Reviews

The Riddle by Alison Croggon

trollexplores's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.0

emlickliter's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

5.0

The Riddle by Alison Croggon – I loved the characters and world building in this series, but they are hefty tomes! Read them when you are ready to make the commitment to finish the series because you are going to have to reread to remember like I will to finish the series! Happy Reading!

elemenoreed's review against another edition

3.0

All I can say is: thank goodness for the Winterking. He made this novel much more interesting and saved it from receiving a possible 2 or 2.5 star rating. The book starts off immediately following the events of the previous book. And it goes on much as the first book did. Travel, interesting respite, travel. Even though interesting things would crop up every now and again, the book seemed to be following the same formula as the first and it was hard for me to stay interested. But then, about halfway through, something actually happens and Maerad is left on her own. This makes for some very interesting character development for Maerad. It was nice to see her put on her big girl pants on purpose, rather than by accidentally stumbling into them in the midst of a disaster she doesn't understand. She ends up making it to her goal on her own, through a new setting of beautiful white snow (which was a refreshing change from forest after forest after forest...). She encounters an odd mix of people and allows her instincts to guide her through a myriad of strange circumstances. And then she is caught by the Winterking, who knows quite a lot about the Treesong and about Maerad herself. He has the Matrix-like ability to create an illusion that is believable and pleasing to those on whom he exerts said ability. Their relationship is quixotic and, regrettably, too short. It is hoped that he will play a role in the next book. By the end of the book, her quest is given a fresh direction and I was left feeling more respect for Maerad as a leading lady than I had been previously. I am looking forward to reading the next book.

kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition

4.0

Amazing! This series just gets better and better. I love it! However, I could do without all the references to urinating and menstruation. Is that really necessary? REally?

katyjean81's review against another edition

2.0

Again, in desperate need of an editor. But there was one gasp out loud on a Japanese train moment as well as a desire to figure out what happened to Maerad. The author has certainly built a complicated world and I like learning about it as it grows, but some things were just too heavy handed, and I can’t like it.

All that said, epic fantasy fans will find a lot to enjoy here.

brookepalmer796's review against another edition

3.0

More like 3.5. I really like the characters in this series and the whole history that Croggon has made up is amazing.

skyepieonthefly's review against another edition

4.0

Still really liked the plot and the atmosphere, but Maerad was much more annoying in this one. She was just over dramatic to inject conflict where it wasn't really needed. Also the love interest bit close to the end made no sense and really came out of left field.

sionna's review against another edition

4.0

Changing rating from 5 to 4 stars.

Man there is just sooo much description! It doesn't help that most of the book is traveling, so lots of the text is about all the different places and what they are seeing, which doesn't seem to have much to do with what is actually going on.

Maerad's character really does seem her age which means she can be super frustrating, but I totally get that she doesn't have the experience to make the right decisions all the time. I think it just shows that she is slowly growing and coming into herself. I am considered about the potential romance on the horizon. Also, she seems to fall in love often or others like her. I think the reason it feels weird to me is because not much dialogue or time is spent on these parts, but rather recapping what is going on and descriptions of the setting.

I'm not as keen on starting the 3rd book, but I will...eventually.

sixofravensreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

reena's review against another edition

3.0

Very nice. It's exactly as I expected after the first one. Seems to play more on Maerd's feelings then her actual powers but other then that it is good. The only complaint is that Croggon seems to only introduce her cousin and fathers family just to take them away from her and to find out the the other half of the treesong is in her lyre. All that sacrifice for something they always had. The series is very nice and magical.