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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
I really enjoy Maria V. Snyder's stories. I'll be on the look out for the next in the series.
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:
N/A
This is a tough one to rate. I really loved how this was going, but after about 150 pages it all started going downhill. a shame because I was really loving the characters, and the development that was going on was getting really good. I lost a lot of interest once a few characters were introduced, and then the big-bad guy was brought in and I was done. I had trouble reading on, and it got boring fast. It wasn't until the last 40 pages or so that I was interested again. Even then, the way things developed in the end was a cop-out. No real reason on how or why it happened, and it's just brushed off. I don't think I'll be continuing with these books though, as there was just too much not happening, and I can get a general idea of what to expect next.
Adored this book. About to devour its sequels in record time.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Confinement, Death
Minor: Death of parent
3.5
The first few chapters were great! The world was set up, there was danger and the magic system was explained. I love the way healers take the pain and injuries off the people they heal and suffer with it themselves, but heal much faster so don't die. It was such an interesting concept.
Unfortunately, after that until around 150 pages in the plot kinda died. It was a lot of hiding in the forest. And not much else. This did give us time to grow used to and like the other characters, but just so little happened. Each time they were nearly caught I was wising they would be as then it would get exciting.
Luckily I can say that after 150 pages the plot picked up and was great! Really interesting with lots of twists, betrayals and more character development too.
The other issue, there was a lot that didn't seem fully explained. We see the effect Tohon has on Avery but I don't know really why that happens other than something to do with power. Doesn't make sense. And characters seemed to pop up in scenes they weren't in without really arriving. Also, a few betrayals didn't seem explained enough to be fully believable. These criticisms only happened a few times, but enough to knock my rating down a bit.
Looking forward to the next book and seeing how the peace and death lily stuff plays out as that is really interesting.
Tropes: found family and enemies to lovers slow burn romance
Full series review
The issues with the first book are well worth overlooking for the rest of the series. There is a complex, surprising and thoroughly interesting plot throughout the trilogy. The characters and especially the villains have depth and we have a morally grey villain in Tohon. I would really recommend this fantasy trilogy!
The first few chapters were great! The world was set up, there was danger and the magic system was explained. I love the way healers take the pain and injuries off the people they heal and suffer with it themselves, but heal much faster so don't die. It was such an interesting concept.
Unfortunately, after that until around 150 pages in the plot kinda died. It was a lot of hiding in the forest. And not much else. This did give us time to grow used to and like the other characters, but just so little happened. Each time they were nearly caught I was wising they would be as then it would get exciting.
Luckily I can say that after 150 pages the plot picked up and was great! Really interesting with lots of twists, betrayals and more character development too.
The other issue, there was a lot that didn't seem fully explained. We see the effect Tohon has on Avery but I don't know really why that happens other than something to do with power. Doesn't make sense. And characters seemed to pop up in scenes they weren't in without really arriving. Also, a few betrayals didn't seem explained enough to be fully believable. These criticisms only happened a few times, but enough to knock my rating down a bit.
Looking forward to the next book and seeing how the peace and death lily stuff plays out as that is really interesting.
Tropes: found family and enemies to lovers slow burn romance
Full series review
The issues with the first book are well worth overlooking for the rest of the series. There is a complex, surprising and thoroughly interesting plot throughout the trilogy. The characters and especially the villains have depth and we have a morally grey villain in Tohon. I would really recommend this fantasy trilogy!
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
An intriguing book, but I feel Snyder missed out on a lot of opportunities to really evoke some emotion in her readers. Very often events will occur in a rather bland and unexciting way, rendering the unexpected death of a favourite character or a nasty surprise almost dull. A shame, as there is real potential for some heart-wrenching moments and even a few tears. Still a pretty good plot and I'm reasonably inclined to read the second one.
Finally, a female main character who isnt annoying or rude. I love how shes so compassionate and willing to pour herself out for others.
However, I think it's messed up how they had sex at the end. Wasn't she feeling sick and like dying? When you have fever, headaches, vomits and diarrhea, it's probably not a good time to have a sexy time.
However, I think it's messed up how they had sex at the end. Wasn't she feeling sick and like dying? When you have fever, headaches, vomits and diarrhea, it's probably not a good time to have a sexy time.
It wasn´t my highlight of the year, but still a very enjoyable book. The story was interesting and I really liked Avery as the main protagonist. She felt real to me and I liked how she was strong in a more quieter way. The book was also pretty humorous sometimes and I was very fond of the slow burning romance. It wasn´t heavy at all which I always appreciate in books.
My only (little) problem was that I found the story to be a bit predictable. Certain betrayals and plotlines couldn´t surprise me and I was even annoyed by the characters being so slow in discovering them.
I still want to read the rest of this series, but not right away. I definitely recommend this book for fantasy lovers who like a touch of royalty and political intrigue in their books.
My only (little) problem was that I found the story to be a bit predictable. Certain betrayals and plotlines couldn´t surprise me and I was even annoyed by the characters being so slow in discovering them.
I still want to read the rest of this series, but not right away. I definitely recommend this book for fantasy lovers who like a touch of royalty and political intrigue in their books.