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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Uh yes this was kinda fun, but also really tropy. The world building was meh, and the characters aswell. The love interests were both annoying tbh. Soren was naive and Blaise was sometimes just mean like I didn't like them a lot. The story was fun and had some twists, but overall the book is just okay, for fantasy nothing spectacular or something I haven't seen before. Also, Theo was confusing as heck, she didn't know what she want, and changed her mind constantly and ahhh when the book was over I was actually done with it.
Maybe I'm gonna read the second book, because I'm a bit curious, but probably I won't lol.
Mediocre at best. It’s basically exactly the same storyline as the Throne of Glass series, but poorly executed. I found it pretty boring, but perhaps others might like it. Writing is okay; nothing special.
Why did I even bother finishing this. Should've thrown it in the dnf pile.
4 stars - I really enjoyed this series. The plot wasn't very different from any other YA fantasy novel (young princess of a conquered nation is kept and tormented in the conqueror's palace; she decides to head up a rebellion - all three books are about the building rebellion), but I liked the characters a lot and felt pretty invested in the whole story. I liked that there were interesting side characters, I found the love triangle to be well executed (and not the center of the story, which I appreciated), and the protagonist grew a lot throughout the trilogy. I also thought the development of the main enemy to be creative and nuanced. I would not only recommend this, but enjoy reading the trilogy again in a few years.
A strong 4.5
I liked this one. The prose is a bit younger geared, but the subject matter was dark enough. The main character was well written and there's enough twists to keep it interesting. I like that things weren't always black and white and that you could understand why Theo/Thora might change her mind on things.
There are quite a few references that recall moments in history where colonizers have brought destruction to a civilization and/or brought injustice to a group of people (the Astreans in general are said to have tawny skin where the Kalovaxians are of fair skin and hair). Many of the Kalovaxians that Theo speaks of are not necessarily "evil" but they are willing to ignore (or even participate in) injustice in favor of convenience and status. Much of it serves as an allegory for colonizing of the past, and the ignorance of those who did so.
Being that it's written in a first person narrative this comes across a bit as a coming of age and growing into ones own, but with a shroud of dark fairy tale (there is a slight super natural element - that however is not a central focus, at least not yet).
Eager to read the next one.
I liked this one. The prose is a bit younger geared, but the subject matter was dark enough. The main character was well written and there's enough twists to keep it interesting. I like that things weren't always black and white and that you could understand why Theo/Thora might change her mind on things.
There are quite a few references that recall moments in history where colonizers have brought destruction to a civilization and/or brought injustice to a group of people (the Astreans in general are said to have tawny skin where the Kalovaxians are of fair skin and hair). Many of the Kalovaxians that Theo speaks of are not necessarily "evil" but they are willing to ignore (or even participate in) injustice in favor of convenience and status. Much of it serves as an allegory for colonizing of the past, and the ignorance of those who did so.
Being that it's written in a first person narrative this comes across a bit as a coming of age and growing into ones own, but with a shroud of dark fairy tale (there is a slight super natural element - that however is not a central focus, at least not yet).
Eager to read the next one.
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I was not expecting this it was really good. I was hooked the whole time. It never went were I thought it would.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Genocide, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Sexual harassment, War
4/5 stars
*deep inhale*
*pterodactly screech*
This has been one of my all time favorite books since 2017.
The first time I read this, I was just starting to get into fantasy. The second time I read it, I was re-reading both [b:Ash Princess|32505753|Ash Princess (Ash Princess Trilogy, #1)|Laura Sebastian|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503181967l/32505753._SY75_.jpg|53100842] and [b:Lady Smoke|40702154|Lady Smoke (Ash Princess Trilogy, #2)|Laura Sebastian|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1532535833l/40702154._SY75_.jpg|60796563] so I could refresh my memory for [b:Ember Queen|39216077|Ember Queen (Ash Princess Trilogy, #3)|Laura Sebastian|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1561484334l/39216077._SX50_.jpg|60796667]. This is my third time reading, and I love it just as much as I always have.
The plot is fast paced and twisty. It'll keep you on your toes, that's for sure. Personally, I've always preferred plot-driven books, so this is the kind of story I like.
That being said,
A lot of people find it really vanilla (which isn't a bad thing), and justifiably so. I think it's a perfect rec for people who are just starting to get into YA fantasy. It has a main character with a backstory and a goal. It has obstacles. It has great worldbuilding. It has okay side characters. The villain in the first book comes off as pretty cartoon-ish (in the second book, that drastically changes, if you know what I mean lol).
I'll be the first to admit that the characters in this weren't really memorable. They were… how do I say this? Cliche.
✓ Theo is the Badass Princess Of Ruined Kingdom™.
✓ Soren is the Conflicted Prince Of The Enemy Country Who Hates His Father And Simps For The Princess™. Sill love him though lol.
✓ Blaise is the Mysterious Dark-Haired Love Interest Who Goes Distant Sometimes To Make Things Angsty™.
✓ Heron is the Tall Soft Boi™.
✓ Artemisia is the Badass Female Side Character Whose Only Personality Trait Is Feminism™.
✓ Cress… well. I’m not gonna talk about her because I don’t wanna spoil anything.
So. To summarize, I totally recommend this book to plot-driven-books lovers. If you prefer character-driven books, I wouldn't raise my standards if I were you.
Still, this book deserves a lot more recognition and FANART than it gets.
Theo was just a child when her country was invaded and her parents were killed. She is now kept around to be the whipping boy for her people, but she hopes one day to retake the thrown that is rightfully hers.
This is a difficult book to read. Theo deals with a lot of physical, verbal, emotional abuse throughout her life. She is a very serious character and this is a book that takes its story very seriously. Unfortunately, this book felt very similar to many YA fantasy and fairy tale retellings that have already been published; there wasn't much to set this story apart from other fantasy tales. I would give this book to teens who are very interested in fairy tale retellings or the teens who are always asking me for "books about people who have a lot of hard stuff to deal with." Unfortunately, however, this book is mostly forgettable.
Recommended for: teens
Red Flags: abuse and violence
Overall Rating: 2/5 stars
Read-Alikes: Ash by Malinda Lo, Cinder by Marissa Meyer
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley for the purposes of review.
This is a difficult book to read. Theo deals with a lot of physical, verbal, emotional abuse throughout her life. She is a very serious character and this is a book that takes its story very seriously. Unfortunately, this book felt very similar to many YA fantasy and fairy tale retellings that have already been published; there wasn't much to set this story apart from other fantasy tales. I would give this book to teens who are very interested in fairy tale retellings or the teens who are always asking me for "books about people who have a lot of hard stuff to deal with." Unfortunately, however, this book is mostly forgettable.
Recommended for: teens
Red Flags: abuse and violence
Overall Rating: 2/5 stars
Read-Alikes: Ash by Malinda Lo, Cinder by Marissa Meyer
I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley for the purposes of review.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
3.5?
I enjoyed this, I guess. It was a lot darker than I expected and I really appreciated that.
And this love triangle is maybe the first one I actually found to be good.
All in all, an enjoyable read.
I enjoyed this, I guess. It was a lot darker than I expected and I really appreciated that.
And this love triangle is maybe the first one I actually found to be good.
All in all, an enjoyable read.