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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Magnificent worldbuilding and characters, but the pacing was a bit off. Even the author acknowledged that this book was mostly set up, so I’m looking forward to the second book!
adventurous
dark
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
The first half of the book was hard to get through. The story and pacing felt off. The second was a lot stronger and finished on a high note.
Simplified summary:
What happens when a Chosen One gets snubbed?
Opening lines:
The boy liked Ventday best. He had always liked Ventday because on Ventday the processionals happened and there was no work when the processionals passed the farm.
Review:
Complete and total immersion from the very first chapter until the very last sentence. This is exactly what I want in a fantasy book! I was a bit frustrated with the plot from time to time as it felt like it was 2 steps forward and then 1 step back, but things came together really satisfyingly. But the world and atmosphere was incredibly rich I just wanted to cut it up and eat it! Fantastic book, can't wait to see where where else this story goes.
What happens when a Chosen One gets snubbed?
Opening lines:
The boy liked Ventday best. He had always liked Ventday because on Ventday the processionals happened and there was no work when the processionals passed the farm.
Review:
Complete and total immersion from the very first chapter until the very last sentence. This is exactly what I want in a fantasy book! I was a bit frustrated with the plot from time to time as it felt like it was 2 steps forward and then 1 step back, but things came together really satisfyingly. But the world and atmosphere was incredibly rich I just wanted to cut it up and eat it! Fantastic book, can't wait to see where where else this story goes.
My brain just couldn't engage with it right now. Will try again.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Torture
Well written, takes a while to get going, but is rewarding in the end
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.5. It's somewhat painful for me to give this such a score, I was indecisive when debating to read this book before I started, and the reviews boasting of its world building eventually sold it to me.
For me, the first two acts really shone, I was engrossed in the world and found it unique and captivating. The characters also progressed quite nicely, and I was heavily sold on it, however, and I'm not sure how things began to fall apart for me but it began to drag, the main character became more an annoyance than anything and I felt that his constant moral wrestling was tiresome, especially given some of the stakes it didn't make much sense to me, he was frustrating by the end and felt neutered.
The book repeats itself quite a bit, and I lost stamina and grew exhausted by it, though I do commend it on the first two acts. Oh well.
For me, the first two acts really shone, I was engrossed in the world and found it unique and captivating. The characters also progressed quite nicely, and I was heavily sold on it, however, and I'm not sure how things began to fall apart for me but it began to drag, the main character became more an annoyance than anything and I felt that his constant moral wrestling was tiresome, especially given some of the stakes it didn't make much sense to me, he was frustrating by the end and felt neutered.
The book repeats itself quite a bit, and I lost stamina and grew exhausted by it, though I do commend it on the first two acts. Oh well.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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:
Complicated
Just as good as it is hyped up to be. Heartbreaking and hopeful.
Not sure if it's the particular music I was listening to when I read (sped) through this book but when it ended, the last page made me feel so emotional, in the best way that fantasy can make a reader feel, like ending a long trip, opening the door to your quiet home, ready to sit down and ruminate. I definitely need to go back and re read for some of the finer details, esp on the world building (very unique). The style and prose is somewhat similar to the bone ships but Cahan is a very different type of character, and the tone is a bit more bleak in this one. It is pretty slow and it is long but ultimately I think it was worth it. In some way the story resembles the main characters temperament haha.
Some part of it is also definitely the amazingly done TBB edition.
Some part of it is also definitely the amazingly done TBB edition.