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jazminrose's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book. The world-building and lore is fantastic. However, it just wasn’t quite as good as the first and I cannot give it a full five stars.
This is in large part because I found the conclusion to be unsatisfying (not bad or even disappointing, but just lacking). So much foretelling and mystery was leading up to the end and the beginning. But I finished the book thinking, “The end of what? The beginning of what?”. It all felt too low stakes and inconsequential to have been the monumental shift that had been prophesied for generations.
I also LOVE the dark sisters. But I couldn’t help but wonder what role they played in this story. What was their significance beyond that of a fascinating hook for readers? I will be pondering this question for quite some time. The mystery (and eventual loss) of their existence felt left loose.
Lastly, in a tale so focused on women and their power and sisterhood, WHY did we need a princely love interest at all?
Overall, I would absolutely recommend this saga though, particularly to fans of fantasy. It was delicious and one-of-a-kind and deeply thought provoking. It is written in such an engaging way and the culture of the Hames is immensely fascinating. It’s no wonder historians are drawn in by it. Long live Magon.
This is in large part because I found the conclusion to be unsatisfying (not bad or even disappointing, but just lacking). So much foretelling and mystery was leading up to the end and the beginning. But I finished the book thinking, “The end of what? The beginning of what?”. It all felt too low stakes and inconsequential to have been the monumental shift that had been prophesied for generations.
I also LOVE the dark sisters. But I couldn’t help but wonder what role they played in this story. What was their significance beyond that of a fascinating hook for readers? I will be pondering this question for quite some time. The mystery (and eventual loss) of their existence felt left loose.
Lastly, in a tale so focused on women and their power and sisterhood, WHY did we need a princely love interest at all?
Overall, I would absolutely recommend this saga though, particularly to fans of fantasy. It was delicious and one-of-a-kind and deeply thought provoking. It is written in such an engaging way and the culture of the Hames is immensely fascinating. It’s no wonder historians are drawn in by it. Long live Magon.
garnetofeden's review against another edition
2.0
I was disappointed in the way things worked out. After all the hype regarding the prophecy, it was very anti-climactic. It seemed like a pretty fast and sloppy wrap-up.
Last finished 5/18/2011. Rating reviewed 7/7/2023.
Last finished 5/18/2011. Rating reviewed 7/7/2023.
freckles1987's review against another edition
4.0
I found the characters and story to be rather "meh," but the mode of storytelling to be fantastic! I read both books simply because I loved the format of "The Story," "The Legend," "The Myth," "The Song," or "The History." It's absolute genius. As a historian I couldn't help but be amused by the historical articles interspersed throughout the novel. I highly recommend White Jenna for this alone! Of course the world building was also quite fun...but the way the story is told definitely takes the front seat.
lauralauralaura's review against another edition
3.0
I have nothing to add to my review of the previous book in the series. This was a fine thing to read when my brain was very tired from grad school.
el_entrenador_loco's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
felinity's review against another edition
4.0
Read as part of the ,a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35010638-the-great-alta-saga">omnibus edition.
shecantcomplain's review against another edition
It's good, I just haven't been able to stick with it as I should.
claredragonfly's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
veryreaderie's review against another edition
4.0
A great sequel - my only complaint is that I would have liked to see more from some of the characters. Pynt does not really take part in the story, and I would like to know more about Skada. The cast of characters set up in Sister Light, Sister Dark were so good I felt cheated when I didn't hear enough about them! Still, White Jenna was hard to put down and I enjoyed the ride. Should have been a much longer novel, though!
oskarij's review against another edition
4.0
A good sequel to a great book. Halfway through I read somewhere that it is supposed to be YA literature, but it's all good for adult readers as well. Compelling themes and a good story without unnecessary "grimdarkness".
Not as good as the previous book though. The story is a direct continuation to its story and it still contains almost everything that made the previous one good; the interplay between "the story as it is" and its interpretation as a myth in the present.
The story, however, seems to resolve a bit too easy towards the end. The suspense is all good for most of the book, but it all ends up a bit too straightforwardly to my taste.
The obvious feminist thematic of the series still stays fresh and welcome. The story feels quite fresh even though it is from the 80s.
Not as good as the previous book though. The story is a direct continuation to its story and it still contains almost everything that made the previous one good; the interplay between "the story as it is" and its interpretation as a myth in the present.
The story, however, seems to resolve a bit too easy towards the end. The suspense is all good for most of the book, but it all ends up a bit too straightforwardly to my taste.
The obvious feminist thematic of the series still stays fresh and welcome. The story feels quite fresh even though it is from the 80s.