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3.35 AVERAGE
3.35 AVERAGE
Great. I liked this world. The main character was a little too heroic for me, but what main character isn't? I liked the depth of the characters, specifically Artemis, Silas, Kalen, and Edgar. All of them can be interpretative in many ways, and are seen from different angles throughout the book. At the same time, they're kept clear. Great.
Ten years ago Kate Winters' parents were taken by the High Council's wardens to help with the country's war effort. Now the wardens are back...and prisoners, including Kate's uncle Artemis, are taken south on the terrifying Night Train. Kate and her friend Edgar are hunted by a far more dangerous enemy. Silas Dane -- the High Council's most feared man -- recognises Kate as one of the Skilled; a rare group of people able to see through the veil between the living and the dead. His spirit was damaged by the High Council's experiments into the veil, and he's convinced that Kate can undo the damage and allow him to find peace. The knowledge Kate needs lies within Wintercraft -- a book thought to be hidden deep beneath the graveyard city of Fume. But the Night of Souls, when the veil between life and death is at its thinnest, is just days away and the High Council have their own sinister plans for Kate and Wintercraft. To help Artemis, Edgar and herself, Kate must honour her pact with a murderer and come face to face with the true nature of death.
Jenna Burtenshaw's debut novel Wintercraft is the first book in a trilogy. It takes you to Albion a small town in Morvane.
Kate, Artemis and Edgar get taken to the city of Fume which is a graveyard city, where the High Council meet. This is where Kate learn's the truth about herself and those around her.
As it tells you in the blurb above Kate's mother and father were harvested by the high council to help in the country's war.
10 years later, their back and their harvest falls on the city of Morvane.
The citizens of Morvane have lived in peace, so when a swarm of blackbirds arrive along with the warden's only Kate and her book-store owning uncle Artemis are ready for a fast departure.
However when Kate restore's life to one of the blackbirds she is forced to hide in a secret hiding place in the basement of the book-store along with Edgar an employee at the book-store.
Silas arrives with the warden's and captures Artemis and takes him on a terrifying journey on the Night Train which used to transport the dead.
Silas Dane is the most feared High Council member who is nothing like the other members on the High Council.
Twelve years ago Silas was used as an experiment by the High Council and they damaged his spirit making it so he could never be killed.
Knowing Kate is one of the skilled - A rare group of people who have the ability to see into the veil (A place between the living and the dead) - Silas want's her and set's out to get her so she can undo what the High Council did to him all them years ago.
Kate need the knowledge of Wintercraft - A very powerful spell book that is kept hidden beneath the graveyard city of Fume - Wintercraft is a book so powerful it is believed to be able to change the fate of Albion forever.
Kate ends up questioning the very people she has always trusted, it seems that everyone has their own secret. Where will Kate turn?
This novel was an enchanting read and continues at a nice flowing pace. The character's don't let their personality's show very much but hopefully this will change in the next book and we will learn a lot more about Kate, Edgar and Silas.
Wintercraft is definitely the beginning of a great new series in teen fantasy as Kate's journey through Albion and Fume has only just begun.
I am really looking forward to reading Blackwatch which is the sequel to Wintercraft.
Jenna Burtenshaw's debut novel Wintercraft is the first book in a trilogy. It takes you to Albion a small town in Morvane.
Kate, Artemis and Edgar get taken to the city of Fume which is a graveyard city, where the High Council meet. This is where Kate learn's the truth about herself and those around her.
As it tells you in the blurb above Kate's mother and father were harvested by the high council to help in the country's war.
10 years later, their back and their harvest falls on the city of Morvane.
The citizens of Morvane have lived in peace, so when a swarm of blackbirds arrive along with the warden's only Kate and her book-store owning uncle Artemis are ready for a fast departure.
However when Kate restore's life to one of the blackbirds she is forced to hide in a secret hiding place in the basement of the book-store along with Edgar an employee at the book-store.
Silas arrives with the warden's and captures Artemis and takes him on a terrifying journey on the Night Train which used to transport the dead.
Silas Dane is the most feared High Council member who is nothing like the other members on the High Council.
Twelve years ago Silas was used as an experiment by the High Council and they damaged his spirit making it so he could never be killed.
Knowing Kate is one of the skilled - A rare group of people who have the ability to see into the veil (A place between the living and the dead) - Silas want's her and set's out to get her so she can undo what the High Council did to him all them years ago.
Kate need the knowledge of Wintercraft - A very powerful spell book that is kept hidden beneath the graveyard city of Fume - Wintercraft is a book so powerful it is believed to be able to change the fate of Albion forever.
Kate ends up questioning the very people she has always trusted, it seems that everyone has their own secret. Where will Kate turn?
This novel was an enchanting read and continues at a nice flowing pace. The character's don't let their personality's show very much but hopefully this will change in the next book and we will learn a lot more about Kate, Edgar and Silas.
Wintercraft is definitely the beginning of a great new series in teen fantasy as Kate's journey through Albion and Fume has only just begun.
I am really looking forward to reading Blackwatch which is the sequel to Wintercraft.
This novel was OK. It is perfect for a young adult but for an adult it gets a little sappy. It moved to fast for me and I found myself questioning certain plot details. I would love to know more about the world of Albion however and I think the author is really onto something.
It almost seems to be a post-apocalyptic novel with many references to "ancient" technology that is common place today.
All in all, a quick enjoyable read.
It almost seems to be a post-apocalyptic novel with many references to "ancient" technology that is common place today.
All in all, a quick enjoyable read.
So I really liked this book. Namely Silas, who's character arc was impressive. The description in this book is beautiful, the only problem I had was how repetitive the beginning left- capture, excape, capture, escape- but I understand the need for it- I may just be a bit of an impatient reader.
3.5 stars. This was a 3 until the last fifty pages. And the only reason is because I couldnt connect with the characters. I felt like I was looking at them through a telescope; they felt distant, although I liked Kate and was very intrigued by Silas. Love the last couple pages. The main strength of Shadowcry is the story and world building. It's so different, eerie, and unique. I loved the descriptions and the creepy gothic feel, how dark it is, and I loved the idea of the veil and Kate's connection to it. It reminded me of what I imagined the veil in Order of the Phoenix was like once you stepped through. The prologue is one of my favorite book openings that I've read in awhile! It set the tone for the whole book. I just wish I could have felt more emotionally invested. The story is strong enough that I'm curious to read to sequel though.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
Yes
Meh. The amount of action in proportion to an actual story line was unbalanced beyond belief. The lack of story line was a tad depressing but it was a good effort. A for effort Burtenshaw .
Background: Kate Winters’ parents were killed when she was very young, all because of what they were and a book they were hiding. Kate is now fifteen and learning more about her parent’s legacy and …that she can heal the dead. While working at her uncle’s bookstore the High Council’s Wardens storm into her town looking for anyone with Kate’s special gifts and she is soon plunged into a world of deceit, secrecy, death, and corruption.
Review: I picked up this book because I won a giveaway from Pitch Dark/ Epic Reads a site run by HarperCollins. I won Blackwatch, book two of the Wintercraft series, so I had to grab this one to read first. I am SO SO glad I entered and won this contest because this series is surely an awesome adventure!
Shadowcry, book one of the Wintercraft series, is very dark, twisted, and macabre. Kate is a strong and determined character who makes a wonderful lead, and she remains so, even through the worst. The story revolves around a city called Fume, which was once the city of the dead, where they went to peacefully pass on to their new existence. Now, it has been taken over by the High Council because of their corruption and need for a lavish lifestyle. Another thing the High Council wants are the Skilled, a group of people who have extraordinary powers to work with the veil, the clocking between the realm of life and death, and they will stop at nothing to gain these individuals as slaves and workers to do their bidding.
Burtenshaw writes in an epic fashion, drawing in all things you need in a great adventure and battle. There is mystery and secrecy, and slowly told tales about how things used to be, and the protagonist, Kate, is a determined person to follow as she learns about herself and her powers.
I am very glad I read this book, and I am even more excited to read Blackwatch, because the ending of Shadowcry was amazing and I cannot wait to jump back into the story.
Review: I picked up this book because I won a giveaway from Pitch Dark/ Epic Reads a site run by HarperCollins. I won Blackwatch, book two of the Wintercraft series, so I had to grab this one to read first. I am SO SO glad I entered and won this contest because this series is surely an awesome adventure!
Shadowcry, book one of the Wintercraft series, is very dark, twisted, and macabre. Kate is a strong and determined character who makes a wonderful lead, and she remains so, even through the worst. The story revolves around a city called Fume, which was once the city of the dead, where they went to peacefully pass on to their new existence. Now, it has been taken over by the High Council because of their corruption and need for a lavish lifestyle. Another thing the High Council wants are the Skilled, a group of people who have extraordinary powers to work with the veil, the clocking between the realm of life and death, and they will stop at nothing to gain these individuals as slaves and workers to do their bidding.
Burtenshaw writes in an epic fashion, drawing in all things you need in a great adventure and battle. There is mystery and secrecy, and slowly told tales about how things used to be, and the protagonist, Kate, is a determined person to follow as she learns about herself and her powers.
I am very glad I read this book, and I am even more excited to read Blackwatch, because the ending of Shadowcry was amazing and I cannot wait to jump back into the story.
This drew me in right from the start! It was also refreshing that there was no romance, which I appreciated. Silas Dane is definitely my favorite character in the story. Can't wait to read the next one!