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3.39 AVERAGE
3.39 AVERAGE
"Don't judge a book by its cover," they said.
"But it's so pretty," I said, walking directly into the marketing trap that was this book...
It's freaking beautiful, that cover. The covers of the whole series, honestly. And when you have words like "firedrakes" and "dragons" in your titles, I'm a sucker. I fall in headlong.
But oh. my. gosh. I could not BELIEVE the quality of the writing. At my most charitable, I'd describe it as "very very young middle grade." If I were to be a little less polite, I'd call it "a thirteen-year-old's first attempt at a novel." I literally had to stop and google the publishing company to figure out how the heck this got published in the year of our lord twenty fifteen.
And then I saw "Wattpad" and things started to make sense.
Listen. No shade if you get your start in reading or writing or both on Wattpad. It's a great place to make connections as a young writer and grow your craft. But popularity with that community does not equal quality. This book just is not up to the standards of the publishing industry at large. The writing was so bare-bones and juvenile-sounding I literally could not keep reading it. I DNF'd at page 80-something.
I sincerely hope the author continues writing and improving her style. This book is very very first-book-y, but that just means she has huge space to grow and get better. I'm sure she'll be amazing someday. I just feel that this book was published before it had reached its full potential, and that's really a shame.
"But it's so pretty," I said, walking directly into the marketing trap that was this book...
It's freaking beautiful, that cover. The covers of the whole series, honestly. And when you have words like "firedrakes" and "dragons" in your titles, I'm a sucker. I fall in headlong.
But oh. my. gosh. I could not BELIEVE the quality of the writing. At my most charitable, I'd describe it as "very very young middle grade." If I were to be a little less polite, I'd call it "a thirteen-year-old's first attempt at a novel." I literally had to stop and google the publishing company to figure out how the heck this got published in the year of our lord twenty fifteen.
And then I saw "Wattpad" and things started to make sense.
Listen. No shade if you get your start in reading or writing or both on Wattpad. It's a great place to make connections as a young writer and grow your craft. But popularity with that community does not equal quality. This book just is not up to the standards of the publishing industry at large. The writing was so bare-bones and juvenile-sounding I literally could not keep reading it. I DNF'd at page 80-something.
I sincerely hope the author continues writing and improving her style. This book is very very first-book-y, but that just means she has huge space to grow and get better. I'm sure she'll be amazing someday. I just feel that this book was published before it had reached its full potential, and that's really a shame.
Avalonia is a beautiful and enchanting world.
Unlike other female protagonists, Aurora has questions and she too initially,believed that world to be a fantasy. She's the closest to how probably anyone shoved to a new, wonderful & magical land should be.
It was gripping and I could not put it down. I loved the relation between Aurora and Rafe, and I loved the plot twists.
Can't wait for the next book...
Unlike other female protagonists, Aurora has questions and she too initially,believed that world to be a fantasy. She's the closest to how probably anyone shoved to a new, wonderful & magical land should be.
It was gripping and I could not put it down. I loved the relation between Aurora and Rafe, and I loved the plot twists.
Can't wait for the next book...
adventurous
mysterious
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:
N/A
This book was sent to me in exchange of an honest review.
The amount of books I had to put down and claim as “did not finish” could be counted on a single. I make it my motto to try to finish all books, even bad ones — and I have read a few bad ones in my lifetime.
The premise of the story was something right up my alley, hence why I requested it. It promised a story in a fantasy world with a missing princess, a cruel queen and a grand adventure. However, the story was about a perfect over trusting whiny girl whom everyone likes for some reason who falls in love with a guy in a span of 5 minutes (and in less than 40 pages).
Aurora was suppose to be 16, but acted worse than most 11 and 12 year old I know.
The quality of the prose was so poor I actually felt like tearing my eyes out. Maybe it is because I am quite picky with prose, because I have read so much great writing. Oomerbhoy’s prose fails in the “show don’t tell” schematics.
"My heart was racing, and I was suddenly afraid. How did the shadow guard known about the midnight market? Karen had said I would be safe here. I was terrified at what Lord Oblek would do to me for escaping his Dungeons if he caught me again."
Please show me how beautiful and grand the forest is instead of telling me "the forrest was huge and beautiful.” I just can’t with that type of prose.
Oomeerbhoy introduced a series of interesting side characters who were just…there.
The Last of the Firedrakes has the bones of a great story, it just needs to be fleshed out.
Did not finish on page 87 out of 488.
The amount of books I had to put down and claim as “did not finish” could be counted on a single. I make it my motto to try to finish all books, even bad ones — and I have read a few bad ones in my lifetime.
The premise of the story was something right up my alley, hence why I requested it. It promised a story in a fantasy world with a missing princess, a cruel queen and a grand adventure. However, the story was about a perfect over trusting whiny girl whom everyone likes for some reason who falls in love with a guy in a span of 5 minutes (and in less than 40 pages).
Aurora was suppose to be 16, but acted worse than most 11 and 12 year old I know.
The quality of the prose was so poor I actually felt like tearing my eyes out. Maybe it is because I am quite picky with prose, because I have read so much great writing. Oomerbhoy’s prose fails in the “show don’t tell” schematics.
"My heart was racing, and I was suddenly afraid. How did the shadow guard known about the midnight market? Karen had said I would be safe here. I was terrified at what Lord Oblek would do to me for escaping his Dungeons if he caught me again."
Please show me how beautiful and grand the forest is instead of telling me "the forrest was huge and beautiful.” I just can’t with that type of prose.
Oomeerbhoy introduced a series of interesting side characters who were just…there.
The Last of the Firedrakes has the bones of a great story, it just needs to be fleshed out.
Did not finish on page 87 out of 488.
Smh. That was utterly horrible I had to struggle through the last 100 pages
Really unrealistic characters. Got like 1/3 of the way through and had to stop because the main character was shit. An example of this (paraphrased): main character is locked in a dungeon with others. They escape. She goes with them. They start killing guards, and instead of being terrified by the violence when it is happening, like any normal 21st century human would be, she in entranced by the actions of this super hot dude who is doing the killing. Its not until after that that it is even mentioned that she is scared. This is the entire first part of the book basically.
I don't plan on giving this book a rating because I only got 35% done and I feel like it wouldn't be fair. Besides maybe this story does a turnaround halfway through and everything gets really sorted out. I was super excited to read this book, but I wasn't connecting to the story which in turn caused me not to feel much for the characters.
Typically I can connect with some of the main characters right away, but that just wasn't happening. I found the main character to be sort of a little self pitying and kind of bratty. I have hopes that maybe as the story continues she goes through some character developments and grows a little into her role. As for the secondary characters and meant to be swoony boys, I felt nothing for them as well. I could see the potential behind the Black Wolf and see how his character could seem rather enticing, but I just wasn't feeling him. Now I do believe that I felt that way because I was not connecting with the main protagonist so I wasn't feeling her male suitors. Also what was up with that fae guy Finn? He made me mad, especially with what he had done. Another problem was that I didn't care what happened to any of the characters. Usually if I am not enjoying a story I'll stick around just to see what happens to the characters, but I couldn't do it for this book.
As for the story, I see the potential. I did like the idea of two different magical bloodlines, and the idea of them sometimes being merged in a child. So I did like that. I also liked the first little fae village we get to experience. However from what I saw of the world within 30% I wasn't in love with the fantasy world that was built. I did notice the map portion at the beginning of the book, so I am assuming we do see more of the world, but for now I am content with all that I saw.
Overall, the book had means to being good, and I can clearly see why someone would enjoy reading. I can even see readers swooning over some the characters. This book just wasn't for me at this point in time. I won't say that I'll never pick it up again, but for now it's staying as a DNF. Don't let my review discourage you though, I can see people enjoying, and who knows, maybe you will too!
Typically I can connect with some of the main characters right away, but that just wasn't happening. I found the main character to be sort of a little self pitying and kind of bratty. I have hopes that maybe as the story continues she goes through some character developments and grows a little into her role. As for the secondary characters and meant to be swoony boys, I felt nothing for them as well. I could see the potential behind the Black Wolf and see how his character could seem rather enticing, but I just wasn't feeling him. Now I do believe that I felt that way because I was not connecting with the main protagonist so I wasn't feeling her male suitors. Also what was up with that fae guy Finn? He made me mad, especially with what he had done. Another problem was that I didn't care what happened to any of the characters. Usually if I am not enjoying a story I'll stick around just to see what happens to the characters, but I couldn't do it for this book.
As for the story, I see the potential. I did like the idea of two different magical bloodlines, and the idea of them sometimes being merged in a child. So I did like that. I also liked the first little fae village we get to experience. However from what I saw of the world within 30% I wasn't in love with the fantasy world that was built. I did notice the map portion at the beginning of the book, so I am assuming we do see more of the world, but for now I am content with all that I saw.
Overall, the book had means to being good, and I can clearly see why someone would enjoy reading. I can even see readers swooning over some the characters. This book just wasn't for me at this point in time. I won't say that I'll never pick it up again, but for now it's staying as a DNF. Don't let my review discourage you though, I can see people enjoying, and who knows, maybe you will too!
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I had to stop running. I had to turn and face my life head on. It wasn’t enough being like everybody else; I had to be the best, and I was going to show everyone what I was truly made of. I was done with being a terrified princess, constantly waiting to be saved. I was going to be a queen, and, like Vivienne said, I had better start behaving like one.
As a note, a review copy of this novel was provided in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way. Thank you!
(2.5-3 stars) Where to begin where to begin? I felt like a lot of this novel dragged on and relied upon various tropes that I could have done without. I spent a good chunk of this novel feeling like I'd read it before in countless forms. There were some genuinely great moments in the novel itself that left me on the edge of my seat but the problem was it felt like a lot of it went, well, nowhere.
The writing that Oomerbhoy presents us with is so much better than this first installment of the Avalonia Chronicles and that's my first thought. You can feel it in her prose. She's a fantastic talent. She has an ease when it comes to world-building.
But there's this lackluster quality to everything else that felt rushed; the dialogue, for instance and the way our leading lady carries herself for a good chunk of it. I felt as though I was reading about a legitimate child rather than a teenager most of the time.
When a novel begins like The Last of the Firedrakes did, it can be either really fantastic or really... dry. In the case of this book, it feels often dry and choppy. There but not. Familiar but just not quite there. I think it all has to do with main character. I didn't hate her in any way and found that the way she'd grown up, and the way this new life was thrust upon her, was heartbreaking and made her completely sympathetic. And I thought that the way she grew--bit by bit--in this first installment was really solid.
The problem was... I just wasn't attached to her or much of anything in this book. It simply was not my cup of tea and left me feeling quite disappointed by such a magical filled world. I will say that despite my misgivings towards this book, the last quarter of the book made me intrigued enough to pick up the sequel (not just because both were provided for reviewing purposes) and I do hope that the story lives up to the potential I know it has.
While this wasn't entirely for me, it could very well be your next fantasy obsession. It has this sweet quality to it that will perfect for its intended audience! And the worlds created? Beautiful.
I had to stop running. I had to turn and face my life head on. It wasn’t enough being like everybody else; I had to be the best, and I was going to show everyone what I was truly made of. I was done with being a terrified princess, constantly waiting to be saved. I was going to be a queen, and, like Vivienne said, I had better start behaving like one.
As a note, a review copy of this novel was provided in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinion in any way. Thank you!
(2.5-3 stars) Where to begin where to begin? I felt like a lot of this novel dragged on and relied upon various tropes that I could have done without. I spent a good chunk of this novel feeling like I'd read it before in countless forms. There were some genuinely great moments in the novel itself that left me on the edge of my seat but the problem was it felt like a lot of it went, well, nowhere.
The writing that Oomerbhoy presents us with is so much better than this first installment of the Avalonia Chronicles and that's my first thought. You can feel it in her prose. She's a fantastic talent. She has an ease when it comes to world-building.
But there's this lackluster quality to everything else that felt rushed; the dialogue, for instance and the way our leading lady carries herself for a good chunk of it. I felt as though I was reading about a legitimate child rather than a teenager most of the time.
When a novel begins like The Last of the Firedrakes did, it can be either really fantastic or really... dry. In the case of this book, it feels often dry and choppy. There but not. Familiar but just not quite there. I think it all has to do with main character. I didn't hate her in any way and found that the way she'd grown up, and the way this new life was thrust upon her, was heartbreaking and made her completely sympathetic. And I thought that the way she grew--bit by bit--in this first installment was really solid.
The problem was... I just wasn't attached to her or much of anything in this book. It simply was not my cup of tea and left me feeling quite disappointed by such a magical filled world. I will say that despite my misgivings towards this book, the last quarter of the book made me intrigued enough to pick up the sequel (not just because both were provided for reviewing purposes) and I do hope that the story lives up to the potential I know it has.
While this wasn't entirely for me, it could very well be your next fantasy obsession. It has this sweet quality to it that will perfect for its intended audience! And the worlds created? Beautiful.
16-year-old Aurora Darlington is an orphan. Mistreated by her adopted family and bullied at school, she dreams of running away and being free. But when she is kidnapped and dragged through a portal into a magical world, suddenly her old life doesn’t seem so bad.
Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms—including killing anyone who stands in her way. Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.
With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever.
I received this book as an ARC.
This book was very frustrating for me to read. The bones of a good book are there, decent plot, great world building and interesting characters, but the actual execution was not where it could have been.
Good things first. I loved the world building with the use of wizards and fae and their different magics. It was interesting to learn more about the world they live in. Most of the characters were interesting and well developed, the exception being Aurora who made extremely stupid, too stupid, choices and was extremely immature considering she was supposedly sixteen years old. I liked where the plot went and most of how it got there and I am interested to see how it continues.
Now for the not so good things. My biggest issue with this book was the tone of the writing. It came across extremely juvenile, not immature which can make sense, but juvenile. There are ways to write for younger audiences without speaking down to them. Many unnecessary things were over explained and a few things that would have been extremely interesting were glossed over completely. One thing that stuck in my mind was the use of "a whole list" and "a whole lot" used in the same paragraph (which may have changed in the final copy). That's something that we might say in real life but in a book it comes across as juvenile. I do hope to read the next book but I also hope that the tone of the writing improves.
Avalonia is a dangerous land ruled by powerful mages and a cruel, selfish queen who will do anything to control all seven kingdoms—including killing anyone who stands in her way. Thrust headlong into this new, magical world, Aurora’s arrival sets plans in motion that threaten to destroy all she holds dear.
With the help of a young fae, a magical pegasus, and a handsome mage, Aurora journeys across Avalonia to learn the truth about her past and unleash the power within herself. Kingdoms collide as a complicated web of political intrigue and ancient magic lead Aurora to unravel a shocking secret that will change her life forever.
I received this book as an ARC.
This book was very frustrating for me to read. The bones of a good book are there, decent plot, great world building and interesting characters, but the actual execution was not where it could have been.
Good things first. I loved the world building with the use of wizards and fae and their different magics. It was interesting to learn more about the world they live in. Most of the characters were interesting and well developed, the exception being Aurora who made extremely stupid, too stupid, choices and was extremely immature considering she was supposedly sixteen years old. I liked where the plot went and most of how it got there and I am interested to see how it continues.
Now for the not so good things. My biggest issue with this book was the tone of the writing. It came across extremely juvenile, not immature which can make sense, but juvenile. There are ways to write for younger audiences without speaking down to them. Many unnecessary things were over explained and a few things that would have been extremely interesting were glossed over completely. One thing that stuck in my mind was the use of "a whole list" and "a whole lot" used in the same paragraph (which may have changed in the final copy). That's something that we might say in real life but in a book it comes across as juvenile. I do hope to read the next book but I also hope that the tone of the writing improves.