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helenamt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
marvelous_mint's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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
Well written, with an excellent plot centred around character development.
I really enjoyed this story, and following it's characters as it weaved a beautiful tale of tragedy, survival, strength of will and hope.
The narration was beautifull, well-done and a joy to listen to.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a dark and/or interesting fantasy book with great, multilayered characters.
I really enjoyed this story, and following it's characters as it weaved a beautiful tale of tragedy, survival, strength of will and hope.
The narration was beautifull, well-done and a joy to listen to.
I definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a dark and/or interesting fantasy book with great, multilayered characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Violence, Death of parent, Death, and Torture
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Gaslighting, Murder, Blood, Confinement, and Vomit
roostershort's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tashasbookishcorner's review
4.0
This was an enjoyable, fast paced story with a likeable main character.
Ferius is an unreliable narrator, often jumbling things up in her head and being confused. That makes sense in the context of the story but sometimes make things a little hard to follow, where she got her name from in particular was quite confusing. This is one of the few YA books I've read where the traumatized teenager actually seems to act like a traumatized teenager, so kudos to De Castell for that.
The plot seemed a little loose, I think partly because of the aforementioned narrator confusion and because half the book is Ferius before she meets an Argosi, the sections following her through a year of her life and the various miserable things she goes through in different places, where you're kind of only getting clips of her life almost.
The worldbuilding was interesting enough but I wanted more from the actual places, how the world worked. It did feel like some of the worldbuilding when it came to place was slightly glossed over. I haven't read the series this is a prequel to so I'm not sure if things were gone into more detail there. I did love the worldbuilding around the Argosi however, I thought that was thorough and interesting. I particularly liked the cards they carry, with each painted by the Argosi and repeating their experiences.
Ferrius doesn't get to spend long with the supporting characters for the first half of the book but they were varied and memorable. Durral was a good supporting character and I liked the father daughter dynamic between him and Ferius. The teaching scenes reminded me of a Jedi and a Padawan.
I really loved the artwork in the book, the section divider artwork was beautiful, as is the cover.
Ferius is an unreliable narrator, often jumbling things up in her head and being confused. That makes sense in the context of the story but sometimes make things a little hard to follow, where she got her name from in particular was quite confusing. This is one of the few YA books I've read where the traumatized teenager actually seems to act like a traumatized teenager, so kudos to De Castell for that.
The plot seemed a little loose, I think partly because of the aforementioned narrator confusion and because half the book is Ferius before she meets an Argosi, the sections following her through a year of her life and the various miserable things she goes through in different places, where you're kind of only getting clips of her life almost.
The worldbuilding was interesting enough but I wanted more from the actual places, how the world worked. It did feel like some of the worldbuilding when it came to place was slightly glossed over. I haven't read the series this is a prequel to so I'm not sure if things were gone into more detail there. I did love the worldbuilding around the Argosi however, I thought that was thorough and interesting. I particularly liked the cards they carry, with each painted by the Argosi and repeating their experiences.
Ferrius doesn't get to spend long with the supporting characters for the first half of the book but they were varied and memorable. Durral was a good supporting character and I liked the father daughter dynamic between him and Ferius. The teaching scenes reminded me of a Jedi and a Padawan.
I really loved the artwork in the book, the section divider artwork was beautiful, as is the cover.
bear8431's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
drorraifnesher's review
adventurous
challenging
reflective
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? No
4.75
thebookstackattack's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75
adrzeck's review against another edition
4.0
"How can a righteous person who is weak defeat a wicked one who is strong?"
What does our name say about us? Maybe you have to go through some things before you choose yours. An unreliable narrator with plenty of hijinx (thievery, knights, gambling). Has that high fantasy feel, also with a sense of western mythos and of course a coming-of-age tale.
"We don't have any use for good girls."
What does our name say about us? Maybe you have to go through some things before you choose yours. An unreliable narrator with plenty of hijinx (thievery, knights, gambling). Has that high fantasy feel, also with a sense of western mythos and of course a coming-of-age tale.
"We don't have any use for good girls."
firefox's review against another edition
3.0
I love Ferius but this low of a rating proves that De Castell's writing is just not growing on me anymore.
jesscath18's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25