Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.56 AVERAGE
3.56 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
*Thank you to the author and publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
First off the world was very cool and it has all the things I like in a fantasy novel: an adventure, interesting magic, beautiful and otherworldly world descriptions.
However, there were a lot of problems with this book and I think a lot of them could be solved with some editing. The writing itself was good but the plot wasn’t exactly cohesive and I didn’t love the characters. It follows Kylene, a 16 year old girl who is a self taught herbalist, and Lovelace, an adult man wizard. Who’s paths eventually cross as they both run from a rogue evil wizard and his peacekeepers.
I thought these were a bizarre choice of characters to follow as they are two demographics of readers and so I related to one and was utterly bored by the other. I found the fantasy names to be a bit cliche and also a bit of a pain. There were so many world building dumps that I just plowed through without really remembering who’s who and what silly fantasy words they’re talking about.
I think the main problem was the structure of the plot. The inciting incident sorta doesn’t happen until 100 pages in. The book itself is quite short for all of the world building it does. It’s only 200+ pages with all for the action happening in the later 100.
I thought the opening chapter about a random boy was very catchy and interesting but then bouncing between too seemingly unrelated characters plots didn’t really make sense.
The book ending ends up making the whole story feel like a setup for the actual plot (which would be book 2). It all felt like backstory.
I think the setup for the story is interesting but then it’s unclear what all the characters goals are until 100 pages in. I don’t know what Kylene is attempting to do really besides find her dad but she doesn’t seem to have a real plan or goal. Lovelace and Co’s goals are also unclear. We’re getting lots of wizard lore and then for some reason they stop in 1 town to recruit help but only 1 town and then give up and continue on their journey????? As a result there’s 0 character growth.
The two kids that Lovelace ends up picking up felt more like pets and plot devices than people.
Overall J thought it was a very mid fantasy book which was disappointing since the world building was cool and the synopsis sounded really promising.
SPOILERS FOLLOWING:
I don’t understand why Kylene goes by a different name at the end it was utterly ridiculous.
Also I don’t believe Lovelace and Gunner would have defeated Alev, he was far too powerful and the fact that they all died but then somehow they came back to life was ridiculous.
The Kylene pools bit at the end with the trippy death/transcendent montage was ridiculous.
First off the world was very cool and it has all the things I like in a fantasy novel: an adventure, interesting magic, beautiful and otherworldly world descriptions.
However, there were a lot of problems with this book and I think a lot of them could be solved with some editing. The writing itself was good but the plot wasn’t exactly cohesive and I didn’t love the characters. It follows Kylene, a 16 year old girl who is a self taught herbalist, and Lovelace, an adult man wizard. Who’s paths eventually cross as they both run from a rogue evil wizard and his peacekeepers.
I thought these were a bizarre choice of characters to follow as they are two demographics of readers and so I related to one and was utterly bored by the other. I found the fantasy names to be a bit cliche and also a bit of a pain. There were so many world building dumps that I just plowed through without really remembering who’s who and what silly fantasy words they’re talking about.
I think the main problem was the structure of the plot. The inciting incident sorta doesn’t happen until 100 pages in. The book itself is quite short for all of the world building it does. It’s only 200+ pages with all for the action happening in the later 100.
I thought the opening chapter about a random boy was very catchy and interesting but then bouncing between too seemingly unrelated characters plots didn’t really make sense.
The book ending ends up making the whole story feel like a setup for the actual plot (which would be book 2). It all felt like backstory.
I think the setup for the story is interesting but then it’s unclear what all the characters goals are until 100 pages in. I don’t know what Kylene is attempting to do really besides find her dad but she doesn’t seem to have a real plan or goal. Lovelace and Co’s goals are also unclear. We’re getting lots of wizard lore and then for some reason they stop in 1 town to recruit help but only 1 town and then give up and continue on their journey????? As a result there’s 0 character growth.
The two kids that Lovelace ends up picking up felt more like pets and plot devices than people.
Overall J thought it was a very mid fantasy book which was disappointing since the world building was cool and the synopsis sounded really promising.
SPOILERS FOLLOWING:
Also I don’t believe Lovelace and Gunner would have defeated Alev, he was far too powerful and the fact that they all died but then somehow they came back to life was ridiculous.
The Kylene pools bit at the end with the trippy death/transcendent montage was ridiculous.
Thank you NetGalley for granting me access to this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This book! I absolutely loved the slow burn in this book. What’s even better is that it’s a fantasy slow burn!
The world building and story telling is fantastic throughout this book. I honestly could not it it down. What an amazing debut!
This book! I absolutely loved the slow burn in this book. What’s even better is that it’s a fantasy slow burn!
The world building and story telling is fantastic throughout this book. I honestly could not it it down. What an amazing debut!
slow-paced
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
And honestly, this book was a
Real slog for me. I didn’t really connect with the characters, the world, or the plot. I still have a lot of questions about the world, the magic system, and the book in general. There was a lot of telling and not enough showing. Basically a lot of “new writer” problems.
I really didn’t feel like there was a satisfying conclusion to this first book in what I assume is a planned series of unknown length. It read, to me, like the first part of a quest story (the gathering of the fellowship, If you will) and ended just about when the quest was beginning.
I don’t see myself continuing with this series.
And honestly, this book was a
Real slog for me. I didn’t really connect with the characters, the world, or the plot. I still have a lot of questions about the world, the magic system, and the book in general. There was a lot of telling and not enough showing. Basically a lot of “new writer” problems.
I really didn’t feel like there was a satisfying conclusion to this first book in what I assume is a planned series of unknown length. It read, to me, like the first part of a quest story (the gathering of the fellowship, If you will) and ended just about when the quest was beginning.
I don’t see myself continuing with this series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual assault, Stalking, Murder, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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:
No
Features:
- A blend of magical adventure and revolutionary tale centered around the control of knowledge and the pursuit of truth
- Slow burn fantasy
- Enlightenment era world with strong Gaelic inspiration
- Nature and memory based magic system
The magical dactyli order is on the brink of collapse; threatened by both a new political regime seeking to undermine them and a powerful rogue dactyli who is killing off potential new recruits. As two members of the order try to discover the truths behind these threats, a young woman finds herself among outcasts as she follows the trail left for her by her rebel father. As each goes on their journey, only one thing is certain: the winds of change have arrived in The Grasp.
The Grasp is an intriguing world at the edge of enlightenment. Voss welcomes readers into this complicated setting with lovely writing and interesting characters. That being said, this is the first book in a series and definitely feels like it. There is a lot to be learned about this world and this book takes its time teaching you and setting up the complicated conflicts that will likely be explored in future installations. Though slow paced, the book never dragged for me. However, the book ends when it feels like things are just beginning and the villain characters don’t get the same quality development in this particular piece. If you enjoy solid world building and don’t mind a slower pace, this is definitely a book I would recommend!
Some things familiar, some things new
Though there are many familiar tropes in this book, they are woven together in a way that feels unique and make space for some of the new elements to be introduced. The magic system is based on the elements, but the way it is tied to both nature and memory gives it a fresh feel and makes it more intimately connected to the world at large. Though it definitely has an ‘old world’ vibe, the choice to set this at the start of a period of enlightenment gives the familiar conflicts unfolding a very different feel and a lot more complexity. These are just a couple of many such details that gives this story a unique identity and I love that the book allows you to discover its intricacies on your own. If Voss can continue to deliver on the promises of this book, the next installments will be even more amazing!
Setting the stage
This book moves at a slow pace as it assembles all of the pieces for the central conflict. Though the story never dragged, there is a lot of build up to what feels like the inciting for the rest of the series rather than the climax of this individual book. There are definitely some unexpected twists and intense moments, but the lack of time spent on the ‘villain’ characters and overall conflict makes them feel a little flat in this particular book. However, I think that a lot of this feeling is because the central plot of the series is just starting. That being said, this book doesn’t exactly end on a cliffhanger, but it leaves you with far more questions and plot lines than you start with. Overall, this is very much a ‘first book’ but I am interested to see where this story will go.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Collective Ink Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
adventurous
slow-paced
The two POVs in this uniquely poetic novel are very intriguing - I loved how the MCs connected and how the story unfolded. Pif was hilarious. This was a relatively serious story so having him there as comedic effect was perfect. I do feel like the story was more slow paced than I prefer, but overall an amazing debut and I will definitely look for more from this author (a sequel to this book preferably!)
I think this book would be good for fans of the Shadow and Bones trilogy by Leigh Bardugo or The Mothmar trilogy by Amanda Auler.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author! All opinions are my own.
I think this book would be good for fans of the Shadow and Bones trilogy by Leigh Bardugo or The Mothmar trilogy by Amanda Auler.
Thanks to NetGalley and the author! All opinions are my own.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Murder
Moderate: Blood, Kidnapping
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to Maressa Voss for the advanced copy of this amazing book. I received my copy from NetGalley.
WOW. I absolutely loved this book. The fact this is a debut novel for this author is absolutely incredible. Maressa Voss will be a stand-out author in the fantasy genre. With the combination of traditional fantasy with modern-day themes, this story is exciting, fun, and, more importantly, will make you think about power, the control some people have over society, and how we treat the earth. I found myself rooting for the characters, feeling their emotions, laughing at their sass, and pausing to sit and think about quotes and truths that hit me in my soul.
Loveable main characters, an unexpected band of found family, fascinating elemental magic, exciting twists, and easy-to-digest but strong world-building. I devoured this story and cannot wait to see what comes next.
WOW. I absolutely loved this book. The fact this is a debut novel for this author is absolutely incredible. Maressa Voss will be a stand-out author in the fantasy genre. With the combination of traditional fantasy with modern-day themes, this story is exciting, fun, and, more importantly, will make you think about power, the control some people have over society, and how we treat the earth. I found myself rooting for the characters, feeling their emotions, laughing at their sass, and pausing to sit and think about quotes and truths that hit me in my soul.
Loveable main characters, an unexpected band of found family, fascinating elemental magic, exciting twists, and easy-to-digest but strong world-building. I devoured this story and cannot wait to see what comes next.
Generell echt gut, aber es war sehr kompliziert zu lesen und auf Englisch war es dann doch etwas arg anstrengend
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
*ARC received from Netgalley - all opinions are my own*
TLDR: The magic and lore are vague but interesting, and the story is well written but incredibly slow until 40ish%. Kylene is the most interesting POV but Lovelace gets more chapters. Think most will like or thoroughly enjoy this book but I don't think it’s worth continuing with for me as the conclusion is very anticlimactic and the overarching story is a bit lacklustre.
The best point of When Shadows Grow Tall is Voss’ use of descriptives and has a great talent for writing a scene and helping you to imagine everything without needing to go overboard. Despite having finished the book over a week ago, I can still clearly picture multiple scenes from the book.
This is a dual POV book, with Lovelace and Kylene being our two main characters. Lovelace has the majority of page time which, in my opinion, really makes the book drag and some of his chapters just feel neverending. Kylene, on the other hand, is a much more interesting character to read about and I don't know if it’s just due to her being younger or the fact that we are following her through such a tumultuous time where she’s experiencing a lot of things for the first time but her chapters really helped me get through this novel. I will say that Lovelace does get more likeable as the story progresses, just not massively.
The first 40% or so are an absolute drag to get through and I would have likely DNF’d if this wasn’t for review. It really gets going around the 50-60% mark and I finished it pretty quickly after that. The story is interesting and I enjoyed the rough magic system and lore that we have and while we don’t get loads of details, I didn’t feel like I needed things to be more in depth than they were for the most part. The ending “big fight bit” with Cora was the only part where it was so ridiculously vague as to how her powers worked and the whole situation unfolded. It just felt really unrealistic (yes, I know we’re talking about fantasy here).
Overall, it’s a perfectly fine book that I feel most will like, if not really enjoy. However, while I liked the When Shadows Grow Tall, I will not be continuing the series.