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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
This book is really a good introduction to the series and I’m excited to read the rest of them. I understand why some people DNF’d or couldn’t get through it because the world building is slow but once the story begins to click, god it’s so good.
dnf, might pick it up in the future but it wasn't doing it for me right now
Hurgh.
Oh boy. I wanted to like this book so much more then I actually did.
Oh boy. I wanted to like this book so much more then I actually did.
3.5 stars - This new adult fantasy was action-packed and entertaining, but left me with mixed feelings.
When the book began, I found myself constantly comparing many elements to other well-loved fantasy books. As the story began to develop I realized it truly is just some of the best fantasy components compiled into one story.
In terms of the characters, they were (for the most part) well rounded and morally gray which helped them feel super authentic. The two main characters blended together at times and I completely understand why the author chose to write them that way. However, I didn't like constantly switching between their POV's due to the different time eras they each lived in. I often found myself struggling to keep track of all the political figures that were constantly brought up in each time period which was frustrating.
After the first quarter of this book, it held my interest enough to want to know how it ended. There were several twists woven in at different points in the story and while they weren't surprising, they were still entertaining. Unfortunately, the ending was a complete let down. I spent 512 pages wanting to learn what events changed certain character's ethics and wasn't rewarded with any solid answer.
Even though Furyborn wasn't the biggest hit with me, this series will definitely be popular with others. I've actually already recommended this to my husband who reads much less critically than me. I'll continue to read this series as it's released but I just hope the author gives us more answers sooner rather than later.
Thank you to the publishers who provided me with an ARC of this book through NetGalley!
When the book began, I found myself constantly comparing many elements to other well-loved fantasy books. As the story began to develop I realized it truly is just some of the best fantasy components compiled into one story.
In terms of the characters, they were (for the most part) well rounded and morally gray which helped them feel super authentic. The two main characters blended together at times and I completely understand why the author chose to write them that way. However, I didn't like constantly switching between their POV's due to the different time eras they each lived in. I often found myself struggling to keep track of all the political figures that were constantly brought up in each time period which was frustrating.
After the first quarter of this book, it held my interest enough to want to know how it ended. There were several twists woven in at different points in the story and while they weren't surprising, they were still entertaining. Unfortunately, the ending was a complete let down. I spent 512 pages wanting to learn what events changed certain character's ethics and wasn't rewarded with any solid answer.
Even though Furyborn wasn't the biggest hit with me, this series will definitely be popular with others. I've actually already recommended this to my husband who reads much less critically than me. I'll continue to read this series as it's released but I just hope the author gives us more answers sooner rather than later.
Thank you to the publishers who provided me with an ARC of this book through NetGalley!
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
I am little conflicted with my feeling's. In all honesty I wanted to not finish this book many times because I found the dialogue boring but I wanted to know if anything major would happen with the whole Sun Queen thing and I really don't think we know exactly after the way it ended. Not sure if I want to invest more time in this series.
*spoilers*
Maybe 3.5? Undecided
At the beginning, I was really not vibing this because I thought Reille and Eliana were both gonna just be super arrogant and annoying but! This definitely drew me in! I think that the very first chapter kind of ruined the major reveals though - like you knew Reille was somehow going to get through her trials, that she would have a daughter with a fancy necklace etc, that she wasn't really the Sun Queen. I do like though that not all the ends were tied together, like how Audric dies, but I think a lot of the tension was lost because of this. Her trials didn't feel like they had any real stakes, and Eliana's powers also mean that she's never hurt for long, both of them were the classic prophesied "chosen one" but I guess it's interesting to see how Reille goes from Sun to Blood Queen pretty quick like.
I definitely preferred Eliana's journey, but I also think that she didn't change super a lot? I really really liked the steady reveal of how she's not actually so heartless, how it's something she's built up to deal with what she is forced to do to save her family, and how you saw a bit more humanity in her. But then when she left Simon behind, just like she had left Harkan, I felt we were right back where we started. Like yes she did go back for him, but she didn't really seem to regret leaving him behind until she knew he was actually alive, even when Remy was super not vibing. Also! So many of these dudes were massive simps even Corien was simping hard (if only to get her on side). Like Audric and Simon were like hurt me baby!! Anything for you QUEEN which i get it feminism but it seemed like too much at times? Or maybe I just don't vibe with absolute devotion idk men like tops i guess
It was also super diverse and had LGBTQ+ rep, a feminist angle, morally grey characters - I think it was a pretty complex world that was built! And I definitely flew through this - every time I put it down I was just waiting to get back to it (mostly for Eliana's story but you know) I also really enjoyed the dynamic between Audric, Rielle and Ludivine - I think this was the part of Rielle's story that kept me reading!
Maybe 3.5? Undecided
At the beginning, I was really not vibing this because I thought Reille and Eliana were both gonna just be super arrogant and annoying but! This definitely drew me in! I think that the very first chapter kind of ruined the major reveals though - like you knew Reille was somehow going to get through her trials, that she would have a daughter with a fancy necklace etc, that she wasn't really the Sun Queen. I do like though that not all the ends were tied together, like how Audric dies, but I think a lot of the tension was lost because of this. Her trials didn't feel like they had any real stakes, and Eliana's powers also mean that she's never hurt for long, both of them were the classic prophesied "chosen one" but I guess it's interesting to see how Reille goes from Sun to Blood Queen pretty quick like.
I definitely preferred Eliana's journey, but I also think that she didn't change super a lot? I really really liked the steady reveal of how she's not actually so heartless, how it's something she's built up to deal with what she is forced to do to save her family, and how you saw a bit more humanity in her. But then when she left Simon behind, just like she had left Harkan, I felt we were right back where we started. Like yes she did go back for him, but she didn't really seem to regret leaving him behind until she knew he was actually alive, even when Remy was super not vibing. Also! So many of these dudes were massive simps even Corien was simping hard (if only to get her on side). Like Audric and Simon were like hurt me baby!! Anything for you QUEEN which i get it feminism but it seemed like too much at times? Or maybe I just don't vibe with absolute devotion idk men like tops i guess
It was also super diverse and had LGBTQ+ rep, a feminist angle, morally grey characters - I think it was a pretty complex world that was built! And I definitely flew through this - every time I put it down I was just waiting to get back to it (mostly for Eliana's story but you know) I also really enjoyed the dynamic between Audric, Rielle and Ludivine - I think this was the part of Rielle's story that kept me reading!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
I received this book in the end of December when it already had a huge hype about it, it still has to this day, so I went into the story with high expectation. I’m a bit disappointed that I didn’t love the story as much as others but there is a reason for it.
I didn’t know how rate this book because it basically two stories woven into one book, as the two POVs play out a thousand year apart and tell the tale of two different girls. And honestly I loved one of those point of views and I would give that one 5 stars in a heartbeat, while I kinda hated the other one and I would barley give it a 3 stars so that’s how the 3.5 rating happened. But let’s start at the beginning.
The writing is phenomenal, not overly flowery, but colorful, vivid and really engaging. The story sucked me in with the first chapter. It is a long book but it wasn’t a hardship to read at all.
The first chapter, which is basically a prologue kinda thing, is the little gems that connect the two POVs, however in my opinion at the same time it tells to much about the Rielle’s story. But it is necessary because other than this there is only an invisible thread connecting the two sides of the book.
As for the world building, the map at the beginning of the book was a huge help because the details of the world come into play really late considering their importance. For probably 20% of the book I had no freaking idea what was going on with a world so complex, where the plot builds so heavily on the workings of the society it can be a huge problem or as it was for me an irritating obstacle to fully immerse myself into story. However after thing regarding the world started to clear out and became more put together you could see the creative genius behind it. I loved every little detail of it and how they connected into an intricate and rich creation, especially with the cool elemental magic. Although I found it a bit strange that there weren’t definite indicators when it came to the world between the two times, I mean in a 1000 years not much changed technologically and such and that was just a bit unbelievable for me.
Before I get to the individual POVs I need to mention one more thing that bothered me. I understand that the author wanted to lead the two storyline parallel that’s why the alternating but the changes between them, was abrupt and almost always in the middle of some action or important even that it interrupted the flow of the plot in a bad way. Because of this the whole book felt bit like it’s stilted.
Rielle’s story
I didn’t like her POV, but mostly because of her character. After the ‘prologue’ where she already painted a bad picture about herself I still went into the story giving her the benefit of the doubt, feeling that there must be some good reason behind her actions. Unfortunately, her personality quickly soured my mood. And while the idea of a flawed heroine has a lot of potential but for me Rielle’s is just one that rubs me the wrong way, she is so arrogant, manipulative, conniving and shallow in a way, her sole focus is getting what she wants no matter who she prowls over for it. I got that she felt restricted and that was the fault of her father and teachers but the way she wanted everybody to love her and bow down to the all mighty and powerful Rielle was just annoying. She loved the spectacle around her, rejoiced because of it and ignored the obvious warning signals and clues in favor of her wants and needs. The best way I could describe her is a young child trapped in the body of a goddess who if doesn’t get her throws a world shattering temper tantrum. I tried to look for some redeeming qualities in her but didn’t find any.
“They will love me. All of them will.”
“I want……I want. I need. I crave.”
And don’t even get me started on the whole romance in it, that was just as equally bad as the rest of her character.
So there were things that I liked about her side as well. While the plot wasn’t overly complex or dynamic, it was more about the royal machinations, secrets and intrigue, it was a bit tedious for me, I found the descriptions of the trials quite enjoyable, colorful and imaginative.
Eliana’s story:
While neither of the heroines is easily or instantly likeable, they are both conflicting characters. I loved every minute of Eliana‘s part. She is just as flawed her counterpart but she is honest about it and I loved that. At first glance she is a hard ass, an aggressive, blood thirsty and somewhat cruel but after getting to know her better it turns out that she is just an angry and afraid girl who is willing to sacrifice everybody and everything to survive and save her family. She is the perfect representation of the most humane reaction. Every time her emotions come up she runs and tries to drown them she is a bit of a coward that way but she also goes through quite a character development along the way.
Her storyline is starts out a bit slower and has a completely different atmosphere and dynamism I still loved it more. For me it has more of an appeal, it was more interesting and complex. I also found the supporting characters diverse in personality and especially adored the rapport between Eliana and Simon which in my hopes later on going to turn into something more.
I didn’t know how rate this book because it basically two stories woven into one book, as the two POVs play out a thousand year apart and tell the tale of two different girls. And honestly I loved one of those point of views and I would give that one 5 stars in a heartbeat, while I kinda hated the other one and I would barley give it a 3 stars so that’s how the 3.5 rating happened. But let’s start at the beginning.
The writing is phenomenal, not overly flowery, but colorful, vivid and really engaging. The story sucked me in with the first chapter. It is a long book but it wasn’t a hardship to read at all.
The first chapter, which is basically a prologue kinda thing, is the little gems that connect the two POVs, however in my opinion at the same time it tells to much about the Rielle’s story. But it is necessary because other than this there is only an invisible thread connecting the two sides of the book.
As for the world building, the map at the beginning of the book was a huge help because the details of the world come into play really late considering their importance. For probably 20% of the book I had no freaking idea what was going on with a world so complex, where the plot builds so heavily on the workings of the society it can be a huge problem or as it was for me an irritating obstacle to fully immerse myself into story. However after thing regarding the world started to clear out and became more put together you could see the creative genius behind it. I loved every little detail of it and how they connected into an intricate and rich creation, especially with the cool elemental magic. Although I found it a bit strange that there weren’t definite indicators when it came to the world between the two times, I mean in a 1000 years not much changed technologically and such and that was just a bit unbelievable for me.
Before I get to the individual POVs I need to mention one more thing that bothered me. I understand that the author wanted to lead the two storyline parallel that’s why the alternating but the changes between them, was abrupt and almost always in the middle of some action or important even that it interrupted the flow of the plot in a bad way. Because of this the whole book felt bit like it’s stilted.
Rielle’s story
I didn’t like her POV, but mostly because of her character. After the ‘prologue’ where she already painted a bad picture about herself I still went into the story giving her the benefit of the doubt, feeling that there must be some good reason behind her actions. Unfortunately, her personality quickly soured my mood. And while the idea of a flawed heroine has a lot of potential but for me Rielle’s is just one that rubs me the wrong way, she is so arrogant, manipulative, conniving and shallow in a way, her sole focus is getting what she wants no matter who she prowls over for it. I got that she felt restricted and that was the fault of her father and teachers but the way she wanted everybody to love her and bow down to the all mighty and powerful Rielle was just annoying. She loved the spectacle around her, rejoiced because of it and ignored the obvious warning signals and clues in favor of her wants and needs. The best way I could describe her is a young child trapped in the body of a goddess who if doesn’t get her throws a world shattering temper tantrum. I tried to look for some redeeming qualities in her but didn’t find any.
“They will love me. All of them will.”
“I want……I want. I need. I crave.”
And don’t even get me started on the whole romance in it, that was just as equally bad as the rest of her character.
So there were things that I liked about her side as well. While the plot wasn’t overly complex or dynamic, it was more about the royal machinations, secrets and intrigue, it was a bit tedious for me, I found the descriptions of the trials quite enjoyable, colorful and imaginative.
Eliana’s story:
While neither of the heroines is easily or instantly likeable, they are both conflicting characters. I loved every minute of Eliana‘s part. She is just as flawed her counterpart but she is honest about it and I loved that. At first glance she is a hard ass, an aggressive, blood thirsty and somewhat cruel but after getting to know her better it turns out that she is just an angry and afraid girl who is willing to sacrifice everybody and everything to survive and save her family. She is the perfect representation of the most humane reaction. Every time her emotions come up she runs and tries to drown them she is a bit of a coward that way but she also goes through quite a character development along the way.
Her storyline is starts out a bit slower and has a completely different atmosphere and dynamism I still loved it more. For me it has more of an appeal, it was more interesting and complex. I also found the supporting characters diverse in personality and especially adored the rapport between Eliana and Simon which in my hopes later on going to turn into something more.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes