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3.83 AVERAGE
3.83 AVERAGE
The characters were all really interesting; they developed and changed (for the better, mostly) as the novel progressed, which was nice to watch. The one time I felt it should have changed sooner was with the character of Ava and her feelings of love - I felt it dragged on too far, and I started to get frustrated with her towards the end.
The storyline was engaging from the very beginning. In the first chapters McConaghy sets out the context of the plot that really pulls the reader in, and make you want to read on and discover what you aren't told at first. The plot throughout was full of action and suspense, and definitely a page-turner! (Every time I put this book down I wanted to pick it up again and carry on reading!)
However, I did feel that some plot developments weren't quite realistic; they felt too convenient. For example, when Ambrose wants to find his brother he just happens to choose somewhere that his brother would never usually be, and yet he finds him there... Also, there were some aspects of characters that weren't explored at all after it was mentioned once, even though they seemed very important. But this book is part of a series, so I imagine McConaghy intends to explore this later.
On the whole, it was a great book, and I really liked it. I will be putting the next books in the series on my Books To Buy List, that's for sure!
Blog first published on my blog: http:www.downtherabbbithole.wordpress.com
The storyline was engaging from the very beginning. In the first chapters McConaghy sets out the context of the plot that really pulls the reader in, and make you want to read on and discover what you aren't told at first. The plot throughout was full of action and suspense, and definitely a page-turner! (Every time I put this book down I wanted to pick it up again and carry on reading!)
However, I did feel that some plot developments weren't quite realistic; they felt too convenient. For example, when Ambrose wants to find his brother he just happens to choose somewhere that his brother would never usually be, and yet he finds him there... Also, there were some aspects of characters that weren't explored at all after it was mentioned once, even though they seemed very important. But this book is part of a series, so I imagine McConaghy intends to explore this later.
On the whole, it was a great book, and I really liked it. I will be putting the next books in the series on my Books To Buy List, that's for sure!
Blog first published on my blog: http:www.downtherabbbithole.wordpress.com
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Enjoyed it, looking forward to the sequel.
I read this book after hearing it highly recommended by my sister. It could be that I just enjoy disagreeing with her but it appears I'm more likely to find flaws after someone else has said how much they loved a book.
The concept of the story was interesting and I did enjoy the tension in the first half as the 2 main characters, Ava and Ambrose, got to know each other. I looked forward to seeing how Ambrose would react to the revelation that his new friend was actually a woman, but it seemed that all too soon the pair were declaring their love for each other. What happened to the slow build up? It was confusing how fast their feelings changed from hatred, to love, to anger and back again. Running away only to have him catch up and take her in his arms, enough times for it to feel repetitive.
Unfortunately there were also moments where details were glossed over and I was distracted from what I was reading wondering how something was able to come about.
{The following contains spoilers}
For example, when they were staying in the Kayan village on the prison isle, Ambrose was kept in his room, fed gruel and had guards stationed outside. These people didn't trust him, yet when he and Ava visited the temple, he just happened to have his sword still on him and came close to killing the warder with no consequence? There were many other inconsistencies, all of which stopped me from being able to relate to the characters or care overly much what happened to them.
Everything just seemed a little too easy to be believable. The unexpected twist at the end of the book that resulted in a character death felt rushed rather than shocking. How convenient that there was a poison in existence that everyone but the royal family will fall victim to upon smelling it... If something so large hinges on that fact, perhaps it should have been mentioned prior to this part of the story.
Overall it wasn't a terrible book or I wouldn't have finished it. This is one of those stories where it's probably best not to overthink the minor details, just enjoy the story for a bit of light reading and the different character point of views.
Will I read the rest of the series? Yes most likely.
Would I recommend it? Probably not for everyone.
The concept of the story was interesting and I did enjoy the tension in the first half as the 2 main characters, Ava and Ambrose, got to know each other. I looked forward to seeing how Ambrose would react to the revelation that his new friend was actually a woman, but it seemed that all too soon the pair were declaring their love for each other. What happened to the slow build up? It was confusing how fast their feelings changed from hatred, to love, to anger and back again. Running away only to have him catch up and take her in his arms, enough times for it to feel repetitive.
Unfortunately there were also moments where details were glossed over and I was distracted from what I was reading wondering how something was able to come about.
{The following contains spoilers}
For example, when they were staying in the Kayan village on the prison isle, Ambrose was kept in his room, fed gruel and had guards stationed outside. These people didn't trust him, yet when he and Ava visited the temple, he just happened to have his sword still on him and came close to killing the warder with no consequence? There were many other inconsistencies, all of which stopped me from being able to relate to the characters or care overly much what happened to them.
Everything just seemed a little too easy to be believable. The unexpected twist at the end of the book that resulted in a character death felt rushed rather than shocking. How convenient that there was a poison in existence that everyone but the royal family will fall victim to upon smelling it... If something so large hinges on that fact, perhaps it should have been mentioned prior to this part of the story.
Overall it wasn't a terrible book or I wouldn't have finished it. This is one of those stories where it's probably best not to overthink the minor details, just enjoy the story for a bit of light reading and the different character point of views.
Will I read the rest of the series? Yes most likely.
Would I recommend it? Probably not for everyone.
I honestly expected this to be trash. From the cover to the plot, it sounded like cliched garbage and everything I usually hate in a book. I have never been more surprised to be wrong.
Yes, the plot isn't exactly innovative, but the characters have a depth and honesty to them that's utterly refreshing. There is something so....genuine about the whole story, which sets it apart from the shallow insta-love bad-boy boring shit that's everywhere these days, even if on the surface that's what we have here. McConaghy doesn't stay on the surface though- her characters are people- and what a difference that makes. Hell, there's literally a character whose eyes change color with her emotions, but instead of shaking my head in disgust I'm thinking "you are telling me true, essential lessons." This book melted my hardened death-before-romance heart into a stupid mushball that just wants to poignantly contemplate life and love. Damn you, McConaghy, look what you did to me.
Yes, the plot isn't exactly innovative, but the characters have a depth and honesty to them that's utterly refreshing. There is something so....genuine about the whole story, which sets it apart from the shallow insta-love bad-boy boring shit that's everywhere these days, even if on the surface that's what we have here. McConaghy doesn't stay on the surface though- her characters are people- and what a difference that makes. Hell, there's literally a character whose eyes change color with her emotions, but instead of shaking my head in disgust I'm thinking "you are telling me true, essential lessons." This book melted my hardened death-before-romance heart into a stupid mushball that just wants to poignantly contemplate life and love. Damn you, McConaghy, look what you did to me.
