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jessdone's review against another edition
4.0
This book had an interesting concept. I really enjoyed uncovering the mystery and different struggles for power happening in this world. It's definitely a fun ride.
The Writing: Wonderful prose that is lyrical and mesmerizing. It's clear Silvera spent a lot of time thinking about how to describe the dancing and action scenes. Her detail and research is appreciated. Several of her descriptions struck me as unique and fitting.
Characters: Isla has a unique personality. She's interesting and would stand out on her own as a person I'd want to read about even if she wasn't a God dancer helping to power a necromancer. After the last few books I've read with cardboard characters, it was very refreshing to have a protagonist whose motivations made sense and were consistent with a personality the writer sets up.
The love interest is pretty generic, but the people surrounding him all have interesting stories and reactions. I'd love a spin off series of shorts (or full novels) that tell the story of how they came into the love interest's service.
World: The world itself is probably the weakest part of the novel. It starts off strong and intriguing, but in the middle Silvera adds a ton of elements that begin to make her world more standard for urban fantasy. Jamming these elements in seemed rushed and also lost some of the shine this book had. I didn't dislike additions, but it felt so unlikely that a God dancer wouldn't know more about the supernatural. It really had me second guessing the world around Isla. I think the introduction of some of the later elements was too rushed and if Silvera had been able to slow down, these revelations would have fit with the rest of her tone and feel more organic.
The final arch has elements that are contrived, but by that time, I was so drawn into Isla's life, I didn't care.
Overall this is an excellent debut novel. The summary given doesn't do the story justice, and I'm really excited to read more from Silvera in the future.
The Writing: Wonderful prose that is lyrical and mesmerizing. It's clear Silvera spent a lot of time thinking about how to describe the dancing and action scenes. Her detail and research is appreciated. Several of her descriptions struck me as unique and fitting.
Characters: Isla has a unique personality. She's interesting and would stand out on her own as a person I'd want to read about even if she wasn't a God dancer helping to power a necromancer. After the last few books I've read with cardboard characters, it was very refreshing to have a protagonist whose motivations made sense and were consistent with a personality the writer sets up.
The love interest is pretty generic, but the people surrounding him all have interesting stories and reactions. I'd love a spin off series of shorts (or full novels) that tell the story of how they came into the love interest's service.
World: The world itself is probably the weakest part of the novel. It starts off strong and intriguing, but in the middle Silvera adds a ton of elements that begin to make her world more standard for urban fantasy. Jamming these elements in seemed rushed and also lost some of the shine this book had. I didn't dislike additions, but it felt so unlikely that a God dancer wouldn't know more about the supernatural. It really had me second guessing the world around Isla. I think the introduction of some of the later elements was too rushed and if Silvera had been able to slow down, these revelations would have fit with the rest of her tone and feel more organic.
The final arch has elements that are contrived, but by that time, I was so drawn into Isla's life, I didn't care.
Overall this is an excellent debut novel. The summary given doesn't do the story justice, and I'm really excited to read more from Silvera in the future.
stephbeaudoin20's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Death's Dancer by Jasmine Silvera
I've had this book on my TBR for a while. Chronic Pain Representation by a BIPOC Author! BIPOC Author of a Fantasy book! Dancing! All the things! It did not disappoint! I loved this story. I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.
This is my 17th book for The Diverse Baseline Challenge, the 1st for the April prompt of a book about Chronic Illness/Chronic Pain.
I've had this book on my TBR for a while. Chronic Pain Representation by a BIPOC Author! BIPOC Author of a Fantasy book! Dancing! All the things! It did not disappoint! I loved this story. I can't wait to read the rest of the trilogy.
This is my 17th book for The Diverse Baseline Challenge, the 1st for the April prompt of a book about Chronic Illness/Chronic Pain.
eg_m's review against another edition
5.0
*shelved as 'steamy' but it is mostly off page/fade to black.
jackiehorne's review
3.0
In an alternate fantasy world, godsdancers communicate via dance with powerful beings whom they call gods, asking through their performances that the "gods" intervene in human lives in large ways and small. Fifty years ago, a two-week international conflict between warring nations using godsdancers as weapons left the world on the verge of chaos, until an eight-member cabal of powerful necromancers stepped in, cutting up the world into territories over which ruled. And order was restored. Oh, and this world also has witches. And shapeshifters. Which we don't find out until mid-book.
This particular story is about one godsdancer, American Isela Vogel, who has moved with her family to Prague, and Europe's ruling necromancer, Azrael. Minor necromancers are turning up murdered, and Azrael has been tapped by the other ruling necromancers to find the killer. But he'd having trouble contacting the murdered, and needs the additional power of the godlike creatures to help him communicate. He hires Isela to fill that role. And the two are immediately drawn to one another.
This is a promising debut by a new author, with many likable characters and appealing relationships, especially between Isela and her fellow dancers, and Isela and her family.
The book does have some major flaws, though. First, the fantasy world-building is not very fully developed. I was left scratching my head over a lot of what this world is supposed to be about. For example, if necromancers have been around for thousands of years, why was it only 50 years ago that they took power? Do necromancers, witches, and shapeshifters all draw from similar powers, or are their magics of a different kind? What exactly are these god-like creatures through whom the godsdancers channel power? Why is dancing the way they are reached? How was godsdancing discovered? Do the "gods" draw on the same powers as the other supernatural folks in this world? How human are necromancers? Etc. etc. etc. The author is clearly not that interested in explaining/exploring this world, a problem for this fantasy reader.
Second, the romance is of the insta-love type. There isn't any real explanation for why Azrael would/should fall for Isela, or her for him. He's hot, attractive, and powerful, of course, which seems to be enough of a justification for many romance readers. But why is Azrael drawn to Isela? And why should he be? Just like the world-building, the romance itself feels underdeveloped.
Finally, and this may just be a pet peeve of mine, but I have a hard time when a human character is paired up with a supernatural being as a romantic partner. There's little to no chance of having an equitable, or close-to-equal, partnership when the power dynamics are weighted so heavily in one partner's favor. By book's end, Isela has to in order to save Azrael, which is meant, I suppose, to make the relationship more equal, but just ends up feeling like Isela herself is not enough on her own to be his romantic match.
This particular story is about one godsdancer, American Isela Vogel, who has moved with her family to Prague, and Europe's ruling necromancer, Azrael. Minor necromancers are turning up murdered, and Azrael has been tapped by the other ruling necromancers to find the killer. But he'd having trouble contacting the murdered, and needs the additional power of the godlike creatures to help him communicate. He hires Isela to fill that role. And the two are immediately drawn to one another.
This is a promising debut by a new author, with many likable characters and appealing relationships, especially between Isela and her fellow dancers, and Isela and her family.
The book does have some major flaws, though. First, the fantasy world-building is not very fully developed. I was left scratching my head over a lot of what this world is supposed to be about. For example, if necromancers have been around for thousands of years, why was it only 50 years ago that they took power? Do necromancers, witches, and shapeshifters all draw from similar powers, or are their magics of a different kind? What exactly are these god-like creatures through whom the godsdancers channel power? Why is dancing the way they are reached? How was godsdancing discovered? Do the "gods" draw on the same powers as the other supernatural folks in this world? How human are necromancers? Etc. etc. etc. The author is clearly not that interested in explaining/exploring this world, a problem for this fantasy reader.
Second, the romance is of the insta-love type. There isn't any real explanation for why Azrael would/should fall for Isela, or her for him. He's hot, attractive, and powerful, of course, which seems to be enough of a justification for many romance readers. But why is Azrael drawn to Isela? And why should he be? Just like the world-building, the romance itself feels underdeveloped.
Finally, and this may just be a pet peeve of mine, but I have a hard time when a human character is paired up with a supernatural being as a romantic partner. There's little to no chance of having an equitable, or close-to-equal, partnership when the power dynamics are weighted so heavily in one partner's favor. By book's end, Isela has to
Spoiler
accept the power of one of the god-like creatures inside herkylieqrada's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I love Jasmine Silvera’s writing. I read her series out of order, so it was pretty obvious that she has grown as a writer since this was published, but I still vibed with it hard.
madgee's review against another edition
5.0
Fresh and engaging! Pulled just short of being overly poetic at times. Multiple perspectives worked well without giving up tension, or feeling disjointed.
fae_emma's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Oooh, I loved this! The writing was beautiful. The story is exciting. The romance is delicious. I love the whole cast of characters. I was half way through this book when I knew I needed to order the next two in the series! Gotta know what happens!!
copp0928's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
nemerith's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I read by this author and I can honestly say it won't be the last (as in... yep, the second instalment is on my ever-growing TBR list! :D).
While it took about 1/3 of the book to really catch and keep my attention, once it did, it didn't let go. There is a good depth to the world and all the characters that makes the story come alive. Of course, I always want to know more about whom I'm reading about or the world the author created, but that would just have been overkill for this first instalment.
More than enough info and details and an active imagination that handles the rest, what more do you need?
The book was well written with no (noticeable) errors and yes, there is sex described (if that is important to you).
To be honest, when writing this review I can almost compare this book to, indeed, an actual dance. The ebb and flow, the quiet moments and the heartfelt movements in times of action.
I liked and enjoyed reading it, the story was something different within a genre we all know and love, so yep, I do recommend you check this one out and enjoy!
While it took about 1/3 of the book to really catch and keep my attention, once it did, it didn't let go. There is a good depth to the world and all the characters that makes the story come alive. Of course, I always want to know more about whom I'm reading about or the world the author created, but that would just have been overkill for this first instalment.
More than enough info and details and an active imagination that handles the rest, what more do you need?
The book was well written with no (noticeable) errors and yes, there is sex described (if that is important to you).
To be honest, when writing this review I can almost compare this book to, indeed, an actual dance. The ebb and flow, the quiet moments and the heartfelt movements in times of action.
I liked and enjoyed reading it, the story was something different within a genre we all know and love, so yep, I do recommend you check this one out and enjoy!