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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
hopeful
slow-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
This book was such a slow starter for me. I forgot how plodding epic fantasy can be when you're building the world. I spent a TON of time skipping over things I found boring in Simon's life, because, well, I don't need to know for the 15th time that he was skipping chores or catching frogs. I was so surprised, halfway through the book, to find out that he wasn't a 12 year old boy!!! He read as very young to me, since my own boys are constantly catching creatures at 8 and 11.
I also find it so tedious when epic fantasy does the whole "elves were here first and so peaceful, but then humans invaded and pushed them out and now there are none left" storyline. Say what you will about the witcher series, at least the elves fight!
Overall though, I was hooked by the end and I'm definitely ready to finish this series. I'll probably go back and forth with the witcher books, since those are so hard to come by, currently.
I also find it so tedious when epic fantasy does the whole "elves were here first and so peaceful, but then humans invaded and pushed them out and now there are none left" storyline. Say what you will about the witcher series, at least the elves fight!
Overall though, I was hooked by the end and I'm definitely ready to finish this series. I'll probably go back and forth with the witcher books, since those are so hard to come by, currently.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
No
I wanted to enjoy this book after seeing how highly regarded it was, and how it inspired other fantasy series such as George R. R. Martin's ASOIAF, however I really struggled to engage with it.
My main issue was the pacing. The first third of the book is heavy on exposition and world-building, mostly delivered through stories and lessons given to Simon. While I appreciate rich lore, this section felt overly long and dragged out. It takes far too long for the story to truly begin, and even once it does, the plot progresses very slowly for such a long book. This is made worse by chapters that feel unnecessarily lengthy and meandering.
My main issue was the pacing. The first third of the book is heavy on exposition and world-building, mostly delivered through stories and lessons given to Simon. While I appreciate rich lore, this section felt overly long and dragged out. It takes far too long for the story to truly begin, and even once it does, the plot progresses very slowly for such a long book. This is made worse by chapters that feel unnecessarily lengthy and meandering.
Another problem is Simon himself. He's around fifteen and growing into adulthood however, he spends most of the book whining, misunderstanding the obvious, and generally coming off as frustratingly clueless. I understand he's young and inexperienced, but his lack of growth—or even basic awareness—made it hard for me to connect with him as a protagonist.
Overall, I found The Dragonbone Chair to be a slow and somewhat frustrating read. While the world is detailed, it wasn’t enough to make up for the pacing issues and my dislike of the main character.
2.75 stars
This may become one of my fav Fantasy Series of all Time.
The book is really slow at the first half were we only follow Simon but it is worth while , we know more about Simon and his frustrations and Innocence within him . We see as Simon grow as character and I'll tell you ending scene in this book is quite Intriguing .
The other thing I noticed here was the writing is really atmospheric and with the subtle background music in the audiobook which I was listening to its was truly immersive .
This maybe the only Fantasy book since Harry Potter that were I liked virtually all characters
I take back all I said.
Edit :- How wrong I was , I hate this series
This may become one of my fav Fantasy Series of all Time.
The book is really slow at the first half were we only follow Simon but it is worth while , we know more about Simon and his frustrations and Innocence within him . We see as Simon grow as character and I'll tell you ending scene in this book is quite Intriguing .
The other thing I noticed here was the writing is really atmospheric and with the subtle background music in the audiobook which I was listening to its was truly immersive .
This maybe the only Fantasy book since Harry Potter that were I liked virtually all characters
I take back all I said.
Edit :- How wrong I was , I hate this series
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Violence, Xenophobia, Murder