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4.26 AVERAGE
4.26 AVERAGE
4.25/5.00
This book carries a special significance to me as this was my first re-read book after starting to read fantasy/sci-fi books as a full time hobby. I missed the crazy fun adventure in these books and wanted to dive back into this world. It is so amazing how this book pushed aside all the new books I am reading to let me finish it a few days. This time, I fully audioboooked so that gave the speed and consistency.
Mother of learning is an excellent example of Progression Fantasy. To put it simply, this book is pure fun. There is not a single boring moment in this book. Despite using a well-worn time loop trope, this book is incredibly unpredictable. We meet so many great characters, and the plot is well designed. On my first re-read, I see how there are many easter-eggs for later plot and character development planted in this first book. I simply love Zorian and Kirielle, my favorite fantasy sibling relationship. Also loved Zorian-Zach early firendship, one of my favorite fantasy friendships. This authors does a phenomenal job of writing lovable and rootable characters with great flaws which they have to over come through the act of growing up. It is so heartwarming to see Zorian grow up...
I highly recommend it! I swear the narrator does a wonderful job of bringing one important character to life. A certain "matriarch". Fantastic!
Spoiler thoughts from my first read-through below:
Emotional Impact -> Total fun! Not a moment of boredom, rootable characters with relatable problems and an entirely unpredictable plot. Such a rare thing to see a character who is absolutely not the chosen one be the main protagonist. The story stands well representative of its central promise. "Repetition is the mother of learning".
Characters -> Favorite character - Zach! Is he gay/bi ? That will be fun to read. Loved the aranea matriarch! what a great spin on the Moiraine-type trope. There is also some good cultural worldbuilding from her, which is a suprising turn. Kirille, Kael are close comptetitors to the top characters. Zorian's character development is good. I'd say it can be better. There was a lot of telling and not showing with him. He is written so analytical compared to all other characters so it is hard to recognize his emotional growth. He does make some great strides with his sister and the matriarch. I really hope he grieves for the aranean spiders in the next book.
Plot -> Great plot. Some parts predictable, some entirely unpredictable. So much fun with the magic system!
Prose -> Here is where we drop to just average, or even below average. There is so much telling and not showing. A ton of information dumping. Casual prose, so causal it reads like it was written by an amateur. What a missed oppurtunity!
Worldbuilding -> THe magic system is primary focus of this book. It is very well done. Great hard-soft blend! Cultural worldbuilding is severely lacking, with the book hyper imited in scope because of the premise. But I think it would be unfair to judge a progression fantasy book like an epic fantasy book. Every moment with Zorian is so well earned. That moment when we telepathically talks into the taime (or the girl hier) is fire! Aranea spiders wow! So wonderfully complex! LOVE IT.
This book carries a special significance to me as this was my first re-read book after starting to read fantasy/sci-fi books as a full time hobby. I missed the crazy fun adventure in these books and wanted to dive back into this world. It is so amazing how this book pushed aside all the new books I am reading to let me finish it a few days. This time, I fully audioboooked so that gave the speed and consistency.
Mother of learning is an excellent example of Progression Fantasy. To put it simply, this book is pure fun. There is not a single boring moment in this book. Despite using a well-worn time loop trope, this book is incredibly unpredictable. We meet so many great characters, and the plot is well designed. On my first re-read, I see how there are many easter-eggs for later plot and character development planted in this first book. I simply love Zorian and Kirielle, my favorite fantasy sibling relationship. Also loved Zorian-Zach early firendship, one of my favorite fantasy friendships. This authors does a phenomenal job of writing lovable and rootable characters with great flaws which they have to over come through the act of growing up. It is so heartwarming to see Zorian grow up...
I highly recommend it! I swear the narrator does a wonderful job of bringing one important character to life. A certain "matriarch". Fantastic!
Spoiler thoughts from my first read-through below:
Spoiler
Emotional Impact -> Total fun! Not a moment of boredom, rootable characters with relatable problems and an entirely unpredictable plot. Such a rare thing to see a character who is absolutely not the chosen one be the main protagonist. The story stands well representative of its central promise. "Repetition is the mother of learning".
Characters -> Favorite character - Zach! Is he gay/bi ? That will be fun to read. Loved the aranea matriarch! what a great spin on the Moiraine-type trope. There is also some good cultural worldbuilding from her, which is a suprising turn. Kirille, Kael are close comptetitors to the top characters. Zorian's character development is good. I'd say it can be better. There was a lot of telling and not showing with him. He is written so analytical compared to all other characters so it is hard to recognize his emotional growth. He does make some great strides with his sister and the matriarch. I really hope he grieves for the aranean spiders in the next book.
Plot -> Great plot. Some parts predictable, some entirely unpredictable. So much fun with the magic system!
Prose -> Here is where we drop to just average, or even below average. There is so much telling and not showing. A ton of information dumping. Casual prose, so causal it reads like it was written by an amateur. What a missed oppurtunity!
Worldbuilding -> THe magic system is primary focus of this book. It is very well done. Great hard-soft blend! Cultural worldbuilding is severely lacking, with the book hyper imited in scope because of the premise. But I think it would be unfair to judge a progression fantasy book like an epic fantasy book. Every moment with Zorian is so well earned. That moment when we telepathically talks into the taime (or the girl hier) is fire! Aranea spiders wow! So wonderfully complex! LOVE IT.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Loved novelty..
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
slow-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
adventurous
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
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
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
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:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No