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rachiller's review against another edition
5.0
(I was provided this by netgalley in exchange for an honest review)
Hearthstone is a humbling tale tackling responsibility and choices in a way that revolves around community, relationships, the environment, and, most interesting of all for myself, gender (I’m really not well versed in the particulars of gender identity and fluidity, but always eager to learn). I enjoyed reading it (and understatement? Yes), the dynamics and changing relationships between the characters, the descriptions of magic and a land so different to ours. It was longer than I anticipated, which I was soon glad of, growing pretty quickly attached to the characters we follow across multiple POVs. Would recommend. Now just to wait for the next one to answer the many (many) questions I have.
Hearthstone is a humbling tale tackling responsibility and choices in a way that revolves around community, relationships, the environment, and, most interesting of all for myself, gender (I’m really not well versed in the particulars of gender identity and fluidity, but always eager to learn). I enjoyed reading it (and understatement? Yes), the dynamics and changing relationships between the characters, the descriptions of magic and a land so different to ours. It was longer than I anticipated, which I was soon glad of, growing pretty quickly attached to the characters we follow across multiple POVs. Would recommend. Now just to wait for the next one to answer the many (many) questions I have.
itsneilcochrane's review against another edition
4.0
This book is so good. The story creeps and unfolds with a dread that mirrors the hard, complex situations in which the protagonists find themselves. Brilliantly nuanced with top-notch character development and fascinating world-building.
hopeevey's review against another edition
4.0
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Honestly, I discovered this publisher through excitement about this book :) Second-world fantasy with a cultural norm of non-binary gendering? Sign me right the fuck up!
The gender pronouns take a bit of getting used to. Other than that, you'll slip into the setting like getting into a warm bath. Of course, the setting feels so real because the people there feel real.
This first volume manages to have a deeply satisfying ending, even with so many loose ends to be addressed in the next book. That's a challenge to pull off, but this author meets that challenge well. While I am VERY eager for book 2, it's not because book 1 didn't come to a good completion.
P.S. Dear BHC Press, I've been a very good reader. I would like a review copy of book 2 please!
Honestly, I discovered this publisher through excitement about this book :) Second-world fantasy with a cultural norm of non-binary gendering? Sign me right the fuck up!
The gender pronouns take a bit of getting used to. Other than that, you'll slip into the setting like getting into a warm bath. Of course, the setting feels so real because the people there feel real.
This first volume manages to have a deeply satisfying ending, even with so many loose ends to be addressed in the next book. That's a challenge to pull off, but this author meets that challenge well. While I am VERY eager for book 2, it's not because book 1 didn't come to a good completion.
P.S. Dear BHC Press, I've been a very good reader. I would like a review copy of book 2 please!
twistedreads's review against another edition
3.0
I’m going to give it to Emmie Mears – she has one hell of a creative mind!
The down side of being creative, however, is that sometimes the mind doesn’t know when to stop. Personally, this was the main flaw I found in Hearthfire.
This world that Mears has created is so vast and unusual that I completely understand the need for descriptive text (which was absolutely beautifully done by the way. No one will ever say that this author can’t turn a phrase!) but I found that there was so much focus on building the world up that the plotline and characters were overshadowed. I kept finding myself losing focus on what I was reading and would have to constantly go back and reread paragraphs.
I also applaud the author of the use of non-binary pronouns. This is something we are just starting to see more and more of in books but still isn’t very common. While the pronouns system was a refreshing change to what we tend to see as the norm in novels, the lack of explanation and the inconsistency of use made it a bit awkward to read. Sure, you get used to it after a while but it took me a lot longer than it should have to realize that these were not typos.
The Journeying as a coming of age tradition was unique and I loved the concept as well as the characters’ relationships with each other and those they meet along the way to find their Names. Again, however, I found that the exciting adventure I was hoping to see was overshadowed by excessive use of descriptive writing and the book dragged on rather than pulled me in. I think the use of “less is more” philosophy would have made for a more captivating read.
I think Mears did a fantastic job of creating a world that I would like to read more about and there is no question of the author’s talent when it comes to putting her creativity to paper. The writing style absolutely blew me away but, personally, I would have loved to have seen more when it came to the characters themselves and the journey they were on rather than focusing on the world and creatures in it.
I have no doubt that there will be many, many lovers of YA high fantasy that will devour this novel, but I don’t feel that it’s for me. For as much as there were parts I enjoyed there was an equal, if not greater, amount that kept me from immersing myself. I will keep an eye out for this author in the future, however, and will be keeping an open mind when the next book in this series comes out. I think it will be interesting to see how this series progresses.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my own, honest opinion.
The down side of being creative, however, is that sometimes the mind doesn’t know when to stop. Personally, this was the main flaw I found in Hearthfire.
This world that Mears has created is so vast and unusual that I completely understand the need for descriptive text (which was absolutely beautifully done by the way. No one will ever say that this author can’t turn a phrase!) but I found that there was so much focus on building the world up that the plotline and characters were overshadowed. I kept finding myself losing focus on what I was reading and would have to constantly go back and reread paragraphs.
I also applaud the author of the use of non-binary pronouns. This is something we are just starting to see more and more of in books but still isn’t very common. While the pronouns system was a refreshing change to what we tend to see as the norm in novels, the lack of explanation and the inconsistency of use made it a bit awkward to read. Sure, you get used to it after a while but it took me a lot longer than it should have to realize that these were not typos.
The Journeying as a coming of age tradition was unique and I loved the concept as well as the characters’ relationships with each other and those they meet along the way to find their Names. Again, however, I found that the exciting adventure I was hoping to see was overshadowed by excessive use of descriptive writing and the book dragged on rather than pulled me in. I think the use of “less is more” philosophy would have made for a more captivating read.
I think Mears did a fantastic job of creating a world that I would like to read more about and there is no question of the author’s talent when it comes to putting her creativity to paper. The writing style absolutely blew me away but, personally, I would have loved to have seen more when it came to the characters themselves and the journey they were on rather than focusing on the world and creatures in it.
I have no doubt that there will be many, many lovers of YA high fantasy that will devour this novel, but I don’t feel that it’s for me. For as much as there were parts I enjoyed there was an equal, if not greater, amount that kept me from immersing myself. I will keep an eye out for this author in the future, however, and will be keeping an open mind when the next book in this series comes out. I think it will be interesting to see how this series progresses.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my own, honest opinion.
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