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3.34 AVERAGE
3.34 AVERAGE
Dialogue was a bit stiff, but overall the writing wasn't too bad.
Shadowcry is a good book, but nothing out of the ordinary, although I think the ending suggest a better sequel, with more action (and maybe some romance?) hopefully.
I didn't dislike the heroine, Kate, but she seemed somewhat shallow and boring to me, and almost as if she had to wait to be rescued to do something worhty of mention, instead of fighting by herself. But I understand that she is young and not all heroines are born with a great deal of badassery or cunning within them. Either way I hope she will better character than she currently is.
And I have to say, I'm really impressed by Silas. Actually I think I might fall in love with him *O* I felt really sad for him and I want a happy ending for him, no matter what. So if Kate doesn't make a move on him, or Silas on her, I will drown in misery, because I think all he needs is a bit (well, that's a lie, it would be a GREAT DEAL) of love to heal his years of suffering. At least, I hope so.
I didn't dislike the heroine, Kate, but she seemed somewhat shallow and boring to me, and almost as if she had to wait to be rescued to do something worhty of mention, instead of fighting by herself. But I understand that she is young and not all heroines are born with a great deal of badassery or cunning within them. Either way I hope she will better character than she currently is.
And I have to say, I'm really impressed by Silas. Actually I think I might fall in love with him *O* I felt really sad for him and I want a happy ending for him, no matter what. So if Kate doesn't make a move on him, or Silas on her, I will drown in misery, because I think all he needs is a bit (well, that's a lie, it would be a GREAT DEAL) of love to heal his years of suffering. At least, I hope so.
I can only think that I must have picked this book up because it was on a list of "Things to Read While You Wait for the Hunger Games Movie" because I don't know how else I would have found it. Also, I don't want to start any more series because I already have too many dangling, unfinished trilogies out there. But I read it anyway.
There are plenty of bad things you can say about this book - the "good guys" are boring, the young female heroine is kind of simpering and dumb, the world-building is insufficient, the writing lacks a certain sophistication, the magical elements are too exciting, and most of the promise of the book remains unfulfilled at the end. However, I enjoyed this book for two main reasons:
1. The "bad guys" are interesting. I thought Silas and Da'ru were some of the most interesting, compelling villains I've read in YAF in a while. I really wanted to know more about Da'ru, like, how in tarnation did she get to be so thoroughly evil through every bone in her body? That woman is a seriously bad person! How did she turn out like that?? And Burtenshaw did something interesting with the Silas character, letting him be bad for a good reason; he is forgivable but still rotten enough to be held at arm's length.
2. The setting is the city of Fume. This is a graveyard city that was built only for the dead and the bonemen (a mythical profession like a crypt keeper, the bonemen tended to the graves and maintained the city). Fume is full of weird, magical things, a secret library, tunnels, stairs, layers of generations of dead stacked on top of each other. But modern day Fume is a gated community of rich people. They exploited the sacred high walls of Fume and turned it into a seat of power and money, home of the High Council.
So, this book isn't extraordinary, but it is a fun romp with some exciting turns. If you're interested in female protagonists, magical elements, creepy setting and fascinating bad guys, you could do worse than to read this book. It's a solid debut, and a refreshing departure from vampires, werewolves and zombies. And, of course, there is a young girl who has extraordinary powers that she doesn't believe in, then she learns to believe in, and then she surpasses anyone's expectations of her abilities in order to save the world. It's always nice when a girl can believe in herself for the sake of the greater good.
There are plenty of bad things you can say about this book - the "good guys" are boring, the young female heroine is kind of simpering and dumb, the world-building is insufficient, the writing lacks a certain sophistication, the magical elements are too exciting, and most of the promise of the book remains unfulfilled at the end. However, I enjoyed this book for two main reasons:
1. The "bad guys" are interesting. I thought Silas and Da'ru were some of the most interesting, compelling villains I've read in YAF in a while. I really wanted to know more about Da'ru, like, how in tarnation did she get to be so thoroughly evil through every bone in her body? That woman is a seriously bad person! How did she turn out like that?? And Burtenshaw did something interesting with the Silas character, letting him be bad for a good reason; he is forgivable but still rotten enough to be held at arm's length.
2. The setting is the city of Fume. This is a graveyard city that was built only for the dead and the bonemen (a mythical profession like a crypt keeper, the bonemen tended to the graves and maintained the city). Fume is full of weird, magical things, a secret library, tunnels, stairs, layers of generations of dead stacked on top of each other. But modern day Fume is a gated community of rich people. They exploited the sacred high walls of Fume and turned it into a seat of power and money, home of the High Council.
So, this book isn't extraordinary, but it is a fun romp with some exciting turns. If you're interested in female protagonists, magical elements, creepy setting and fascinating bad guys, you could do worse than to read this book. It's a solid debut, and a refreshing departure from vampires, werewolves and zombies. And, of course, there is a young girl who has extraordinary powers that she doesn't believe in, then she learns to believe in, and then she surpasses anyone's expectations of her abilities in order to save the world. It's always nice when a girl can believe in herself for the sake of the greater good.
I enjoyed this book though some things that happened weren't explained very well. Kate was a good character but she needed more depth to her. I felt like Silas held more character depth than her. I loved Silas and could totally see a romance bloom between him and Kate in the future. If not I'll be checking fan fiction for it. ;)
Review to come
This was an excellently inventive story, I love the characters and the world they live in!
This was an excellently inventive story, I love the characters and the world they live in!
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
I can't rmbr which review was it that I read a fellow goodreads friends commenting on how books nowadays have greek/roman names (ie Cass&whathaveyou). I never really noticed it until this book made it painstakingly clear that greek/roman names are *in*.
Artemis,tho he is a minor character, sparked more feelings for the reader than Kate(the main heroin) did. Artemis was kind,responsible&owned a bookstore(how can I not like him?) Kate,on the other hand, was the prodigal daughter who could raise the dead. This concept is fine w me,because many books I've come across lately are trying to perfect this theme.
What I couldn't stand,or turn me off, was how she found out.
If you saw your uncle Artemis who has been taking care of you since young in trouble w a baddy bad bad guy,the most feared guy in all of albion and you happen to be holding a dead crow ,would you
a)drop the damn crow in your damn pocket and run to your uncle's aid,not realising you just RAISED THE DAMN BIRD BACK TO LIFE
OR
b) drop the bird on the floor,not even thinking of pocketing the bird cause you are too worried for your uncle's safety to focus on anything else. If you choose A then this is the book for you
And don't get me wrong,the writing is beautiful. Its not as lyrical as Delirium or Shatter Me but it has beautiful descriptions but it was (and I don't want to sound mean but here it goes) a bit dry... and Maybe it's just me what with new changes in life but I'm going to put this in the back burner for now.
Bright side: there's some creativity going on so if you're interested in world building,you could give this a shot.
Artemis,tho he is a minor character, sparked more feelings for the reader than Kate(the main heroin) did. Artemis was kind,responsible&owned a bookstore(how can I not like him?) Kate,on the other hand, was the prodigal daughter who could raise the dead. This concept is fine w me,because many books I've come across lately are trying to perfect this theme.
What I couldn't stand,or turn me off, was how she found out.
If
a)drop the damn crow in your damn pocket and run to your uncle's aid,not realising you just RAISED THE DAMN BIRD BACK TO LIFE
OR
b) drop the bird on the floor,not even thinking of pocketing the bird cause you are too worried for your uncle's safety to focus on anything else. If you choose A then this is the book for you
And don't get me wrong,the writing is beautiful. Its not as lyrical as Delirium or Shatter Me but it has beautiful descriptions but it was (and I don't want to sound mean but here it goes) a bit dry... and Maybe it's just me what with new changes in life but I'm going to put this in the back burner for now.
Bright side: there's some creativity going on so if you're interested in world building,you could give this a shot.
It took me a minute to get used to the writing and and flow of the book but once I did I was hooked. I liked that good and evil lines blurred, especially with Silas. I'm usually drawn to evil characters and he was no different. although I have a feeling a tiny bit of redemption is in his future. We will see.
*4.5 Stars* What an incredibly fascinating and unique world Burtenshaw has created. I honestly can't believe that this is her first book. I was completely enthralled after reading just the first chapter, and the story grabs onto you and doesn't let go until the last page.
Kate Winters lives in Morvane on the island of Albion, where she works in her Uncle's bookstore. When she was five her town was harvested by the wardens; people were collected and rounded up to be sold as slaves or to become soldiers in the never-ending war against the Continent. Kate was spared, but her parents were not. She hid in a secret spot while her parents were dragged away, never to be seen by Kate again.
The wardens descend on the towns to look for the Skilled as well - people that can enter the Veil; the land of the dead. Kate is fifteen now and she doesn't know it yet, but she is destined to be one of the most powerful of the Skilled in ages, and more than one person is looking for her.
A lot of times in fantasy novels the author gets hung up on creating some crazy fantastical world and the story gets lost while you try to make sense of things. Burtenshaw takes something that is unbelievable and makes it easy to understand. There's a sense of tense excitement throughout the whole novel, and you can't help but want to turn the pages faster and faster to find out what will happen to the characters.
Kate doesn't believe in her abilities and the Veil at first, but the rate at which she accepts things is both imaginable and feels real. Kate wants to help what is left of her family and friends, and tries to do what she thinks is right. She isn't so stubborn that she kicks and fights against her fate; she takes hold of it with both hands.
At first, Silas Dane is the supposed villain of the novel, but his role exists in a decidedly grey area. He's a tortured man whose soul has been blackened against his will, but his and Kate's lives become forever enmeshed together.
The imagery that Burtenshaw uses to describe the world she has created is magical. I could imagine everything clearly, which can be a difficult feat when different realms and rituals are involved.
I loved the characters, was fascinated by the world, and drawn into the story completely. I've read that at least two more books are planned in this series, and I wholeheartedly look forward to reading them. This was simply a great first book by a new author, and one I'll watch for years to come.
Kate Winters lives in Morvane on the island of Albion, where she works in her Uncle's bookstore. When she was five her town was harvested by the wardens; people were collected and rounded up to be sold as slaves or to become soldiers in the never-ending war against the Continent. Kate was spared, but her parents were not. She hid in a secret spot while her parents were dragged away, never to be seen by Kate again.
The wardens descend on the towns to look for the Skilled as well - people that can enter the Veil; the land of the dead. Kate is fifteen now and she doesn't know it yet, but she is destined to be one of the most powerful of the Skilled in ages, and more than one person is looking for her.
A lot of times in fantasy novels the author gets hung up on creating some crazy fantastical world and the story gets lost while you try to make sense of things. Burtenshaw takes something that is unbelievable and makes it easy to understand. There's a sense of tense excitement throughout the whole novel, and you can't help but want to turn the pages faster and faster to find out what will happen to the characters.
Kate doesn't believe in her abilities and the Veil at first, but the rate at which she accepts things is both imaginable and feels real. Kate wants to help what is left of her family and friends, and tries to do what she thinks is right. She isn't so stubborn that she kicks and fights against her fate; she takes hold of it with both hands.
At first, Silas Dane is the supposed villain of the novel, but his role exists in a decidedly grey area. He's a tortured man whose soul has been blackened against his will, but his and Kate's lives become forever enmeshed together.
The imagery that Burtenshaw uses to describe the world she has created is magical. I could imagine everything clearly, which can be a difficult feat when different realms and rituals are involved.
I loved the characters, was fascinated by the world, and drawn into the story completely. I've read that at least two more books are planned in this series, and I wholeheartedly look forward to reading them. This was simply a great first book by a new author, and one I'll watch for years to come.