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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Gripping, betrayal, intrigue, mythology, romance….This book has it all! I am awe, both by the many twists and turns this tale takes and by the resilience sewn into it. Arena’s own battle wars alongside that of Madrian!
The 👍:
-intense plot
-character development
-diversity
-chronic illness representation
-world building
The 👎:
-mfc often explains what’s happening
I deeply felt emotionally connected to the main characters and invested in their plights! My heart aches at the ending! I need book 2!
The 👍:
-intense plot
-character development
-diversity
-chronic illness representation
-world building
The 👎:
-mfc often explains what’s happening
I deeply felt emotionally connected to the main characters and invested in their plights! My heart aches at the ending! I need book 2!
DNF at page 60
Unfortunately, I think I'm going to DNF this one. It's a shame as it's a beautiful book, and it has some representation that I don't see much of in books - I really wanted to like it.
I just didn't really connect with the main character in this one, and found the plot a bit too slow-paced, and the repetition a bit annoying. The main bulk of the 60 pages so far has been Vasalie talking about being in prison, how she was the King's jewel once, lots of info dumping about the world, and talk about her dances. I was bored and had no incentive to continue. Also, I couldn't really imagine ever wanting to continue this book if there is a book two published.
Unfortunately, I think I'm going to DNF this one. It's a shame as it's a beautiful book, and it has some representation that I don't see much of in books - I really wanted to like it.
I just didn't really connect with the main character in this one, and found the plot a bit too slow-paced, and the repetition a bit annoying. The main bulk of the 60 pages so far has been Vasalie talking about being in prison, how she was the King's jewel once, lots of info dumping about the world, and talk about her dances. I was bored and had no incentive to continue. Also, I couldn't really imagine ever wanting to continue this book if there is a book two published.
Je ne vais même pas mentir : j'ai passé un super moment.
C'était un peu prévisible, et je suis pas super en phase avec la représentation du handicap (un peu trop "quand je veux, je peux" à mon goût, j'aurais aimé plus de nuance, même si le personnage doit effectivement combattre son handicap à certains moments pour pouvoir survivre), ni avec le surnom affectueux attribué à l'héroïne (je suis pas sûre que j'aimerais qu'on m'appelle "mon petit vairon") mais c'était vraiment divertissant. C'est bien rythmé, les dynamiques entre personnages intéressantes, les personnages plutôt variés (enfin... plus ou moins), l'univers assez sympa, dans un genre de période pré-industrielle qui n'est pas si courante en fantasy et qui était bien menée... C'est pas parfait, mais franchement ça fait le taf, et il n'y a rien qui m'a vraiment hérissé le poil comme peuvent le faire en général les romantasy.
J'ai cru jusqu'à la presque toute fin que ce serait un one-shot, mais NON c'est évidemment le premier tome d'une série, et ça vient juste de sortir, donc je ne suis pas prête de connaître la suite. 💀 Est-ce que j'aurai envie de la lire quand ça sortira, ça c'est une autre histoire.
C'était un peu prévisible, et je suis pas super en phase avec la représentation du handicap (un peu trop "quand je veux, je peux" à mon goût, j'aurais aimé plus de nuance, même si le personnage doit effectivement combattre son handicap à certains moments pour pouvoir survivre), ni avec le surnom affectueux attribué à l'héroïne (je suis pas sûre que j'aimerais qu'on m'appelle "mon petit vairon") mais c'était vraiment divertissant. C'est bien rythmé, les dynamiques entre personnages intéressantes, les personnages plutôt variés (enfin... plus ou moins), l'univers assez sympa, dans un genre de période pré-industrielle qui n'est pas si courante en fantasy et qui était bien menée... C'est pas parfait, mais franchement ça fait le taf, et il n'y a rien qui m'a vraiment hérissé le poil comme peuvent le faire en général les romantasy.
J'ai cru jusqu'à la presque toute fin que ce serait un one-shot, mais NON c'est évidemment le premier tome d'une série, et ça vient juste de sortir, donc je ne suis pas prête de connaître la suite. 💀 Est-ce que j'aurai envie de la lire quand ça sortira, ça c'est une autre histoire.
adventurous
dark
funny
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Maybe it’s because it managed to pull me out of an insane reading slump, or maybe because it was reminiscent of Red Queen (“bad” vs good” brother part), but this just worked for me. A comfortable five star rating for sure.
I enjoyed the FMC’s backstory, although ignored actually reading her name because of the many reasons mentioned in other reviews. I personally don’t think that’s enough to DNF or dock points, but to each their own. There were moments I didn’t expect, and liked the twists at the end. Foreshadowing is very prevalent and was a consistent line throughout, pushing the narrative forward. I also enjoyed the romance subplot(s), especially a certain MMC’s charming facade.
Was it entirely unique? No, but I think it did what it was set to do, and the areas that could be “cliche” had solid foundation, leaving me entertained rather than annoyed. You do not need to reinvent the wheel to create a good story.
I enjoyed the FMC’s backstory, although ignored actually reading her name because of the many reasons mentioned in other reviews. I personally don’t think that’s enough to DNF or dock points, but to each their own. There were moments I didn’t expect, and liked the twists at the end. Foreshadowing is very prevalent and was a consistent line throughout, pushing the narrative forward. I also enjoyed the romance subplot(s), especially a certain MMC’s charming facade.
Was it entirely unique? No, but I think it did what it was set to do, and the areas that could be “cliche” had solid foundation, leaving me entertained rather than annoyed. You do not need to reinvent the wheel to create a good story.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
I wish there was more relationship development between the MMC and the FMC, but this was still incredibly good!
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I disliked Illian from the very beginning. Vasalie just wanted to be free. There was many twists that I didn't see coming. Especially the ending. Can't wait for the next book
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This one wasn’t for me. The first third to half of the book was pretty good pacing-wise, but it really dragged the last 1/3 or so. I found my self dreading reading the book at that point. Vaseline (sorry, that’s what my brain kept seeing as her name) kept flip flopping between proud of what she’s accomplished to thinking she was nothing. I got tired of her thinking the exact same thing constantly for the duration of the book. The disability seemed to come and go and there were never repercussions for her overdoing it. Also, where were all the female characters?! Every character Vaseline interacted for more than one or two scenes was male. She had no relationships with any other women in the book. And this is a universe with women in positions of power. The only close female relationship in this book was in the past prior to the start of the novel. I had to force myself to read the last 100 pages.