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afern95's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
brenna_reads_books's review against another edition
DNF. I was so confused the entire time.
nezha's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 stars!!
I don’t have much to say bc I didn’t absolutely fall in love or have many problems with this one but it was a good read! There were some cliche tropes thrown around but overall it tied together so well to create a unique story. The ambitious mc, court intrigue, and dark love interest were my favorite parts. The ending left on a note that made me excited for book 2!
I don’t have much to say bc I didn’t absolutely fall in love or have many problems with this one but it was a good read! There were some cliche tropes thrown around but overall it tied together so well to create a unique story. The ambitious mc, court intrigue, and dark love interest were my favorite parts. The ending left on a note that made me excited for book 2!
bellamb3's review
3.0
The beginning of the book failed to capture my interest, and the world-building left me confused. The author also overused certain words, such as deistic, kembric, jardin, and others, particularly in the initial chapters. Another notable mention is the word "perfumes," which appeared excessively on two pages.
Given the lackluster start, it's understandable why many readers chose to not finish (DNF) the book early on.
Another aspect that didn't sit well with me was how Luca handled Sylvie's decision to not stay with the convoy. He made assumptions and put words in her mouth before she had a chance to explain herself. While Sylvie was acting entitled, her upbringing influenced her belief system. She simply longed to feel a sense of belonging, but Luca's abrasive communication style prevented her from expressing that.
I also found myself confused about Severine's defeat in a battle considering her ability to steal powers. How did Mirage (Sylvie) beat her, and how did Severine only make glass float out of all the things she could have done?
On a more positive note, the chemistry between Sunder and Mirage was incredibly captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed their dynamic.
Given the lackluster start, it's understandable why many readers chose to not finish (DNF) the book early on.
Another aspect that didn't sit well with me was how Luca handled Sylvie's decision to not stay with the convoy. He made assumptions and put words in her mouth before she had a chance to explain herself. While Sylvie was acting entitled, her upbringing influenced her belief system. She simply longed to feel a sense of belonging, but Luca's abrasive communication style prevented her from expressing that.
I also found myself confused about Severine's defeat in a battle considering her ability to steal powers. How did Mirage (Sylvie) beat her, and how did Severine only make glass float out of all the things she could have done?
On a more positive note, the chemistry between Sunder and Mirage was incredibly captivating. I thoroughly enjoyed their dynamic.
milkteajeon's review
3.0
my feelings for this book are so ambiguous, like i really dont know whether i like it or not? i know that i disliked sylvie but also can't tell if i was supposed to or not;; she was just so damn entitled and bleh
i guess i only really liked sunder? i was apathetic to just about everyone else.
also all the new terms for different times just seemed unnecessary and confusing to me,,,,,
i guess i only really liked sunder? i was apathetic to just about everyone else.
also all the new terms for different times just seemed unnecessary and confusing to me,,,,,
taniedarling's review
4.0
I really liked this book. However, I had to dock a star because of the flowery language. I’m all for a good description, but a whole page to describe a perfumed bath or colorful tiles is a bit much sometimes. By the time I got to the end of a description, I had to think about what was happening before it. I also was SUPER confused by the time descriptions. Matin, nocturne, span, tide, prime, compline… I eventually figured out what most of them meant, but I still don’t know what compline is supposed to refer to. There was no easing into the language. It just started and you were expected to get it. All that aside, I really enjoyed the story and will read the next one.
missprint_'s review
2.0
Sylvie has always known that she was destined for greater things. She is certain that her life as an orphan with the Sisters of Scion is only a small blip on her path to greatness. When she comes into her legacy--a magical talent that is believe to only belong to the upper class--Sylvie knows it's a sign.
Sneaking onto a caravan Sylvie makes her way from the very edges of the Dusklands when the darkness of the Dominion constantly looms into the Amber City's palais Coeur d'Or at the heart of the Amber Empire. In this city where the sun never sets, Sylvie assumes that her magic to create illusions will be enough to earn her a place in the Empress' court.
Instead Sylvie finds herself the center of a wager, the butt of a cruel joke, among the palais courtiers. Sponsored by an enigmatic noble called Sunder Sylvie must learn to control her legacy as she navigates the dangerous games within the palais. Under her new name, Mirage, she will have to fight to earn her place at the palais while deciding how much she is willing to lose in Amber & Dusk (2018) by Lyra Selene.
Amber & Dusk is Selene's debut novel.
Luxuriant descriptions underscore the complex world Selene has created where the sun never leaves the sky and the moon never rises. Complex magic and class systems add layers to this story, particularly once Sylvie arrives at a court reminiscent of Versailles.
Sylvie is unapologetic about her ambitions and shrewdly pursues her imagined destiny despite numerous obstacles and warnings from other characters that the palais is not the paradise she might imagine. Reckless and sometimes ruthless, Sylvie throws herself into her new life as Mirage without fully considering the risks or consequences of her choices.
While Sylvie/Mirage is a compelling if sometimes frustrating heroine, the rest of the cast is often one-dimensional by comparison. Mirage's sponsor Sunder--so named for his legacy's ability to cause pain--is as mysterious as he is problematic.
Amber & Dusk is a seductive fantasy filled with magic and machinations in equal measure complete with an ending that will leave fans clamoring for a sequel.
Possible Pairings: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow, The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi, The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton, Stain by A. G. Howard, The Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid, The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson, Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian, And I Darken by Kiersten White
Sneaking onto a caravan Sylvie makes her way from the very edges of the Dusklands when the darkness of the Dominion constantly looms into the Amber City's palais Coeur d'Or at the heart of the Amber Empire. In this city where the sun never sets, Sylvie assumes that her magic to create illusions will be enough to earn her a place in the Empress' court.
Instead Sylvie finds herself the center of a wager, the butt of a cruel joke, among the palais courtiers. Sponsored by an enigmatic noble called Sunder Sylvie must learn to control her legacy as she navigates the dangerous games within the palais. Under her new name, Mirage, she will have to fight to earn her place at the palais while deciding how much she is willing to lose in Amber & Dusk (2018) by Lyra Selene.
Amber & Dusk is Selene's debut novel.
Luxuriant descriptions underscore the complex world Selene has created where the sun never leaves the sky and the moon never rises. Complex magic and class systems add layers to this story, particularly once Sylvie arrives at a court reminiscent of Versailles.
Sylvie is unapologetic about her ambitions and shrewdly pursues her imagined destiny despite numerous obstacles and warnings from other characters that the palais is not the paradise she might imagine. Reckless and sometimes ruthless, Sylvie throws herself into her new life as Mirage without fully considering the risks or consequences of her choices.
While Sylvie/Mirage is a compelling if sometimes frustrating heroine, the rest of the cast is often one-dimensional by comparison. Mirage's sponsor Sunder--so named for his legacy's ability to cause pain--is as mysterious as he is problematic.
Amber & Dusk is a seductive fantasy filled with magic and machinations in equal measure complete with an ending that will leave fans clamoring for a sequel.
Possible Pairings: Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard, The Scorpion Rules by Erin Bow, The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi, The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton, Stain by A. G. Howard, The Diabolic by S. J. Kincaid, The Kiss of Deception by Mary E. Pearson, Ash Princess by Laura Sebastian, And I Darken by Kiersten White
hlawona99's review against another edition
5.0
Mirage
At first this book annoyed me because I thought Sylvie was selfish and irritating by demanding to be at the Empire. The more I read the more I fell for her charm and her legacy. She doesn't only have one man falling for her but shes got two. I'm hoping she picks her spunky sponsor.
At first this book annoyed me because I thought Sylvie was selfish and irritating by demanding to be at the Empire. The more I read the more I fell for her charm and her legacy. She doesn't only have one man falling for her but shes got two. I'm hoping she picks her spunky sponsor.
keandrews95's review
4.0
The lore of the world was really interesting, and I liked the characters. Not a lot of books have inherently selfish main characters, which I liked. However, the main action in the end seemed over too quick and left me feeling a bit unsatisfied.