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3.51 AVERAGE
3.51 AVERAGE
As the appointed "shadow" of a young queen, our protagonist has been the subject of unmerited scorn and mistreatment at the hands of Queen Audrey and her court. She dreams of life far away from the castle that is her, and the queen's, prison. Unfortunately for her, freedom is constantly out of reach. Shadow's duty is to always be at the side of the queen. For what reason, no one knows. They can only speculate that it has something to do with the mysterious prophecy that foretells Audrey's death prior to her sixteenth birthday.
When this prophecy is fulfilled, Shadow is quickly ushered out of the castle under the protection of a young knight, Sir Kenway. Despite the dangerous circumstances that surround her, Shadow can't help but be excited for this is the escape that she has longed for.
Shadow's journey through the slowly dying country is richly imagined and full of action. The setting is well-drawn and almost palpable. The characters that populate it are varied and each brings something special to a plot that, despite a hole or two, is pretty intriguing.
My only complaints with the story lie with the two primary characters, Shadow and Sir Kenway. I had a hard time liking either of them. At times, Shadow came across as entirely too selfish and bitchy. While I understand that her background merits some of her attitude, sometimes she took it too far. Because of this her change of mindset towards the end of the novel seemed less like growth and more like she just suddenly, and inexplicably, flipped the script. Likewise, Kenway came off as a bit bipolar as well...
To continue reading this review, head to my blog The Eclectic Book Lover.
When this prophecy is fulfilled, Shadow is quickly ushered out of the castle under the protection of a young knight, Sir Kenway. Despite the dangerous circumstances that surround her, Shadow can't help but be excited for this is the escape that she has longed for.
Shadow's journey through the slowly dying country is richly imagined and full of action. The setting is well-drawn and almost palpable. The characters that populate it are varied and each brings something special to a plot that, despite a hole or two, is pretty intriguing.
My only complaints with the story lie with the two primary characters, Shadow and Sir Kenway. I had a hard time liking either of them. At times, Shadow came across as entirely too selfish and bitchy. While I understand that her background merits some of her attitude, sometimes she took it too far. Because of this her change of mindset towards the end of the novel seemed less like growth and more like she just suddenly, and inexplicably, flipped the script. Likewise, Kenway came off as a bit bipolar as well...
To continue reading this review, head to my blog The Eclectic Book Lover.
The aptly named Shadow has always been just that, the shadow who must remain with the Queen at all times as it was prophesied that Queen Audrey would not live beyond her sixteenth birthday. The only thing Shadow longs for is her freedom, and when the unthinkable happens she has it, but at what price? As she begins a journey with a young knight, Sir Kenway, that will change her life forever.
There are some interesting and unexpected twists to this story, although I suspect that most people (including myself) had the biggest twist figured out long before our heroine. While I understand that Shadow has been mistreated her entire life, and feels loyalty to no one her stubbornness to maintain her freedom in the face of others suffering was a bit much for me. Kenway is a bit of a jerk in the beginning making it hard to understand why Shadow likes him, but thankfully he mellows out and their relationship then develops nicely.
There are some interesting and unexpected twists to this story, although I suspect that most people (including myself) had the biggest twist figured out long before our heroine. While I understand that Shadow has been mistreated her entire life, and feels loyalty to no one her stubbornness to maintain her freedom in the face of others suffering was a bit much for me. Kenway is a bit of a jerk in the beginning making it hard to understand why Shadow likes him, but thankfully he mellows out and their relationship then develops nicely.
I picked this book off a library shelf several months ago but because it took me forever to read Dragonhaven by Robin McKinley, I kept renewing this book. Then I promptly started it last night after finally finishing my last book and finished reading it today.
I thought it might be similar to Poison Study by Maria Snyder but it wasn't. Still good though. I didn't know where all it would lead. The book felt almost a little too quick though. Some characters and relationships and situations weren't fleshed out enough for me.
I thought it might be similar to Poison Study by Maria Snyder but it wasn't. Still good though. I didn't know where all it would lead. The book felt almost a little too quick though. Some characters and relationships and situations weren't fleshed out enough for me.
Amazing! Similar to Graceling in that the main character is blessed/cursed with a gift. Interesting mystery/adventure. I think middle school kids will really enjoy this.
adventurous
hopeful
medium-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
[Juvenile book, Adult reviewer]
Pass/Fail? Fail, but not by much.
Pass/Fail? Fail, but not by much.
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Very "I'm not like other girls"
Really hated this book. Not for the plot: I thought that was the interesting thing. There was a lot of potential but the result was aggravating. I couldn't connect with any character, they were all one-dimensional, I was unclear about any person's true motivation (for as much as the word "duty" was thrown around, I didn't see it much). The entire book is written in passive voice: "The door was opened," "the sword was lifted" such that a lot of the action felt anticlimactic. I didn't see any chemistry between the main characters, there were too many secondary characters who served only as info dumping platforms and could not have survived as real people if any of the story had been changed. The descriptions were flat and offered no mental image. I was also immensely confused by all the subplots that didn't go anywhere (Inged is somehow partially descended from gods but it is only mentioned once and never brought up again, we learn about Shadow's mother at the end but the Big Secret is just sort of shoved at you - plus it makes no sense), and I got very tired of the "children being innocent" crap.