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imaginethisreader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence and Blood
midknytowl's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Review for the series as a whole:
Bloody brilliant, 4.5/5 stars. You should read it, and I'm saddened no one I know has ever heard of it. (Though to be fair I have no idea how I stumbled on it myself.)
This first book is her debut novel, and it's perfectly fine but not as well written as the other ones. Of course it wouldn't be! But the storyline, the world building, the character development, everything gets better as the series goes on.
I was on the fence after Akarnae if I wanted to continue with the story - it was nice but series are such a commitment and all. So glad I decided to! I read the remaining five full length books in two weeks flat and am currently feeling the itch to reread them immediately now knowing everything going on in the background. (I will have self control. I will have self control.)
The nice thing too with it being a portal fantasy is you're not bombarded with a whole new complex world in the beginning like you often do with high fantasy. Everything is built on at a great pace throughout the series for the world to grow but not confuse. It's just so very well executed, outside of this first book being a bit rough and book 4.5 not being as polished. I'll take it.
Bloody brilliant, 4.5/5 stars. You should read it, and I'm saddened no one I know has ever heard of it. (Though to be fair I have no idea how I stumbled on it myself.)
This first book is her debut novel, and it's perfectly fine but not as well written as the other ones. Of course it wouldn't be! But the storyline, the world building, the character development, everything gets better as the series goes on.
I was on the fence after Akarnae if I wanted to continue with the story - it was nice but series are such a commitment and all. So glad I decided to! I read the remaining five full length books in two weeks flat and am currently feeling the itch to reread them immediately now knowing everything going on in the background. (I will have self control. I will have self control.)
The nice thing too with it being a portal fantasy is you're not bombarded with a whole new complex world in the beginning like you often do with high fantasy. Everything is built on at a great pace throughout the series for the world to grow but not confuse. It's just so very well executed, outside of this first book being a bit rough and book 4.5 not being as polished. I'll take it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Minor: Death, Suicide, and Medical content
ashleereadsbooks692's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Gore
Minor: War and Violence
ella_smith_'s review against another edition
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Reread: The book which started it all. Akarnae. AHHH! I love this book! I wanted to do a reread of the Medoran Chronicles but I did it in a weird order. I went Graevale, Vardaesia, Raelia, Akarne and tonight I'm going to read 'We Three Heroes' and then finish it all off with Draekora. THIS IS NOT THE ORDER TO READ THE BOOKS IN! If you read it like this the first time I think you will not even understand anything.
Ok, let's start the actual review. Like I said in my first review Akarnae follows the female protagonist Alexandra Jennings. Alex falls through a doorway which leads her to a new world! She makes friends and goes on all sorts of adventures!
This is true, she has lots of adventures in the library since it's like magical. One thing I remember clearly about this book is the library. BUT OMG AVEN WAS IN IT SO MUCH!!! LIKE WHAT? WHY DO I NOT REMEMBER HIM POPPING UP RANDOMLY. I was rereading and then he just showed up and I was like dude... LEAVE. I DO NOT LIKE U!
Bear! My wholesome favourite character from the first book! Bear is amazing along with Jordan but my fav is Bear in this book and then Jordan in Raelia and beyond. Bear is so funny and I think everyone forgot that. He isn't out right hilarious like Jordan but his little side comments always make me snicker.
Jordan is the best! Jordan is a life saver when it come to Alex needing to make up lies about questions people have about her. Jordan was so funny and I loved his character so much!
Seeing D.C being so mean after knowing what happens in the other book is hilarious to watch. D.C was my favourite character the first time I read this book because of her redemption arc. In Raelia I declared her my favourite character but obviously it changed when I read the whole series and realised that I loved Jeera. But the scene where Alex uses her gift and breaks free from Aven is just WOAH! It's written so well.
Combat Boys are the best people in the book. I LOVE DEM SO MUCH! DECLAN AND KAIDEN ESPECIALLY AND THAT'S PROBS BECAUSE I READ ALL THE BOOKS ALREADY BUT I REMEMBER LOVING KAIDEN FROM THE SCENE WHERE THEY QUOTE ON QUOTE DANCE.
I hate Marcus.
Darrius and Marselle are the same person OMG it's so predictable on the second read but I remember when I first read it I was like 'What? That makes so much sense.'
SIR CAMDEN IS THE BEST KNIGHT HANDS DOWN! I LOVE HIM!
Also what was with the jokes about Alex being hot and the D.C? Like Jordan and Bear are so funny since these are obviously sarcastic.
“Just so you’re aware, our kindness towards her isn’t purely out of our generous hearts, as large as they are,” Jordan said, sharing a mischievous grin with Bear. “It helps that she’s totally hot.”
“Jordan!” Alex laughed. “I can’t believe you just said that!”
He shrugged unashamedly. “It’s true.”
“You know, sometimes I wonder what you two say about me when I’m not around.”
“Only good things,” Bear said, patting her hand comfortingly.
“Very good things,” Jordan corrected, looking her up and down and winking at her.
“Perv,” she muttered, but she couldn’t help laughing with them.
But like foreshadowing towards Jordix!!! Also this moment when they called Alex hot just randomly.
“Come on, Alex, any guy with eyes would be interested in you,” Bear said, scooping up a handful of popcorn that they’d taken from the Rec Room earlier.
She choked out a startled laugh. “Excuse me?”
“Bear’s right,” Jordan agreed. “He’d have to be blind not to be interested.”
Alex felt strangely uncomfortable at the turn in the conversation and had trouble making eye contact with either of her friends. Did they think about her like that? That would be so awkward.
“Chill out, Alex,” Jordan said, nudging her with his elbow. His amusement showed all over his face when he said, “I never took you for someone who would get embarrassed so easily.”
“You know we think of you like a sister, Alex,” Bear said, also clearly amused. “You better not get all weird around us just because we can agree that you’re—”
“Okay, this conversation is so moving along now,” Alex interrupted, feeling heat blossom across her cheeks. “We were talking about Aven, remember?”
Lol I love the randomness. THIS BOOK IS FILLED WITH SO MUCH FRIENDSHIP so that's probably why I like it so much. Core 3 are amazing! Core 4 too and definitely Core 6 which we get none of cuz we get like one chapter of Core 4. But NOW I must insert my favourite scene of this book! The scene where Jordan is acting like he is annoyed at taking Alex to the library but really he just wanted to play a prank on her while he waited for Mel and Connor to leave and Bear to come back.
Bear looked at Jordan. “You didn’t tell her?”
Jordan laughed again. “Nah. I was having too much fun watching her worry about whether I was mad at her for missing dinner.”
Alex’s mouth dropped. “I was not!”
“Yes, you were,” Jordan said. “You’re so easy to read. You’d think by now you’d be used to the idea that we actually enjoy your company.” He looked at her with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. Then, in a brotherly gesture, he pulled her in for a rough hug. When he let her go he reached a hand upwards and messed with her hair.
Both her friends laughed at her indignant expression, which was highly ineffective since she now looked as if she’d just fallen out of bed.
“Ha ha ha,” she drawled. Annoyed as she was, she still couldn’t keep the smile off her face.
“You weren’t actually worried, were you?” Bear asked seriously. “About us not wanting to hang out with you?”
The thought had crossed her mind, but she only shrugged, feeling embarrassed.
“You should talk to us about that stuff, you know,” he told her. “We’re guys, so you have to clue us in from time to time.”
Jordan nodded his head in agreement. Alex didn’t think she’d ever seen either of them so serious before.
“Okay,” she said quietly.
Jordan reached out to tilt her head up, so she had no choice but to make eye contact. “Promise you’ll talk to us whenever you’re worried about something? No matter how big or small you think the problem is?”
“I promise,” she said, looking at them both.
“Good.” He released her chin. “That’s what friends are for.”
So yeah.. that's my review. It's amazing and I don't know if I should give it 5 stars or not... BUT IT'S SO PERFECT SO YEAH FIVE STARS!
First Review: This book is by far one of the best fantasy series I have read. The book follows the female protagonist Alexandra Jennings. Alex falls through a doorway which leads her to a new world! She makes friends and goes on all sorts of adventures! This book is one of my favourites and the character inside it are so amazing! Definitely one of my favourite books!
Ok, let's start the actual review. Like I said in my first review Akarnae follows the female protagonist Alexandra Jennings. Alex falls through a doorway which leads her to a new world! She makes friends and goes on all sorts of adventures!
This is true, she has lots of adventures in the library since it's like magical. One thing I remember clearly about this book is the library. BUT OMG AVEN WAS IN IT SO MUCH!!! LIKE WHAT? WHY DO I NOT REMEMBER HIM POPPING UP RANDOMLY. I was rereading and then he just showed up and I was like dude... LEAVE. I DO NOT LIKE U!
Bear! My wholesome favourite character from the first book! Bear is amazing along with Jordan but my fav is Bear in this book and then Jordan in Raelia and beyond. Bear is so funny and I think everyone forgot that. He isn't out right hilarious like Jordan but his little side comments always make me snicker.
Jordan is the best! Jordan is a life saver when it come to Alex needing to make up lies about questions people have about her. Jordan was so funny and I loved his character so much!
Seeing D.C being so mean after knowing what happens in the other book is hilarious to watch. D.C was my favourite character the first time I read this book because of her redemption arc. In Raelia I declared her my favourite character but obviously it changed when I read the whole series and realised that I loved Jeera. But the scene where Alex uses her gift and breaks free from Aven is just WOAH! It's written so well.
Combat Boys are the best people in the book. I LOVE DEM SO MUCH! DECLAN AND KAIDEN ESPECIALLY AND THAT'S PROBS BECAUSE I READ ALL THE BOOKS ALREADY BUT I REMEMBER LOVING KAIDEN FROM THE SCENE WHERE THEY QUOTE ON QUOTE DANCE.
I hate Marcus.
Darrius and Marselle are the same person OMG it's so predictable on the second read but I remember when I first read it I was like 'What? That makes so much sense.'
SIR CAMDEN IS THE BEST KNIGHT HANDS DOWN! I LOVE HIM!
Also what was with the jokes about Alex being hot and the D.C? Like Jordan and Bear are so funny since these are obviously sarcastic.
“Just so you’re aware, our kindness towards her isn’t purely out of our generous hearts, as large as they are,” Jordan said, sharing a mischievous grin with Bear. “It helps that she’s totally hot.”
“Jordan!” Alex laughed. “I can’t believe you just said that!”
He shrugged unashamedly. “It’s true.”
“You know, sometimes I wonder what you two say about me when I’m not around.”
“Only good things,” Bear said, patting her hand comfortingly.
“Very good things,” Jordan corrected, looking her up and down and winking at her.
“Perv,” she muttered, but she couldn’t help laughing with them.
But like foreshadowing towards Jordix!!! Also this moment when they called Alex hot just randomly.
“Come on, Alex, any guy with eyes would be interested in you,” Bear said, scooping up a handful of popcorn that they’d taken from the Rec Room earlier.
She choked out a startled laugh. “Excuse me?”
“Bear’s right,” Jordan agreed. “He’d have to be blind not to be interested.”
Alex felt strangely uncomfortable at the turn in the conversation and had trouble making eye contact with either of her friends. Did they think about her like that? That would be so awkward.
“Chill out, Alex,” Jordan said, nudging her with his elbow. His amusement showed all over his face when he said, “I never took you for someone who would get embarrassed so easily.”
“You know we think of you like a sister, Alex,” Bear said, also clearly amused. “You better not get all weird around us just because we can agree that you’re—”
“Okay, this conversation is so moving along now,” Alex interrupted, feeling heat blossom across her cheeks. “We were talking about Aven, remember?”
Lol I love the randomness. THIS BOOK IS FILLED WITH SO MUCH FRIENDSHIP so that's probably why I like it so much. Core 3 are amazing! Core 4 too and definitely Core 6 which we get none of cuz we get like one chapter of Core 4. But NOW I must insert my favourite scene of this book! The scene where Jordan is acting like he is annoyed at taking Alex to the library but really he just wanted to play a prank on her while he waited for Mel and Connor to leave and Bear to come back.
Bear looked at Jordan. “You didn’t tell her?”
Jordan laughed again. “Nah. I was having too much fun watching her worry about whether I was mad at her for missing dinner.”
Alex’s mouth dropped. “I was not!”
“Yes, you were,” Jordan said. “You’re so easy to read. You’d think by now you’d be used to the idea that we actually enjoy your company.” He looked at her with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. Then, in a brotherly gesture, he pulled her in for a rough hug. When he let her go he reached a hand upwards and messed with her hair.
Both her friends laughed at her indignant expression, which was highly ineffective since she now looked as if she’d just fallen out of bed.
“Ha ha ha,” she drawled. Annoyed as she was, she still couldn’t keep the smile off her face.
“You weren’t actually worried, were you?” Bear asked seriously. “About us not wanting to hang out with you?”
The thought had crossed her mind, but she only shrugged, feeling embarrassed.
“You should talk to us about that stuff, you know,” he told her. “We’re guys, so you have to clue us in from time to time.”
Jordan nodded his head in agreement. Alex didn’t think she’d ever seen either of them so serious before.
“Okay,” she said quietly.
Jordan reached out to tilt her head up, so she had no choice but to make eye contact. “Promise you’ll talk to us whenever you’re worried about something? No matter how big or small you think the problem is?”
“I promise,” she said, looking at them both.
“Good.” He released her chin. “That’s what friends are for.”
So yeah.. that's my review. It's amazing and I don't know if I should give it 5 stars or not... BUT IT'S SO PERFECT SO YEAH FIVE STARS!
First Review: This book is by far one of the best fantasy series I have read. The book follows the female protagonist Alexandra Jennings. Alex falls through a doorway which leads her to a new world! She makes friends and goes on all sorts of adventures! This book is one of my favourites and the character inside it are so amazing! Definitely one of my favourite books!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Blood
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