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quillbot's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
rebeccazh's review against another edition
This was such a magical book! I really liked the two narrating characters -- Trei and Araene -- and their relationships. It was also really fun to read about both their journeys throughout the book, and the way their stories intertwined was really satisfactory.
jessmcarey's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, thought it was so unique. Im excited to read the second one. This first book left on such a cliffhanger.
stephxsu's review against another edition
4.0
It’s no secret how much I love a good well-written high fantasy, one replete with intricate societal customs, political upheavel, and, of course, magic. So I was delighted when THE FLOATING ISLANDS was exactly what I wanted: a captivating and gorgeously written fantasy world.
I don’t think I have the words to describe why I loved Rachel Neumeier’s writing style so much. It’s not “purple prose-y” in that poetic, whimsical, or heartachingly beautiful way that I like in other books; instead, it’s like the perfect prose-prose, uncomplicated diction that paints an astonishingly clear picture of the setting. You see what the characters see without needing to read ten pages of minute description per scene. It’s hard to explain. It just…does the job of descriptive prose exactly right, and that’s why I call it perfect.
Araenè and Trei are wonderful protagonists with curious and unique adventures. I think Araenè will appeal to people who like reading about girls masquerading as boys to do grand things. The type of magic that she learns is fascinating and a feast for the senses, featuring glowing glass spheres, doors that don’t always lead to the same places each tiem, and flavors of spieces and herbs.
Trei’s experience as a kajurai was cool, too, if slightly less well described than Araenè mage-learning. The kajuraihi also brings us Ceirfei, Trei’s friend and fellow kajurai, who is so noble, level-headed, and admirable. Mages and kajuraihi alike contribute to the protection of the Islands in a fascinating set of tense war scenes.
All in all, as a fantasy enthusiast, I loved THE FLOATING ISLANDS. It effortlessly presents to us a different and thoroughly imaged world, yet dumbs nothing down for readers. The ending is satisfying and yet hints at the possibility of a sequel, which I would most happily welcome. Definitely a book I want to reread and that I’ll be recommending to lovers of high fantasy!
I don’t think I have the words to describe why I loved Rachel Neumeier’s writing style so much. It’s not “purple prose-y” in that poetic, whimsical, or heartachingly beautiful way that I like in other books; instead, it’s like the perfect prose-prose, uncomplicated diction that paints an astonishingly clear picture of the setting. You see what the characters see without needing to read ten pages of minute description per scene. It’s hard to explain. It just…does the job of descriptive prose exactly right, and that’s why I call it perfect.
Araenè and Trei are wonderful protagonists with curious and unique adventures. I think Araenè will appeal to people who like reading about girls masquerading as boys to do grand things. The type of magic that she learns is fascinating and a feast for the senses, featuring glowing glass spheres, doors that don’t always lead to the same places each tiem, and flavors of spieces and herbs.
Trei’s experience as a kajurai was cool, too, if slightly less well described than Araenè mage-learning. The kajuraihi also brings us Ceirfei, Trei’s friend and fellow kajurai, who is so noble, level-headed, and admirable. Mages and kajuraihi alike contribute to the protection of the Islands in a fascinating set of tense war scenes.
All in all, as a fantasy enthusiast, I loved THE FLOATING ISLANDS. It effortlessly presents to us a different and thoroughly imaged world, yet dumbs nothing down for readers. The ending is satisfying and yet hints at the possibility of a sequel, which I would most happily welcome. Definitely a book I want to reread and that I’ll be recommending to lovers of high fantasy!
hayleybeale's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked the fantasy world and the main characters. But it's a trifle slow-moving and there are a lot of characters all with similar names.
vizira's review against another edition
3.0
upon reread i definitely love the premise and general world building far more then the actual execution of the story
brandypainter's review against another edition
4.0
Originally posted here.
The Floating Islands is the story of both Trei and Araene, told in third person limited, going back and forth between them with each chapter. Both Trei and Araene are strong protagonists and each is in a position that raises interesting questions and problems. Through Trei we are told the story of a boy of mixed nationality, not completely one or the other, never truly belonging. His story is about loyalty and the struggle of continuously feeling the need to prove oneself. Through Araene we get a story of a girl who feels trapped in others' expectations for her. She wants a life that society deems is not proper for her so she feels she must choose between suppressing her passions and conforming in misery or in being something she isn't to achieve the life she wants. In addition there are strong themes of friendship, honor, sacrifice and family. The decisions Trei and Araene have to make are not about absolute right or wrong but nuanced and difficult to judge. I liked the way there was no real good/evil battle, but a very real depiction of the politics and considerations of national autonomy and empirical expansion. All of this is set against a world that is fully realized. It has a Greco-Roman feel to it but there is also quite a bit that is reminiscent of Asian culture.
My only quibble is that often the inner conflicts of both main characters lasted a bit long. Do I or don't I? Is it right or wrong? Should I do this or would that work better? I was frustrated at times to the point of wanting to yell, "Make a decision already!" I wouldn't have minded so much if at times these inner conflicts weren't a tad didactic. This wasn't enough to truly depreciate my overall enjoyment though.
This is isn't a book for everyone. You have to be a patient reader and one who doesn't mind characters veering into technical discussions on how things work in their world. This would be a good book for any one who has enjoyed Sarah Prineas's Magic Thief books or Hilari Bell's Farsala Trilogy.
The Floating Islands is the story of both Trei and Araene, told in third person limited, going back and forth between them with each chapter. Both Trei and Araene are strong protagonists and each is in a position that raises interesting questions and problems. Through Trei we are told the story of a boy of mixed nationality, not completely one or the other, never truly belonging. His story is about loyalty and the struggle of continuously feeling the need to prove oneself. Through Araene we get a story of a girl who feels trapped in others' expectations for her. She wants a life that society deems is not proper for her so she feels she must choose between suppressing her passions and conforming in misery or in being something she isn't to achieve the life she wants. In addition there are strong themes of friendship, honor, sacrifice and family. The decisions Trei and Araene have to make are not about absolute right or wrong but nuanced and difficult to judge. I liked the way there was no real good/evil battle, but a very real depiction of the politics and considerations of national autonomy and empirical expansion. All of this is set against a world that is fully realized. It has a Greco-Roman feel to it but there is also quite a bit that is reminiscent of Asian culture.
My only quibble is that often the inner conflicts of both main characters lasted a bit long. Do I or don't I? Is it right or wrong? Should I do this or would that work better? I was frustrated at times to the point of wanting to yell, "Make a decision already!" I wouldn't have minded so much if at times these inner conflicts weren't a tad didactic. This wasn't enough to truly depreciate my overall enjoyment though.
This is isn't a book for everyone. You have to be a patient reader and one who doesn't mind characters veering into technical discussions on how things work in their world. This would be a good book for any one who has enjoyed Sarah Prineas's Magic Thief books or Hilari Bell's Farsala Trilogy.
rebeccazh's review
This was such a magical book! I really liked the two narrating characters -- Trei and Araene -- and their relationships. It was also really fun to read about both their journeys throughout the book, and the way their stories intertwined was really satisfactory.
emelinec's review
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
hazeyjane_2's review
4.0
When Trei’s parents die in a volcanic eruption in warlike Tolounn, he goes to the Floating Islands, which are powered by dragon magic, and meets his cousin Araené, who also wishes she was able to achieve her full potential, but can’t because she’s a girl. Together, they make friends with each other and each embarks on a journey of discovery.
What a charming, magical book, beautifully written. The magic system of the Floating Islands was innovative, just the sort of elemental, soft, intuitive magic system I like and a nice, unhurried plot reveal. In particular, I loved the premise that the professors (masters) didn’t have enough magic to sustain complex spells themselves and needed adjuvants: supplemental magic suppliers. It’s a nice inversion of the traditional mentor-student relationship. I know that mentor stories are all too common, but I would have liked more of a bond between Araené and the masters (e.g. more character development). This book went to the other end of the mentor-student relationship: the masters just seemed to appear whenever the plot required them.
Even though the worldbuilding was enjoyable and creative, I would really have liked to see what Araené did with her cooking ability, if she hadn’t become a mage. It felt like the mage subplot took over quite a bit. I would also have enjoyed seeing her struggle a bit more - not just with her lack of prior knowledge, but with the demands of juggling a social life in disguise - e.g. having to be home by curfew and never having time to spend with her university friends.
I did enjoy the sensory imagery associated with Araené’s magic, but didn’t quite understand the purpose of the stones she was supposed to memorise and use. There was a lot of discussion of the various stones and their purposes, without much payoff.
I found the ability to open doors to places a little too convenient, and the prince’s negotiation at the end was a bit too pat.
Trei’s half of the story was utterly satisfying. The beautiful descriptions of the Floating Islands and Toulonn, in particular, were masterful.
Overall, I thought both Trei’s and Araene’s arcs were well written and dovetailed nicely, even if they and Ceirfei seemed a bit too precocious for their ages. In particular, grief was well expressed; the characters mourning their losses always felt real. The friendship between the younger characters was also done well.
What a charming, magical book, beautifully written. The magic system of the Floating Islands was innovative, just the sort of elemental, soft, intuitive magic system I like and a nice, unhurried plot reveal. In particular, I loved the premise that the professors (masters) didn’t have enough magic to sustain complex spells themselves and needed adjuvants: supplemental magic suppliers. It’s a nice inversion of the traditional mentor-student relationship. I know that mentor stories are all too common, but I would have liked more of a bond between Araené and the masters (e.g. more character development). This book went to the other end of the mentor-student relationship: the masters just seemed to appear whenever the plot required them.
Even though the worldbuilding was enjoyable and creative, I would really have liked to see what Araené did with her cooking ability, if she hadn’t become a mage. It felt like the mage subplot took over quite a bit. I would also have enjoyed seeing her struggle a bit more - not just with her lack of prior knowledge, but with the demands of juggling a social life in disguise - e.g. having to be home by curfew and never having time to spend with her university friends.
I did enjoy the sensory imagery associated with Araené’s magic, but didn’t quite understand the purpose of the stones she was supposed to memorise and use. There was a lot of discussion of the various stones and their purposes, without much payoff.
I found the ability to open doors to places a little too convenient, and the prince’s negotiation at the end was a bit too pat.
Trei’s half of the story was utterly satisfying. The beautiful descriptions of the Floating Islands and Toulonn, in particular, were masterful.
Overall, I thought both Trei’s and Araene’s arcs were well written and dovetailed nicely, even if they and Ceirfei seemed a bit too precocious for their ages. In particular, grief was well expressed; the characters mourning their losses always felt real. The friendship between the younger characters was also done well.