Reviews

The Riddle by Alison Croggon

raadelma's review against another edition

2.0

The high fantasy elements ended up being too much for me - at times I felt like I was reading textbook about culture, lore and geography instead of fiction (so much tedious traveling!). Also, I was reminded that I don't really like "the chosen one" trope if it's done without any subversion.

mterra766's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious 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

5.0

strawberryfaerie's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

lola_reads_alot's review against another edition

5.0

Lots of action and some interesting twists.

fishwearingsocks88's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

crimsonrogue's review against another edition

5.0

Continuing Maerad and Cadvan's journey, The Riddle is an excellent addition to the Pellinor series. Once I started this novel, my thoughts and eyes were glued to its pages. It is full of exciting adventure and tragic events. The character growth Maerad experiences during The Riddle is amazing to read about. It is easy to relate to the character and truly understand what she must be feeling.

This book is much darker than The Naming, and the danger that Maerad and Cadvan face becomes much more clear. There are many parts that will have you tearing up (and if you're like me, yelling at the book). The story examines many moral issues, and it is refreshing to see a strong female character that is not completely pure, that makes mistakes, and that questions her own morality.

While The Naming was absolutely brilliant, I did feel as if the story was often quite predictable. I felt that the Riddle is much less so, and there were many instances when I was rather shocked by certain events.

Just like its predecessor, The Riddle is full of beautifully written sentences filled with gorgeous imagery, exciting battle, and wonderful characters. It is a must read for all fantasy fans.

alexandraidonea's review against another edition

4.0

I most likely preferred the first in this series - it’s difficult to tell now as it’s been a few years! The fact that this took me exactly an entire year to read does say something, but I devoured the second half over a few days. I do find the very outrightly Tolkenian parts to be quite cringey, but overall I am very invested in Maerad and her story.

emmadstanden's review against another edition

4.0

The Riddle
Book by: Alison Croggon
Review By: Emma Standen


Adventure fantasy books are always fun to read, especially ones that are well written. The Riddle falls into this category. This book by Alison Croggon is a fast paced, yet detailed book full of twists and turns that even the best analyst could not predict. The Riddle is the second book in a series of four; the first book is The Naming. The Naming introduces characters and explains how Maerad (the protagonist) learns who she is. She is the one to take down the powerful dark Bard who is called The Nameless One.
In The Riddle by Alison Croggon, Maerad (the protagonist), continues her journey with her mentor and friend Cadvan Lighorn. Maerad is special because she possesses very bardic powers and also elemental magyk. As Maerad and Cadvan seek an item called the Tree Song they face danger on every path.
Maerad and Cadvan find that they are being tracked and then are attacked by an evil elemental called the Winterking (Arkan by name). Maerad is still learning her full power and is on a quest to find the Tree Song. When attacked by the Winterking Cadvan is lost in an avalanche. Maerad through all her sorrow and grief must trudge on continuing her quest. Maerad learns she can do many things and gathers information she can use to help defeat the growing darkness.
The Riddle is an amazing book with surprises on every page. I loved this book. I would recommend this book to someone who likes adventure fantasy and a good exciting read. This book is an excellent page turner and good for any reader.

kiiouex's review against another edition

3.0

I'm finding I'm really indifferent to this one, which is unusual for me. It is very long and very slow, but after the first one that's kind of what I was on board for; it's book two of a quartet, so obviously it's going to take it's sweet fucking time doing anything. But the countryside of the long rides is nice; it's a very undemanding read, because it's so tropey and familiar. Maybe I should dislike it more for the pacing, but it means when anything interesting or dramatic does happen it stands out more.

Anyway, I was quite on board with this one, until near the end -

Spoiler

I do not understand how Maerad was actually in love with Arkan? Sincerely, no witchcraft? Why??? That just - confused me.

And for all that I don't mind the slowburn quest and romance, I flicked ahead to reviews of the third and fourth books, and since the third one isn't about Maerad, and

Spoiler

Cadvan and Maerad's romance supposedly barely pays off

, I think I might hop off this train here instead of slogging through another thousand pages. I don't need to find out if Light defeats Dark, actually, because I have the strangest premonition that it will. Cadvan and Maerad were the part of the first one that really held up, and that's... not as prominent as I'd need, as the carrot to get me to the end of this series. No ill will, these books are just dense.

missyansell's review against another edition

5.0

Love is one of the true mysteries,' he said at last. 'The truest and the deepest of all. One thing, Maerad: to love is never wrong. It may be disastrous; it may never be possible; it may be the deepest agony. But it is never wrong.

Maerad continues her quest to find the treesong so that she will be able to defeat the Nameless one.

Without going into too much detail, I really liked this one. Maerad definitely grows because she is now on her own for part of the novel. Plus the ending was pretty epic. These books remind me of Lord of the Rings because of all the music, poems and information throughout the book. Definitely a well developed world in my opinion.