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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Bullying, Suicide
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
My goal for this year is to re read all my favourite fantasy series from when I was in 5th-7th grade. Hence, this.
I was super nervous going into this cause I loved these books when I was younger but it mostly lived up to my expectations. There was only like 2 things that I didn’t quite like: some of the writing felt underdeveloped and the explanation for some things was kinda iffy but I know that we do get more explanation as the series goes so? And this was the authors first book.
It was such a weird feeling to re read it, almost as if It’s a time capsule of my younger self? It kinda made me remember what I felt when I read it and what was happening in my life? Also how much 5th grade me loved Kaiden James.
Anyway, definitely lived up to most of my expectations, obviously there are some parts that I didn’t enjoy but still a good book. Keeping in mind that the memories and the nostalgia may be hindering my review.
4.5 stars? Maybe 4.3?
I was super nervous going into this cause I loved these books when I was younger but it mostly lived up to my expectations. There was only like 2 things that I didn’t quite like: some of the writing felt underdeveloped and the explanation for some things was kinda iffy but I know that we do get more explanation as the series goes so? And this was the authors first book.
It was such a weird feeling to re read it, almost as if It’s a time capsule of my younger self? It kinda made me remember what I felt when I read it and what was happening in my life? Also how much 5th grade me loved Kaiden James.
Anyway, definitely lived up to most of my expectations, obviously there are some parts that I didn’t enjoy but still a good book. Keeping in mind that the memories and the nostalgia may be hindering my review.
4.5 stars? Maybe 4.3?
Embrace the Wonder. Oh, did I ever! I was gifted a signed and personalised copy of this wonderfully majestic book from my lovely friend Rachel (thank you so much ) and I instantly adored this book and Alex as soon as I picked it up! Furthermore, as I was reading it and found myself obsessing over the story more and more, it became apparent to me that I hadn’t fallen so hard for a series since I became obsessed with The Shadowhunter Chronicles!
Akarnar, in my opinion, is just the perfect book! When I was reading it, I had the biggest smile on my face, loving Alex’s awkwardness, sheer relatability and just how natural she leapt off the page! I adore her friends too, Jordan and Bear are equally instantly loveable, their interactions so much fun (and Bear’s family is just so precious too! His little sister and Alex just had such cute scenes!) and I was absolutely also loving the development and eventual bond that bloomed between Alex and D.C! To say I’m excited to read the next installment is an understatement! Akarnae has hands down become a new all time favourite book, for I was just filled with so much awe and excitement and hope whilst I was reading it!! I’ve recommended this book to a fair few people since starting it, and just gushed at the sheer magic that it holds!! Its perfection!!
The world of The Medoran Chroniclesis just so lush and vast in how it’s written, I felt like I was right there with Alex being able to see this beautiful world unfold right before our eyes! I mean, who doesn’t dream of opening a door to a whole new magical realm! With a Library that talks, no less! Of course, when Alex finds herself enrolled in an academy for the gifted- she thinks she’s perfectly ordinary and slightly freaked out – which is perfectly reasonable, I think we would all be! But as she learns more about Medora and that indeed she is experiencing more adventure and awe than she could have imagined! It was just phenomenal and so exciting to find out more about what Alex’s gift would be, and reading about her friends gifts too! I won’t say who, but one character reveals that they have prophetic dreams, which is so exciting! I can’t wait to read more about everyone!! I love the staff at the Academy too, especially Fletcher, who was just so warm and lovely and so eager to help Alex, you can tell how much he cares for his students and wants to help them heal! I especially loved the descriptions of his tonics that he gave the students!
I found myself practically fangirling over every little detail in this book- from how Alex and her friends can summon food at the tap of a screen, to when it’s the holiday period and they visit an establishment where everything is all rooftop accessible and everything in between!! I was instantly intrigued by the wickedly charming but definitely menacing Maven too, and I’m definitely excited/nervous for more of him in the future books!!
I know I’ll be long thinking about this brilliant first installment in The Medoran Chronicles for a good while to come and that it will put the biggest smile on my face as I recall Alex’s first of many adventures!
Though I know I’ll be picking up Raelia almost immediately too ;)
Akarnar, in my opinion, is just the perfect book! When I was reading it, I had the biggest smile on my face, loving Alex’s awkwardness, sheer relatability and just how natural she leapt off the page! I adore her friends too, Jordan and Bear are equally instantly loveable, their interactions so much fun (and Bear’s family is just so precious too! His little sister and Alex just had such cute scenes!) and I was absolutely also loving the development and eventual bond that bloomed between Alex and D.C! To say I’m excited to read the next installment is an understatement! Akarnae has hands down become a new all time favourite book, for I was just filled with so much awe and excitement and hope whilst I was reading it!! I’ve recommended this book to a fair few people since starting it, and just gushed at the sheer magic that it holds!! Its perfection!!
The world of The Medoran Chroniclesis just so lush and vast in how it’s written, I felt like I was right there with Alex being able to see this beautiful world unfold right before our eyes! I mean, who doesn’t dream of opening a door to a whole new magical realm! With a Library that talks, no less! Of course, when Alex finds herself enrolled in an academy for the gifted- she thinks she’s perfectly ordinary and slightly freaked out – which is perfectly reasonable, I think we would all be! But as she learns more about Medora and that indeed she is experiencing more adventure and awe than she could have imagined! It was just phenomenal and so exciting to find out more about what Alex’s gift would be, and reading about her friends gifts too! I won’t say who, but one character reveals that they have prophetic dreams, which is so exciting! I can’t wait to read more about everyone!! I love the staff at the Academy too, especially Fletcher, who was just so warm and lovely and so eager to help Alex, you can tell how much he cares for his students and wants to help them heal! I especially loved the descriptions of his tonics that he gave the students!
I found myself practically fangirling over every little detail in this book- from how Alex and her friends can summon food at the tap of a screen, to when it’s the holiday period and they visit an establishment where everything is all rooftop accessible and everything in between!! I was instantly intrigued by the wickedly charming but definitely menacing Maven too, and I’m definitely excited/nervous for more of him in the future books!!
I know I’ll be long thinking about this brilliant first installment in The Medoran Chronicles for a good while to come and that it will put the biggest smile on my face as I recall Alex’s first of many adventures!
Though I know I’ll be picking up Raelia almost immediately too ;)
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Writing was a little off, but it lived up to its description
While I loved the story of the book and couldn’t put it down, I found the writing to be somewhat simplistic at times. Would recommend for young adults. Good for a quick/ easy read for adults.
So so fun! Super enjoyable and gave like harry potter vibes which i loved :)) legit havent seen this talked about anywhere so thanks Han for the recommendation xx
A bit rough but undeniably charming and with a lot of heart. My main issue was that for the first half the protagonist's motivations and goals were extremely lacking--the book later told (note: told, not showed) us that her big character conflict was whether to go home or stay in fantasyland, but it landed very flat for me because in the early parts of the book there was never a real sense that Alex *wanted* to go home, or indeed, wanted anything much. I also can't help but agree with other reviewers that her two male insta-BFFs were basically interchangeable, and in fact that you could remove dialogue tags from any scene with any and/or all of the trio and you'd be incapable of figuring out who was talking. Nevertheless it's a refreshingly light, optimistic read in a YA fantasy market with so much that's #edgy and #dark.