Reviews

All the Windwracked Stars by Elizabeth Bear

embereye's review against another edition

4.0

This is a gorgeous tale based off of the Edda - old Norse tales. This is kind of a "What happened after Ragnarok" sort of tale, and it's by turns unexpected and surprising. Characters did not always do what I expected of them, but ultimately they were true to themselves.

I am looking forward to rereading this when I'm not quite in the mode of just gobbling it down as fast as possible.

thestoryowl's review against another edition

3.0

For angels, these people sure are mopey and melodramatic.

midwinteraz's review

2.0

It's an epic story beautifully told, but that wasn't enough to salvage it for me. The worldbuilding was amazing, and the characters fully realized, but none of that quite made it through to the story. The telling felt flat and distant, and like you needed to be an insider - familiar with the legends and personalities - to understand what was happening. It all seemed too bleak and hopeless. You have a wallflower (coward) main character and a need to save the world or watch it die. I was expecting a heroic transformation and salvation, but it didn't seem to happen that way. Everyone was broken or unmade (except Kasimir). This is book one of a trilogy, but I can't imagine revisting this world again.

hilse's review against another edition

3.0

I loved the premise of this book, but a list of characters would have greatly improved my reading experience. (Please correct me if this feature is, in fact, included; I am reviewing after long-having returned the book to the library.)

peapod_boston's review against another edition

3.0

I really wanted to love this book. An amazing setting, engaging protagonist, and over-brimming with cool ideas. But it didn't quite engage me, and I am not sure why. Don't get me wrong; I liked it--just not as much as I thought I would. Definitely got stronger as I got deeper into it, though. So I am curious to read more.

stayshomeandreads's review

3.5

Prose was great, setting was super interesting, but the plot was very hard to follow. You definitely need to have an understanding of Norse mythology to understand this book. I wish it had just a little bit more exposition to really explore the unique world Bear created. All of the characters were really interesting and I loved how it played on the themes of guilt and vengeance. The bizarre sex scenes also soured me on it a bit. 

ryan_pardue's review

adventurous emotional inspiring slow-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

3.5

asgard_and_cake's review

adventurous challenging mysterious slow-paced

4.0

tarana's review against another edition

4.0

Not my kind of fantasy or perhaps the story just got to me. It was unrelievingly grim. I did push through 1/3 of the book and decided not to waste my time any longer and abandoned it. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators DID do a great job, which is why I got through 1/3 of the book.

woolfardis's review against another edition

1.0

An interesting start though the Valkyrie concept had me confused: many names and words to learn about before you leap in to this world. Possibly for another time. (Yes, but Kindle.)