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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Dnf at pg. 217
The characters are so infuriating that I can't read this. I might try again later but from the main characters to her family to her fiancé to his family. This book is making me mad while reading it. Maybe I'm used to main characters standing up for themselves and fighting back against people that wronged them.
The characters are so infuriating that I can't read this. I might try again later but from the main characters to her family to her fiancé to his family. This book is making me mad while reading it. Maybe I'm used to main characters standing up for themselves and fighting back against people that wronged them.
medium-paced
It was, at first, difficult for me to like the FMC, with all her awkwardness, but she- and all the characters, honestly- grew on me. A little steam-punk, a little magic, a very interesting mythology: this is a recipe for a series I will continue.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For the first 40% of the book, I was unsure if it would be the book for me. The worldbuilding and magic systems were interesting, and the political intrigue bubbling in the background kept me interested, I was a little put off by the YA tropes being used to characterize the main character and her love interest. I was interested enough to finish the book, but I wasn't sure if I would read anymore afterwards.
However! I was delighted by the twists and, most importantly, by character development towards the second half of the book until the end. While Ophelia is presented as a really milquetoast, stereotypical YA protagonist, I feel that it is actually used to tell a compelling story, and the events of the book set her up to become someone with more depth and intrigue in future entries. Her personality actually did cause very real repercussions for her! The stakes were high, and the book did deliver on the consequences of her (and other's) mistakes.
I think that the severity and danger of Ophelia's position was well highlighted by the narrative. During her stint as a valet, its very clearly shown that If she won't value herself and take the reigns of her life, she will be forever abused and pushed around, with the very real risk that she will be discarded once the Pole is finished with her.
I really was surprised to see the story setting up Ophelia for a real comeback! She read like a totally different character at the end of the book, with good reason!
I'm looking forward to the next entry!
However! I was delighted by the twists and, most importantly, by character development towards the second half of the book until the end. While Ophelia is presented as a really milquetoast, stereotypical YA protagonist, I feel that it is actually used to tell a compelling story, and the events of the book set her up to become someone with more depth and intrigue in future entries. Her personality actually did cause very real repercussions for her! The stakes were high, and the book did deliver on the consequences of her (and other's) mistakes.
I really was surprised to see the story setting up Ophelia for a real comeback! She read like a totally different character at the end of the book, with good reason!
I'm looking forward to the next entry!
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
My biggest issue with this was with Ophelia. The writing was good; this was definitely a YA novel, but it didn’t read like one, which is a point in its favor for me. The world was also interesting, if a little underdeveloped, and the side characters were compelling. Ophelia, though, had almost no agency in the plot. It felt like everything in the book was just happening to her rather than her having any influence over it. I understand that the premise is that a new life is forced upon her, but it was like reading a documentary with an impartial, removed narrator. In the beginning, we saw glimmers of her personality and strength through some of the narration choices and dialogue, but even that was taken halfway through when she was made to be mute. This book was also just very slow. There were long stretches between any significant plot points, and when they did appear, they felt understated. I finished this book feeling interested in where the story was going and wanting to learn more about the side characters and the world, but I don’t know if that’s sufficient to persuade me to read the next installment.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Yk. It was very “first book in a fantasy series” and having just read the gripping and emotional “fifth season” by NK jemisen and the enjoyable and easy “Kiss of Deception” by Mary E Pearson I can’t help but compare it to those two. And it jsut doesn’t compare.
Still I had fun for the most part. An easy read. Setting up for the next few books which I will probably continue (thanks for Claire buddy reading it). I mean. It was alright.Act 2 felt kinda random to just make her be a servant who gets abused. Like just out of all the ways to explore the world it’s not a bad choice per se just felt a bit random? finally im calling it now. This girl is gay. Ophelia. Idek if SHE knows it yet but she is a raging lesbian and if she does somehow end up with Thorne I want a refund. Anyways over just felt … mid. But I will continue
Still I had fun for the most part. An easy read. Setting up for the next few books which I will probably continue (thanks for Claire buddy reading it). I mean. It was alright.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
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
DNF a la page 10 et j’avais 9 ans, j’ai pas dû tt accroché rip