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loonathebetta's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.25
janagaton's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars for the world building, magic system, and the way Vanessa Len handled time travel in such a way that I actually enjoyed, despite time travel being one of my least favorite tropes. Not a fan of the romance in this at all, but that's been the case for YA with me lately. The story lost me a little bit around the 300 page mark, but the ending was decent. I was a bit confused by the epilogue, but overall this was a really fun and unique read!
peony792's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I feel like more there could have been more focus on the philosophic weight of the monster abilities.
oakl1y's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
my favorite
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
For authors it must be frustrating sometimes. All those posts on Twitter and they never actually know if they actually sell the book. Well, in this case I requested this book on Netgalley BECAUSE I saw an awesome graphic on Twitter. I think it was a retweet. And every word in that graphic screamed my name. All the tropes listed, every sentence used to describe this book, screamed my name. I'm therefore really thankful that Hodder & Stoughton granted me this arc.
I have to admit that I needed quite a few chapters to truly get into this story. However, it's so worth it to read through. With every page I turned the story got more exciting, thrilling and interesting. New characters were introduced, new families and powers were thrown into the game, new twists and turns were revealed. In some ways this book reminded me a little of Kerstin Gier's Gem Stone Trilogy, but this story focussed on the drama and didn't contain that much humor and much less romance.
And this story being mostly a more modern drama is what I loved most about it. Of course, there were quite some action scenes, it only took the book a few chapters to present us with a massacre, and yet this book was not so much about that action. All the action and the bloodshed was serving the characters, their emotional development and their growth. And it all leads to a heartbreakingly intense finale that will haunt me for days to come.
Because even though I needed a few chapters to truly click with the story, I really started caring about Joan. I think it's because usually in Fantasy settings the 16 year olds act older than their age. Mostly because circumstances forced them to grow up way too soon and way too fast. With Joan it's different. She's quite innocent and pure at the start of the story. She doesn't know anything about her family and the world she's a part of. And it makes her journey all the more amazing!
I can't wait to hold a physical copy of this book in my hands.
I have to admit that I needed quite a few chapters to truly get into this story. However, it's so worth it to read through. With every page I turned the story got more exciting, thrilling and interesting. New characters were introduced, new families and powers were thrown into the game, new twists and turns were revealed. In some ways this book reminded me a little of Kerstin Gier's Gem Stone Trilogy, but this story focussed on the drama and didn't contain that much humor and much less romance.
And this story being mostly a more modern drama is what I loved most about it. Of course, there were quite some action scenes, it only took the book a few chapters to present us with a massacre, and yet this book was not so much about that action. All the action and the bloodshed was serving the characters, their emotional development and their growth. And it all leads to a heartbreakingly intense finale that will haunt me for days to come.
Because even though I needed a few chapters to truly click with the story, I really started caring about Joan. I think it's because usually in Fantasy settings the 16 year olds act older than their age. Mostly because circumstances forced them to grow up way too soon and way too fast. With Joan it's different. She's quite innocent and pure at the start of the story. She doesn't know anything about her family and the world she's a part of. And it makes her journey all the more amazing!
I can't wait to hold a physical copy of this book in my hands.
thatonebookdragon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I read this a year ago and I felt confused and like I felt like I was missing something. And I totally was. I didn't take my time with this book... I didn't take time with the characters and the plot and it left me ehh. However, this time around, I felt awe, I felt panicked, and I felt heartbroken. Vanessa Len ripped me back into her story and I was mesmerized. I'm picking up book 2 as I type this because there's no way I can wait for what's next!
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so glad this is the start of a series and not a standalone. When I finished reading, I wanted more! I loved this! It was so original and just fun to read.
crunchylettuce's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sanne6je's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 ⭐️
the plot was good (although it could have been better), the writing was a bit less at most parts. It did give me some plot twists that I didn’t see coming
the plot was good (although it could have been better), the writing was a bit less at most parts. It did give me some plot twists that I didn’t see coming