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sarahp85's review
4.0
the second Hardinge book I've read and once again it did not disappoint!
I loved A Skin Full Of Shadows more but this was just as beautifully written.
Luckily for me I have more of Hardinges books on my TBR shelf so I can continue to dive into the beautiful worlds she builts
I loved A Skin Full Of Shadows more but this was just as beautifully written.
Luckily for me I have more of Hardinges books on my TBR shelf so I can continue to dive into the beautiful worlds she builts
megansweeting's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
Of course I had already heard about Hardinge. I even have a book on my shelves already, even though I didn’t read it yet. But, thanks to the Book Box Club, this was my official introduction to her work and after reading this book I certainly hope that I manage to finish the Lie Tree before we have the official meeting in the club house.
Because the first thing that truly stood out was the atmosphere, partly created by the enchanting and mesmerising writing style. Within a few chapters Hardinge had created a world that didn’t always make much sense, but that did feel vivid and alive and real.
And we’re discovering said Island through the eyes of Hark. It’s quite hard not to like Hark. He enjoys telling and crafting stories, winning hearts and trust from people even though he doesn’t always deserve it. And yet he also clearly cares about people, is loyal to them (a little too loyal even) and although he lives on the street, he’s not someone who hurts others.
He’s however struggling with his friend Jelt, who clearly shows signs of being an emotional abuser. Hardinge managed to really describe the nuance of that form of abuse, how hard it is to see it for what it is and to fight it. Watching the relationship between Jelt and Hark develop and seeing how Hark slowly learned and grew was a total pleasure.
Combine all of that with an amazing mythology and world building, with Gods who are mighty and terrifying and with a world that in a way also symbolises so many of the problems in our world and you get a beautiful and nice book that will certainly enchant you.
I’m totally looking forward to discover more of her work!
Because the first thing that truly stood out was the atmosphere, partly created by the enchanting and mesmerising writing style. Within a few chapters Hardinge had created a world that didn’t always make much sense, but that did feel vivid and alive and real.
And we’re discovering said Island through the eyes of Hark. It’s quite hard not to like Hark. He enjoys telling and crafting stories, winning hearts and trust from people even though he doesn’t always deserve it. And yet he also clearly cares about people, is loyal to them (a little too loyal even) and although he lives on the street, he’s not someone who hurts others.
He’s however struggling with his friend Jelt, who clearly shows signs of being an emotional abuser. Hardinge managed to really describe the nuance of that form of abuse, how hard it is to see it for what it is and to fight it. Watching the relationship between Jelt and Hark develop and seeing how Hark slowly learned and grew was a total pleasure.
Combine all of that with an amazing mythology and world building, with Gods who are mighty and terrifying and with a world that in a way also symbolises so many of the problems in our world and you get a beautiful and nice book that will certainly enchant you.
I’m totally looking forward to discover more of her work!
woelkchen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ohclaire's review
5.0
toxic friendship + excellent worldbuilding = I'm a big fan
also this is classified as YA on the middle-grade side, but would have traumatized me as a kid! love that though.
also this is classified as YA on the middle-grade side, but would have traumatized me as a kid! love that though.
lgill's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lullysbooks's review against another edition
4.0
"Dicono che l'Abissomare, un tempo, fu la dimora degli dèi. Si dicono tante cose della Miriade, e sono tutte vere"
Questo libro è un po' al di fuori delle letture che sto facendo in questo momento: si tratta infatti di un fantasy autoconclusivo middle-grade (età di lettura dai 12 anni in su), in cui troviamo amicizie tossiche, mostri marini, e tanti segreti, il tutto condito da avventure su diverse isole e sul fondo dell'oceano.
È fantasy nella sua forma più pura, con un world building vivido e ben sviluppato, creature straordinarie e spaventose, una storia davvero originale che ti trascina al suo interno e si svela un pezzetto alla volta, ma rispondendo comunque a tutte le domande prima della fine. Inoltre sono presenti molti personaggi sordi e tutti gli abitanti delle isole parlano la lingua dei segni.
La Luce degli Abissi è sicuramente un ottimo approccio al fantasy per giovani e meno giovani, ma anche chi è già veterano del genere non potrà non apprezzarlo!
Questo libro è un po' al di fuori delle letture che sto facendo in questo momento: si tratta infatti di un fantasy autoconclusivo middle-grade (età di lettura dai 12 anni in su), in cui troviamo amicizie tossiche, mostri marini, e tanti segreti, il tutto condito da avventure su diverse isole e sul fondo dell'oceano.
È fantasy nella sua forma più pura, con un world building vivido e ben sviluppato, creature straordinarie e spaventose, una storia davvero originale che ti trascina al suo interno e si svela un pezzetto alla volta, ma rispondendo comunque a tutte le domande prima della fine. Inoltre sono presenti molti personaggi sordi e tutti gli abitanti delle isole parlano la lingua dei segni.
La Luce degli Abissi è sicuramente un ottimo approccio al fantasy per giovani e meno giovani, ma anche chi è già veterano del genere non potrà non apprezzarlo!
shay_starlessxsea's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
Borrowed from my local library.
An absolute adventure of a book! I was totally immersed and so intrigued by the unique world Frances Hardinge created; I've read a lot of fantasy, but I haven't ever encountered a world quite like this one. The characters went through their own internal battles to the backdrop of an epic undersea tale of dead gods, salvage crews and hidden secrets. I loved it and will definitely read more from the author.
Favourite quote: "You will find out who you are when your choices test you. In the end, we are what we do and what we allow to be done."
An absolute adventure of a book! I was totally immersed and so intrigued by the unique world Frances Hardinge created; I've read a lot of fantasy, but I haven't ever encountered a world quite like this one. The characters went through their own internal battles to the backdrop of an epic undersea tale of dead gods, salvage crews and hidden secrets. I loved it and will definitely read more from the author.
Favourite quote: "You will find out who you are when your choices test you. In the end, we are what we do and what we allow to be done."
darcork's review
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I wanted to love this book.
The world building and concept of the Gods was fascinating.
But the characters were so annoying, I found it hard to enjoy the story. A lot of the time, I found myself asking "Where is this headed? Or, Where did THAT come from?". The ending was not nearly as suspenseful as I had hoped. It was over very quickly.
The world building and concept of the Gods was fascinating.
But the characters were so annoying, I found it hard to enjoy the story. A lot of the time, I found myself asking "Where is this headed? Or, Where did THAT come from?". The ending was not nearly as suspenseful as I had hoped. It was over very quickly.
marox's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The story wasn't what I expected but it was nevertheless really good. Hardinge's style of writing is just delightful to read and her stories really enchant you and pull you in. I wish there was a bit more about the islands and the other gods, but all in all this is a book I will definitely read again.