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juliapeculiar's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 stars
Technically a really good YA fantasy. It was made in a clever way and I always got a bit too excited when I found one of those secret messages haha. But there's a reason I don't typically read fantasies anymore, it just feels pointless and is dragging too much. Like I don't care about these kingdoms, I wanna know more about the relationship between Archer and... whatever her name was. I'll take a lucky guess and say Sarah? I honestly don't know anymore haha.
Would definitely recommend for anyone in that genre, but I won't continue the series. It's really just not my cup of tea, and I only read it because I got gifted a copy by my aunt.
Technically a really good YA fantasy. It was made in a clever way and I always got a bit too excited when I found one of those secret messages haha. But there's a reason I don't typically read fantasies anymore, it just feels pointless and is dragging too much. Like I don't care about these kingdoms, I wanna know more about the relationship between Archer and... whatever her name was. I'll take a lucky guess and say Sarah? I honestly don't know anymore haha.
Would definitely recommend for anyone in that genre, but I won't continue the series. It's really just not my cup of tea, and I only read it because I got gifted a copy by my aunt.
branthegremblin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
4.5
kroffe's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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
3.0
This was a pretty good read considering that it’s categorized as juvenile fiction. It has an interesting plot concept. It does seem like the world building was lacking, but again, with it being juvenile fiction, you don’t want to get too deep. With that being said, there seemed to be too many characters introduced causing confusion and detachment from the characters. I do recommend reading the physical book because there is a hidden message within the pages that was super fun to track
therealbel's review against another edition
4.0
4.25
Solid YA read, excellent intertwining plots and a couple of great twists.
Solid YA read, excellent intertwining plots and a couple of great twists.
ettuladyblue's review against another edition
2.0
Books about books have never been my bag. There's something so egocentric about being told my hobby creates magic and is so powerful and transcendent... it's very unappealing. Perhaps this is because it breaks my illusion of solitude, or maybe because it's difficult to engage in escapism when you're reminded that you're actively engaging in it.
All this to say that I have a strong bias, and this book hit all my pet peeves.
It's not a bad book! If you're into flashbacks and violence and destiny, go for it. If you like worlds that give you the bare bones and expect you to build it yourself, come on over. There's some bonus pirates for you! The intrigue is top notch, the individual threads compelling.
But it's so so frustrating. I couldn't engage with the characters. They never connected with me. The world was so bare it felt pretty generic. And the metafictional smudges and blacked out sentences...to affect the text but not the narrative? Maddening.
I think I was just too old for this book. Probably would've been revelatory if I hadn't been forced to read postmodern works since late high school.
All this to say that I have a strong bias, and this book hit all my pet peeves.
It's not a bad book! If you're into flashbacks and violence and destiny, go for it. If you like worlds that give you the bare bones and expect you to build it yourself, come on over. There's some bonus pirates for you! The intrigue is top notch, the individual threads compelling.
But it's so so frustrating. I couldn't engage with the characters. They never connected with me. The world was so bare it felt pretty generic. And the metafictional smudges and blacked out sentences...to affect the text but not the narrative? Maddening.
I think I was just too old for this book. Probably would've been revelatory if I hadn't been forced to read postmodern works since late high school.
shakirae's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
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
rakoerose's review against another edition
4.0
This book really grew on me as I experienced it; even more so than I initially expected.
Six years on the run from these people. A lifetime in hiding. And still they’d found her.
Belief has to be slightly suspended for a world without reading or written language, but knowing just a touch about history I know people got along with just the spoken word for a long time. The concept of a secret society of Readers, of a magic to writing and reading, of a world where it is kept under strict allowances... is fascinating! Add in the interesting elements of the Sight (or the Vision) as it’s called with different castes of specialties and abilities and you’ve got one rad magic system I can’t wait to learn more about.
Sefia and Archer, the two protagonists, are delightful in how tender they are with each other. They come from such rough and intense backgrounds (Sefia’s family murdered and Archer forced to kill to live) and seeing them be gentle together juxtaposed all that in a beautiful way. They warmed my heart and I loved watching their progression over the course of the book as they began to care about each other.
I also loved the “book within a book” aspect of this novel! Sefia, reading a book to learn the letters and what they mean, shows us the story of Captain Reed and his crew. The moment where everything intertwined and revealed the true nature of this mysterious book Sefia owns was deliciously done. Not to mention we also see bits of the past in other ways that fleshes out the origins of everything. I love parsing out history and understanding in this way, but I also know it won’t be for everyone.
All in all, I came away from this surprised at how much I loved this! As a first book, it definitely felt focused on the fleshing out of everything. I’m excited for what comes next with these characters well established - it has the potential to become a series I highly recommend even more than I already do!
Six years on the run from these people. A lifetime in hiding. And still they’d found her.
Belief has to be slightly suspended for a world without reading or written language, but knowing just a touch about history I know people got along with just the spoken word for a long time. The concept of a secret society of Readers, of a magic to writing and reading, of a world where it is kept under strict allowances... is fascinating! Add in the interesting elements of the Sight (or the Vision) as it’s called with different castes of specialties and abilities and you’ve got one rad magic system I can’t wait to learn more about.
Sefia and Archer, the two protagonists, are delightful in how tender they are with each other. They come from such rough and intense backgrounds (Sefia’s family murdered and Archer forced to kill to live) and seeing them be gentle together juxtaposed all that in a beautiful way. They warmed my heart and I loved watching their progression over the course of the book as they began to care about each other.
I also loved the “book within a book” aspect of this novel! Sefia, reading a book to learn the letters and what they mean, shows us the story of Captain Reed and his crew. The moment where everything intertwined and revealed the true nature of this mysterious book Sefia owns was deliciously done. Not to mention we also see bits of the past in other ways that fleshes out the origins of everything. I love parsing out history and understanding in this way, but I also know it won’t be for everyone.
All in all, I came away from this surprised at how much I loved this! As a first book, it definitely felt focused on the fleshing out of everything. I’m excited for what comes next with these characters well established - it has the potential to become a series I highly recommend even more than I already do!
beccadavies's review against another edition
1.0
DNF. I listened to an hour and a half of the audio and it had me until she taught herself to read. Which shouldn’t be a big deal but without the some prior knowledge of the sounds, how does she know that a “b” has that particular sound?! Sorry Not buying it.
honorbound13's review against another edition
5.0
It's such a wonderful concept, filled with complex characters and complications that twist your heart.
readmoreyall's review against another edition
5.0
Oh The Power of a book. What an excellent YA adventure story! I can’t wait to read the second.
Twists, thrills, magic, pirates, loss and love. You’ll enjoy it.
Twists, thrills, magic, pirates, loss and love. You’ll enjoy it.