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gingercheddar's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
alexauthorshay's review against another edition
3.0
For some reason, I remembered Elsepth having gotten to the computermachines and destroying them already. I was wondering what the last two books could possibly be about, only to find that I forgot most of this book and aside from two key events, remembered absolutely nothing. Much more of Elspeth's quest is revealed in this book, but I have noticed the tendency to focus on certain issues in the beginning and to cram a bunch of Seeker prophecy elements in the last 50-100 pages. And, in the NA editions, there are only 2 books left. And yet her actual main quest is just getting started. It reminded me a fair bit of Harry Potter how the whole horcrux thing was mainly instituted in the last 2 books instead of being more spread out through all 7. I have yet to read the last 2 books, so I'm hoping the fresh stories will be more enjoyable.
I will say, however, that I have come to like Elspeth as a character much more by this book compared to the first one. She is more involved with people and what happens around her, and she takes more direct control in her choices. However, I still notice another heavy tendency of her describing things in the past tense when it comes to Elspeth needing to know how to do something. Two paragraphs are spent telling who instructed her and how and when, but it is never mentioned in any other book or earlier in the current one, so it's a really cheap save compared to introducing little bits here and there throughout the series.
I will say, however, that I have come to like Elspeth as a character much more by this book compared to the first one. She is more involved with people and what happens around her, and she takes more direct control in her choices. However, I still notice another heavy tendency of her describing things in the past tense when it comes to Elspeth needing to know how to do something. Two paragraphs are spent telling who instructed her and how and when, but it is never mentioned in any other book or earlier in the current one, so it's a really cheap save compared to introducing little bits here and there throughout the series.
sophusbofus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
nicolang's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
ashybear02's review against another edition
4.0
Mmmm another book down for the Obernewtyn chronicles. Great as usual! I wouldn't say it was my favourite out of the series. In some parts, it dragged on too long for my opinion and I found myself becoming bored with those parts. But all in all, great story and it makes me want to read The Sending right now!
georgia_pogson's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
emma_m's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved being able to see all the foreshadowing in this book. And now I am a bit older I am 100% more able to appreciate Isobelle Carmody's mastery in weaving all the plots of this story together in a way that doesn't over complicate things with unnecessary details. This book is overly long, and some of the writing is laughable, but I think this is the book I have forgotten the least from. So many of the things that happen in this book are BIG and impossible to forget. And the scene with Domick... I was in tears. Isobelle Carmody certainly doesn't shy away from massive losses for her main characters which makes the story so much more intense.
There were definitely some details in this book that I'd completely forgotten though, such as the theory that Salamander was Sadorian, and the stuff about the woman's room in Ariel's residence, and about how there were stories of a shining city further in the mountains ... my theories for the last book are developing. I can't wait to reread The Sending (although it will probably still take me ages) because I remember getting a lot of answers within that book and also reuniting with some familiar characters. Hopefully it won't take me quite as long as this book took.
There were definitely some details in this book that I'd completely forgotten though, such as the theory that Salamander was Sadorian, and the stuff about the woman's room in Ariel's residence, and about how there were stories of a shining city further in the mountains ... my theories for the last book are developing. I can't wait to reread The Sending (although it will probably still take me ages) because I remember getting a lot of answers within that book and also reuniting with some familiar characters. Hopefully it won't take me quite as long as this book took.