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painandpages's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
sjeast17's review
2.0
I desperately wanted to like this book. The premise showed so much promise: Caia has the power of necromancy, like her older sister, her mother, and others in the Blackthorn family, but she doesn't want it. Unfortunately, she and her sister, Lavine, are pawns to King Arcturus in Noverim. Also, I liked the concept of magic following family lines, like the Blackthorn family having necromancy.
When I started the book, I thought she already had this power. Instead, in this world, a magical power does not present itself until the person turns eighteen. So we begin the story with Caia turning eighteen and the presentation of her magical power, which does not manifest, leading her to question her paternity. While it was intriguing that a person doesn't obtain magical power until their eighteenth birthday, it could be problematic with a lack of training, questioning how they could control their magic.
Little does Caia know, her sister has planned for them to escape. Her sister's act begins a series of events where I feel Caia is lead along more than leading or making decisions. For the majority of the story, it seemed as if other characters, such as Lavine, Galen, or Rigel, made most of the decisions while she, for the most part, decides to go along. As a reader, it sets Caia up as a weak character who follows the decisions of others and cannot see the solution to problems more than making decisions, making mistakes from which she learns and grows, or coming up with a solution. Even at a moment when hope seems lost, the way out of the "dilemma" is conveniently revealed and required no work on the part of Caia. The decision to rescue her sister is the only time I can recall her making a decision and going against the advice of others, to great detriment. Momentarily it gave me some hope that Caia was taking more action. However, she fails to make a plan in how she will rescue her sister, only that she must try. After that, I had hoped Caia would begin to grow and change, making more decisions and learning from mistakes.
Also, the big reveal toward the end, the way King Arcturus can control so many, seems stretched, opening the world to abuse of magic with a loss of free will.
As for the writing, I found it very hard to get into the characters. Instead of the characters showing their emotions, the author chooses to tell them. When Galen realizes his depth of feeling for Caia, it was a surprise, as it wasn't implied or indicated prior through his actions toward her.
I do encourage the author to continue writing. This story still has a lot of promise. Caia can learn and grow as a character by making decisions and learning from mistakes. Also, show more of the emotions of the characters, instead of telling the reader, by using body cues that imply the feeling.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
When I started the book, I thought she already had this power. Instead, in this world, a magical power does not present itself until the person turns eighteen. So we begin the story with Caia turning eighteen and the presentation of her magical power, which does not manifest, leading her to question her paternity. While it was intriguing that a person doesn't obtain magical power until their eighteenth birthday, it could be problematic with a lack of training, questioning how they could control their magic.
Little does Caia know, her sister has planned for them to escape. Her sister's act begins a series of events where I feel Caia is lead along more than leading or making decisions. For the majority of the story, it seemed as if other characters, such as Lavine, Galen, or Rigel, made most of the decisions while she, for the most part, decides to go along. As a reader, it sets Caia up as a weak character who follows the decisions of others and cannot see the solution to problems more than making decisions, making mistakes from which she learns and grows, or coming up with a solution. Even at a moment when hope seems lost, the way out of the "dilemma" is conveniently revealed and required no work on the part of Caia. The decision to rescue her sister is the only time I can recall her making a decision and going against the advice of others, to great detriment. Momentarily it gave me some hope that Caia was taking more action. However, she fails to make a plan in how she will rescue her sister, only that she must try. After that, I had hoped Caia would begin to grow and change, making more decisions and learning from mistakes.
Also, the big reveal toward the end, the way King Arcturus can control so many, seems stretched, opening the world to abuse of magic with a loss of free will.
As for the writing, I found it very hard to get into the characters. Instead of the characters showing their emotions, the author chooses to tell them. When Galen realizes his depth of feeling for Caia, it was a surprise, as it wasn't implied or indicated prior through his actions toward her.
I do encourage the author to continue writing. This story still has a lot of promise. Caia can learn and grow as a character by making decisions and learning from mistakes. Also, show more of the emotions of the characters, instead of telling the reader, by using body cues that imply the feeling.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
myunwrittendesires's review
3.0
3.5
I loved the characters, but it kind of got hard to follow along after a while. I didn't feel a lot of emotions in terms of romance. I do believe this story as so much potential and I'll still be continuing on with the series. Excited to see where Joy takes it!
I loved the characters, but it kind of got hard to follow along after a while. I didn't feel a lot of emotions in terms of romance. I do believe this story as so much potential and I'll still be continuing on with the series. Excited to see where Joy takes it!
readingelli's review
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Murder, Blood, and War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Necromancyamac_reads's review
3.0
There were several places in this work where it slowed down substantially, dragging out unnecessarily long. That being said, the premise for the story was interesting as was the world. The characters seemed bland with similar tones, adding to the drag of the book.
I received a copy of this work from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this work from Voracious Readers Only in exchange for my honest opinion.
boekensteeg's review
4.0
Note: I received an ARC of this book from the author in exchange for a voluntarily and honest review.
Original review on my blog Boekensteeg
Wither Thorn is the first book in Joy Lewis' Crest of Blackthorn series and also her debut. The beautiful cover immediately attracted me and made me curious. What will Joy Lewis have in store for readers? Will the story be as beautiful as the cover?
When Caia shows no signs of magic on her eighteenth birthday, alarm bells ring in her head. How is this possible? Isn't this her real date of birth, or worse still isn't she her mother's child? Caia and her sister Lavine have been locked up in the castle of King Arcturus all her life and are trained to become the kingdom's most feared necromancers. But as soon as Caia fails to show her magic, she learns that the castle is not safe. With Lavine's help, she escapes and ends up in the outside world. Her only chance for freedom is to leave the country, and with the king's soldiers on her heels, she sets out on a journey to the border. Will Caia make it to the border? What will happen with Lavine? Will Caia's magic ever show?
Wither Thorn is a very adventurous book in which you get to know Caia really well. Because of the many twists and turns in the story, your attention keeps getting drawn.
In this story, themes such as imprisonment, abuse and murder come to the foreground. For example, the Blackthorn family, as necromancers, are held in the castle because of their gift to become the ultimate weapons.
What I really like is that the story has many strong characters. However, Caia seems to be more of a follower and she seems insecure, which makes her appear a weaker protagonist. However, it does become clear during the story, which makes her insecure. Caia undergoes enormous growth during the story and is therefore coming more and more into the foreground.
Joy Lewis has a fine writing style which makes the story easy to read. However, you really have to pay attention to the story in order to understand everything. As a result, this book is sometimes a bit slow to read, but it is certainly worth reading. Partly due to Caia's somewhat weaker character, the story sometimes comes across as a bit superficial. The story has a cliffhanger, so I am certainly curious about the second part called Soul Sworn that will be released on April 14th.
Original review on my blog Boekensteeg
Wither Thorn is the first book in Joy Lewis' Crest of Blackthorn series and also her debut. The beautiful cover immediately attracted me and made me curious. What will Joy Lewis have in store for readers? Will the story be as beautiful as the cover?
When Caia shows no signs of magic on her eighteenth birthday, alarm bells ring in her head. How is this possible? Isn't this her real date of birth, or worse still isn't she her mother's child? Caia and her sister Lavine have been locked up in the castle of King Arcturus all her life and are trained to become the kingdom's most feared necromancers. But as soon as Caia fails to show her magic, she learns that the castle is not safe. With Lavine's help, she escapes and ends up in the outside world. Her only chance for freedom is to leave the country, and with the king's soldiers on her heels, she sets out on a journey to the border. Will Caia make it to the border? What will happen with Lavine? Will Caia's magic ever show?
Wither Thorn is a very adventurous book in which you get to know Caia really well. Because of the many twists and turns in the story, your attention keeps getting drawn.
In this story, themes such as imprisonment, abuse and murder come to the foreground. For example, the Blackthorn family, as necromancers, are held in the castle because of their gift to become the ultimate weapons.
What I really like is that the story has many strong characters. However, Caia seems to be more of a follower and she seems insecure, which makes her appear a weaker protagonist. However, it does become clear during the story, which makes her insecure. Caia undergoes enormous growth during the story and is therefore coming more and more into the foreground.
Joy Lewis has a fine writing style which makes the story easy to read. However, you really have to pay attention to the story in order to understand everything. As a result, this book is sometimes a bit slow to read, but it is certainly worth reading. Partly due to Caia's somewhat weaker character, the story sometimes comes across as a bit superficial. The story has a cliffhanger, so I am certainly curious about the second part called Soul Sworn that will be released on April 14th.
daniclark's review
4.0
3.5⭐
I very much enjoyed this book. Wither Thorn is about Caia, a necromancer, one who can raise the dead. It follows Caia as she tries to escape from the King who has held both her and her sister captive because of their powers. She must try to master her powers before it's too late.
It's filled with adventure and twists and turns. The details of everything is absolutely amazing. You can get a clear picture of what is happening. Throughout the book at times, there does seem to be a bit of a lull, but if you can get through that it's worth it. Overall the book was a great fantasy read and I'd recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I very much enjoyed this book. Wither Thorn is about Caia, a necromancer, one who can raise the dead. It follows Caia as she tries to escape from the King who has held both her and her sister captive because of their powers. She must try to master her powers before it's too late.
It's filled with adventure and twists and turns. The details of everything is absolutely amazing. You can get a clear picture of what is happening. Throughout the book at times, there does seem to be a bit of a lull, but if you can get through that it's worth it. Overall the book was a great fantasy read and I'd recommend it!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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