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cindyc's review
3.0
I’m a bit conflicted about this book. I really liked the ideas and the story in general, but there seems to be something missing. The beginning is a bit confusing, but that’s ok, because our main character, Kate, doesn’t know what’s really happening either. So even though I wasn’t quite sure what was going on, I was ok with it, because I thought all would be explained later on. But that’s just it, it wasn’t, really. We do get bits of explanation here and there, but it’s not enough to help create a solid image in the reader’s head. You know, when I’m reading a book, it’s like a movie is playing in my head. When bits and pieces are missing, the movie just doesn’t make sense and has some holes in it.
I did really enjoy the ideas behind this story, such as the notion of “kir”. It’s some sort of magic/life force that flows through everyone’s body and of which you have a daily portion to use. For example, when you’re in pain (let’s say: a headache), the kir is all knotted and tangled up. A physician, like Kate, our main character, can untie those knots with her abilities and give you some relief. I think that’s very imaginative and a really great idea.
Also the “Blessings” were a great contribution to this story. There are people who have Blessings (speed, memory, strength) they can use to serve their country. Especially the way these Blessings manifest themselves physically was a very bold choice: they can be seen as ridges of the same material as sheep or goat horns on the body. Scar tissue and all. Not very attractive but it gives a certain edges to the way I imagine the characters in my head, they don’t look like normal people, which is great in a Fantasy story.
As for the writing, it certainly wasn’t bad. I felt for the characters and the connection I value so much when reading a book was there. Though the story was, in my opinion, very character driven, there was a bit of worldbuilding, which I liked, but I wouldn’t have minded a little bit more of it. It seemed like all the scenario’s went by a little fast, like I was scanning a landscape without letting the details soak in, more like a glimpse.
The rating: I would give this book 4 dragons based on the story alone, but with the gaps in explanation, I had to pull it down to 3 dragons. This is one of those books that has great potential, but hasn’t really gotten there yet.
I did really enjoy the ideas behind this story, such as the notion of “kir”. It’s some sort of magic/life force that flows through everyone’s body and of which you have a daily portion to use. For example, when you’re in pain (let’s say: a headache), the kir is all knotted and tangled up. A physician, like Kate, our main character, can untie those knots with her abilities and give you some relief. I think that’s very imaginative and a really great idea.
Also the “Blessings” were a great contribution to this story. There are people who have Blessings (speed, memory, strength) they can use to serve their country. Especially the way these Blessings manifest themselves physically was a very bold choice: they can be seen as ridges of the same material as sheep or goat horns on the body. Scar tissue and all. Not very attractive but it gives a certain edges to the way I imagine the characters in my head, they don’t look like normal people, which is great in a Fantasy story.
As for the writing, it certainly wasn’t bad. I felt for the characters and the connection I value so much when reading a book was there. Though the story was, in my opinion, very character driven, there was a bit of worldbuilding, which I liked, but I wouldn’t have minded a little bit more of it. It seemed like all the scenario’s went by a little fast, like I was scanning a landscape without letting the details soak in, more like a glimpse.
The rating: I would give this book 4 dragons based on the story alone, but with the gaps in explanation, I had to pull it down to 3 dragons. This is one of those books that has great potential, but hasn’t really gotten there yet.
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