Scan barcode
jonisbookquest's review
2.0
I think someone gave the author the challenge to write the most generic, boring YA she could come up with.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
I don't think I've ever doubted about getting a book this long and this often as I've done with this book. One version of the cover is the kind of cover that made me think this was no story for me. However, when I saw the other version of the cover I was instantly intrigued. Eventually I decided to just give this book a chance. The worst that could happen, after all, was that I in the end wouldn't really like it.
The beginning of the book is insanely strong. I really liked the way the author introduced the world to us and how I never got the feeling there were loads of info-dumps or lengthy explanations. Sometimes that meant that it took me a while to fully understand something, but it also made me feel like I was really dropped into a strange world and exploring. The middle dragged a little though, but once I reached the finale I couldn't put the book down.
What I liked about this book is the emotional writing style. It's clear that this book focusses on what the characters feel, what they think of the world around them, what they want and need and long for. I can imagine that some people might therefore think the prose is a little too repetitive and flowery, but I really loved how the author made us feel all those emotions too. I was there with those characters, living this story and feeling all these things.
I also really loved how the story eventually ended and how everything was explained. I already had an inkling that this might be where the story was going at some point, but the execution was amazingly well done. I'm also really curious what's waiting for us in the next book. Because at first glance it seems that a lot of issues are solved, but I'm pretty sure this is only the beginning of the solution. I already got an arc via Netgalley and I can't wait to dive in.
The beginning of the book is insanely strong. I really liked the way the author introduced the world to us and how I never got the feeling there were loads of info-dumps or lengthy explanations. Sometimes that meant that it took me a while to fully understand something, but it also made me feel like I was really dropped into a strange world and exploring. The middle dragged a little though, but once I reached the finale I couldn't put the book down.
What I liked about this book is the emotional writing style. It's clear that this book focusses on what the characters feel, what they think of the world around them, what they want and need and long for. I can imagine that some people might therefore think the prose is a little too repetitive and flowery, but I really loved how the author made us feel all those emotions too. I was there with those characters, living this story and feeling all these things.
I also really loved how the story eventually ended and how everything was explained. I already had an inkling that this might be where the story was going at some point, but the execution was amazingly well done. I'm also really curious what's waiting for us in the next book. Because at first glance it seems that a lot of issues are solved, but I'm pretty sure this is only the beginning of the solution. I already got an arc via Netgalley and I can't wait to dive in.
sanne6je's review against another edition
3.0
A bit too quick paced maybe as I have no connection to the characters
belsbookjourney's review
2.0
I was extremely excited for this book. When I saw her video, it had my attention. It had so many things I already loved. But... While reading it, I realized I appreciated more of what I loved from the other things then this book. It was really hard for me to appreciate it as its own book.
The story line also had me confused because I felt as though it was all over the place and did not flow. And I felt like the enemies to lovers concept was just a fast jump. There was no real build up in that.
The story line also had me confused because I felt as though it was all over the place and did not flow. And I felt like the enemies to lovers concept was just a fast jump. There was no real build up in that.
booksinthesky's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
kay_nutt's review
3.0
Easy, entertaining read. Would prefer less of a focus on the romance, but I’m interested to read the sequel.
miraclesapphire's review
2.0
It's Fortnite but a book. I will give the author credit that her writing improves the further into the book you get. Not my favorite but not awful. I just can't get the image of Fortnite out of my head while reading this.
laelyn's review
4.0
Oh, what a wonderful debut this is! A debut that really doesn't read like one. "The Darkening" is the first book of a new ya fantasy duology (at least I think it's going to be a duology?), and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. Mara develops a unique world and spends just enough time on worldbuilding to make it feel alive, though I would have loved even more information on, for example, the world beyond the city where everything takes place. The magic system is very cool, with magic based on words and writing and so-called ikons. It's something I haven't read a thousand times over so I really loved it.
The writing is beautiful and, as I have said before, really does not read like a debut author's prose. The plot is captivating and exciting, though the pacing does feel a little off at times. Some parts feel rushed, like the whole plot point of our protagonist, Vesper, learning magic and gaining entrance into the prince's elite military unit. She really didn't do much training, so this whole part felt a little glossed over. There is also something happening in the last about 10% of the book that felt completely off regarding a certain character's actions. Other than that, it was a really engaging read.
Speaking of characters, Vesper is an amazing protagonist that I absolutely ADORE! She's flawed, traumatised to an extent, she's allowed to make mistakes and actually learn from them and she grows beautifully as a person. Her romance with Dalca is, for the most part, very well done - my personal pet peeve is enemies-to-lovers romance where the protagonist absolutely loathes the evil love interest yet somehow wonders if he's really so evil and despicable after looking into his eyes for like, five seconds, which this book does a tiny lil bit of too but then solves it beautifully. Dalca is an intriguing character on his own, though he felt completely inconsistent during those aforementioned last 10%. There is a personality change that is really just too crass to make sense for him and he lost me a little there, to be honest. That part was not done well - but let's see how Mara writes him in the next book. The major side characters, Casvian and Iz, are both absolutely great and once again manage to outshine the actual love interest, but maybe that's just a me problem because I say that about most side characters. I was a little disappointed that there are no important female characters at all having a bigger role in Vesper's journey, so I'm hoping Mara adds one or two in the next book. Generally, all characters are written well and I really liked them and their development.
As a whole this is definitely one of the more unique and better ya fantasies I have read in a while. There is room for improvement, but it's an impressive debut with an action-packed plot and great characters. I also very much loved that there is, in fact, not a clear cut good/evil dichotomy but lots of shades of grey.
3,5 stars, rounded up happily to 4 because I really enjoyed my reading experience.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the arc!
The writing is beautiful and, as I have said before, really does not read like a debut author's prose. The plot is captivating and exciting, though the pacing does feel a little off at times. Some parts feel rushed, like the whole plot point of our protagonist, Vesper, learning magic and gaining entrance into the prince's elite military unit. She really didn't do much training, so this whole part felt a little glossed over. There is also something happening in the last about 10% of the book that felt completely off regarding a certain character's actions. Other than that, it was a really engaging read.
Speaking of characters, Vesper is an amazing protagonist that I absolutely ADORE! She's flawed, traumatised to an extent, she's allowed to make mistakes and actually learn from them and she grows beautifully as a person. Her romance with Dalca is, for the most part, very well done - my personal pet peeve is enemies-to-lovers romance where the protagonist absolutely loathes the evil love interest yet somehow wonders if he's really so evil and despicable after looking into his eyes for like, five seconds, which this book does a tiny lil bit of too but then solves it beautifully. Dalca is an intriguing character on his own, though he felt completely inconsistent during those aforementioned last 10%. There is a personality change that is really just too crass to make sense for him and he lost me a little there, to be honest. That part was not done well - but let's see how Mara writes him in the next book. The major side characters, Casvian and Iz, are both absolutely great and once again manage to outshine the actual love interest, but maybe that's just a me problem because I say that about most side characters. I was a little disappointed that there are no important female characters at all having a bigger role in Vesper's journey, so I'm hoping Mara adds one or two in the next book. Generally, all characters are written well and I really liked them and their development.
As a whole this is definitely one of the more unique and better ya fantasies I have read in a while. There is room for improvement, but it's an impressive debut with an action-packed plot and great characters. I also very much loved that there is, in fact, not a clear cut good/evil dichotomy but lots of shades of grey.
3,5 stars, rounded up happily to 4 because I really enjoyed my reading experience.
Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the arc!
jen7761's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
I loved this book! The characters are very lovable and you’ll find yourself not wanting to put the book down! The author does a great job of telling a story and I’m excited to see what she does in the next book.