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thedragonwolf's review against another edition
4.0
Edit to add, 2024: re read this so I can go back and finish the rest of the series and honestly? This time around I think I enjoyed it more, it gave me angst and that’s all a girl can ask for *bumps up the star rating*
Not gonna lie, I was a bit disappointed in this. But to be fair, I think my expectation of it were way higher than they should've been. For starters, this gets recommended a lot to people who enjoyed Avatar the Last Airbender, and it's not hard to see why: this is, in general, a basic elemental magic system. There are a few things here and there that make the magic system a bit more intricate, but to be honest I don't think the magic system was explained enough. Part of it is that we follow Vhalla, who is new to magic, and since she doesn't know a lot about how magic works, neither do we. This is very much an introductory book, and based on the setting I'm not surprised we didn't have many chances to see how magic works, maybe in the next ones we will. Nonetheless, the magic system fell underwhelming, I cannot tell you what it is that these sorcerers do with the elements or what that looks like.
As for the story itself, the plot, up to like the 90% mark, was very simple: Vhalla discovers she's the first Windwalker in almost a century and a half and she must decide if she wants to pursue her magic or get rid of it. She drags making this decision for most of the book, and in the mean time not much happens. She develops a secret relationship with the Crown Prince, who is also a sorcerer, and while writing this review I cannot tell you many other things that happen that are important, and I finished this only a couple days ago. I'd say the last maybe 10% of the book is where the story picked up, things actually happened, the pace was faster, and I actually felt compelled to find out where the story was going.
This wasn't bad, per se, it just fell flat compared to what I wanted it to be. That last 10% kind of saved it for me enough that I'd want to continue the series, a big reason for that is because I got the complete series set already. I'm hoping that because of where the story is heading, the actions would pick up and the story would be more active and interesting.
*This book is part of my personal reading challenge for the summer 2021, #MHA30for30challenge. The goal is for me to read thirty books from my Kindle so that I can reward myself and buy the thirty volumes of the My Hero Academia manga series that are out so far, to my knowledge.
Not gonna lie, I was a bit disappointed in this. But to be fair, I think my expectation of it were way higher than they should've been. For starters, this gets recommended a lot to people who enjoyed Avatar the Last Airbender, and it's not hard to see why: this is, in general, a basic elemental magic system. There are a few things here and there that make the magic system a bit more intricate, but to be honest I don't think the magic system was explained enough. Part of it is that we follow Vhalla, who is new to magic, and since she doesn't know a lot about how magic works, neither do we. This is very much an introductory book, and based on the setting I'm not surprised we didn't have many chances to see how magic works, maybe in the next ones we will. Nonetheless, the magic system fell underwhelming, I cannot tell you what it is that these sorcerers do with the elements or what that looks like.
As for the story itself, the plot, up to like the 90% mark, was very simple: Vhalla discovers she's the first Windwalker in almost a century and a half and she must decide if she wants to pursue her magic or get rid of it. She drags making this decision for most of the book, and in the mean time not much happens. She develops a secret relationship with the Crown Prince, who is also a sorcerer, and while writing this review I cannot tell you many other things that happen that are important, and I finished this only a couple days ago. I'd say the last maybe 10% of the book is where the story picked up, things actually happened, the pace was faster, and I actually felt compelled to find out where the story was going.
This wasn't bad, per se, it just fell flat compared to what I wanted it to be. That last 10% kind of saved it for me enough that I'd want to continue the series, a big reason for that is because I got the complete series set already. I'm hoping that because of where the story is heading, the actions would pick up and the story would be more active and interesting.
*This book is part of my personal reading challenge for the summer 2021, #MHA30for30challenge. The goal is for me to read thirty books from my Kindle so that I can reward myself and buy the thirty volumes of the My Hero Academia manga series that are out so far, to my knowledge.
protestmyboredom's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I enjoyed this but it went so fast. I feel like not much happened. I’m curious to keep reading. It seems somewhat simplistic writing except for the character relationships which are complex and I enjoy.
diana123980's review against another edition
2.0
This had potential ok? But the inner monologue was something like this. "Why would x like silly young me when he could have anyone in the empire?" "oh I am not that pretty or talented but I do have some really cool unique powers" "Oh I should tell x that I like him / what I feel for him before he goes away but should I?"
livsdirelibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rizz_amae's review against another edition
5.0
I've been practically delaying reading this book for a year, and now I know that doing that was a good decision on my part, maybe? It was just that I wanted a break reading fantasy books about elemental magic. I've read a great elemental fantasy last year and by reading a new series with the same concept, I would've compared the two series relentlessly and would've made me overlook the potential of this book.
Anyway, I LOVED this book. I love the characterisations, the plot, the magic system. And I am in love with the characters: Vhalla Yarl, Prince Aldrik, Prince Baldair, Roan, Sareem, etc. They are their own characters with their own flaws.
Vhalla Yarl is a library apprentice, or was, until she manifested her potential as a sorcerer (someone who could control one of the four elements). Due to that reason, she discovered a whole new world and different kind of knowledge from those that she grew up with. She went through a lot in this book and, for sure, will grow up more in the next books.
I loved the interactions between Vhalla and Aldrik. I know that there are a lot of books about royalty and commoner's forbidden love but so what? I am a hopeless romantic so I love this kinds of things. Add to that the broken/dark prince trope and I will love the book with all my heart. Which is such the case of this book.
For those who is the same as me, I highly recommend this book.
Anyway, I LOVED this book. I love the characterisations, the plot, the magic system. And I am in love with the characters: Vhalla Yarl, Prince Aldrik, Prince Baldair, Roan, Sareem, etc. They are their own characters with their own flaws.
Vhalla Yarl is a library apprentice, or was, until she manifested her potential as a sorcerer (someone who could control one of the four elements). Due to that reason, she discovered a whole new world and different kind of knowledge from those that she grew up with. She went through a lot in this book and, for sure, will grow up more in the next books.
I loved the interactions between Vhalla and Aldrik. I know that there are a lot of books about royalty and commoner's forbidden love but so what? I am a hopeless romantic so I love this kinds of things. Add to that the broken/dark prince trope and I will love the book with all my heart. Which is such the case of this book.
For those who is the same as me, I highly recommend this book.
pink_panther25's review against another edition
4.0
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I will be posting a review of this book on my blog. Come check it out soon :)
I will be posting a review of this book on my blog. Come check it out soon :)
starbreather's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/5 stars. Several things to consider:
1. I can't help but think some aspects of this book are inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender. Perhaps more like "too similar", especially in the early parts of it. I was going to give up on the book, but a bit later the story changed and took a course of its own and I got hooked.
2. The world-building is not very convincing--I can't really pinpoint what makes this series' world distinguishable from other YA fantasy worlds.
That being said, I still had pleasure in reading the book--I'm glad I stuck with it. The way magic is described here is intriguing. I also did not initially know that the romance will be heavily incorporated to the main plot, but being a sucker for YA romance, I was pleasantly surprised. I'm very interested in how the story will turn out in the next books and hopelly Elise Kova will improve on her writing and worldbuilding!
1. I can't help but think some aspects of this book are inspired by Avatar: The Last Airbender. Perhaps more like "too similar", especially in the early parts of it. I was going to give up on the book, but a bit later the story changed and took a course of its own and I got hooked.
2. The world-building is not very convincing--I can't really pinpoint what makes this series' world distinguishable from other YA fantasy worlds.
That being said, I still had pleasure in reading the book--I'm glad I stuck with it. The way magic is described here is intriguing. I also did not initially know that the romance will be heavily incorporated to the main plot, but being a sucker for YA romance, I was pleasantly surprised. I'm very interested in how the story will turn out in the next books and hopelly Elise Kova will improve on her writing and worldbuilding!
rozz_'s review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0