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hyphenating's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
2.75
squish93's review against another edition
4.0
I was hesitant after reading some of the reviews about reading this book--people described it as clunky and messy, but I thoroughly enjoyed it! I will admit the first part of the book was a bit difficult to bear with. In time, it made more sense but it was confusing at first why the characters were doing what they were doing or who they were.
I will completely agree with others that the characters in this are marvelous. They feel like real people whereas in other fantasy books they often feel like too-perfect heroes or whining cowards before they decide to be too-perfect heroes. I truly related with and loved Titus and Iolanthe! I also loved that their motivations were very clear and their personalities totally open to the reader. The action was not the greatest--lacking description and sometimes very short. However, the mystery and character development of this story will have me anxiously waiting to read the next one!
I will completely agree with others that the characters in this are marvelous. They feel like real people whereas in other fantasy books they often feel like too-perfect heroes or whining cowards before they decide to be too-perfect heroes. I truly related with and loved Titus and Iolanthe! I also loved that their motivations were very clear and their personalities totally open to the reader. The action was not the greatest--lacking description and sometimes very short. However, the mystery and character development of this story will have me anxiously waiting to read the next one!
aepstone's review against another edition
5.0
Truly excellent. I loved the characters, the world, the plotting -- all of it. Can't wait for the next one! Highly recommend it for fans of Tamora Pierce, Diana Wynne Jones, etc.
saranies's review against another edition
4.0
A fun fantasy story. Pretty classic: colonized country has child born into it that is the prophesied one, but there are a few twists. The main character is mad about getting manipulated
The ending felt a little like it wrapped up too easily, as though the author was nearing the end of her page count and needed things to be over. I do have questions about the Bane and the Inquisitor (although some things seem obvious, like). Looking forward to finishing out the trilogy and spending more time in the worlds.
I might like this book more than I otherwise would because a throwaway character has the same name as my cat: Alcyone.
The ending felt a little like it wrapped up too easily, as though the author was nearing the end of her page count and needed things to be over. I do have questions about the Bane and the Inquisitor (although some things seem obvious, like
Spoiler
Titus is the Bane's son and Iolanthe is somehow related to the royal familyI might like this book more than I otherwise would because a throwaway character has the same name as my cat: Alcyone.
ladytiara's review against another edition
4.0
The Burning Sky is the story of a young prince (Titus) trying desperately to save his country from an evil magical overlord and the young woman (Iolanthe) who is destined to help him in his quest. To protect Iolanthe from the evil forces threatening their country, Titus enrolls them both at Eton, and Iolanthe has to pretend to be a boy.
I'm sure this book will have people comparing it to the Harry Potter series because of the concept of a magical world co-existing with our world and the scary magical villain (and the characters "vaulting" between various locations is reminiscent of apparating), but I was reminded more of The Prisoner of Zenda for some reason (maybe it was the 19th century setting) and also of Jaclyn Moriarty's A Corner of White (Sherry Thomas' Atlantis reminds me a bit of Moriarty's kingdom of Cello).
I enjoyed this book very much. Thomas does a great job with world-building. Atlantis felt very real to me and I loved the concept of the Crucible, where the characters could enter stories (and meet Titus' ancestors). The parts that were set at Eton were equally interesting to me, and I enjoyed the contrast between the two worlds.
Titus and Iolanthe were both very strong characters. I felt a lot of sympathy for Titus, whose life is basically a lie. And Iolanthe is a strong, smart young woman who faces her destiny with courage. I loved how she was able to adjust to having to pretend to be a boy while at Eton. I enjoyed the other characters as well, particularly the Inquisitor, who was really frightening. Her scenes with Titus were very tense.
My only complaint about this book is that I felt that the romance between Titus and Iolanthe developed a little too quickly. But this is only a minor complaint, and the things that I liked about the book far outweigh this concern.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
I'm sure this book will have people comparing it to the Harry Potter series because of the concept of a magical world co-existing with our world and the scary magical villain (and the characters "vaulting" between various locations is reminiscent of apparating), but I was reminded more of The Prisoner of Zenda for some reason (maybe it was the 19th century setting) and also of Jaclyn Moriarty's A Corner of White (Sherry Thomas' Atlantis reminds me a bit of Moriarty's kingdom of Cello).
I enjoyed this book very much. Thomas does a great job with world-building. Atlantis felt very real to me and I loved the concept of the Crucible, where the characters could enter stories (and meet Titus' ancestors). The parts that were set at Eton were equally interesting to me, and I enjoyed the contrast between the two worlds.
Titus and Iolanthe were both very strong characters. I felt a lot of sympathy for Titus, whose life is basically a lie. And Iolanthe is a strong, smart young woman who faces her destiny with courage. I loved how she was able to adjust to having to pretend to be a boy while at Eton. I enjoyed the other characters as well, particularly the Inquisitor, who was really frightening. Her scenes with Titus were very tense.
My only complaint about this book is that I felt that the romance between Titus and Iolanthe developed a little too quickly. But this is only a minor complaint, and the things that I liked about the book far outweigh this concern.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
kimu23's review
2.5
Technically, this should get lower rating. The worldbuilding and the magic system are a mess, BUT the romance is great. I like the main characters and as expected of Sherry Thomas, she ate with the romance scenes.
Personally I have always been a characters > worldbuilding truther. I can ignore terrible magic system or worldbuilding full of holes as long as I love the characters. In this case, I love the romance so I’ll be reading the rest of the series
Personally I have always been a characters > worldbuilding truther. I can ignore terrible magic system or worldbuilding full of holes as long as I love the characters. In this case, I love the romance so I’ll be reading the rest of the series
callmecat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I love Titus and Iolanthe! They don’t get along for a portion of it but that’s okay. I love the writing, there is a lot of witty commentary.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual harassment
It's complicated. She's beating him up (bc she almost died) and he gave her permission to lash out at him (said he had the right to defend himself though) when he grabs her and kisses her. He didn't have any kind of permission to do that.amybraunauthor's review
4.0
Really cool story about people with elemental powers. I really enjoyed the settings and the romanticism of the book, which I would definitely call epic. The writing is fantastic and the characters are awesome. I honestly can't say who I love more– Fairfax is a strong, kind woman with insurmountable will, and Titus is a devoted, clever protector. Their chemistry is great and really helped drive the story. Really looking forward to the sequel!
amlibera's review
4.0
Really 3.5 stars - I found this book slow going for about the first half (this was possibly more me than the book) but then it kicked in and thoroughly enjoyed the mix of fantasy, fairy tale, and British boarding school.