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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
It's so rare to find modern fiction that is clean but also has a good plot and good writing. This checks all the boxes. I agree with the author in that this is very reminiscent of Rogue One, Pride and Prejudice, and Anastasia. I would also add that it feels a little like Wingfeather Saga.
In a nutshell, it's the story of a quest to find the ancient magical natives of Yalvara, with a team made up of people with different skills. There's a very slowborn enemies-to-lovers romance with only a few hugs and almost kisses. The banter is very reminiscent of the movies mentioned above. There's also complicated family relationships, and each of the characters has past trauma that affects every part of their lives.
Only read this book if you want it to break your heart.
Content: Not great parent/child relationships, mentions of pregnancy out of wedlock (very minor), lots and lots of euphemisms (I don't love the way they talk, even if there aren't actual bad words), a few deaths, some violence (bloody but not gory), and almost kisses.
In a nutshell, it's the story of a quest to find the ancient magical natives of Yalvara, with a team made up of people with different skills. There's a very slowborn enemies-to-lovers romance with only a few hugs and almost kisses. The banter is very reminiscent of the movies mentioned above. There's also complicated family relationships, and each of the characters has past trauma that affects every part of their lives.
Only read this book if you want it to break your heart.
Content: Not great parent/child relationships, mentions of pregnancy out of wedlock (very minor), lots and lots of euphemisms (I don't love the way they talk, even if there aren't actual bad words), a few deaths, some violence (bloody but not gory), and almost kisses.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Maybe it's just because this isn't my typical genre, but Cities of Smoke and Starlight did not grip me the way I hoped it would.
The big draw for me going in was the romance aspect so that certainly didn't help my experience—the romance in this book is peppered in very, very lightly. I honestly thought a lot of the worldbuilding was great and the story really innovative, and I had a good time with the plot. The romance that eventually buds between the two main characters is totally unearned, though. Kase, the MMC, is insufferable and downright mean to Hallie for most of the book, and I just don't buy the journey his feelings for Hallie go on.
I would have liked to connect with Hallie or Kase more, but they were so childish to each other for much of the book that I didn't feel invested enough. I'm lowkey tempted to continue with the next book, but I'm going to have to wait for the mood to strike.
The big draw for me going in was the romance aspect so that certainly didn't help my experience—the romance in this book is peppered in very, very lightly. I honestly thought a lot of the worldbuilding was great and the story really innovative, and I had a good time with the plot. The romance that eventually buds between the two main characters is totally unearned, though. Kase, the MMC, is insufferable and downright mean to Hallie for most of the book, and I just don't buy the journey his feelings for Hallie go on.
I would have liked to connect with Hallie or Kase more, but they were so childish to each other for much of the book that I didn't feel invested enough. I'm lowkey tempted to continue with the next book, but I'm going to have to wait for the mood to strike.
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This book has so much potential, but it leaves the reader in a lurch. The worldbuilding is inconsistent, which makes it difficult to really sink into the story and understand the context. The bones of the plot are really strong, and the characters are interesting, but everything could have used more development and detail for this to be a truly enjoyable read.
I really wanted to like this book, but I DNF’ed at about 130 pages. It included some of my all time writing pet peeves: telling i stead of showing, awkward dialogue with contemporary slang that takes you out of the world, bad character development, and a confusing plot that relied on a number of coincidences. It does sound so promising but I would recommend skipping this one.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Whilst this book does a really good job of delivering the steampunk vibes I haven't read in a long time, there was a lot of world building left out that could have been helpful as there was a lot of jumping for information, and needing to just go with the flow to get through the information that was present. I appreciate the romance not being the centre of attention, but it also gets 'resolved' quite quickly. I look forward to book two and where this universe takes us.
adventurous
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
Oh my gosh! I have never fallen so in love with characters and a foreign world so fast.
Forget what you know about genre boundaries and pick up this dystopian science fantasy with a slow burning romance subplot.
Alli Earnest does a phenomenal job with her world building!
Alli Earnest does a phenomenal job with her world building!
I cannot wait to read Book 2!
Main characters are very childish, far more than should be normal in a young adult book. I felt like the MMC was a 16 year old boy by his behavior and the way he spoke. I didn’t even get through 50% of the book, so maybe there’s eventual character development, but I just couldn’t keep reading.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
I wish there was more gender and sexuality diversity in this title. As well as more BIPOC characters.
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No