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bookphile's review
2.0
I received a free copy of this e-book on NetGalley in exchange for a review.
2.5
This book starts out so well, but kind of slows down towards the middle and then dramatically dives to a fiery death.
This is a mix of fairy-tales, blended together to create a new and unique world. Ashley thinks she's an ordinary girl until she finds out she's really an heir to the Moonlands kingdom--which is currently being ruled a king who doesn't want to give up his power and so he's going to kill his daughter to keep it (the throne belongs to females only). She's been raised in the non-magical London, until one day her aunt dies, who was one of her protectors, and things are set into motion to for Ash to set about achieving her destiny.
I thought that the beginning of the book was very strong and rather intriguing. You have medley of interesting characters. The only problem was that occasionally Savile got a bit wordy with his descriptions. The plot also doesn't start moving until the middle of book, but while it wasn't noticeable then because of all the build up, it shows in the latter part of the book where everything seems a bit rushed. I expected more trouble to cross her path while she's in Moonlands aside from a pack of wolves.
The characters also didn't annoy me until the later part of the book. I don't understand the recent trend of redeeming bad guys and making them love interests. Redemption arcs are amazing, but only when done right and only when the character goes through enough trouble to convince me to forgive them. However, this fucking guy ate her teacher, and she forgives him because he saved her life? Not only that but she immediately develops a crush on him. This is so utterly disturbing. That's the other thing; I don't understand how Blaze -- who seemed always a smart man -- to do a 180. He knew from the start what he was doing, but somehow he didn't see it as problematic until his own life is on the line. But even when his loyalty is switching he decides to go kill and eat someone........And you want me to want this character's redemption? Why does he eat people at all? Yeah, he's werewolf or just a wolf, I'd be cool if he just ate animals, but people? And this is the romantic interest... excuse-me... HE ATE SOMEONE!! To me it seems he should have been a much older man who becomes her protector, especially as one of the most powerful Alpha's around, and maybe he has a hot son who becomes a love interest. Otherwise this is just deep level disturbing on so many levels.
Ashley too, was suddenly devoid of all personality after they went into Moonlands. Going from a somewhat believable teenage girl who is confused and frightened by the sudden changes in her life, to an emotionless void. The problem with that was I think, the rushed second part, the plot kind of falls apart because nothing really happens? They just travel for a couple of days, with the only conflict being the pack, but that passes quickly. Then they're in the city for the supposed face-off with the evil king. I wish there was more evil to him than just the desire to keep the throne... I mean, his kingdom seems peaceful and prosperous otherwise? Or was Jax the bad guy? ... or the sickness?
I don't know, I kind of skimmed the last 20% of the novel. I wish the quality of the book didn't plumpet with the second half, but unfortunately it does. Judging by the first half alone this would have been a 4-star read for me. Which I think is just too bad.
2.5
This book starts out so well, but kind of slows down towards the middle and then dramatically dives to a fiery death.
This is a mix of fairy-tales, blended together to create a new and unique world. Ashley thinks she's an ordinary girl until she finds out she's really an heir to the Moonlands kingdom--which is currently being ruled a king who doesn't want to give up his power and so he's going to kill his daughter to keep it (the throne belongs to females only). She's been raised in the non-magical London, until one day her aunt dies, who was one of her protectors, and things are set into motion to for Ash to set about achieving her destiny.
I thought that the beginning of the book was very strong and rather intriguing. You have medley of interesting characters. The only problem was that occasionally Savile got a bit wordy with his descriptions. The plot also doesn't start moving until the middle of book, but while it wasn't noticeable then because of all the build up, it shows in the latter part of the book where everything seems a bit rushed. I expected more trouble to cross her path while she's in Moonlands aside from a pack of wolves.
The characters also didn't annoy me until the later part of the book. I don't understand the recent trend of redeeming bad guys and making them love interests. Redemption arcs are amazing, but only when done right and only when the character goes through enough trouble to convince me to forgive them. However, this fucking guy ate her teacher, and she forgives him because he saved her life? Not only that but she immediately develops a crush on him. This is so utterly disturbing. That's the other thing; I don't understand how Blaze -- who seemed always a smart man -- to do a 180. He knew from the start what he was doing, but somehow he didn't see it as problematic until his own life is on the line. But even when his loyalty is switching he decides to go kill and eat someone........And you want me to want this character's redemption? Why does he eat people at all? Yeah, he's werewolf or just a wolf, I'd be cool if he just ate animals, but people? And this is the romantic interest... excuse-me... HE ATE SOMEONE!! To me it seems he should have been a much older man who becomes her protector, especially as one of the most powerful Alpha's around, and maybe he has a hot son who becomes a love interest. Otherwise this is just deep level disturbing on so many levels.
Ashley too, was suddenly devoid of all personality after they went into Moonlands. Going from a somewhat believable teenage girl who is confused and frightened by the sudden changes in her life, to an emotionless void. The problem with that was I think, the rushed second part, the plot kind of falls apart because nothing really happens? They just travel for a couple of days, with the only conflict being the pack, but that passes quickly. Then they're in the city for the supposed face-off with the evil king. I wish there was more evil to him than just the desire to keep the throne... I mean, his kingdom seems peaceful and prosperous otherwise? Or was Jax the bad guy? ... or the sickness?
I don't know, I kind of skimmed the last 20% of the novel. I wish the quality of the book didn't plumpet with the second half, but unfortunately it does. Judging by the first half alone this would have been a 4-star read for me. Which I think is just too bad.
marie_thereadingotter's review
2.0
2.5 stars
I received this book from NetGalley for review
This story was a DNF for me. I read about 25% of it but I was never able to get into the story or feel any attachment to the characters. The third person dual perspective was kind of sloppy in my opinion. I felt that if it was written in first person, I would have been able to get into the story and the characters better.
The synopsis was really interesting, and I might revisit it later. But right now, I just can't get into the story or the characters. It's taken too long for what I suspect to be a really great story.
I received this book from NetGalley for review
This story was a DNF for me. I read about 25% of it but I was never able to get into the story or feel any attachment to the characters. The third person dual perspective was kind of sloppy in my opinion. I felt that if it was written in first person, I would have been able to get into the story and the characters better.
The synopsis was really interesting, and I might revisit it later. But right now, I just can't get into the story or the characters. It's taken too long for what I suspect to be a really great story.
jaironside's review
3.0
ARC copy given by NetGalley in exchange for an honset review.
Reviews that start 'I really wanted to like this book...' are a bit of a cop out in my opinion. however in this case I really wanted to be able to award this book a higher rating and I couldn't. The first two thirds of the book are good; engrossing, well-paced, keep-you-guessing - all accompanied with fascinating little snippets of world building and new additions for the bestiary. Unfortunately the last third of the book undoes much of the good work of the first and second thirds. The pace slows to a crawl. Events happen inexplicably with characters acting in strange ways against their established motivations without properly leading the reader to draw the required conclusions. Instead there is the disorienting sense that we are meant to leap to conclusions. I don't need everything spelled out for me but this book does so many one-eighties that it negates its own narrative arc.
As far as characters go I like Ashley but she lacks much agency at the start and has none whatsoever at the end. Things just happen to her - it's all reaction. I was hoping to see character development but instead I got a pencil outline. I like Blaze too but considering the circumstances of he and Ashley meeting, I would have expected a lot more warring with his nature than we got. Add to that some very odd attempts at sexual tension and the promise was pretty much smothered.
And there are plot holes. Everyone, no matter how hard they try, leaves a few tiny holes but in the last third of this there were gaping chunks that just didn't make sense. It really felt like it needed more time spent on it and perhaps another draft or so. This was underlined by the fact that the occasional typos in the earlier half, increased so that there were on average at least one or more, or transposed prepositions and possessives or super-numery words, on every page. We can all forgive the odd error. There's always a couple that make it through but this felt like the last third hadn't been proofread at all.
So what saved it? Well the world building was fabulous. The cast of creatures was weird and wonderful (frankly we just didn't get to see enough of them, they were under used.) There was wry humour and moments of genuine horror. It was on the road to being a great fantasy romp. Ultimately I think it is held back by those things I mentioned and by Ashley's jarring and inexplicable decision making in the last two chapters.
On the other hand I liked the world enough that I would be tempted to try the next book. Make of that what you will.
Reviews that start 'I really wanted to like this book...' are a bit of a cop out in my opinion. however in this case I really wanted to be able to award this book a higher rating and I couldn't. The first two thirds of the book are good; engrossing, well-paced, keep-you-guessing - all accompanied with fascinating little snippets of world building and new additions for the bestiary. Unfortunately the last third of the book undoes much of the good work of the first and second thirds. The pace slows to a crawl. Events happen inexplicably with characters acting in strange ways against their established motivations without properly leading the reader to draw the required conclusions. Instead there is the disorienting sense that we are meant to leap to conclusions. I don't need everything spelled out for me but this book does so many one-eighties that it negates its own narrative arc.
As far as characters go I like Ashley but she lacks much agency at the start and has none whatsoever at the end. Things just happen to her - it's all reaction. I was hoping to see character development but instead I got a pencil outline. I like Blaze too but considering the circumstances of he and Ashley meeting, I would have expected a lot more warring with his nature than we got. Add to that some very odd attempts at sexual tension and the promise was pretty much smothered.
And there are plot holes. Everyone, no matter how hard they try, leaves a few tiny holes but in the last third of this there were gaping chunks that just didn't make sense. It really felt like it needed more time spent on it and perhaps another draft or so. This was underlined by the fact that the occasional typos in the earlier half, increased so that there were on average at least one or more, or transposed prepositions and possessives or super-numery words, on every page. We can all forgive the odd error. There's always a couple that make it through but this felt like the last third hadn't been proofread at all.
So what saved it? Well the world building was fabulous. The cast of creatures was weird and wonderful (frankly we just didn't get to see enough of them, they were under used.) There was wry humour and moments of genuine horror. It was on the road to being a great fantasy romp. Ultimately I think it is held back by those things I mentioned and by Ashley's jarring and inexplicable decision making in the last two chapters.
On the other hand I liked the world enough that I would be tempted to try the next book. Make of that what you will.
rickus90's review
4.0
I really liked this book. Can't wait for the rest (I hope there will be more anyway). Full review over here: https://rickusbookshelf.wordpress.com/2015/05/06/moonlands-by-steven-savile/
alyce6d980's review
2.0
First off, I need to say thank you to BadPress Publishing for accepting my request to view this book on NetGalley, and to NetGalley for the service that they provide.
'Moonlands' is an urban fantasy book set between Earth and the Kingdoms of the Moon, a magical world where there are seven moons in the sky and thirteen islands lying beneath them. The Kingdoms of the Moon are being ruled by Elbegast, the King Under The Moon, but his daughter, and rightful heir to the throne, Ashkellion, is living in the mortal realm, so he sends a pack of highly trained assassins - the Wolfen - to eliminate his threat to the throne as quickly as possible.
We start the book following the Wolfen Alpha, Blackwater Blaze, as him and his pack flood the streets of London searching for their King's daughter. After most of the pack get destroyed by Targyn Fae, one of the heir's Wardens, Blackwater Blaze continues on his quest on his own, determined not to fail this mission.
Meanwhile, Ashkellion - or Ashley Hawthorne, as she's known at school - is living a normal life, completely oblivious to the fact that magical blood flows through her veins. After the death of her Aunt Elspeth, she inherits some strange items from the crazy old lady, and soon finds her whole life spinning out of control.
This is one of those books where the synopsis sounds amazing, and the idea is brilliant, but the writing just cannot pull it off. I was convinced that 'Moonlands' was a debut novel, because the writing style is clunky and ineffective, so I was mightly surprised when I looked on Steven Savile's Goodreads author profile and he has many, many works already published.
One of the things that really irritated me about the writing style was the constant use of repetition. I lost count of the amount of times Ashley worried about having an over-active imagination, or the amount of times the words 'oleaginous', 'ululating' and 'orrery' were used throughout (so much so that it really felt as though the author was clinging on to the words that he had discovered, rather than using them once to have an effective description - once something has been described as 'oleaginous' multiple times it really does dampen the image it produces). This was quite a long book (or it felt like it, despite the fact that it was under 300 pages) but it could have been drastically cut down if there wasn't as much repetition of facts that I was sure that any reader could recall.
Similarly, at multiple points throughout, the motives of the characters were overly explained.
Read the rest of my review here!
'Moonlands' is an urban fantasy book set between Earth and the Kingdoms of the Moon, a magical world where there are seven moons in the sky and thirteen islands lying beneath them. The Kingdoms of the Moon are being ruled by Elbegast, the King Under The Moon, but his daughter, and rightful heir to the throne, Ashkellion, is living in the mortal realm, so he sends a pack of highly trained assassins - the Wolfen - to eliminate his threat to the throne as quickly as possible.
We start the book following the Wolfen Alpha, Blackwater Blaze, as him and his pack flood the streets of London searching for their King's daughter. After most of the pack get destroyed by Targyn Fae, one of the heir's Wardens, Blackwater Blaze continues on his quest on his own, determined not to fail this mission.
Meanwhile, Ashkellion - or Ashley Hawthorne, as she's known at school - is living a normal life, completely oblivious to the fact that magical blood flows through her veins. After the death of her Aunt Elspeth, she inherits some strange items from the crazy old lady, and soon finds her whole life spinning out of control.
This is one of those books where the synopsis sounds amazing, and the idea is brilliant, but the writing just cannot pull it off. I was convinced that 'Moonlands' was a debut novel, because the writing style is clunky and ineffective, so I was mightly surprised when I looked on Steven Savile's Goodreads author profile and he has many, many works already published.
One of the things that really irritated me about the writing style was the constant use of repetition. I lost count of the amount of times Ashley worried about having an over-active imagination, or the amount of times the words 'oleaginous', 'ululating' and 'orrery' were used throughout (so much so that it really felt as though the author was clinging on to the words that he had discovered, rather than using them once to have an effective description - once something has been described as 'oleaginous' multiple times it really does dampen the image it produces). This was quite a long book (or it felt like it, despite the fact that it was under 300 pages) but it could have been drastically cut down if there wasn't as much repetition of facts that I was sure that any reader could recall.
Similarly, at multiple points throughout, the motives of the characters were overly explained.
Read the rest of my review here!
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