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geryon92's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
whitneykelley's review
5.0
No steam fantasy
Omg I love this series. The characters are fantastic and the worldbuilding is so much fun. The plot progresses across the series and gets really exciting and interesting
Omg I love this series. The characters are fantastic and the worldbuilding is so much fun. The plot progresses across the series and gets really exciting and interesting
anna3101's review
5.0
Wow. WOW. What a gorgeous book!
I never thought I would enjoy fantasy so much. Well ok, the romance part helped a bit :) But it was so fascinating to see this illusional world full of so many details and looking so real, and all the main characters together, side by side, through good and the bad, on a journey to change so much in everyone's lives. There was magic, there was adventure, there was danger, there was love, hope, friendship - everything. But the thing I liked best of all was this feeling of togetherness, of how a small group of people (plus one very dangerous animal) who initially doubted each other, learnt not only to cooperate but also to appreciate and protect each other.
Let's add a strong female character - no whining or fainting or mindless flirting and some really impressive magic. Aaah. LOVED it.
I never thought I would enjoy fantasy so much. Well ok, the romance part helped a bit :) But it was so fascinating to see this illusional world full of so many details and looking so real, and all the main characters together, side by side, through good and the bad, on a journey to change so much in everyone's lives. There was magic, there was adventure, there was danger, there was love, hope, friendship - everything. But the thing I liked best of all was this feeling of togetherness, of how a small group of people (plus one very dangerous animal) who initially doubted each other, learnt not only to cooperate but also to appreciate and protect each other.
Let's add a strong female character - no whining or fainting or mindless flirting and some really impressive magic. Aaah. LOVED it.
aggressive_nostalgia's review
5.0
A fabulous novel. I read and enjoyed several of Shinn's books for teens, and I came across this at a nonlocal library and pounced on the chance to read it—and loved it.
I really liked Shinn's choice to start off the prologue from the viewpoint of a character who was neither a hero nor villain nor random passerby—intrigue, oolala! Even if he never returns to the story, it added an extra level of depth to the universe without seeming totally arbitrary or unnecessary.
The plot, even with only very vague structure, an unremarkable premise, and a rather predictable ending, never lagged. I couldn’t put it down. It had a good balance of action and intrigue, was generally well-paced, and left plenty of room for character development. All the characters are very vibrant and individualized, carefully nuanced, interesting, powerful, and still completely human. They’re a bit archetypical, and you don’t get inside everyone’s heads, but there are clearly defined personalities and they do develop over the story’s course. I think Cammon and Donnal are my favorites. Again, I am very impressed with Shinn’s ability to build a gripping book off character development, without depending on plot alone to hold the reader’s interest. I have so much respect for that kind of writing.
Even though the ending wasn’t a cliffhanger as such, I will without a doubt read the subsequent books in the series. I am very excited to see where it will lead, and have the chance to get inside some of the other characters’ heads.
I really liked Shinn's choice to start off the prologue from the viewpoint of a character who was neither a hero nor villain nor random passerby—intrigue, oolala! Even if he never returns to the story, it added an extra level of depth to the universe without seeming totally arbitrary or unnecessary.
The plot, even with only very vague structure, an unremarkable premise, and a rather predictable ending, never lagged. I couldn’t put it down. It had a good balance of action and intrigue, was generally well-paced, and left plenty of room for character development. All the characters are very vibrant and individualized, carefully nuanced, interesting, powerful, and still completely human. They’re a bit archetypical, and you don’t get inside everyone’s heads, but there are clearly defined personalities and they do develop over the story’s course. I think Cammon and Donnal are my favorites. Again, I am very impressed with Shinn’s ability to build a gripping book off character development, without depending on plot alone to hold the reader’s interest. I have so much respect for that kind of writing.
Even though the ending wasn’t a cliffhanger as such, I will without a doubt read the subsequent books in the series. I am very excited to see where it will lead, and have the chance to get inside some of the other characters’ heads.
el_reads17's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rwdy29's review
4.0
I really liked this book. It was a good adventure and I would definitely read it again.
There were some little things about some of the character development that I thought was too black and white but, overall the characters were relatable with good back story.
I would definitely recommend reading this and (with the exception of the second book in the series) the rest of the Twelve Houses books.
There were some little things about some of the character development that I thought was too black and white but, overall the characters were relatable with good back story.
I would definitely recommend reading this and (with the exception of the second book in the series) the rest of the Twelve Houses books.
kjayne_books's review
3.0
I really wanted to love this series, but I found this book to be slow and long winded. The story is enjoyable if you can make it to the end. However, I have a feeling this series gets better the deeper you get into it.
amym84's review
4.0
This is the first book by Sharon Shinn that I've read. I didn't really know too much of what to expect with her writing, but I was impressed. Mystic and Rider is definitely a fantasy book taking place in the land of Gillengaria. The king has deployed a group to gauge the feelings of the people in the country, there seems to be some unrest.
I really liked that the book started out so abruptly. Our group has already left on their journey and we start the book somewhat in the middle and learn the why as the continue on. I liked that Shinn set up that backstory this way. I think had she started the book before they started the journey the momentum would have been off. It would have taken too long to get into the mission of the story. This way, we are already invested in what they are doing before we even learn of the consquences of their mission.
The main character Senneth was good as well. It would have been really easy for Shinn to make her too hard and tough. I mean she is a very solidary character, but she's written with such mystery. We know there's more to her than she shows us and it's very interesting learning about her past.
The romance in the book was not the main focus at all. It was very subtle, but Shinn makes it well worth it. It is a big part of who the characters develop into by the end of the story so I guess it has enough focus in that respect, but those people looking for a love story first, may be disappointed. I would suggest to suspend your expectations and then you won't be let down, but pleasantly surprised.
I know that this series follows a different main character in each book (with all the established characters from this first story making appearances) so I'm interested to see if Shinn can keep my interest without Senneth as the main heroine. I do look forward to reading more by Sharon Shinn and can't wait to continue this series. Until Then!
I really liked that the book started out so abruptly. Our group has already left on their journey and we start the book somewhat in the middle and learn the why as the continue on. I liked that Shinn set up that backstory this way. I think had she started the book before they started the journey the momentum would have been off. It would have taken too long to get into the mission of the story. This way, we are already invested in what they are doing before we even learn of the consquences of their mission.
The main character Senneth was good as well. It would have been really easy for Shinn to make her too hard and tough. I mean she is a very solidary character, but she's written with such mystery. We know there's more to her than she shows us and it's very interesting learning about her past.
The romance in the book was not the main focus at all. It was very subtle, but Shinn makes it well worth it. It is a big part of who the characters develop into by the end of the story so I guess it has enough focus in that respect, but those people looking for a love story first, may be disappointed. I would suggest to suspend your expectations and then you won't be let down, but pleasantly surprised.
I know that this series follows a different main character in each book (with all the established characters from this first story making appearances) so I'm interested to see if Shinn can keep my interest without Senneth as the main heroine. I do look forward to reading more by Sharon Shinn and can't wait to continue this series. Until Then!
kuroku's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0