Scan barcode
waclements7's review
DNF @17%. Wow.
The concept of a prison for mages is interesting. I liked that idea.
I stopped when the evil king had a young boy killed so his young necromancer sister could revive him. I don’t know if she did, because that was enough right there.
The writing is stilted and uneven and hard to get into. I think the author was going for old-fashioned but it just didn’t work. I couldn’t get into it because it was constantly calling attention to itself.
Briony, the main character and youngest sister, hates anything that has to do with what is described as being traditionally female, yet spinsters are referred to as “taking the lonely path.” Okay, so she doesn’t want to get married, but being a spinster is lonely so that’s not okay either? And it’s seen as a fault that marriage is what her sister wants. Feminism respects the different roles women can take. It doesn’t belittle choices like getting married, having children, not getting married and not having children.
At the point I mentioned above I went and checked out more reviews (which I should have done at the start) and what I read convinced me it wasn’t going to get better.
The concept of a prison for mages is interesting. I liked that idea.
I stopped when the evil king had a young boy killed so his young necromancer sister could revive him. I don’t know if she did, because that was enough right there.
The writing is stilted and uneven and hard to get into. I think the author was going for old-fashioned but it just didn’t work. I couldn’t get into it because it was constantly calling attention to itself.
Briony, the main character and youngest sister, hates anything that has to do with what is described as being traditionally female, yet spinsters are referred to as “taking the lonely path.” Okay, so she doesn’t want to get married, but being a spinster is lonely so that’s not okay either? And it’s seen as a fault that marriage is what her sister wants. Feminism respects the different roles women can take. It doesn’t belittle choices like getting married, having children, not getting married and not having children.
At the point I mentioned above I went and checked out more reviews (which I should have done at the start) and what I read convinced me it wasn’t going to get better.
mycupoftealcsw's review
DNF’d after the sample. I would have stuck with this book longer if the FMC wasn’t NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS. Like, seriously, why do authors keep writing these types of female characters? They aren’t compelling and any good traits they have are diminished by their “specialness” which is always just gross, internalized misogyny. Literally every other major woman in the book (in the beginning anyway) is described as weak or with some sort of judgment about how feminine they are. And, of course, all her meaningful mentors are men.
The story also seems pretty predictable - I can already tell that she is going to have one of the super special magic powers and that she is going to want to be a warrior of some sort. And I’d bet a decent amount of money that the oldest prince is innocent and the youngest is complicit somehow. Otherwise, the writing is ok but there is a bit of info dumping and way too many new names in the beginning of the book. The world would be worth exploring if the FMC was worth exploring it with.
The story also seems pretty predictable - I can already tell that she is going to have one of the super special magic powers and that she is going to want to be a warrior of some sort. And I’d bet a decent amount of money that the oldest prince is innocent and the youngest is complicit somehow. Otherwise, the writing is ok but there is a bit of info dumping and way too many new names in the beginning of the book. The world would be worth exploring if the FMC was worth exploring it with.
toodlebean's review
4.0
I found Asperfell by accident. With no expectations or recommendations from other readers, I was able to completely lose myself. Its now 3am and I'm writing this with no sleep and lots of excitement so if I start rambling you know why.
There are truly some very unique characters at Asperfell (Perkins, I'm looking at you) and some that remind us of our favourite stern but motherly witches. I enjoyed the magic system with everyone being capable of basic everyday spells and specialising in a branch of magic that they born with.
Asperfell does use a familiar trope, magically gifted people being hunted and persecuted by the government, but the majority of the book focuses on the mages, their lives and their challenges. Some other familiar magical themes make their appearance with disappearing rooms, moving staircases and self rearranging furniture.
By no means is this a bewitching stay at a magical castle. Asperfell delivers a healthy smattering of blood, necromancy, murder and mystery. Its been dusted with just a dash of whimsy and I'm here for it.
I want to start The Forest Kingdom right away but like I said, it's 3am. Sleep wins.
There are truly some very unique characters at Asperfell (Perkins, I'm looking at you) and some that remind us of our favourite stern but motherly witches. I enjoyed the magic system with everyone being capable of basic everyday spells and specialising in a branch of magic that they born with.
Asperfell does use a familiar trope, magically gifted people being hunted and persecuted by the government, but the majority of the book focuses on the mages, their lives and their challenges. Some other familiar magical themes make their appearance with disappearing rooms, moving staircases and self rearranging furniture.
By no means is this a bewitching stay at a magical castle. Asperfell delivers a healthy smattering of blood, necromancy, murder and mystery. Its been dusted with just a dash of whimsy and I'm here for it.
I want to start The Forest Kingdom right away but like I said, it's 3am. Sleep wins.
cainacol12's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
jazzee's review
4.0
This passage spoke to my heart:
“Sometimes I fear I will forget their faces.”
“You may do,” Elyan conceded. “But what they look like is an important, is it not? Only that because of them you are who you are. Thus, they live on in you.” (pg. 354)
“Sometimes I fear I will forget their faces.”
“You may do,” Elyan conceded. “But what they look like is an important, is it not? Only that because of them you are who you are. Thus, they live on in you.” (pg. 354)
alyram4's review
4.0
4/5 stars
I'm gonna be honest here and say that my favorite thing here is definitely the writing. It just flows perfectly, but it doesn't give you all the answers but also doesn't keep things hidden. It leaves just enough for you to follow closely and being able to put together all the pieces as we go along. The characters were well done, but I wish that I had gotten a bit more attached to Briony more. While I cared, I never truly felt a strong enough attachment. That could go for some of the other characters introduced as well. It was just missing some oomph. The plot isn't anything out of this world, but it does have some tricks up its sleeves. While I could mostly tell what would happen, it still was an enjoyable book to read. I feel that this is a book to go blindly into, as if you know too much it just ruins a lot of the hidden magic.
I'm gonna be honest here and say that my favorite thing here is definitely the writing. It just flows perfectly, but it doesn't give you all the answers but also doesn't keep things hidden. It leaves just enough for you to follow closely and being able to put together all the pieces as we go along. The characters were well done, but I wish that I had gotten a bit more attached to Briony more. While I cared, I never truly felt a strong enough attachment. That could go for some of the other characters introduced as well. It was just missing some oomph. The plot isn't anything out of this world, but it does have some tricks up its sleeves. While I could mostly tell what would happen, it still was an enjoyable book to read. I feel that this is a book to go blindly into, as if you know too much it just ruins a lot of the hidden magic.
shellycampbellauthor's review
5.0
Asperfell was an excellent, well-paced read. Briony is a head strong, stubborn and spirited main character, but balances this with humility and an earnest moral compass. Refreshing to see a heroine’s journey where the main character has to really struggle to learn her skills and relies on her friends to aid her instead of just going it alone. Fantastic start to a series that is sure to impress. A joy to read.
3genres'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
pam_sartain's review
5.0
Asperfell by Jamie Thomas is a fantasy novel, set in another world, where people can have different types of magic. Some of these are more feared than others, like blood magic. All is fine until the Crown Prince kills the King with his magic, and he is banished through the gate (a magic portal) to Asperfell from where no one has returned.
Briony is our protagonist, and starts the story as a young girl, with her father as an advisor to the King. She witnesses the Crown Prince being sent through the gate, and is sent away to the country when the Crown Prince's younger brother inherits the throne, and magic users start to be hunted.
I very much enjoyed this book. It explored the world, both the world and Asperfell. It showed us different types of magic, which I enjoyed seeing how they would affect the world around them.
The story moves at a good pace, and I wanted to find out what would happen next. This is the first book in a trilogy, so don't expect a complete ending!
Asperfell was published on 18th February 2020, and is available on Amazon . I've found a link to where you can search for local bookshops, including independent!
You can follow Jamie Thomas on Twitter , or through her website .
If you're interested in fantasy books, then here's a link to others I've reviewed!
I was given this book for free in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Uproar books (the publishers) for this book.
Briony is our protagonist, and starts the story as a young girl, with her father as an advisor to the King. She witnesses the Crown Prince being sent through the gate, and is sent away to the country when the Crown Prince's younger brother inherits the throne, and magic users start to be hunted.
I very much enjoyed this book. It explored the world, both the world and Asperfell. It showed us different types of magic, which I enjoyed seeing how they would affect the world around them.
The story moves at a good pace, and I wanted to find out what would happen next. This is the first book in a trilogy, so don't expect a complete ending!
Asperfell was published on 18th February 2020, and is available on Amazon . I've found a link to where you can search for local bookshops, including independent!
You can follow Jamie Thomas on Twitter , or through her website .
If you're interested in fantasy books, then here's a link to others I've reviewed!
I was given this book for free in return for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Uproar books (the publishers) for this book.
lisam1973's review
DNF’d after the sample. I would have stuck with this book longer if the FMC wasn’t NOT LIKE OTHER GIRLS. Like, seriously, why do authors keep writing these types of female characters? They aren’t compelling and any good traits they have are diminished by their “specialness” which is always just gross, internalized misogyny. Literally every other major woman in the book (in the beginning anyway) is described as weak or with some sort of judgment about how feminine they are. And, of course, all her meaningful mentors are men.
The story also seems pretty predictable - I can already tell that she is going to have one of the super special magic powers and that she is going to want to be a warrior of some sort. And I’d bet a decent amount of money that the oldest prince is innocent and the youngest is complicit somehow. Otherwise, the writing is ok but there is a bit of info dumping and way too many new names in the beginning of the book. The world would be worth exploring if the FMC was worth exploring it with.
The story also seems pretty predictable - I can already tell that she is going to have one of the super special magic powers and that she is going to want to be a warrior of some sort. And I’d bet a decent amount of money that the oldest prince is innocent and the youngest is complicit somehow. Otherwise, the writing is ok but there is a bit of info dumping and way too many new names in the beginning of the book. The world would be worth exploring if the FMC was worth exploring it with.