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rileyc16's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
yukarin's review against another edition
1.0
0.5 Stars
It took me so long to finish this book and for what price.
The writing style of Julie Kagawa is different, sometimes long and dissolute but readable. Also the premise of giving the fae (not a hint but a big bucket of) shakespearean influence was new and somewhat refreshing for fae books. But oh. my. gosh. I hated the characters! I couldn't relate to ANY character at all. Puck was just weirdly stupid, Ash was just meh and Meghan was a character without any traits or brain cells.
Because of this stupidity I almost DNFed the book months ago. And now, I wished that I had done that.
It took me so long to finish this book and for what price.
The writing style of Julie Kagawa is different, sometimes long and dissolute but readable. Also the premise of giving the fae (not a hint but a big bucket of) shakespearean influence was new and somewhat refreshing for fae books. But oh. my. gosh. I hated the characters! I couldn't relate to ANY character at all. Puck was just weirdly stupid, Ash was just meh and Meghan was a character without any traits or brain cells.
Because of this stupidity I almost DNFed the book months ago. And now, I wished that I had done that.
bookph1le's review against another edition
4.0
I'll admit it, when I saw that this book was published by Harlequin Teen, I wasn't sure I wanted to read it. I was afraid it was going to be a straight-up romance novel and, since I don't enjoy romance novels, I has some apprehensions going into this one. However, it didn't take long for me to realize that, while there is a romance, this isn't a romance novel. It's a complex story that takes old myths and fables and puts it own twist on them, and I couldn't put it down. Some minor spoilers to follow.
If I have one critique of this novel, it's this: I thought the romance was a little too insta-love for my tastes. The dangerous bad boy who's on the wrong side struck me as a set up that was a bit too obvious. I'm really over the romances where there's sexual tension between the heroine and her love interest simply because he seems dark and brooding--and, of course, wildly handsome. This particular theme has been done to death. Still, it could have been saved had more time been taken to show how Meghan and Ash gradually come together, but it's pretty much a given from the start that they're going to be an item. I never really got the sense that either of them found something loveable in the other. Instead, I felt the whole time like they were going to be together because it was inevitable. I found this really disappointing.
What I'd have preferred to see is Meghan falling in love with Robin. My spidey senses tell me that there's a setup for a love triangle going on here, and I hope I'm wrong about that. While Robin can be flip and rather callous, I felt like it would have made a lot more sense for Meghan to fall for him. She's known him for years and he's always looked out for her. It's true that he mislead her, but it's obvious that he cares greatly about her. He takes a lot of risks for her sake.
Plus, I frankly liked his personality better. While both he and Grim are a delight, I think Ash is a bit dull. I loved Robin's banter, and his lines contained lots of fun little jokes and quips that made me smile. I was also very fond of Grim, whose personality is so vivid he almost felt real to me. I'm very curious about how he'll figure into the story later, and I really hope he'll make a reappearance in the second book. It probably goes without saying that I have the same hopes about Robin.
The world building in this novel is absolutely phenomenal. Scenery is described in such a vivid way that I have a very clear picture of the world in my head. No small detail is overlooked, and the book is chock full of those small items that give the impression that the author really knows this world she's describing. Not only did the setting really pull me in, I thought the social structure was well established. There are just enough details to really give the reader an idea of what the fey are like, and this is done without coming right out and telling the reader, "The fey are cruel. They can be petty." It lends a lot of impact to just see small, casual episodes that provide a really creepy look at how the fey operate.
I also absolutely loved the addition of Machina and the Iron Knights. I thought this was such a clever, interesting idea. It was a great way to mesh the old with the new, and to show the tensions between tradition and progress. In that way, this book is about a lot more than just a story of faeries fighting with one another.
This is exactly the sort of novel I look for when I really want some escapist fantasy. The pacing is excellent, there are serious consequences to the choices the characters make, and there is a very entertaining and intriguing cast of characters. I'm very glad I gave this book a chance.
If I have one critique of this novel, it's this: I thought the romance was a little too insta-love for my tastes. The dangerous bad boy who's on the wrong side struck me as a set up that was a bit too obvious. I'm really over the romances where there's sexual tension between the heroine and her love interest simply because he seems dark and brooding--and, of course, wildly handsome. This particular theme has been done to death. Still, it could have been saved had more time been taken to show how Meghan and Ash gradually come together, but it's pretty much a given from the start that they're going to be an item. I never really got the sense that either of them found something loveable in the other. Instead, I felt the whole time like they were going to be together because it was inevitable. I found this really disappointing.
What I'd have preferred to see is Meghan falling in love with Robin. My spidey senses tell me that there's a setup for a love triangle going on here, and I hope I'm wrong about that. While Robin can be flip and rather callous, I felt like it would have made a lot more sense for Meghan to fall for him. She's known him for years and he's always looked out for her. It's true that he mislead her, but it's obvious that he cares greatly about her. He takes a lot of risks for her sake.
Plus, I frankly liked his personality better. While both he and Grim are a delight, I think Ash is a bit dull. I loved Robin's banter, and his lines contained lots of fun little jokes and quips that made me smile. I was also very fond of Grim, whose personality is so vivid he almost felt real to me. I'm very curious about how he'll figure into the story later, and I really hope he'll make a reappearance in the second book. It probably goes without saying that I have the same hopes about Robin.
The world building in this novel is absolutely phenomenal. Scenery is described in such a vivid way that I have a very clear picture of the world in my head. No small detail is overlooked, and the book is chock full of those small items that give the impression that the author really knows this world she's describing. Not only did the setting really pull me in, I thought the social structure was well established. There are just enough details to really give the reader an idea of what the fey are like, and this is done without coming right out and telling the reader, "The fey are cruel. They can be petty." It lends a lot of impact to just see small, casual episodes that provide a really creepy look at how the fey operate.
I also absolutely loved the addition of Machina and the Iron Knights. I thought this was such a clever, interesting idea. It was a great way to mesh the old with the new, and to show the tensions between tradition and progress. In that way, this book is about a lot more than just a story of faeries fighting with one another.
This is exactly the sort of novel I look for when I really want some escapist fantasy. The pacing is excellent, there are serious consequences to the choices the characters make, and there is a very entertaining and intriguing cast of characters. I'm very glad I gave this book a chance.
magencorrie's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
My Review:
What can I say about the first book I have ever read by Kagawa? That I absolutely enjoyed it! It was such a wonderful read. I think it was the world that Kagawa built that swept me away. I adored the faery world she created and woven so meticulously into modern society. It was rich in imagination.
I found Meghan to be a main character who I instantly liked. I loved that she was so willing to do what she must for her brother. She never pauses to help those she loves. I always admire that in characters. And Meghan proved to be smart. In a world filled with characters just waiting to take advantage of her, she did her best to always be ready for anything. Never really allowing those to take advantage of her.
So I’m also now an official Ash girl. Hand me the bumper sticker, the coffee mug, and the t-shirt. I’m full-fledged now! I want a pillow shaped like him; so I can sleep with him every night! Though Ash does give you the hot and cold attitude at the beginning, his dark allure kept pulling me in. And despite his shifty attitude, I could feel he really was a great character. So I really can’t wait to learn even more about him.
The book is filled with a diverse range of very interesting characters. Human, faery, and mythology. I did fall for Puck as well. I loved his humor and how he always made tense situations not so, well, tense. The variety of characters was refreshing.
The only thing I didn’t enjoy, or couldn’t truly like, was the pacing of the story. It was very much rushed. Events happening without pause. Meghan was readily swept into the fey world, almost too easily. But despite that, the book grabbed my attention and sucked me into a world I loved getting lost into.
I am so glad I finally picked this one up and I can’t wait till I can pick up the next one. I’m really curious to see just where Meghan, Ash, and Puck are now.
My Review:
What can I say about the first book I have ever read by Kagawa? That I absolutely enjoyed it! It was such a wonderful read. I think it was the world that Kagawa built that swept me away. I adored the faery world she created and woven so meticulously into modern society. It was rich in imagination.
I found Meghan to be a main character who I instantly liked. I loved that she was so willing to do what she must for her brother. She never pauses to help those she loves. I always admire that in characters. And Meghan proved to be smart. In a world filled with characters just waiting to take advantage of her, she did her best to always be ready for anything. Never really allowing those to take advantage of her.
So I’m also now an official Ash girl. Hand me the bumper sticker, the coffee mug, and the t-shirt. I’m full-fledged now! I want a pillow shaped like him; so I can sleep with him every night! Though Ash does give you the hot and cold attitude at the beginning, his dark allure kept pulling me in. And despite his shifty attitude, I could feel he really was a great character. So I really can’t wait to learn even more about him.
The book is filled with a diverse range of very interesting characters. Human, faery, and mythology. I did fall for Puck as well. I loved his humor and how he always made tense situations not so, well, tense. The variety of characters was refreshing.
The only thing I didn’t enjoy, or couldn’t truly like, was the pacing of the story. It was very much rushed. Events happening without pause. Meghan was readily swept into the fey world, almost too easily. But despite that, the book grabbed my attention and sucked me into a world I loved getting lost into.
I am so glad I finally picked this one up and I can’t wait till I can pick up the next one. I’m really curious to see just where Meghan, Ash, and Puck are now.
ariaunarae's review against another edition
5.0
This can now be added to my favorites list.
I can honestly say that Julie kagawa is one of my favourite authors. Although I felt that this book started slow. At first, I would read a small bit and than wait a week. I would repeat that process for a while. But as soon as chapter 4-5 hit, I felt like I couldn't put it down.
I'd think about the book all day.
And that probably isn't a good thing. I'd zone out in the middle of class, and when I got called on to answer a question, I wouldn't know what the heck was going on.
It took about a month to read he first quarter of this book, but I read the rest in 1-2 days.
It was that good.
Julie has a great talent for writing characters that you can connect to and/or relate to. She doesn't, as I say, "blend personalities". Like, when all the characters seem to act or think the same. That merely pisses me off. A lot. But hey, if you like that type of book, I suggest "The Winter People" by Rebekah purdy.
I can't wait to continue with this series, because I love the thrilling feeling you get when reading kagawas books. And I rarely write reviews, unless I really like the book. Once in a while I'll write one of I Hate a book.
This book is great. I suggest it to people who like protagonists that won't make stupid decisions that'll make you want to throw your book across the room.
I can honestly say that Julie kagawa is one of my favourite authors. Although I felt that this book started slow. At first, I would read a small bit and than wait a week. I would repeat that process for a while. But as soon as chapter 4-5 hit, I felt like I couldn't put it down.
I'd think about the book all day.
And that probably isn't a good thing. I'd zone out in the middle of class, and when I got called on to answer a question, I wouldn't know what the heck was going on.
It took about a month to read he first quarter of this book, but I read the rest in 1-2 days.
It was that good.
Julie has a great talent for writing characters that you can connect to and/or relate to. She doesn't, as I say, "blend personalities". Like, when all the characters seem to act or think the same. That merely pisses me off. A lot. But hey, if you like that type of book, I suggest "The Winter People" by Rebekah purdy.
I can't wait to continue with this series, because I love the thrilling feeling you get when reading kagawas books. And I rarely write reviews, unless I really like the book. Once in a while I'll write one of I Hate a book.
This book is great. I suggest it to people who like protagonists that won't make stupid decisions that'll make you want to throw your book across the room.
madlyons's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5