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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a pleasant surprise. I had seen this book recommended on Booktok and didn’t have the highest expectations, but even so, this blew everything out of the water. I found Whitten’s writing to be far more skillful than we often get with fantasy like this. While somewhat confusing, I found the world-building and magic-system to be unique and intriguing. I liked the characters, especially Bastian with his quippy remarks and double entendres. And I really enjoyed the plotting and scheming and the way the book treats power, politics and religion, and how all three are intertwined. I’m excited for the next book.
I truly didn’t know what I was getting myself into with The Foxglove King. Having finished, I can say that I’m still not quite sure what I got, but in a great way. The novel introduces a unique magic system that is inextricably tied to both the politics and religion of the land in a way I had never seen before. I, like Lore, felt like I was on unsteady ground the entire time, unable to figure out who I could possibly trust. This led to a great sense of tension building throughout. I will say that it was getting very close to the end and I wondered if anything was actually going to be resolved. I can’t honestly say that the way things ended was resolution, but it finally answered some questions that I’d had from almost the beginning. The novel is an interesting rumination on power. Who should have it. The reasons they should have it. But it’s also a look at the dangers of religious zeal. The epigraphs beginning each chapter are an interesting thru line into helping the audience understand what’s really happening, but being in the form of allegory and religious tract, forces the reader to find their understanding. Not sure if this was the author’s intention, but what I liked most about the novel is that I can’t be sure it ended “right”. The “good guys” at least who we think are the good guys, have seemingly come out ahead. But I’m not reassured. The powers at play (literal deities) in the background are the impetus behind the actions taken by most of the characters, but we haven’t felt their direct intervention yet. On the surface, things seem to have worked out for the best. But I can’t shake the feeling that everything is just sitting on a powder keg and one wrong move away from going up in spectacular flames. I will definitely be reading the sequel, there’s just too much more to come that I haven’t the foggiest of how it will resolve. But I can’t wait to find out.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I felt this book moved really slowly until about 3/4 of the way in- and then it started getting juicy. 3/5- liked it a lot but didn’t love. Would have liked to see a bit more of life outside of the Citadel!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was so fascinated by the magic system and the universe in the book! It's different from other fantasy novels I've read so the series quickly caught my eye. I listened to the audiobook and Emily Ellet CRUSHED her performance! She truly gave each character their own personality which I really enjoyed.
I was initially a little hesitant as I started the book because the more I read, the more it seemed clear the FMC would be in a love triangle in the series. I was surprised though, because while there IS a romantic thread in the story, this book focused so much on the characters and the world & magic development. The writing is really great and I liked the gothic and horror-y vibes. I will be continuing this series.
I was initially a little hesitant as I started the book because the more I read, the more it seemed clear the FMC would be in a love triangle in the series. I was surprised though, because while there IS a romantic thread in the story, this book focused so much on the characters and the world & magic development. The writing is really great and I liked the gothic and horror-y vibes. I will be continuing this series.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
I'm intrigued by this first book of the trilogy. I really need the next book! There is so much backstabbing and political intrigue.