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mcfoster's review
4.0
In this story, we follow the nervous and shy jeweller Llandry and the powerful Eva as they unravel the mystery surrounding the new gem Llandry calls "istore", regarding why someone is prepared to kill for it, leading to one part of the ending that I saw coming... and one I definitely didn't.
Things I liked:
The two female leads were very relatable and likeable despite their flaws.
The worldbuilding is detailed, charming and well thought out.
The mystery is intriguing and the answers are revealed gradually and mostly naturally.
Things I'm not so keen about:
All the odd words and names for things. Yes, there's a glossary at the very end (which you don't discover until you make your way to the end in the Kindle edition). I would have preferred to have a description, however brief, when we first met the creatures. Seriously, is there really a difference between a gwaystrel and a bat?
The final plot twist. There should have been some hint toward this earlier because it comes completely out of nowhere.
Things I liked:
The two female leads were very relatable and likeable despite their flaws.
The worldbuilding is detailed, charming and well thought out.
The mystery is intriguing and the answers are revealed gradually and mostly naturally.
Things I'm not so keen about:
All the odd words and names for things. Yes, there's a glossary at the very end (which you don't discover until you make your way to the end in the Kindle edition). I would have preferred to have a description, however brief, when we first met the creatures. Seriously, is there really a difference between a gwaystrel and a bat?
The final plot twist. There should have been some hint toward this earlier because it comes completely out of nowhere.
lolli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
blueshadow's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable.
Epic fantasy isn't quite as much my thing these days, partly because it's so long, partly because it is so predictable. This series promises the length, but it's a bit heavier on the mystery, discovering the way this world works, which I like better than the swords and sorcery fighting.
Characterization was a bit weird. Llandry seemed to not understand her anxieties, which was odd, given her age. I would expect her to understand what things she could and couldn't do, and what helps she needed. Also, she made choices throughout the book that weren't consistent with those anxieties.
Epic fantasy isn't quite as much my thing these days, partly because it's so long, partly because it is so predictable. This series promises the length, but it's a bit heavier on the mystery, discovering the way this world works, which I like better than the swords and sorcery fighting.
Characterization was a bit weird. Llandry seemed to not understand her anxieties, which was odd, given her age. I would expect her to understand what things she could and couldn't do, and what helps she needed. Also, she made choices throughout the book that weren't consistent with those anxieties.
darktwistedreads's review
Didn't seem interesting to me, nor did it grab my attention. Some of the words were hard to pronounce immediately, and alot of big complicated words were thrown around.
I know it's a fantasy, but come on.
I know it's a fantasy, but come on.
npscott's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I went into this book blind and about half way through the book I was still trying to figure out if I liked it.
The story follows a fairy-like girl who has discovered a precious gem and made jewelry of the stone. People are awed over the stone jewelry but mysterious crimes start happening.
I don’t feel this was a complete story once I finished the book, but I also don’t think I will be continuing the story as well
The story follows a fairy-like girl who has discovered a precious gem and made jewelry of the stone. People are awed over the stone jewelry but mysterious crimes start happening.
I don’t feel this was a complete story once I finished the book, but I also don’t think I will be continuing the story as well
kitvaria_sarene's review
3.0
This was a nice and entertaining story. I liked that the main character has severe anxiety, and was different from the usual "hero". I also liked that she had a small dragonish companion - I wish I could have one! I also liked the other main characters, who weren't simply cardboard cut-outs. I liked how they grew and changed and started to work together over time.
There is only a tiny bit of romance in this book, and I really enjoyed the break from the typical "finding the ONE right man" plot line.
The story and the prose could have used a bit more depth, but I enjoyed the world and the characters enough to make up for that.
There was a nice twist at the end, and I enjoyed the mystery that runs throughout the whole book.
Definitely an entertaining read, and I might pick up later books in the series!
There is only a tiny bit of romance in this book, and I really enjoyed the break from the typical "finding the ONE right man" plot line.
The story and the prose could have used a bit more depth, but I enjoyed the world and the characters enough to make up for that.
There was a nice twist at the end, and I enjoyed the mystery that runs throughout the whole book.
Definitely an entertaining read, and I might pick up later books in the series!
squishies's review
2.0
2.5 stars
I really, really, really wanted to love Llandry, but she just struck an awful cord with me after she did or said something, I can't remember. I was always irritated with her after that in spite of my best not to.
This book was such a departure from English's Modern Magick series in terms of characters. They mostly felt weirdly flat and slightly uninteresting. I think the only character I liked the most was Eva,.
The world building, though, was fantastic. I think that was the only thing that kept me going and the plot. Sigh. At least Llandry isn't as bad as Miranda from The Legend of Eli Monpress... I guess.
I finished this book with relief and regret.
I really, really, really wanted to love Llandry, but she just struck an awful cord with me after she did or said something, I can't remember. I was always irritated with her after that in spite of my best not to.
This book was such a departure from English's Modern Magick series in terms of characters. They mostly felt weirdly flat and slightly uninteresting. I think the only character I liked the most was Eva,
Spoiler
but even then I was thinking "uh oh.. what's going on here" when her and Tern were together (I just wasn't super convinced about them getting together)The world building, though, was fantastic. I think that was the only thing that kept me going and the plot. Sigh. At least Llandry isn't as bad as Miranda from The Legend of Eli Monpress... I guess.
I finished this book with relief and regret.
ketreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
A strong 4 stars!
Maybe even a 4.5 if I give my thoughts some more time to stew.
This is another ebook in my long list of 'ebooks that were free and indie' and I am very glad I downloaded it.
Here's my attempt at a spoiler free review as you should DEFINITELY check it out ('cus it's free, so why not?!):
We follow our main character's of Llandry and Eva. We follow Llandry on her adventures into jewlery making with a strange and beautiful stone she discovers in her home town and Eva who is called into action when mysterious events start happening in increasing quantaties.
I adored English's prose, especially how she uses it to write the characters in her world. While her book's world is rich and rife with mysterys (some of which are revealed in this book), her characters are so heartfelt and genuine.
What is this? A fantasy novel where the main character has two alive parents who love her despite her flaws?? Main characters who have strange encounters they can't explain but AREN'T called crazy by those she confides in??
PHEW! It was honestly refreshing to have a storie's development NOT come from interperonal relationships or misunderstandings within the main cast. We're given two strong and capable women as our main characters and neither feel bogged down with the people surrounding them.
The stories twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and I loved the slow reveal of the world and it's relms.
Initially I did find myself a bit lost as English doesn't always fully describe or explain a creature/character's look. Though it's clear this is done to avoid long continuous introduction sequences of every new place, character, creature's, etc but instead give more smaller descriptions that over time build up to give you everything you need to understand the world you're in. By the end you'll barely even remember how English has slipped in all the working knowledge of her 7 realms and 3 worlds without an info dump.
If I had one minor gripe it would be the pacing wasn't as tight as it probably could have been. While I loved following our two main characters, by the time some mysteries are given reveals it feels like we have barely any time to ruminate on them before the books end.
Though I'm sure this will be fixed with her next books, it just leaves you feeling like a lot of the books middle section felt quite padded for page count.
Regardless I had a lot of fun and will for sure continue with the series!
Maybe even a 4.5 if I give my thoughts some more time to stew.
This is another ebook in my long list of 'ebooks that were free and indie' and I am very glad I downloaded it.
Here's my attempt at a spoiler free review as you should DEFINITELY check it out ('cus it's free, so why not?!):
We follow our main character's of Llandry and Eva. We follow Llandry on her adventures into jewlery making with a strange and beautiful stone she discovers in her home town and Eva who is called into action when mysterious events start happening in increasing quantaties.
I adored English's prose, especially how she uses it to write the characters in her world. While her book's world is rich and rife with mysterys (some of which are revealed in this book), her characters are so heartfelt and genuine.
What is this? A fantasy novel where the main character has two alive parents who love her despite her flaws?? Main characters who have strange encounters they can't explain but AREN'T called crazy by those she confides in??
PHEW! It was honestly refreshing to have a storie's development NOT come from interperonal relationships or misunderstandings within the main cast. We're given two strong and capable women as our main characters and neither feel bogged down with the people surrounding them.
The stories twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and I loved the slow reveal of the world and it's relms.
Initially I did find myself a bit lost as English doesn't always fully describe or explain a creature/character's look. Though it's clear this is done to avoid long continuous introduction sequences of every new place, character, creature's, etc but instead give more smaller descriptions that over time build up to give you everything you need to understand the world you're in. By the end you'll barely even remember how English has slipped in all the working knowledge of her 7 realms and 3 worlds without an info dump.
If I had one minor gripe it would be the pacing wasn't as tight as it probably could have been. While I loved following our two main characters, by the time some mysteries are given reveals it feels like we have barely any time to ruminate on them before the books end.
Though I'm sure this will be fixed with her next books, it just leaves you feeling like a lot of the books middle section felt quite padded for page count.
Regardless I had a lot of fun and will for sure continue with the series!
bezzarina's review
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0