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sk_isheretoo's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
esther_palko's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Genocide, Torture, Murder, Blood, and Death
Minor: Child death
dilchh's review
4.0
I got this book off of the February Bookish Box and there are two things that I like about this book, first it’s the beautiful blue hue that is clearly very dominant from this book. It’s very calming, and yet both beautiful and mysterious at the same time; two, I just love the way the paper seems like it was cut hastily before it is bind into a book. By the way, I’m reading the hardcover version, so I genuinely don’t know if the other version has the same paper feel as I have, but there you go, the two things I like the most about this book.
I honestly wasn’t too keen to read this book, because I really am not in the mood to read about that one female character that defies the odds and was portrayed as the chosen one and won against everything impossible. Nothing wrong with that trope, obviously, but I just felt like I’ve read one too many and I don’t want to end up reading a book thinking that I know the whole thing already and just reading it for the sake of predicting where the story goes. I hate to be an obnoxious person like that when it comes to reading a book.
Two things to be thankful for, one for me deciding to read the book even though my smarty pants self thought this was going to be predictable and I was definitely not going to enjoy it; two for the fact that for once I am reading a book in which the main character is not the most important person in the story, sure without Brienna’s help, none of the plan would have turned out okay, but at least Brienna is not the person that everyone is fighting to be the head or the leader of their cause. It’s nice to read a story in which even though the main character is not the leader that everyone is hoping for, she is still an important part to the cause. We need more stories of the sidekick, yanno? Or, wait, maybe there are more stories like these but I’m the only who does not know about it? Quite possibly.
Okay, now onto the stories. It’s mildly interesting to see how the girls grew up in one place, pursuing knowledge without anything holding themselves back. And honestly, I was so close to rolling my eyes when Brienna made it seem that all the girls in the House were all friends and have no competition whatsoever. Pfft, yeah right. Thankfully the book address an image of jealousy although it didn’t last quite that long, which is completely understandable as it really only has a small significance to the grand scheme of the story.
The story was interesting, because it spans decades and you can see the alluring mystery of it all. I just love and adore it. But, character wise, I can’t seem to enjoy anybody in the story. They were all too two dimensional. Brienna as the main character was alright, not quite interesting. I really think al the characters were alright, not that evil and not that great either, which is a bummer because I do enjoy this book quite a lot.
Now, one thing that I don’t quite understand is how could Brienna be so devoted to his adoptive father. Like, this girl have only been adopted for less than a year. I would have thought Brienna would have been more devoted to his grandfather. And sure, Brienna practically hadn’t live with his grandfather since she was 10 and her grandfather always refuse to tell her who her actual father was (which is a dick move, but also understandable), but come on Brienna! The old man practically raise you until you were 10 and really rack his brain off trying to protect you, but you can’t seem to miss him a bit? You were so devoted to your newly adopted father? How could you, Brienna? Shame!
But yeah, other than that I don’t have any problem with the book. Well, okay, I actually do. Brienna’s love trope with Cartier? Yeah, I could totally live without it. Really. For sure.
I honestly don’t know what the second book will be about, since I really thought everything had been achieved in the first book, but I think that’s what makes it interesting. I guess I’ll have to wait for next year then.
I honestly wasn’t too keen to read this book, because I really am not in the mood to read about that one female character that defies the odds and was portrayed as the chosen one and won against everything impossible. Nothing wrong with that trope, obviously, but I just felt like I’ve read one too many and I don’t want to end up reading a book thinking that I know the whole thing already and just reading it for the sake of predicting where the story goes. I hate to be an obnoxious person like that when it comes to reading a book.
Two things to be thankful for, one for me deciding to read the book even though my smarty pants self thought this was going to be predictable and I was definitely not going to enjoy it; two for the fact that for once I am reading a book in which the main character is not the most important person in the story, sure without Brienna’s help, none of the plan would have turned out okay, but at least Brienna is not the person that everyone is fighting to be the head or the leader of their cause. It’s nice to read a story in which even though the main character is not the leader that everyone is hoping for, she is still an important part to the cause. We need more stories of the sidekick, yanno? Or, wait, maybe there are more stories like these but I’m the only who does not know about it? Quite possibly.
Okay, now onto the stories. It’s mildly interesting to see how the girls grew up in one place, pursuing knowledge without anything holding themselves back. And honestly, I was so close to rolling my eyes when Brienna made it seem that all the girls in the House were all friends and have no competition whatsoever. Pfft, yeah right. Thankfully the book address an image of jealousy although it didn’t last quite that long, which is completely understandable as it really only has a small significance to the grand scheme of the story.
The story was interesting, because it spans decades and you can see the alluring mystery of it all. I just love and adore it. But, character wise, I can’t seem to enjoy anybody in the story. They were all too two dimensional. Brienna as the main character was alright, not quite interesting. I really think al the characters were alright, not that evil and not that great either, which is a bummer because I do enjoy this book quite a lot.
Now, one thing that I don’t quite understand is how could Brienna be so devoted to his adoptive father. Like, this girl have only been adopted for less than a year. I would have thought Brienna would have been more devoted to his grandfather. And sure, Brienna practically hadn’t live with his grandfather since she was 10 and her grandfather always refuse to tell her who her actual father was (which is a dick move, but also understandable), but come on Brienna! The old man practically raise you until you were 10 and really rack his brain off trying to protect you, but you can’t seem to miss him a bit? You were so devoted to your newly adopted father? How could you, Brienna? Shame!
But yeah, other than that I don’t have any problem with the book. Well, okay, I actually do. Brienna’s love trope with Cartier? Yeah, I could totally live without it. Really. For sure.
I honestly don’t know what the second book will be about, since I really thought everything had been achieved in the first book, but I think that’s what makes it interesting. I guess I’ll have to wait for next year then.
cydneydaniel's review
adventurous
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This debut lacks the polish of Rebecca Ross’ later novels, but it was still an excellent story. As always, good world building and lovable characters. The romance was pretty lackluster in this book, but I expect things will look a little different in the sequel.
aka_pennylane's review
2.0
I didn’t dislike the book, but some books we like more than others. I just didn’t find that excitement or heart pounding moments and it was a bit too slow for my taste. Again I do not want to discourage anyone to read this book. It was just not for me.
bleumingpages's review against another edition
3.0
This was not painful to read but it was boring. Like very low stakes boring.
cmitchell2781's review against another edition
5.0
10/10
I cant wait to read the next book. While a few of the "surprises" felt predictable, this was a wonderfully written book. I love Brienna and her growth through the book, as she embraces both sides of her heritage. I couldn't put the book down. Cartier was fun to read as he bantered with Brienna and I just hoped for them to tell each other how they obviously felt. I hope the next book is as captivating as this story was.
I cant wait to read the next book. While a few of the "surprises" felt predictable, this was a wonderfully written book. I love Brienna and her growth through the book, as she embraces both sides of her heritage. I couldn't put the book down. Cartier was fun to read as he bantered with Brienna and I just hoped for them to tell each other how they obviously felt. I hope the next book is as captivating as this story was.