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meowzik's review
3.0
First of all, how pretty is that cover (no, that's not why I picked this book up at all)? I'm not super keen on fairy/faerie's, so I went into this thinking I'd hate it. I was pleasantly surprised - I thought the characters were fleshed out nicely, the dual perspectives made it interesting and overall, I quite liked it. I thought a bit too much time was spent on the romance where it could have been better used on the plot, but despite that, it was a good start.
corieob's review
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the start to this series I have yet to delve in to the fae world of YA. I was super impressed by the character development and how quickly I was invested in the story. I really loved Taylor I had an instant bond with him. Watching him fall for Elora allowed me to do the same.
I loved the use of magic and lore in this book.
I can't wait for more!
I really enjoyed the start to this series I have yet to delve in to the fae world of YA. I was super impressed by the character development and how quickly I was invested in the story. I really loved Taylor I had an instant bond with him. Watching him fall for Elora allowed me to do the same.
I loved the use of magic and lore in this book.
I can't wait for more!
diaryofthebookdragon's review
3.0
I started reading The Last Changeling expecting nothing more than a little entertainment, a light paranormal story and hopefully sweet romance. I got much much more. Contrary to what pretty cover and summary lead me to believe, The Last Changeling is not just another young adult novel.
In a lyrical, unusual style, that’s fit better for literal fiction than paranormal genre, Chelsea Pitcher weaves her magical web around us. Whether it’s the descriptions of nature or feelings, style of writing is not something you read every day.
"But late one night, death offered me an opportunity. She whispered dirty secrets in my ear and pulled back my eyelids with curling hands."
Narrators are Elora/Lora, fae princess, and Tyler, human boy. Every chapter switches perspective. You could not miss who is talking in each chapter, even if it was not written at the beginning. Taylor’s language is modern and short. Elora’s speech has archaic traces, reminded me of Shakespeare’s dialogues (if someone rewrote them for modern-themed Broadway show).
The story is typical. Fae princess comes in disguise to human high school and falls in love with a human boy. But the writing and the characters make The Last Changeling unique. I already mentioned the writing style. As for the characters, when people complain and tweet #WeNeedDiverseBooks – they are saying that more books should be like The Last Changeling. Homosexuality, bisexuality, peer pressure, drugs, bullying, dealing with loss of a family member, complex characters, … It’s all covered.
Sadly, all Chelsea Pitcher‘s talent was pretty much wasted on me. Someone would have enjoyed this book like a rare cup of exotic tea. I sipped it, made face, concluded how I can see it’s good, but it’s not for me. I might even continue reading Faerie Revolutions series, since I am intrigued to find out what will happen next. But it feels kinda like a sacrilege reading and not enjoying it.
In The End…
The Last Changeling is not a book for everyone. But if you like writing styles with literal flare and are looking for a young adult paranormal novel with diverse cast of characters, then The Last Changeling might be the book you will enjoy.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
In a lyrical, unusual style, that’s fit better for literal fiction than paranormal genre, Chelsea Pitcher weaves her magical web around us. Whether it’s the descriptions of nature or feelings, style of writing is not something you read every day.
"But late one night, death offered me an opportunity. She whispered dirty secrets in my ear and pulled back my eyelids with curling hands."
Narrators are Elora/Lora, fae princess, and Tyler, human boy. Every chapter switches perspective. You could not miss who is talking in each chapter, even if it was not written at the beginning. Taylor’s language is modern and short. Elora’s speech has archaic traces, reminded me of Shakespeare’s dialogues (if someone rewrote them for modern-themed Broadway show).
The story is typical. Fae princess comes in disguise to human high school and falls in love with a human boy. But the writing and the characters make The Last Changeling unique. I already mentioned the writing style. As for the characters, when people complain and tweet #WeNeedDiverseBooks – they are saying that more books should be like The Last Changeling. Homosexuality, bisexuality, peer pressure, drugs, bullying, dealing with loss of a family member, complex characters, … It’s all covered.
Sadly, all Chelsea Pitcher‘s talent was pretty much wasted on me. Someone would have enjoyed this book like a rare cup of exotic tea. I sipped it, made face, concluded how I can see it’s good, but it’s not for me. I might even continue reading Faerie Revolutions series, since I am intrigued to find out what will happen next. But it feels kinda like a sacrilege reading and not enjoying it.
In The End…
The Last Changeling is not a book for everyone. But if you like writing styles with literal flare and are looking for a young adult paranormal novel with diverse cast of characters, then The Last Changeling might be the book you will enjoy.
Disclaimer: I received this ebook from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. This text is also posted on my blog Bookworm Dreams in a little bit more styled edition.
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Loved reading this book, getting to know this world and these characters, and I can't wait to read the sequel!
emsee33's review
3.0
THE LAST CHANGELING by Chelsea Pitcher is Ordinary People-meets-Maleficent – and if that sounds like a strange combination, that’s because it is. Almost all of the information given in the blurb on the back of the book is actually kept from the reader for more than a hundred pages, and Elora’s motives for attending a human high school are extremely vague.
Read the rest of this review on All Things Urban Fantasy.
Read the rest of this review on All Things Urban Fantasy.
thepaperreels's review
3.0
3.5!! You can also read my review here and on my blog!
You know why this is awesome? Because it's a Fantasy book with a message that needs to be heard. And that is hard to come by these days. Okay, let me explain.
Lora is the daughter of the Dark Queen but unlike her Mother, she actually care for their people and kingdom. Now she's planning to overthrow her own mother, the Dark Queen with the help of the Bright Queen. But the Bright Queen has one demand, and that is to get a mortal offering. Now, that should be easy for Lora.. but when she met Taylor, she didn't expect to like him.. or fall in love with him.
First of all, the writing is just plain lovely. This is my first from Chelsea Pitcher and I have to say that I loved her writing. I will be checking out her other books. She did a wonderful job voicing out Lora. It was humorous and enchanting. And Taylor is such a sweetie pie. I just want o pick him up and put him in my pocket or just hug him all day.
There's a lot going on in this book, and that can be a good or bad thing. I'm pretty much in the middle. Though, yes, I love the whole equality part and having diverse characters, but I felt that it was too focused in that aspect. I just want to hear more of the Faerie World and not just from Lora's story telling. But I want to experience it too. Though I agree with Taylor, every time Lora tells the story, you can't help but be enchanted and feel tranced. Maybe the whole LGBT theme should've been mentioned in the blurb so that readers will know. Anyway, it was handled well.
The Romance in my opinion is pretty tame and I really loved it. It's the kind of romance that you keep anticipating every chapter TO FINALLY HAPPEN and when it finally did, you just cry out of joy. It was slow burn and it was sweet and beautiful.
The ending was great. It wasn't that cliffy but it will really leave you wanting more. The scenes near the end was heart pumping and totally written well (the whole book, really) It also gave me the Faerie world that I really want to see. Hopefully, it will be more explored in the upcoming books. The Last Changeling is perfect for you if you're looking for a fantasy read with diverse characters, sweet romance and brilliant writing.
You know why this is awesome? Because it's a Fantasy book with a message that needs to be heard. And that is hard to come by these days. Okay, let me explain.
Lora is the daughter of the Dark Queen but unlike her Mother, she actually care for their people and kingdom. Now she's planning to overthrow her own mother, the Dark Queen with the help of the Bright Queen. But the Bright Queen has one demand, and that is to get a mortal offering. Now, that should be easy for Lora.. but when she met Taylor, she didn't expect to like him.. or fall in love with him.
First of all, the writing is just plain lovely. This is my first from Chelsea Pitcher and I have to say that I loved her writing. I will be checking out her other books. She did a wonderful job voicing out Lora. It was humorous and enchanting. And Taylor is such a sweetie pie. I just want o pick him up and put him in my pocket or just hug him all day.
There's a lot going on in this book, and that can be a good or bad thing. I'm pretty much in the middle. Though, yes, I love the whole equality part and having diverse characters, but I felt that it was too focused in that aspect. I just want to hear more of the Faerie World and not just from Lora's story telling. But I want to experience it too. Though I agree with Taylor, every time Lora tells the story, you can't help but be enchanted and feel tranced. Maybe the whole LGBT theme should've been mentioned in the blurb so that readers will know. Anyway, it was handled well.
"Equality doesn't work if it's only for some people"
The Romance in my opinion is pretty tame and I really loved it. It's the kind of romance that you keep anticipating every chapter TO FINALLY HAPPEN and when it finally did, you just cry out of joy. It was slow burn and it was sweet and beautiful.
The ending was great. It wasn't that cliffy but it will really leave you wanting more. The scenes near the end was heart pumping and totally written well (the whole book, really) It also gave me the Faerie world that I really want to see. Hopefully, it will be more explored in the upcoming books. The Last Changeling is perfect for you if you're looking for a fantasy read with diverse characters, sweet romance and brilliant writing.
elvenavari's review
2.0
A very simple read. This book had the makings of being a really good fantasy novel but there was just so much YA about it. Don't get me wrong, I love the YA genre and I know this is meant to be YA but it just had too much that made it YA, if that makes any sense. I couldn't connect with any of the characters and that's probably why I didn't like it much. At the end I was left with a very "meh" feeling.
urlphantomhive's review
3.0
Read all my reviews on http://urlphantomhive.booklikes.com
Elora is unhappy with her mother's, the Dark Queens, rule, so she's conspired with the Bright Queen to overthrow her. The Bright Queens wants an offering in return, Elora has to find a human boy who's a 'young leader of men' and bring him to her (God knows what she plans to do with him). As this obviously shows that the Bright Queen's rule will be splendidly peaceful and a huge improvement from the Dark Queen's, Elora decides to go undercover at the local high school to find just such a specimen. Real undercover, and flying around at night like real humans do all the time...
I'm not sure about The Last Changeling. On one hand it's definitely the best of the numerous faery books I've read this year (like Undertow, Faelorehn and The Winter People), probably because it doesn't focus on whiny girls who suddenly get stalked by too-goo-to-be-true guys. The story itself might not be the most original premise, but I was still interested in just how it would be done this time. I also liked the diversity of the characters, which might be in a wheelchair or LGTB.
But the characters in the end felt a bit flat. Like the ideas were good but it needed a bit more to make it feel real. Quite a large part of the book is actually about saving Prom, which wasn't what I was expecting in this fantasy novel. The ending was a bit messy for my liking and left me a bit confused. I think the second really will be necessary to figure out where the story is going. And, don't get me started about the romance. Of course you take the random girl you just met into your home because she's got no place to go, is perfectly normal. Even if she disappears at night. Just insta-love her and all will be fine. She would never take advantage of you! Oh, wait...
The Last Changeling is the first book in the Faerie Revolutions series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Elora is unhappy with her mother's, the Dark Queens, rule, so she's conspired with the Bright Queen to overthrow her. The Bright Queens wants an offering in return, Elora has to find a human boy who's a 'young leader of men' and bring him to her (God knows what she plans to do with him). As this obviously shows that the Bright Queen's rule will be splendidly peaceful and a huge improvement from the Dark Queen's, Elora decides to go undercover at the local high school to find just such a specimen. Real undercover, and flying around at night like real humans do all the time...
I'm not sure about The Last Changeling. On one hand it's definitely the best of the numerous faery books I've read this year (like Undertow, Faelorehn and The Winter People), probably because it doesn't focus on whiny girls who suddenly get stalked by too-goo-to-be-true guys. The story itself might not be the most original premise, but I was still interested in just how it would be done this time. I also liked the diversity of the characters, which might be in a wheelchair or LGTB.
But the characters in the end felt a bit flat. Like the ideas were good but it needed a bit more to make it feel real. Quite a large part of the book is actually about saving Prom, which wasn't what I was expecting in this fantasy novel. The ending was a bit messy for my liking and left me a bit confused. I think the second really will be necessary to figure out where the story is going. And, don't get me started about the romance. Of course you take the random girl you just met into your home because she's got no place to go, is perfectly normal. Even if she disappears at night. Just insta-love her and all will be fine. She would never take advantage of you! Oh, wait...
The Last Changeling is the first book in the Faerie Revolutions series.
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
b00kr3vi3ws's review
3.0
http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/2014/09/TheLastChangeling.html
Elora, the daughter of the Unseelie Queen, has made a pact with the Seelie Queen to rid of the centuries old feud between the courts and rid of the iron grip that the queen’s have on their courts. The Seelie Queen demands a sacrifice in exchange for her help… And to get that from the mortal world, Elora must become a mortal herself. Taylor has troubles of his own… He has the weight of his brother’s death on his shoulders and family issues to tackle on top of High School and other teenage drama. When these two souls find each other, they help each other to find what they need.
The characters in the story are all assigned to bring in certain flavours to the story. On one hand we have Elora who brings along her faerie world to us. Through her we see the humans in a different light. She has been brought up to believe that humans are despicable, yet when she meets Taylor, she is forced to consider other perspectives. Through Taylor we experience something more familiar. Teenage angst and the facets of a dysfunctional family are portrayed through him. Their friends bring on the social stigma and LGBT issues to light. The plot revolves around Elora trying to complete her quest by solving the riddle given by the Seelie Queen and Taylor’s influence on Elora. I would have loved to see a gradual build up of the romance instead of the instant attraction, especially since Elora is supposed to despise humans. This book is just the beginning of a series and most of it takes place in the mortal world with Elora as the sole connection. As such we get very little look into the actual faerie world and faeries themselves.
I wish we could have seen more of the faerie world instead of waiting for it for later in the series. I also wish the author had handled the Elora-Taylor love in a slower but developing manner. Overall, this turned out to be an average book.
Elora, the daughter of the Unseelie Queen, has made a pact with the Seelie Queen to rid of the centuries old feud between the courts and rid of the iron grip that the queen’s have on their courts. The Seelie Queen demands a sacrifice in exchange for her help… And to get that from the mortal world, Elora must become a mortal herself. Taylor has troubles of his own… He has the weight of his brother’s death on his shoulders and family issues to tackle on top of High School and other teenage drama. When these two souls find each other, they help each other to find what they need.
The characters in the story are all assigned to bring in certain flavours to the story. On one hand we have Elora who brings along her faerie world to us. Through her we see the humans in a different light. She has been brought up to believe that humans are despicable, yet when she meets Taylor, she is forced to consider other perspectives. Through Taylor we experience something more familiar. Teenage angst and the facets of a dysfunctional family are portrayed through him. Their friends bring on the social stigma and LGBT issues to light. The plot revolves around Elora trying to complete her quest by solving the riddle given by the Seelie Queen and Taylor’s influence on Elora. I would have loved to see a gradual build up of the romance instead of the instant attraction, especially since Elora is supposed to despise humans. This book is just the beginning of a series and most of it takes place in the mortal world with Elora as the sole connection. As such we get very little look into the actual faerie world and faeries themselves.
I wish we could have seen more of the faerie world instead of waiting for it for later in the series. I also wish the author had handled the Elora-Taylor love in a slower but developing manner. Overall, this turned out to be an average book.