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onepageatatime's review
3.0
This story fell very flat. There wasn't much imagery, world building, or descriptions. The storyline and the backstory of the characters was a little confusing but the plot was straightforward. The complication of having aliens and angels mixed together was just a little overwhelming.
Lucy was just living a normal, life until a star fell out of the sky and knocked her out. When she woke up Jason Woods, a new guy in her best friend's life is there. She starts to have strange dreams which tell her about the Starlight Princess and warn her that she can not be reawakened. When she searches for answers she is torn between saving the world or saving her best friend Valerie. But Valerie is hiding things too and she cannot be saved.
Lucy was just living a normal, life until a star fell out of the sky and knocked her out. When she woke up Jason Woods, a new guy in her best friend's life is there. She starts to have strange dreams which tell her about the Starlight Princess and warn her that she can not be reawakened. When she searches for answers she is torn between saving the world or saving her best friend Valerie. But Valerie is hiding things too and she cannot be saved.
cnewby927's review
1.0
The blurb on this book sounded interesting, but unfortunately this just fell short. There was an extreme lack of world building and character development. There was not enough in some areas and then just so much going on in others that I had to re-read it just to figure out what was going on.
I can't recommend this to anyone unfortunately. There are just too many amazing stories out there to pick this one up.
I can't recommend this to anyone unfortunately. There are just too many amazing stories out there to pick this one up.
auburnedge's review
3.0
I had exceptionally high hopes for this book. The cover was beyond gorgeous and if it was in a store I probably would have bought it just for the cover.
But the story itself was flat, messy, and at times a bit hard to follow. There is almost no world building and if there is it's thrown in haphazardly and you have to pick it out.
Overall this had promise but it just didn't feel cohesive to me
But the story itself was flat, messy, and at times a bit hard to follow. There is almost no world building and if there is it's thrown in haphazardly and you have to pick it out.
Overall this had promise but it just didn't feel cohesive to me
themagicalbookarchive's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.0
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
Disclaimer: I received this e-arc from the author. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Winter Charlatan
Author: Victoria McCombs
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, magic, retellings, Sleeping Beauty
Publication Date: December 7, 2021
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (Romance, Slight Violence, Slight Gore)
Explanation of CWs: Very light romance with some kisses and the story doesn’t focus on it. There is also some very slight violence and gore.
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 336
Synopsis: A Queen raised in the shadows, and a Fraud Prince who needs her help.
The sole heir to the kingdom is destined to sleep for a hundred years. To hide this liability, the queen left her cursed daughter in the care of a trusted lord, while taking his son as her own. Rowan grew up hating the boy who had her crown and vowed to one day reclaim her place as queen.
But when a neighboring king threatens a war they won’t survive, Rowan must work with the fraud prince to save Elenvérs. She pledges herself as his spy in the enemy court and lives in the heart of danger. If she can’t save her kingdom before the curse hits, there may be nothing left to wake up to.
Review: For the most part I really liked this book! The character development and world building was well done and I loved all of the dialogue and all of the relationships. The writing was well done and I was able to read through this super quickly. The book had a lot of fun twists and turns and it was just a fun magical book.
The only issues I had with the book are that I felt the book was too fast paced for me and that I feel like I would have a better understanding of this world overall if I read the other books.
Verdict: It was good!
Book: The Winter Charlatan
Author: Victoria McCombs
Rating: 5/5
Recommended For...: middle grade readers, fantasy, magic, retellings, Sleeping Beauty
Publication Date: December 7, 2021
Genre: MG Fantasy
Recommended Age: 10+ (Romance, Slight Violence, Slight Gore)
Explanation of CWs: Very light romance with some kisses and the story doesn’t focus on it. There is also some very slight violence and gore.
Publisher: Indie Published
Pages: 336
Synopsis: A Queen raised in the shadows, and a Fraud Prince who needs her help.
The sole heir to the kingdom is destined to sleep for a hundred years. To hide this liability, the queen left her cursed daughter in the care of a trusted lord, while taking his son as her own. Rowan grew up hating the boy who had her crown and vowed to one day reclaim her place as queen.
But when a neighboring king threatens a war they won’t survive, Rowan must work with the fraud prince to save Elenvérs. She pledges herself as his spy in the enemy court and lives in the heart of danger. If she can’t save her kingdom before the curse hits, there may be nothing left to wake up to.
Review: For the most part I really liked this book! The character development and world building was well done and I loved all of the dialogue and all of the relationships. The writing was well done and I was able to read through this super quickly. The book had a lot of fun twists and turns and it was just a fun magical book.
The only issues I had with the book are that I felt the book was too fast paced for me and that I feel like I would have a better understanding of this world overall if I read the other books.
Verdict: It was good!
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