Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.38 AVERAGE
4.38 AVERAGE
Tb to 2023 when I listened to all of these and was able to hit my reading goal. This year... not so much. I have to find another children's series to mainline lol
Anyway I listened to this when I was in a SLUMP and it was honestly so comforting :') I mean it was p dark for a kid's book but still I was comforted lol. This one is my goddaughter's fave of the series so I'm glad I was finally able to catch up and see what the hype was about! Might also be my fave since I think it was really balanced since it didn't have to do as much world/plot building as a prequel, and I liked that it focused on multiple characters in a different way from the rest of the series. Still love Moon and Glory and Qibli the most tho <3
Anyway I listened to this when I was in a SLUMP and it was honestly so comforting :') I mean it was p dark for a kid's book but still I was comforted lol. This one is my goddaughter's fave of the series so I'm glad I was finally able to catch up and see what the hype was about! Might also be my fave since I think it was really balanced since it didn't have to do as much world/plot building as a prequel, and I liked that it focused on multiple characters in a different way from the rest of the series. Still love Moon and Glory and Qibli the most tho <3
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
tense
This book had more violence that the original 5 which made the story feel less predictable and tense. Since it wasn’t clear who might die.
Can't understate that this is the best book in the entire Wings of Fire series. It leaves you so hollow and broken by the end, like a true tragedy. My only complaint in reading it for a third time is I wish it was much longer.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This has been our family’s favorite of the Wings of Fire series. It delves into the lives of Scavengers more than any of the others.
Rating: 10 out of 10
Darkstalker was one of my most highly anticipated books this year. Being completely honest, it's also the main reason I decided to start reading Wings of Fire. My expectations were on the clouds and my excitement grew every day I got closer to reading it. Now, having already experienced the whole thing, I state it was everything I had been hoping for and even more!
This is what I call a good prequel. The reader (assuming they've read the main books) has prior knowledge of the events that happen during the story, so there isn't much shock value on the big events. Here you can see Tui had this in mind so she made the twists about the details, the more personal, untold parts of the legend. It was surprising in its way and added to the overwhelming feeling of dread of already knowing how the story will end, the story in itself was simply spectacular.
As this novel tells an important and complex legend in dragon history, the pacing was fast and straightforward. This worried me at first, but I'm glad other aspects (characters and setting, for example) were still well built and not glossed over to favor the plot. Every scene plays an important part in the plot and it was seriously hard for me to stop reading most of the time.
The book is divided between the POVs of the three main characters: Fathom, Clearsight and Darkstalker. They all had a unique voice and opinions, as well as likable, varied personalities. As well as that, I loved their friendship and the way their stories start on their own but eventually come together was very neat.
Fathom was the protagonist I was expecting the least from, and therefore the one who surprised me the most! He resembled Turtle a lot, so I loved him from the first second! His fears and insecurities were well-founded and he had the nervous, shy nature I tend to fall for in characters.
Clearsight was my favorite protagonist out of the three. I could relate deeply to her anxiety and perfectionism, so I could connect with her easily. Her character arc was well written and her personality round, which made reading from her perspective a fun experience. On a more personal note, I had the sensation she just got me (something that doesn't happen very often but that I relish truly) and that feeling of mutual understanding was what sold this character for me.
Last but not least, Darkstalker! As the title suggests, he stole the show. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about his slow descent into evil as much as I did reading about his good qualities: his love towards his mom and sister, his desire to make the world a better place (even if he was determined to do everything to achieve that goal), etc. His gray morality and his reasoning behind his actions were most likely the best parts of the book as a whole.
The rest of the cast was just as interesting: Arctic, Whiteout, Indigo, Foeslayer, and even Listener all had great characterization and I would gladly read more about each one of them. Every character in the story was full of life and felt the most real a fictional character possibly could.
Something else I adored was the world-building! The Night Kingdom of the past was the perfect setting, with all its grand festivals and parties, luxury and majesty. Their culture and customs were more sophisticated than the ones of modern times and I had a wonderful time exploring the school, the palace, and the kingdom along with the protagonists.
This novel tackled many themes and did it with great skill. This is a story about love, ambition, and power, but especially about the fine line between good and evil, and what makes oneself a "bad" or "good" individual. Whether animus magic did consume the owner's soul was never quite cleared up, and I think it was for the better: the readers were free to have their theories and thoughts on the subject. Finally, I adored how the book's lessons were there but weren't pushed into the reader, were blatantly obvious, or preachy.
If I had to give the book a piece of criticism, I would say it was too short. I don't mean that as "I didn't want it to end" but as a desire for more details and insight on the story. I wish the story were at least 500 pages long to be able to delve into every theme and subject better. The actual result is fantastic, of course, and it didn't lack anything, but I feel like there was a lot more that could have been explored in the course of a couple more hundred pages, plus some pacing issues (since the plot felt a bit rushed once or twice) could have been avoided.
Summing everything up, Darkstalker was closer to perfection than everything I've read in a while. It was far, far better than any of the main books from Wings of Fire, and absolutely worth the read. The complex characters, the exciting plot, and the fascinating themes made up for one of the best books I've read this year, and probably also one of the best ever.
Note: I am aware this is going to sound petty, but the hardcover edition of this book is stunning! The print is incredibly well done and full of shiny and clever details. It's probably the most beautiful book I own and I 100% recommend buying a physical copy.
Darkstalker was one of my most highly anticipated books this year. Being completely honest, it's also the main reason I decided to start reading Wings of Fire. My expectations were on the clouds and my excitement grew every day I got closer to reading it. Now, having already experienced the whole thing, I state it was everything I had been hoping for and even more!
This is what I call a good prequel. The reader (assuming they've read the main books) has prior knowledge of the events that happen during the story, so there isn't much shock value on the big events. Here you can see Tui had this in mind so she made the twists about the details, the more personal, untold parts of the legend. It was surprising in its way and added to the overwhelming feeling of dread of already knowing how the story will end, the story in itself was simply spectacular.
As this novel tells an important and complex legend in dragon history, the pacing was fast and straightforward. This worried me at first, but I'm glad other aspects (characters and setting, for example) were still well built and not glossed over to favor the plot. Every scene plays an important part in the plot and it was seriously hard for me to stop reading most of the time.
The book is divided between the POVs of the three main characters: Fathom, Clearsight and Darkstalker. They all had a unique voice and opinions, as well as likable, varied personalities. As well as that, I loved their friendship and the way their stories start on their own but eventually come together was very neat.
Fathom was the protagonist I was expecting the least from, and therefore the one who surprised me the most! He resembled Turtle
Spoiler
(who, by the way, is revealed to be his descendant)Spoiler
I can't even start describing how joyful I felt when he got his deserved happy ending!Clearsight was my favorite protagonist out of the three. I could relate deeply to her anxiety and perfectionism, so I could connect with her easily. Her character arc was well written and her personality round, which made reading from her perspective a fun experience. On a more personal note, I had the sensation she just got me (something that doesn't happen very often but that I relish truly) and that feeling of mutual understanding was what sold this character for me.
Last but not least, Darkstalker! As the title suggests, he stole the show. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about his slow descent into evil as much as I did reading about his good qualities: his love towards his mom and sister, his desire to make the world a better place (even if he was determined to do everything to achieve that goal), etc. His gray morality and his reasoning behind his actions were most likely the best parts of the book as a whole.
The rest of the cast was just as interesting: Arctic, Whiteout, Indigo, Foeslayer, and even Listener all had great characterization and I would gladly read more about each one of them. Every character in the story was full of life and felt the most real a fictional character possibly could.
Something else I adored was the world-building! The Night Kingdom of the past was the perfect setting, with all its grand festivals and parties, luxury and majesty. Their culture and customs were more sophisticated than the ones of modern times and I had a wonderful time exploring the school, the palace, and the kingdom along with the protagonists.
This novel tackled many themes and did it with great skill. This is a story about love, ambition, and power, but especially about the fine line between good and evil, and what makes oneself a "bad" or "good" individual. Whether animus magic did consume the owner's soul was never quite cleared up, and I think it was for the better: the readers were free to have their theories and thoughts on the subject. Finally, I adored how the book's lessons were there but weren't pushed into the reader, were blatantly obvious, or preachy.
If I had to give the book a piece of criticism, I would say it was too short. I don't mean that as "I didn't want it to end" but as a desire for more details and insight on the story. I wish the story were at least 500 pages long to be able to delve into every theme and subject better. The actual result is fantastic, of course, and it didn't lack anything, but I feel like there was a lot more that could have been explored in the course of a couple more hundred pages, plus some pacing issues (since the plot felt a bit rushed once or twice) could have been avoided.
Summing everything up, Darkstalker was closer to perfection than everything I've read in a while. It was far, far better than any of the main books from Wings of Fire, and absolutely worth the read. The complex characters, the exciting plot, and the fascinating themes made up for one of the best books I've read this year, and probably also one of the best ever.
Note: I am aware this is going to sound petty, but the hardcover edition of this book is stunning! The print is incredibly well done and full of shiny and clever details. It's probably the most beautiful book I own and I 100% recommend buying a physical copy.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Self harm, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, War
Minor: Ableism
Very fun book, holds up even though its a middlegrade book
first time reading it I loved how detailed the world was and the characters and their issues, really makes you feel like you're experiencing it I guess, the conflict seems realistic
(THOUGH I HAVE SO MANY IDEAS ON THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SMARTER DECISIONS IF THEY WERE JUST MORE CREATIVE BUT WHATEVERRR)
anyways yeah good book
first time reading it I loved how detailed the world was and the characters and their issues, really makes you feel like you're experiencing it I guess, the conflict seems realistic
(THOUGH I HAVE SO MANY IDEAS ON THINGS THAT COULD HAVE BEEN SMARTER DECISIONS IF THEY WERE JUST MORE CREATIVE BUT WHATEVERRR)
anyways yeah good book
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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