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pencilknot's review
2.0
I like to consider myself a flexible reader. I can get through almost any book and I usually have no problems with the characters. But this time was just... NO. I couldn't stand Mirage's constant arrogance and entitlement. I mean, I love a character with ambition and who knows what she wants but Mirage wasn't this at all. Throughout the whole book, she talks about how she had suffered so much and deserve this, while not doing much to get it. Everytime she said something about "I have suffered so incredibly much and I deserve to be worshiped...." or said the word "my birthright", I wanted to slap her. She was so childish and unlikable that it was a miracle that I made it through the book.
dani17731's review
3.0
2.75 stars
This book came in my first OwlCrate box, and it's definitely not a book I'd have ever picked up on my own.
I somewhat enjoyed the storyline, and I'm curious for the next book, but I have beef with the writing style. The prose was a bit too...flowery? Overly descriptive? I don't know the right adjective to use, but this book certainly has more than enough.
I finished it in a couple of days because it was so fast-paced, so there's that.
This book came in my first OwlCrate box, and it's definitely not a book I'd have ever picked up on my own.
I somewhat enjoyed the storyline, and I'm curious for the next book, but I have beef with the writing style. The prose was a bit too...flowery? Overly descriptive? I don't know the right adjective to use, but this book certainly has more than enough.
I finished it in a couple of days because it was so fast-paced, so there's that.
artbysmashley's review against another edition
4.0
When I began this book I was drawn in. The first fifty or so pages were wonderful! Where I started to waver with my interest, and where I expected to be leaving a 3 star review, was the middle of the book. It felt a bit muddled at times - as if the author was trying to squeeze in too much. I thought her writing was lovely, albeit a bit over-elaborate in moments (there were passages where I felt everything was a metaphor, though I think that worked a bit for Sylvie’s character so it could have been intentional). The last 100 pages were where I think the plot flourished. It sucked me in. It was clearly one of those books heavily wetting up for the future installments. That’s where I knew I’d want to leave 4 stars. One of my favorite things was having a heroine who winds up in a palace setting and rather than snubbing her nose at the finery and luxury, she craves it. She wants to belong because she feels like she deserves this world, this lavish lifestyle. (This is revealed a handful of pages in, so it’s not a spoiler.) Sylvie’s ambition is self-motivated and to be honest a bit selfish but I rather liked reading a character like that. I think her arc is going to be really interesting as the story proceeds!
bookstoashes's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 Stars
Considering the ratings, I didn't think I'd really enjoy this book, but I was happily surprised. The writing wasn't incredible, though I found myself reading through this with ease, and wanting to know what was going to happen next. The pacing was well done (to me at least), though the main character Sylvie wasn't the most likeable, but I looked past it as much as possible.
There were a couple things I predicted since they were a little trope-esk (though I don't mind since that's half the YA books out there) but one at the end I didn't expect at all, so it balances out.
The romance...I can see this becoming a love triangle (ughh). I do prefer Sunder, though at first I wasn't the biggest fan since he's an ass, but he's just a lot more interesting than Luca, although I predict the second book will have more of Luca so who knows!!
I'm happy I own this book and find not a lot of people would enjoy it, but I really did. Super excited to continue this series.
Considering the ratings, I didn't think I'd really enjoy this book, but I was happily surprised. The writing wasn't incredible, though I found myself reading through this with ease, and wanting to know what was going to happen next. The pacing was well done (to me at least), though the main character Sylvie wasn't the most likeable, but I looked past it as much as possible.
There were a couple things I predicted since they were a little trope-esk (though I don't mind since that's half the YA books out there) but one at the end I didn't expect at all, so it balances out.
The romance...I can see this becoming a love triangle (ughh). I do prefer Sunder, though at first I wasn't the biggest fan since he's an ass, but he's just a lot more interesting than Luca, although I predict the second book will have more of Luca so who knows!!
I'm happy I own this book and find not a lot of people would enjoy it, but I really did. Super excited to continue this series.
sarag19's review
2.0
2.5 out of 5 Stars
I've really got to stop letting myself get dragged in by pretty covers. This book has a really good concept but I got a few chapters into it and realized that oh, its going to be one of those books. It makes a lot of promises but never really delivers on them.
I liked the plot that it tried to sell me, not the one that it ultimately delivered. It sells itself as deadly games and court intrigue but that never comes through. More of it is just following Mirage around as she forces her way from one scene to another. The plot never really flowed for me but I can't deny that the writing it really nice. There are some beautiful prose and descriptions of the world. The author has created a really interesting world and I found myself wishing that the book had been more about Sun, Moon and Meridian. Their story sounds much more fascinating.
The characters are really where this story falls flat. There is a line between strong and arrogant and unfortunately, Mirage is just arrogant. She is a fully unlikable character with very little redeeming factors. Its hard to understand why any of the characters (other than Lullaby) would go out of the way to help her other than the plot require it. Mirage doesn't just think, she requires the world to bend over backwards to fit her. The rest of the characters just fit into stereotypes, the gay friend, the only being cruel to protect the special one love interest, the older and wiser leader and the villain. There just wasn't enough of the villain for me to want to actively root for their downfall.
Its a well written book but the characters and plot is not enough to redeem this book.
I've really got to stop letting myself get dragged in by pretty covers. This book has a really good concept but I got a few chapters into it and realized that oh, its going to be one of those books. It makes a lot of promises but never really delivers on them.
I liked the plot that it tried to sell me, not the one that it ultimately delivered. It sells itself as deadly games and court intrigue but that never comes through. More of it is just following Mirage around as she forces her way from one scene to another. The plot never really flowed for me but I can't deny that the writing it really nice. There are some beautiful prose and descriptions of the world. The author has created a really interesting world and I found myself wishing that the book had been more about Sun, Moon and Meridian. Their story sounds much more fascinating.
The characters are really where this story falls flat. There is a line between strong and arrogant and unfortunately, Mirage is just arrogant. She is a fully unlikable character with very little redeeming factors. Its hard to understand why any of the characters (other than Lullaby) would go out of the way to help her other than the plot require it. Mirage doesn't just think, she requires the world to bend over backwards to fit her.
Spoiler
She even comes out and says it, when its revealed she is the "special one" she straight up says that she wants to create a world for her to live in, to remake the world for her. That is not strength, that is not wanting to change and protect things for others and when she is called out on it she gets lets her full arrogant and cruel self fly. Worse, the character later apologizes just for speaking the truth. No! Double down with all the truth. Who knows, maybe the author is setting up for a big twist that Mirage becomes the villain, corrupted by her arrogance and desire for power. Doubt that will ever happen but damn, would that be good to see an author just go with it.Its a well written book but the characters and plot is not enough to redeem this book.
heartsfl's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
so i left this book for quite a while bc I got bored but.... this book isn't really that boring tbh. the author uses loads and loads of adjectives to make sure we know what everything looks like. except for the mc be I don't even know if shes white or black. anyways, she uses so many adjectives and sometimes I don't even be knowing the rods and I'm like, u could've just used the normal word?, idk. she uses terms she makes up herself but never really clearly explains them. i literally only knew the term tides meant years until I was almost done with the book. still don't know what kembric means. i feel like he ending is kind of rushed IMO bc the plot twists were plot twisting a bit but the ending left a lot unexplained. like is there really not another relic? is the empress ACTUALLY dead? what is even her legacy bc I could not understand what was happening. yk it would've been much much much more interesting if she actually didn't even have one. How would she have become empress in the first place like it could've made the story a million times better. also the mc was kind of annoying I mean like was <spolier>she not seeing the red flags luca was giving off at their meeting at the paper place or wtv??????? like bro cmon it was so obvious and GODDDDDDD dont even get me started on the second-hand embarrassment that I got from her at every other term. like she couldn't sit fucking still like bro???? overall tho the book was kind of good, the other had a way with words. i didn't really love any of the characters maybe except Luca (they did him so fucking dirty) and again the ending felt really rushed even tho I assume there's another book?? idk. the premise is super cool tho love the whole thing about the court and stuff. i also feel like sylives powers could've been amped up or explored a bit more idk. like there has to be more u can do with illusions if ur gonna choose that as the power of ur mc. not saying she should be overpowered af bc sometimes that's just corny but yk I feel like more could've been done with it. another problem I had was how did sylvie beet the queen so easily like??? i just don't get it I feel like there was so much more to be done but wtv. i wasn't able to drop the book tho so this book was a good read. also dont take my review to seriously I read books for fun.
eden_2000's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.25
louha's review against another edition
4.0
hello Goodreaders,
You can also find the review on my blog, right here.
Amber and dusk was featured in the December 2018 ‘Power Of Illusions’ OwlCrate. Once again, it’s the kind of book i would never have wanted in the first place. That’s why i love these subscription boxes, you know : it’s because i never know what i will get, and i’m always nicely surprised by the books. (well, almost always but, hey : one can’t love it all, right ? )
Let’s talk about Amber and Dusk, then. At first, i didn’t like it. All the journey part, without anything going on… I mean, it was just an annoying journey, with an annoying girl, and i’ve read it everywhere. but, well : i’ve had lots of good surprises with owlcrate’s books, so i kept reading. It was saturday, i had nothing else to do… and my cat was asleep on my belly so i couldn’t move. I read, then.
And Sylvie went to the castle.
And Sylvie started her new life.
And Sylvie became very interesting.
And, Sylvie became Mirage, the illusion mage of the Empress Court. She became a lonely girl, who had to impress the Empress, who knew nothing of that world, who knew nothing of what would happen to her if she stayed… She new nothing about Court, about manners, about that world she was crawling for. And, I started to feel for her, for her adventures, her friendships, her struggles.
And, oh. my. god, that wicked Versaille Lyra Selene is painting for us all along. I just LOVED it. I loved that there was something rotten, i loved the weirdness coming up, a bit more on each page. I would have loved it better if, sometimes, Lyra Selene would have taken a bit more time to explain us things, to describe the world instead of just showing us it was “this” and no explanations needed. Oh well.
I loved that we got to see the first love interest Sylvie had, and i loved that things went very wrong with him. I loved that he was as wicked as everyone else. And. for god sake. I loved the twins too. Those wicked lovely bastards were my favourites in that book. Sunder. That Sunder is so perfect. May i have one for Christmas, please ? He is the super rich wicked one, who makes people hate him on purpose, who will do anything to protect his sister… and at some point, you just realise he had done the same for Sylvie/Mirage from day one…
In the end, i couldn’t even thing i thought this was going to be “generic fantasy”, because when i finally arrived at the last page, i just turned it, once. Twice. and then i said to my sleepy cat “what an ending is that i want more”. And Chat just yawned and went back to sleep and… i felt so lonely. I will definitely buy the second book and read it, and i hope i will enjoy that one as much as the first ! And, reader, you HAVE TO GIVE THIS BOOK A GO. it totally deserve it.
You can also find the review on my blog, right here.
Amber and dusk was featured in the December 2018 ‘Power Of Illusions’ OwlCrate. Once again, it’s the kind of book i would never have wanted in the first place. That’s why i love these subscription boxes, you know : it’s because i never know what i will get, and i’m always nicely surprised by the books. (well, almost always but, hey : one can’t love it all, right ? )
Let’s talk about Amber and Dusk, then. At first, i didn’t like it. All the journey part, without anything going on… I mean, it was just an annoying journey, with an annoying girl, and i’ve read it everywhere. but, well : i’ve had lots of good surprises with owlcrate’s books, so i kept reading. It was saturday, i had nothing else to do… and my cat was asleep on my belly so i couldn’t move. I read, then.
And Sylvie went to the castle.
And Sylvie started her new life.
And Sylvie became very interesting.
And, Sylvie became Mirage, the illusion mage of the Empress Court. She became a lonely girl, who had to impress the Empress, who knew nothing of that world, who knew nothing of what would happen to her if she stayed… She new nothing about Court, about manners, about that world she was crawling for. And, I started to feel for her, for her adventures, her friendships, her struggles.
And, oh. my. god, that wicked Versaille Lyra Selene is painting for us all along. I just LOVED it. I loved that there was something rotten, i loved the weirdness coming up, a bit more on each page. I would have loved it better if, sometimes, Lyra Selene would have taken a bit more time to explain us things, to describe the world instead of just showing us it was “this” and no explanations needed. Oh well.
I loved that we got to see the first love interest Sylvie had, and i loved that things went very wrong with him. I loved that he was as wicked as everyone else. And. for god sake. I loved the twins too. Those wicked lovely bastards were my favourites in that book. Sunder. That Sunder is so perfect. May i have one for Christmas, please ? He is the super rich wicked one, who makes people hate him on purpose, who will do anything to protect his sister… and at some point, you just realise he had done the same for Sylvie/Mirage from day one…
In the end, i couldn’t even thing i thought this was going to be “generic fantasy”, because when i finally arrived at the last page, i just turned it, once. Twice. and then i said to my sleepy cat “what an ending is that i want more”. And Chat just yawned and went back to sleep and… i felt so lonely. I will definitely buy the second book and read it, and i hope i will enjoy that one as much as the first ! And, reader, you HAVE TO GIVE THIS BOOK A GO. it totally deserve it.
theagcdas's review
4.0
It was a bit difficult to get into in the beginning, but after the first few chapters, it was really well-written and captivating.