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4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
adventurous
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:
No
adventurous
medium-paced
I tried. I swear I really tried to get into the book. In general, Seven Realms sounds like something I would definitely like and even come to love, eventually. But something is just not clicking with me personally. Don’t get me wrong, the book was quite… interesting, but I felt nothing. Not for the plot, the characters—seriously, I couldn’t care less for any of it. I don’t even have a champion side character (but Cat Tyburn comes close). I think it’s the writing style, maybe? I don’t know, I’m at a loss. Really. Anyway, moving on to the actual review and less rambling.
After fleeing from her supposed marriage in the Fells, Raisa comes with Amon and his triple to Wein House, a military school. Similarly, Han goes to the neighboring school for wizards Mystwerk House alongside Fire Dancer. And there, they hone their skills in their designated crafts, all the while trying to keep a low profile to remain unrecognized.
Again, there is no clear plot to the book. It’s mostly Han and Raisa adjusting to their new school, some bullies, more learning, and a lot of romances. But, there are some more easter eggs, if that’s what you want to call it, about what is to come. Tensions are high back in the Fells and the neighboring kingdoms, Tamron and Arden. Basically, more political intrigue and worldbuilding.
Another thing is that if this were a film, there would be a lot of montages. Most of the development in their skills (i.e. Raisa’s training, Han learning to use magic, etc.) and character happens off-screen. Mostly, we get a lengthy explanation or internal monologue worth a lot of paragraphs to explain their progress. Maybe I’m just nitpicking, but it really put me off. For example, whenever Han learns magic, it basically goes like this “the master teaches Han the incantation, Han repeats it, he succeeds”. That kind of thing made me feel like there was a lack of development.
Also, Han Alister doesn’t seem like an ex-street lord. Honestly, he isn’t careful and could sometimes be too trusting. How did this guy become a street lord? He seems a bit of a fool to me. Maybe it’s the territory, but still. His decisions don’t exactly scream “I was a feared street lord, cower before me”.
As for Raisa, well, I’m glad she had character development. From a sheltered princess to a capable cadet. She can fight now, apparently. A thing that irked me was the number of people who were oh so very grateful to the princess who established the Briar Rose Ministry. It seems like she’s being praised a lot for one (1) project she did for the masses. It’s literally the bare minimum. But then again, maybe that’s the message. The masses rejoice for the bare minimum.
I won’t even try to comment on the romance. Everyone keeps jumping from person to person. It’s like high school over again. Been there, done that. No, thank you. I don’t want a repeat. I’ll be here for the plot and nothing else.
Regardless of all the things that I disliked, I’m still interested to see how it all comes together and eventually ends. As I said, the book was still quite interesting, just off-putting at times.
After fleeing from her supposed marriage in the Fells, Raisa comes with Amon and his triple to Wein House, a military school. Similarly, Han goes to the neighboring school for wizards Mystwerk House alongside Fire Dancer. And there, they hone their skills in their designated crafts, all the while trying to keep a low profile to remain unrecognized.
Again, there is no clear plot to the book. It’s mostly Han and Raisa adjusting to their new school, some bullies, more learning, and a lot of romances. But, there are some more easter eggs, if that’s what you want to call it, about what is to come. Tensions are high back in the Fells and the neighboring kingdoms, Tamron and Arden. Basically, more political intrigue and worldbuilding.
Another thing is that if this were a film, there would be a lot of montages. Most of the development in their skills (i.e. Raisa’s training, Han learning to use magic, etc.) and character happens off-screen. Mostly, we get a lengthy explanation or internal monologue worth a lot of paragraphs to explain their progress. Maybe I’m just nitpicking, but it really put me off. For example, whenever Han learns magic, it basically goes like this “the master teaches Han the incantation, Han repeats it, he succeeds”. That kind of thing made me feel like there was a lack of development.
Also, Han Alister doesn’t seem like an ex-street lord. Honestly, he isn’t careful and could sometimes be too trusting. How did this guy become a street lord? He seems a bit of a fool to me. Maybe it’s the territory, but still. His decisions don’t exactly scream “I was a feared street lord, cower before me”.
As for Raisa, well, I’m glad she had character development. From a sheltered princess to a capable cadet. She can fight now, apparently. A thing that irked me was the number of people who were oh so very grateful to the princess who established the Briar Rose Ministry. It seems like she’s being praised a lot for one (1) project she did for the masses. It’s literally the bare minimum. But then again, maybe that’s the message. The masses rejoice for the bare minimum.
I won’t even try to comment on the romance. Everyone keeps jumping from person to person. It’s like high school over again. Been there, done that. No, thank you. I don’t want a repeat. I’ll be here for the plot and nothing else.
Regardless of all the things that I disliked, I’m still interested to see how it all comes together and eventually ends. As I said, the book was still quite interesting, just off-putting at times.
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
No sé si a mí me dieron una copia defectuosa, pero la verdad es que no le encontré la genialidad a este libro. Se me hizo bastante cansado leerlo, sí tiene buenos momentos pero la mayor parte del tiempo se me hizo tedioso. A mí parecer los personajes son bastante inconsistentes. Creo que esperaba más de este libro :/.
This review may contain spoilers for The Demon King.
I enjoyed The Demon King, but I did not love it. However after reading it, I was desperate for the next book in the series. Thanks to my fabulous local library, I was able to get this book in fairly quickly. After finishing this, I am now a solid, adoring fan of the series. This is becoming a fantastic fantasy series that definitely places among my favorites.
The book continues to narrate from mainly Raisa and Hans’ POV, which lets the reader to really experience their respective journeys. As I read, I fell even more in love with them both. They grow so much both as maturing characters mentally and becoming warriors physically. I think what I find the most admirable about them is their strength. Raisa has to sacrifice so much, and yet, she is always determined to find a way to help her country. Hans has suffered the deaths of his family members, but he uses his grief to propel him forward in life. Once again, the secondary characters threaten to steal the spotlight with the realistic way they are portrayed. That is such an impressive feat.
The stakes are raised as the realm falls into even more turmoil. Unfortunately, Raisa, Hans, and their allies also have to deal with the war in . As they both unknowingly journey to Oden’s Ford, they are faced by circumstances that test their courage and control. The pacing of this book is much more intense than the first book. Whereas The Demon King felt somewhat slow at times, The Exiled Queen just rushes onward. From the moment I began reading, I had a lot of trouble putting this book down.
Overall I found this to be a sequel that not only equaled its predecessor, but it also surpassed it. I absolutely and completely loved this book, and I have found myself to be a huge fan of the series. I am dying to read the next book! I was even too impatient to wait to get it on-loan, and I have gone ahead an ordered it. I would highly recommend this series to fans of high fantasy. Those who have enjoyed the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini may enjoy this.
First read: September 21, 2011.
I enjoyed The Demon King, but I did not love it. However after reading it, I was desperate for the next book in the series. Thanks to my fabulous local library, I was able to get this book in fairly quickly. After finishing this, I am now a solid, adoring fan of the series. This is becoming a fantastic fantasy series that definitely places among my favorites.
The book continues to narrate from mainly Raisa and Hans’ POV, which lets the reader to really experience their respective journeys. As I read, I fell even more in love with them both. They grow so much both as maturing characters mentally and becoming warriors physically. I think what I find the most admirable about them is their strength. Raisa has to sacrifice so much, and yet, she is always determined to find a way to help her country. Hans has suffered the deaths of his family members, but he uses his grief to propel him forward in life. Once again, the secondary characters threaten to steal the spotlight with the realistic way they are portrayed. That is such an impressive feat.
The stakes are raised as the realm falls into even more turmoil. Unfortunately, Raisa, Hans, and their allies also have to deal with the war in . As they both unknowingly journey to Oden’s Ford, they are faced by circumstances that test their courage and control. The pacing of this book is much more intense than the first book. Whereas The Demon King felt somewhat slow at times, The Exiled Queen just rushes onward. From the moment I began reading, I had a lot of trouble putting this book down.
Overall I found this to be a sequel that not only equaled its predecessor, but it also surpassed it. I absolutely and completely loved this book, and I have found myself to be a huge fan of the series. I am dying to read the next book! I was even too impatient to wait to get it on-loan, and I have gone ahead an ordered it. I would highly recommend this series to fans of high fantasy. Those who have enjoyed the Inheritance series by Christopher Paolini may enjoy this.
First read: September 21, 2011.
This book had many twists and turns. At time I felt as though I was sitting on the edge of my seat. This went on right up to the end of the book where I am eager to find out what will happen with the exiled queen alone in No Man's Land and her champions hot in pursuit.