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alivaster's review
2.0
I got an ARC of “Child of the Dragon Prophecy” from Effie Stock in exchange for an honest review.
I want to start off by saying that I came to enjoy many aspects of the book as I continued to read, but there were plenty of parts in the beginning that affected my rating. For me, the first 138 pages of the book – Part One – felt slow and I felt like there were two stories in it that were fighting to be told: Stephania’s and Artigal’s – an elder centaur. I found myself waiting for the call to adventure and action to begin, which I didn’t feel like it happened until a lot later in the book – specifically in Part Two. I generally stop reading a book when the first 100 pages aren't able to fully capture my interest or if it feels less focused, but I’m glad I kept going because Part Two and Three of the book redeemed the book a little and I gave it back a star. Honestly, if it weren't for Part One, I'd probably give the book 4 stars rounded up. =)
Before I actually began this book, I thought that the main character was going to be focused on Stephania, the savoir child chosen for the Dragon Prophecy, and we were going to see the world and experience everything from her eyes. However, as I continued to read, I began to think that the story was also about an elder centaur’s experience and adventure within himself as he, Artigal, watched Stephania grow up. It’s because of this that I felt like there were actually two stories in Part One that were fighting to be told.
The beginning of the story started so early in Stephania’s life that I wondered about the significance because I felt that much of it could’ve been integrated later in the story. (Again, unless Part One was to see Artigal’s interaction with her and show the growth – or non-growth – of their relationship. Artigal ultimately tries to avoid her charms to avoid getting attached due to what happened in his own past?) While it was interesting seeing Stephania’s experience as a child, it also greatly slowed down the pace because I was waiting for the call to adventure, waiting for the action to begin, and was looking forward to world building to pick up and develop further.
My interest specifically was spiked once they had the first Eta attack, but that was only near the end of Part One. In the book, Etas are demon shapeshifters who were drawn to Stephania’s magical trace and who wants to kill her. Seeing that danger come for her was what I was looking for all along! Before that, we had an inkling of danger with that snake, and I enjoyed it and thought the pace would pick up a little, but it didn’t and that was disappointing for me. From there, we entered Part Two of the novel and that was where I felt the meat of the story was. It felt like the story had finally begun and I was hooked from then on. It was what I was really looking for!
Despite not loving the first part, my favorite character by far was Trojan. He just seems so accepting for suddenly being a brother to this eighteen-month non-centaur creature and his brotherly affection and care of her is something to be admired. He’s pretty much everything you’d want in an older brother and more.
I also really loved seeing Stephania’s powers when they finally broke free. It was not what I was expecting and that made it all the more exciting! She has a lot going on and I loved watching how she dealt with all the information and how she handled it. However, for the characters overall, I know I’m probably alone in this, but I found it distracting with how often and how easily all characters cried. It’s very minor, but over time it just kind of nagged me and affected my read of the story.
Overall, the story was a good one once you got to Part Two and onwards because you can feel the pace pick up, the action, the stakes. I wanted to get to know the characters more and that’s when I found myself truly getting invested into the story. It just took a long time to get there.
I want to start off by saying that I came to enjoy many aspects of the book as I continued to read, but there were plenty of parts in the beginning that affected my rating. For me, the first 138 pages of the book – Part One – felt slow and I felt like there were two stories in it that were fighting to be told: Stephania’s and Artigal’s – an elder centaur. I found myself waiting for the call to adventure and action to begin, which I didn’t feel like it happened until a lot later in the book – specifically in Part Two. I generally stop reading a book when the first 100 pages aren't able to fully capture my interest or if it feels less focused, but I’m glad I kept going because Part Two and Three of the book redeemed the book a little and I gave it back a star. Honestly, if it weren't for Part One, I'd probably give the book 4 stars rounded up. =)
Before I actually began this book, I thought that the main character was going to be focused on Stephania, the savoir child chosen for the Dragon Prophecy, and we were going to see the world and experience everything from her eyes. However, as I continued to read, I began to think that the story was also about an elder centaur’s experience and adventure within himself as he, Artigal, watched Stephania grow up. It’s because of this that I felt like there were actually two stories in Part One that were fighting to be told.
The beginning of the story started so early in Stephania’s life that I wondered about the significance because I felt that much of it could’ve been integrated later in the story. (Again, unless Part One was to see Artigal’s interaction with her and show the growth – or non-growth – of their relationship. Artigal ultimately tries to avoid her charms to avoid getting attached due to what happened in his own past?) While it was interesting seeing Stephania’s experience as a child, it also greatly slowed down the pace because I was waiting for the call to adventure, waiting for the action to begin, and was looking forward to world building to pick up and develop further.
My interest specifically was spiked once they had the first Eta attack, but that was only near the end of Part One. In the book, Etas are demon shapeshifters who were drawn to Stephania’s magical trace and who wants to kill her. Seeing that danger come for her was what I was looking for all along! Before that, we had an inkling of danger with that snake, and I enjoyed it and thought the pace would pick up a little, but it didn’t and that was disappointing for me. From there, we entered Part Two of the novel and that was where I felt the meat of the story was. It felt like the story had finally begun and I was hooked from then on. It was what I was really looking for!
Despite not loving the first part, my favorite character by far was Trojan. He just seems so accepting for suddenly being a brother to this eighteen-month non-centaur creature and his brotherly affection and care of her is something to be admired. He’s pretty much everything you’d want in an older brother and more.
I also really loved seeing Stephania’s powers when they finally broke free. It was not what I was expecting and that made it all the more exciting! She has a lot going on and I loved watching how she dealt with all the information and how she handled it. However, for the characters overall, I know I’m probably alone in this, but I found it distracting with how often and how easily all characters cried. It’s very minor, but over time it just kind of nagged me and affected my read of the story.
Overall, the story was a good one once you got to Part Two and onwards because you can feel the pace pick up, the action, the stakes. I wanted to get to know the characters more and that’s when I found myself truly getting invested into the story. It just took a long time to get there.
the_bookish_raven's review
4.0
3.5/5 stars (rounded up to 4)
I received an ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Dragon Prophecy tells of a child with the power to save or destroy the world. When the child, Stephania, is born, she is taken in by the Centaurs. It is not long before she is sent to live with humans, losing all memory of the home she once had. The humans hate her, and she grows to hate them back. Eventually, Stephania looks for a way to escape, and she unknowingly discovers the truth about herself and the world. But the hate in her heart has built up, endangering the fate of the world.
This book was interesting! There was a lot of cool world-building I appreciated! Sometimes I was a little lost or overwhelmed, but I later discovered a glossary in the back which was helpful. I don’t know of many Centaur books, so I loved the fact that they were crucial to this story! Trojan was my favorite character; he was just so sweet and I loved the way he treated Stephania! Stephania, on the other hand, is a character I have mixed feelings about—I liked her more at the beginning of the book than toward the end, but she has been through a lot of horrible things. I’m hoping to see her grow more in future books, and I hope to learn more about this cool world and magic system! Also, this impressive book was the author’s debut novel! I look forward to her future books!
I received an ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving a review.
The Dragon Prophecy tells of a child with the power to save or destroy the world. When the child, Stephania, is born, she is taken in by the Centaurs. It is not long before she is sent to live with humans, losing all memory of the home she once had. The humans hate her, and she grows to hate them back. Eventually, Stephania looks for a way to escape, and she unknowingly discovers the truth about herself and the world. But the hate in her heart has built up, endangering the fate of the world.
This book was interesting! There was a lot of cool world-building I appreciated! Sometimes I was a little lost or overwhelmed, but I later discovered a glossary in the back which was helpful. I don’t know of many Centaur books, so I loved the fact that they were crucial to this story! Trojan was my favorite character; he was just so sweet and I loved the way he treated Stephania! Stephania, on the other hand, is a character I have mixed feelings about—I liked her more at the beginning of the book than toward the end, but she has been through a lot of horrible things. I’m hoping to see her grow more in future books, and I hope to learn more about this cool world and magic system! Also, this impressive book was the author’s debut novel! I look forward to her future books!
whispersofareader's review
4.0
There are mythical creatures of all kinds, a prophecy, and a child that will tip the scales of who may win the war.
I really liked this book.
4/5⭐
This was a great YA fantasy book.
It gave me Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini and some slight Narnia vibes especially with the world building. If you liked those I highly advise you check this out when its released in June.
There were many moments I related to the main character Stephania especially when she would lose her temper and then immediately regret it. That was me as a high schooler lol
Also the ending was mean and I need the sequel ASAP.
I really liked this book.
4/5⭐
This was a great YA fantasy book.
It gave me Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini and some slight Narnia vibes especially with the world building. If you liked those I highly advise you check this out when its released in June.
There were many moments I related to the main character Stephania especially when she would lose her temper and then immediately regret it. That was me as a high schooler lol
Also the ending was mean and I need the sequel ASAP.
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