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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
An interesting debut to this story.
Elisa is the chosen one. She doesn't want to be the chosen one. She isn't pretty, she is the youngest and she is about to be married off to a stranger. She doesn't want any of this. Elisa doesn't want anything to do with being Queen and she is hidden off by her husband, who won't admit that he is married. I liked that we got to see Elisa change. She starts to gain confidence and we see over and over again that this girl is made of steel. She does want she can to save herself and other people. Who she was at the beginning of the book isn't the same as who she was at the end of the book.
The plot kept me going. There were many twists and turns that I didn't see coming and that kept me engrossed in the story.
However, I found myself lost at some points. I was confused about the Godstone and what it was suppose to do for the world. I was confused at some parts and felt that some of the events were just there to confuse me.
Other then that, I enjoyed this story and it's unique tale about a powerful stone and a the girl who wants nothing to do with it.
Elisa is the chosen one. She doesn't want to be the chosen one. She isn't pretty, she is the youngest and she is about to be married off to a stranger. She doesn't want any of this. Elisa doesn't want anything to do with being Queen and she is hidden off by her husband, who won't admit that he is married. I liked that we got to see Elisa change. She starts to gain confidence and we see over and over again that this girl is made of steel. She does want she can to save herself and other people. Who she was at the beginning of the book isn't the same as who she was at the end of the book.
The plot kept me going. There were many twists and turns that I didn't see coming and that kept me engrossed in the story.
However, I found myself lost at some points. I was confused about the Godstone and what it was suppose to do for the world. I was confused at some parts and felt that some of the events were just there to confuse me.
Other then that, I enjoyed this story and it's unique tale about a powerful stone and a the girl who wants nothing to do with it.
I've been trying to not give as many 5 star ratings recently, as it's typically the thrill of finishing another book that makes me love it, but this book deserves it. The writing is absolutely magical and it swept me up. The world Rae Carson built is so enticing, and of course, Elisa is a wonderful character that I can't help but love. It does have a heavy religious background to it, but coming from someone who goes to Catholic school, I had no problem with it. Just be warned if you aren't a fan of religion being heavily discussed in books.
Though this book was wonderful, it is not one of my favorites, as it honestly felt lacking. I'm not sure what of, but it didn't blow me completely away, you know? It was a bit slow at the beginning, but picked up towards the end.
It is definitely worth the read for anyone who is considering reading it! As long as you like the high fantasy/supernatural feel when it comes to books.
Though this book was wonderful, it is not one of my favorites, as it honestly felt lacking. I'm not sure what of, but it didn't blow me completely away, you know? It was a bit slow at the beginning, but picked up towards the end.
It is definitely worth the read for anyone who is considering reading it! As long as you like the high fantasy/supernatural feel when it comes to books.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
TW: Fatphobia
3.5 stars?
This book truly takes you on a journey. I felt like I read 3 books by the time I finished this, but not in a bad way! The main character, Elisa, just grows and experiences SO much. This is an older book, but it's so different from the other fantasy I remember reading at the time this was published. The heavy focus on religion was really interesting and took the story in a new direction for me.
There were a couple of romances in this story and I liked the idea of one better than the other, but I wasn't a huge fan of either of them. In the end platonic love did play a more important role (imo) in the story anyway so it wasn't a huge deal to me.
One thing I did *not* appreciate was the fat shaming included in this book. At first when the book mentioned Elisa was fat I was excited for a fat main character! It seemed to me that the main character and those around her would learn to accept her body at whatever size. But unfortunately that was not the case. The main character does not learn to accept and be nice to herself until she loses weight. It is possible to have a physically strong person who is fat so I'm disappointed the author didn't go with that route.
Overall I did appreciate the journey this book took me on. The plot was fast paced and action packed and kept me guessing. I really enjoyed reading this and I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
3.5 stars?
This book truly takes you on a journey. I felt like I read 3 books by the time I finished this, but not in a bad way! The main character, Elisa, just grows and experiences SO much. This is an older book, but it's so different from the other fantasy I remember reading at the time this was published. The heavy focus on religion was really interesting and took the story in a new direction for me.
There were a couple of romances in this story and I liked the idea of one better than the other, but I wasn't a huge fan of either of them. In the end platonic love did play a more important role (imo) in the story anyway so it wasn't a huge deal to me.
One thing I did *not* appreciate was the fat shaming included in this book. At first when the book mentioned Elisa was fat I was excited for a fat main character! It seemed to me that the main character and those around her would learn to accept her body at whatever size. But unfortunately that was not the case. The main character does not learn to accept and be nice to herself until she loses weight. It is possible to have a physically strong person who is fat so I'm disappointed the author didn't go with that route.
Overall I did appreciate the journey this book took me on. The plot was fast paced and action packed and kept me guessing. I really enjoyed reading this and I look forward to reading the next one in the series.
Well this book just rocked out with it's cock out and I loved it!! At the beginning, I liked Elisa, but hated how she always put herself down about her looks and being runner up to her sister, but by the end she was so fierce, confident, and courageous. I loved how her mind connected things and she was willing to sacrifice herself to save her people. The romance comes about in a very unexpected way. Elisa loved and I loved her for it because she knew the risks of it, and loved anyway. There was a surprising amount of action and fighting between people wanting to kill Elisa because she was the bearer of the Godstone, and then the kingdom and the savages being at war. The secondary characters were great (even though some of them weren't who them seemed). And best of all..... No cliffhanger. Woo hoo. There is a second book that I'm very much looking forward to reading.
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:
Complicated
3.5
This was a solid fantasy. I'd recommend it to fans of Graceling and Cinda Williams Chima. I didn't get the feeling that it was being set up as part of a series until I was close to the end, and it's a complete book that can stand on it's own. I'll be intersted in seeing where it goes in the next book...getting me to even read a next book is a sign that it was well played.
I read this as an ebook instead of listening to an audio, which I how I usually do fantasy...I wonder if I would've liked it even more if I were listening.
Tags: Strong girl, religion
This was a solid fantasy. I'd recommend it to fans of Graceling and Cinda Williams Chima. I didn't get the feeling that it was being set up as part of a series until I was close to the end, and it's a complete book that can stand on it's own. I'll be intersted in seeing where it goes in the next book...getting me to even read a next book is a sign that it was well played.
I read this as an ebook instead of listening to an audio, which I how I usually do fantasy...I wonder if I would've liked it even more if I were listening.
Tags: Strong girl, religion
Can't decide if I liked this book or not; it was fast paced and action packed but it was almost too religous (?) for me- which I didn't expect. Hoping the next books in the series have more fantastical elements to it.
I wasn't sure what to think for the first few pages, but then the story really took off. I couldn't put this book down at all and finished in an afternoon.
The world is fascinating and I can't wait to discover more. What powers these godstones? Where did these people come from? (I have guesses, but...) However, the biggest draw for the book is the character Elisa. Her story arc and growth as a human being is such a pleasure to follow. It's wonderful to see someone who begins with so little self esteem and quite a lot of defensiveness grow into someone who can believe in herself and really stop and LOOK at the people around her and understand what they are really feeling and meaning.
The world is fascinating and I can't wait to discover more. What powers these godstones? Where did these people come from? (I have guesses, but...) However, the biggest draw for the book is the character Elisa. Her story arc and growth as a human being is such a pleasure to follow. It's wonderful to see someone who begins with so little self esteem and quite a lot of defensiveness grow into someone who can believe in herself and really stop and LOOK at the people around her and understand what they are really feeling and meaning.