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goldluula's review against another edition
I'm 45% in this book and it still doesn't feel like it's got going
wheezyfridge's review against another edition
3.75
Very funny that I got jumpscared (this is my own fault) by one of the characters being the dragon… like I thought it would be a regular ‘this is my hyper-intelligent pet dragon’ type situation! Not a ‘this is my dragon mwah he’s also some guy mwah mwah’ type situation
bamamelereads's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.25
This was fine? I don’t even have a ton to say about it. I wasn’t super invested until maybe 60% in. The main thing I liked about the story was the relationship between Arcady and Everen. Their scenes together, especially towards the end were the best.
The rest of the book was fine. The heist plot wasn’t even that exciting. And I wasn’t invested in ANY of the characters that weren’t Arcady and Everen.
However, the twist at the end….might have me interested in seeing where the next story goes. But I’m not sold yet. Especially if we’ll have to deal with the MCs being separated, because I really don’t like that in general. So we’ll see.
The rest of the book was fine. The heist plot wasn’t even that exciting. And I wasn’t invested in ANY of the characters that weren’t Arcady and Everen.
However, the twist at the end….might have me interested in seeing where the next story goes. But I’m not sold yet. Especially if we’ll have to deal with the MCs being separated, because I really don’t like that in general. So we’ll see.
dizzy_reception's review against another edition
5.0
I am giving it 5 stars, but it's more of a 4.5 for me. I was a little worried picking up this book because I read other reviews on here, but I honestly really enjoyed it. I have been sick with anemia the last week and stuck in bed, and this book gave me much needed escapism. It has a lot of great ideas, and I can see myself getting lost in this world.
However, there is some room for improvement, and I hope the next book in the series ties up some of the loose ends because the ending really left me hanging. Additionally, there really needs to be more world building. I was very interested in this world, and I felt the author could have elaborated more on the history of Loc, explained more about the Gods they worshipped, and I wanted to hear more about Arcady's family and their fall from grace. I think a lot less time could have been spent on the thieves guild (I really didn't care about them) and more on fleshing out both Loc and Vere Celene.
It was also frustrating that there was a map at the beginning of the book, but the only location we got to see was Vatra. I want to hear more about locations like Redwing, Northwild, and Stormfell which didn't even get a mention in the book. In fact, the vast majority of the map wasn't talked about at all.
I also wanted to know more about the Order of the Dragon. The book never really explained why the dragon relics were so forbidden by the monastery. We really didn't learn anything at all about the code Magnes and Sorin lived by.
I'm still going to keep my rating as it is in hopes the author takes the time to more thoroughly establish the lore in the next book. Until then, I will eagerly await the next installment.
However, there is some room for improvement, and I hope the next book in the series ties up some of the loose ends because the ending really left me hanging. Additionally, there really needs to be more world building. I was very interested in this world, and I felt the author could have elaborated more on the history of Loc, explained more about the Gods they worshipped, and I wanted to hear more about Arcady's family and their fall from grace. I think a lot less time could have been spent on the thieves guild (I really didn't care about them) and more on fleshing out both Loc and Vere Celene.
It was also frustrating that there was a map at the beginning of the book, but the only location we got to see was Vatra. I want to hear more about locations like Redwing, Northwild, and Stormfell which didn't even get a mention in the book. In fact, the vast majority of the map wasn't talked about at all.
I also wanted to know more about the Order of the Dragon. The book never really explained why the dragon relics were so forbidden by the monastery. We really didn't learn anything at all about the code Magnes and Sorin lived by.
I'm still going to keep my rating as it is in hopes the author takes the time to more thoroughly establish the lore in the next book. Until then, I will eagerly await the next installment.
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
3.75
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
This multiple POV story will entrench you in politics, human desires, and make you wish you could look into this world. It begins with a premise of revenge, retribution, and the weight of power. The idea that we can right the wrongs of the past, that anything we will do now can possibly create the justice we need when so much has been robbed from us. At the same time, it's about Everen and the pressure he has felt as the future of dragonkind. And for Arcady who is willing to do anything, steal anything, for the chance of a better future.
This multiple POV story will entrench you in politics, human desires, and make you wish you could look into this world. It begins with a premise of revenge, retribution, and the weight of power. The idea that we can right the wrongs of the past, that anything we will do now can possibly create the justice we need when so much has been robbed from us. At the same time, it's about Everen and the pressure he has felt as the future of dragonkind. And for Arcady who is willing to do anything, steal anything, for the chance of a better future.
tasha_alora's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
3.0
I had very high expectations for this one, while the idea was solid, the writing style was not my favorite. I generally love a good dual POV put the POV of the dragon was not for me. I will still continue to read the rest of the series to see what unfolds.
aarnireads's review against another edition
4.0
hell yyeah hell yeah hell yyeah
i just really love fantasy you guys. i love prophecies and dragons and different worlds and mysterious soulbonds and genderfuckery characters and
literally the only reason this isn't five stars is because I thought Sorin's pov wasn't super necessary and she wasn't particularly interesting to me.
also can we talk about page 353....
i just really love fantasy you guys. i love prophecies and dragons and different worlds and mysterious soulbonds and genderfuckery characters and
literally the only reason this isn't five stars is because I thought Sorin's pov wasn't super necessary and she wasn't particularly interesting to me.
also can we talk about page 353....
the_midwest_library's review against another edition
2.0
I'm putting my "I'm going to be nice" hat on for this review. Which you might be thinking, Cassandra how can this be when you rated it 2 stars....well I'm SO glad you asked.
Let's talk about the good, the concepts are strong and really interesting. Dragons are trapped in an almost mirrored world, unable to fully cross the veil back into the "real world" due to some confusing and not-so-well- explained reasons but the blame of this falls on the humans who betrayed them many years ago. The Dragons, being trapped in a dying world need to get back and it is up to one dragon who happens across a long forgotten bond with an unsuspecting human that can possibly make this happen. Oh and the human is like a hardcore thief, in a very classically fantasy way. Sounds cool right?
That's where the coolness ended for me. The further I got into this story the more I wish I hadn't. It's such a shame too because idk if it's a product of poor marketing, or weak prose but the story just didn't work for me. The book switches, very clunkily, from first person, to second person, and weirdly randomly third person a few times in there. The second person narration was rough for me, very repetitive and grating.
The worldbuilding had me singing Blink 183 because where are you ...where are we...what's going on in this world??? Gun to my head I couldn't tell you how the magic works in this place.
The author also spent a long time fleshing out this really cool concept of gender fluidity in the dragons, but really didn't explain why it matters, or why we should care, or how it works so it felt like a cheap party trick of representation for me.
I also found overall the dialogue between the characters to be very sophomoric, this book feels like it wants to be YA so bad. There's nothing wrong with that, but that's not what I expected or wanted from this. I wanted an epic fantasy.....not something Red Tower would publish.
Ugh idk guys, it wasn't for me, I don't recommend it and I'm just thankful it was short. And believe me, this was me being nice.
Let's talk about the good, the concepts are strong and really interesting. Dragons are trapped in an almost mirrored world, unable to fully cross the veil back into the "real world" due to some confusing and not-so-well- explained reasons but the blame of this falls on the humans who betrayed them many years ago. The Dragons, being trapped in a dying world need to get back and it is up to one dragon who happens across a long forgotten bond with an unsuspecting human that can possibly make this happen. Oh and the human is like a hardcore thief, in a very classically fantasy way. Sounds cool right?
That's where the coolness ended for me. The further I got into this story the more I wish I hadn't. It's such a shame too because idk if it's a product of poor marketing, or weak prose but the story just didn't work for me. The book switches, very clunkily, from first person, to second person, and weirdly randomly third person a few times in there. The second person narration was rough for me, very repetitive and grating.
The worldbuilding had me singing Blink 183 because where are you ...where are we...what's going on in this world??? Gun to my head I couldn't tell you how the magic works in this place.
The author also spent a long time fleshing out this really cool concept of gender fluidity in the dragons, but really didn't explain why it matters, or why we should care, or how it works so it felt like a cheap party trick of representation for me.
I also found overall the dialogue between the characters to be very sophomoric, this book feels like it wants to be YA so bad. There's nothing wrong with that, but that's not what I expected or wanted from this. I wanted an epic fantasy.....not something Red Tower would publish.
Ugh idk guys, it wasn't for me, I don't recommend it and I'm just thankful it was short. And believe me, this was me being nice.
kiwij96's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
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
4.25
A fun and easy read, with relatively short chapters. An interesting concept for sure, writing both first, second and third perspectives, following a dragon chasing a prophecy, a thief trying to protect their family name, and a young acolyte torn between right and wrong. Good discussions on gender identity too. Fun fantasy heist with friendships, trust, betrayal, and morality.
Definitely could have done with more worldbuilding and plot written into the text. The characters were very "woe is me" at times where it wasn't needed. I appreciated how Everen's POV included the humans teaching him how their society worked in terms of how gender identity and pronouns worked. Also, was not a fan of the romance subplot. It would have worked much better if the characters just learned each other's surnames as an act of trust.
Definitely could have done with more worldbuilding and plot written into the text. The characters were very "woe is me" at times where it wasn't needed. I appreciated how Everen's POV included the humans teaching him how their society worked in terms of how gender identity and pronouns worked. Also, was not a fan of the romance subplot. It would have worked much better if the characters just learned each other's surnames as an act of trust.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Death, Violence, Death of parent, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, War, Blood, and Self harm
Moderate: Body horror
Minor: Sexual content
anu_wil's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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
4.0