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curiousity's review
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fantasy romance story with more world building than the average romance book, and quite a lot of conflict.
popcornn's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
diaryofthebookdragon's review
4.0
The Sorcerer's Concubine caught my eye with pretty cover, so when I needed long flowing hair for a challenge, I used it as an excuse to read it. I did not expect much, since it was obviously fantasy-romance genre, and that genre was hit-or-miss for me. But I was pleasantly surprised.
+ Intriguing world-building. Another world, but with some similarities to our own. Reminded me of 'Dark Tower' series. So I am interested to see will this turn out to be future version of our world or just a parallel universe.
🎶"Oh Su-za-na. oh don't you cry for me,
I come on down the river with a bastir on my knee."🎶
+ Nicely developed heroine. Velsa and me hit it off from the start. We connected over our mutual love of books and I loved her way of thinking, her spirit.
+ What-makes-us-human musings. As you saw from the synopsis. Velsa is an artificially made girl. Something like a robot, but made with magic. I loved all the questions book nudged at us, about the right of such beings. And how it is to live without some essential human right that we take for granted.
¿ "Could she be anything more than this? What would it feel like to belong only to herself?" ¿
+ There is a dragon. He does not have a big role and only makes a small appearance. But I love dragons, so that made my day nevertheless.
- Some characters were pretty bland. Like the hero Grau. I really wish he was more colorful and complex. But there were some quirky side characters, so I hope Grau will develop more in the sequel.
The Sorcerer's Concubine managed to overcome a cliche of fantasy-romance genre and offer me more then just a couple of hot love scenes. I can't wait to see how the world and characters will develop in the sequel [b:The Sorcerer's Wife|31659040|The Sorcerer's Wife (The Telepath and the Sorcerer #2)|Jaclyn Dolamore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1472008702s/31659040.jpg|52330301].
+ Intriguing world-building. Another world, but with some similarities to our own. Reminded me of 'Dark Tower' series. So I am interested to see will this turn out to be future version of our world or just a parallel universe.
🎶"Oh Su-za-na. oh don't you cry for me,
I come on down the river with a bastir on my knee."🎶
+ Nicely developed heroine. Velsa and me hit it off from the start. We connected over our mutual love of books and I loved her way of thinking, her spirit.
+ What-makes-us-human musings. As you saw from the synopsis. Velsa is an artificially made girl. Something like a robot, but made with magic. I loved all the questions book nudged at us, about the right of such beings. And how it is to live without some essential human right that we take for granted.
¿ "Could she be anything more than this? What would it feel like to belong only to herself?" ¿
+ There is a dragon. He does not have a big role and only makes a small appearance. But I love dragons, so that made my day nevertheless.
- Some characters were pretty bland. Like the hero Grau. I really wish he was more colorful and complex. But there were some quirky side characters, so I hope Grau will develop more in the sequel.
The Sorcerer's Concubine managed to overcome a cliche of fantasy-romance genre and offer me more then just a couple of hot love scenes. I can't wait to see how the world and characters will develop in the sequel [b:The Sorcerer's Wife|31659040|The Sorcerer's Wife (The Telepath and the Sorcerer #2)|Jaclyn Dolamore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1472008702s/31659040.jpg|52330301].
blakeybuttons's review
2.0
The premise of [b:The Sorcerer's Concubine|30373912|The Sorcerer's Concubine (The Telepath and the Sorcerer, #1)|Jaclyn Dolamore|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1466099861s/30373912.jpg|50888043] sounded very intriguing- the protagonist a sentient, human sized doll created by magic! Created and trained to be a concubine, she is purchased by a young man who has taken a post as a sorcerer on the nation's border. It all sounds very interesting. Unfortunately, for me, the book just didn't live up to the excitement. The plot was dull and very little actually happened- except for some man-on-doll sex scenes that I found uncomfortable.
I won't be continuing this series, as it clearly isn't for me. Overall, I found it boring and, well, too much doll sex. There are quite a lot of happy reviews for this novel, so it hits the right notes for some. Just not the series for me.
I won't be continuing this series, as it clearly isn't for me. Overall, I found it boring and, well, too much doll sex. There are quite a lot of happy reviews for this novel, so it hits the right notes for some. Just not the series for me.
gjalvi's review
3.0
Rating: ☆☆☆½
The Sorcerer’s Concubine is such an interesting story. I loved the concept behind it, there was some LGBT representation, and there were some really interesting characters. But, all praise aside I did have some problems with the world-building, the plot, and the romance felt very instalove-y.
Read the full review on my blog
The Sorcerer’s Concubine is such an interesting story. I loved the concept behind it, there was some LGBT representation, and there were some really interesting characters. But, all praise aside I did have some problems with the world-building, the plot, and the romance felt very instalove-y.
Read the full review on my blog
bookishfifi's review
3.0
One of the oddest books I have read for quite a while. I'm now completely torn as to whether to continue with the other two books in the trilogy or not. If I do continue it won't be for a while, need a break from the strangeness of the Fanarlem...
aimee70807's review
5.0
Wow! This is exactly what I'm looking for and yet so seldom find. A strongly character-based book with a solid romance thread and top-notch worldbuilding. Basically, imagine what would happen if Pinnochio had been a woman in a world where puppets were created as concubines. Would he ever have become a real boy?
cherryreads's review
4.0
Ever since I read The Vengeful Half, I've been really curious about the Fanarlem so this was an auto-buy for me. I really enjoyed Velsa and Grau's characters equally, the descriptions were vivid and I easily lost myself in their world. I read half the book in one sitting without realizing it.
This is a fairly short story that is really great if you're just coming out of a heavy fantasy or need something fun to read in between longer books. Original and creative, definitely looking forward to the next book!
This is a fairly short story that is really great if you're just coming out of a heavy fantasy or need something fun to read in between longer books. Original and creative, definitely looking forward to the next book!
kittyg's review
3.0
This was one of the last #SPFBO books I had to get around to reading and although some elements were a pleasant surprise for me, I found some areas of the plot and concept a little too troubling too. This story focuses on a main character called Velsa who is a Farnalem. Farnalem are essentially enchanted dolls who are made with wooden bones, skin with stuffing, waterproof hands, and are the same in most other ways as regular women. They each have a soul which is trapped within them to make them 'real' and they are all uniquely crafted at different institutes in the world where thew story takes place. These ladies/men are all the remnants of 'real' people (supposedly evil ones) who have been trapped on their planet in this new form and made to become concubines to the 'flesh and blood' people of the world.
Velsa's story was one which immediately felt readable. She's a relatable character and she comes across as young, but also someone who we can feel for as the reader. Her life to this point has been training and prep for the moment where she can be 'bought' by her 'master'. She's terrified of getting a 'bad' master, and she tries her best not to be wilful - something relatively hard for Vesla as she's got a gold band which stops her magical powers or telekineses and makes her feel somehow less than she should be.
What I liked about this was the concept of the world and the set up felt very intriguing to me. The moment I found out the idea of Farnalem I was reminded of those in Westworld and I really like exploring the morals/ethics of when is a person a person etc. I definitely feel like that was a great part of this book, along with the wonderful representation of some more diverse groups (e.g. lesbians etc.)
One part of the book which jarred a little more with me was the whole concept of love. Velsa and her master inevitably end up falling for one another, but I felt like this all happened far too fast on Vesla's part after seeing how guarded she was at first. I think I would have liked to see a more gradual build here as I think that meant her character was a little hard to believe at times.
The other part I didn't like as much was the girl vs. girl trope. I've seen this happen in life and in stories so many times, and I feel like I'd really enjoy not seeing the 'bad guy' of the story being another girl who really could have helped or been beneficial to our main character just because it's a bit easier to write. Maybe that's a personal niggle, either way it wasn't too major to detract my enjoyment.
In the end I gave this a solid 3.5*s and I would recommend it as it's a very good concept and it has some really interesting ideas which are discussed. Although I had a few quibbles, generally I read it super quickly and found myself keen to get back to it and see what would happen next :)
Velsa's story was one which immediately felt readable. She's a relatable character and she comes across as young, but also someone who we can feel for as the reader. Her life to this point has been training and prep for the moment where she can be 'bought' by her 'master'. She's terrified of getting a 'bad' master, and she tries her best not to be wilful - something relatively hard for Vesla as she's got a gold band which stops her magical powers or telekineses and makes her feel somehow less than she should be.
What I liked about this was the concept of the world and the set up felt very intriguing to me. The moment I found out the idea of Farnalem I was reminded of those in Westworld and I really like exploring the morals/ethics of when is a person a person etc. I definitely feel like that was a great part of this book, along with the wonderful representation of some more diverse groups (e.g. lesbians etc.)
One part of the book which jarred a little more with me was the whole concept of love. Velsa and her master inevitably end up falling for one another, but I felt like this all happened far too fast on Vesla's part after seeing how guarded she was at first. I think I would have liked to see a more gradual build here as I think that meant her character was a little hard to believe at times.
The other part I didn't like as much was the girl vs. girl trope. I've seen this happen in life and in stories so many times, and I feel like I'd really enjoy not seeing the 'bad guy' of the story being another girl who really could have helped or been beneficial to our main character just because it's a bit easier to write. Maybe that's a personal niggle, either way it wasn't too major to detract my enjoyment.
In the end I gave this a solid 3.5*s and I would recommend it as it's a very good concept and it has some really interesting ideas which are discussed. Although I had a few quibbles, generally I read it super quickly and found myself keen to get back to it and see what would happen next :)
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