Scan barcode
heidi_mcj's review
4.0
Another entertaining addition to the series. I do wish she would let the main character grow a bit more and let her understand what she can do. But if you are looking for a good weekend.beach read, these books are for you.
katyanaish's review
4.0
I like the system of magic in this series.
That said, there were a couple parts where even I was like "oh come on" and was skimming ahead. I know other people have had that complaint in previous books in the series, but it didn't bother me until now. In this book, there was one scene in particular - the healing scene - where it just... sucked all the intensity / tension / energy out of the section. Too much ponderous narrative about how to do magic made it feel like, in real time, it was taking her daaaaaaays to do.
Actually, that was true in the climactic end battle too.
I don't know if the author has gotten more wordy, or if I have just become less patient.
It's probably the latter. I'm also less patient with other things. Her taking Severn for granted. Nightshade not getting the smackdown he deserves. The entire order of Hawks treating her like an imbecilic child.
10 books in, I expect for people around her to know her worth. She's saved them how many times? And I expect for characters who treat her poorly - always - to be held accountable.
Forward movement, please.
Weirdly, that all makes it sound like I didn't like it. Not true. I liked it very much, and I liked the twist to what used to be a scary/bad character type... and the unfolding of the mysterious danger.
I just think it could have used another round of editing, and maybe some forward movement on Kaylin's relationships with the secondary characters.
That said, there were a couple parts where even I was like "oh come on" and was skimming ahead. I know other people have had that complaint in previous books in the series, but it didn't bother me until now. In this book, there was one scene in particular - the healing scene - where it just... sucked all the intensity / tension / energy out of the section. Too much ponderous narrative about how to do magic made it feel like, in real time, it was taking her daaaaaaays to do.
Actually, that was true in the climactic end battle too.
I don't know if the author has gotten more wordy, or if I have just become less patient.
It's probably the latter. I'm also less patient with other things. Her taking Severn for granted. Nightshade not getting the smackdown he deserves. The entire order of Hawks treating her like an imbecilic child.
10 books in, I expect for people around her to know her worth. She's saved them how many times? And I expect for characters who treat her poorly - always - to be held accountable.
Forward movement, please.
Weirdly, that all makes it sound like I didn't like it. Not true. I liked it very much, and I liked the twist to what used to be a scary/bad character type... and the unfolding of the mysterious danger.
I just think it could have used another round of editing, and maybe some forward movement on Kaylin's relationships with the secondary characters.
lorune's review
3.0
Bit more of a tedious read then the previous ones.
I have the feeling the writer tried to write a part of this book while on some sort of hallucinogenic drugs.
Still not a bad read cause i like most of the characters in the serie's, Hopefully the next book will a bit more like the first 10 :)
I have the feeling the writer tried to write a part of this book while on some sort of hallucinogenic drugs.
Still not a bad read cause i like most of the characters in the serie's, Hopefully the next book will a bit more like the first 10 :)
heathermcintire13's review
adventurous
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
4.0
Here's a quote from near the start of chapter ten: "The past, of course, is a different country; it is occupied, frequently, by regret, and it is ruled by tyrants. They cannot be moved."
This is the eleventh novel in the fantasy series "The Chronicles of Elantra," a series that I'm enjoying very much. The books have a very likable heroine, very likable recurring supporting characters, strong found-family and friendship themes, intriguing magic and worldbuilding, high stakes, and some notably dark content. I strongly recommend reading the series in order, because later books have comparatively little recapitulation of previous events -- and those events are necessary for emotional heft as well as clarity.
Book eleven did not disappoint.
I note that the stakes have been very high of late, and I find myself hoping that the next book will be less fraught. I love watching the friendships between the characters play out.
Four out of five lonesome stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
This is the eleventh novel in the fantasy series "The Chronicles of Elantra," a series that I'm enjoying very much. The books have a very likable heroine, very likable recurring supporting characters, strong found-family and friendship themes, intriguing magic and worldbuilding, high stakes, and some notably dark content. I strongly recommend reading the series in order, because later books have comparatively little recapitulation of previous events -- and those events are necessary for emotional heft as well as clarity.
Book eleven did not disappoint.
Spoiler
The explanations of plot elements, such as layers of time, didn't compel me, but the narrative threads did. I was very drawn by the ties between the child Kattea and Gilbert, Kattea's repeated assertion that Gilbert was lonely, Gilbert's care for her. The thread with Moran also moved me deeply. Severn's scene near the end with Kaylin almost made up for his comparatively small role in the main part of the book.I note that the stakes have been very high of late, and I find myself hoping that the next book will be less fraught. I love watching the friendships between the characters play out.
Four out of five lonesome stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
infinknittea's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I love Sagara’s writing because I can never predict the outcomes. Gilbert is a neat new twist. Hvam is my absolute favourite audiobook narrator. Together they’re a dream team!
chawlios's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
waclements7's review
3.0
I liked this for the most part, but there were parts where I felt it dragged, especially when it came to description of what was going on. I didn't find it helpful in explaining, but actually a little more confusing. I truly appreciate the effort that went into it, but it may have been too much information. At least for me.
lassarina's review
5.0
I really liked how this book cycled back to earlier parts of the series, echoing Kaylin's life through Kattea. I also really liked Gilbert as a character and as a concept, and the dimensions he brought to both Kaylin's power and the shape of the story. I particularly liked the tie-backs to the link between Shadow and time, and how those things impacted Kaylin and were described. Also, a delightful opportunity to get to know more Hawks!
One thing I do keep kind of laughing to myself about is that for the Barrani and Dragons, accustomed to lots of life just kind of going by in a blur of days they don't really live, having this infinite chaos of Kaylin in their lives must be amazing. So many crises! So much to track and pay attention to, at a very different pace than they are used to!
One thing I do keep kind of laughing to myself about is that for the Barrani and Dragons, accustomed to lots of life just kind of going by in a blur of days they don't really live, having this infinite chaos of Kaylin in their lives must be amazing. So many crises! So much to track and pay attention to, at a very different pace than they are used to!