistic. In the beginning I was in awe of her. I honestly don't know how she could possibly take care of a dick of a father. Throughout it she pictured her old father, before hell descended upon her family. She had so much inner strength, and I was in awe of her. She was very realistic, and I fell in love with her from the beginning, and if it was possible by the end of the book I was very proud of her transformation.
2. I absolutely loved the description of the geography in the book. I honestly felt as if on the journey with Neryn. Alban is such a beautiful place and we only got acquainted with a small portion! I'm excited for when she goes on her journy to the North, West and East.
3. The history was absolutely refreshing and complex in a tnrilling way. It starts out mysterious and throughout the story I hungered for more! I really want to know about the history of the Big Ones (the Hag of Isles, Lord of the North, the White Lady and the Master of Shadows). I also REALLY want to learn about the culture and society before King Keldec's reign. I also would like to learn more about the Goood Folk and their history (linking back to the Big Ones).
4. I cant forget Flint. Oh my, he was so strong and self-less. Even though the story is told in Neryn's point of view, we get a glimpse of his turmoils and troubles in the last 100pgs or so. I absutely loved him! Especially his role in the story made him even more attractive.
All in all, this book was beyond words. Even the relationahip between Neryn and Flint of the book.
Spoiler
Neryn and Flint are so self-less and dont delude themselves into fully loving eacb other because of the turmoils and the fact that's its practically impossible in their current society.heidi_mcj's review against another edition
4.0
A very good young adult novel. The story moved along briskly but you still felt the characters were well developed. I will be reading the next books!