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4.14 AVERAGE
4.14 AVERAGE
adventurous
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I have loved every single book Robin McKinley has written, and this was no exception. I do wish I had read it closer to reading the blue sword though. I feel like I missed a lot of the connections.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Content Warning for closed-door wayyyyyy inappropriate sexual relationship.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I wish all the backstory and magic was explained more. I actually wanted to learn more about the world. I really enjoyed the fresh take on dragons.
short and simple. I'm calling this my first sword and sorcery book. (It's probably not, but i'm going to anyways).
This novel has long been one of my favorites--ever since I read it for a grad school assignment in curriculum design in about 1986. I enjoyed it all over again this time!
I know this is the one that won the Newbery medal, but I've still only managed to read it once. Perhaps the Lady Aerin is better as a legend, like she is in "The Blue Sword."
3/9/25: ughhhHHH chat I would've liked this book a lot more had it not been for the remarkably strange romantic entanglements in here. I know the purpose of this book isn't the romance at all but about Aerin and her journey but I fear I am mad. also I don't know it didn't have the same singular importance Blue Sword had for me. Aerin isn't Harry :(( and she didn't speak to me the same way even though I do appreciate her arc. and I think the fact that Luthe shows up HALFWAY THROUGH really doesn't help + nothing is ever truly explained I fear which usually isn't that big of a deal Lord knows I love soft magic systems but it was just all very odd tbh. I think maybe the thread of blood heritage and prophecy is so much stronger in here in such a way that it doesn't entirely enamor it to me. I did like the backstory to BS though yippee and McKinley is just really good at writing girls who are misplaced and then find their self through a quest. just like BS the conflict is really bewildering and it's more about the journey than the climatic fight and I do appreciate that. The themes are good, class and gender roles and race too, but. I am simply not as invested :(
I do, however, really really fricken love Talat. good ponies in fantasy >>>
and the other creatures <33
I think I'm a fan of the way McKinley writes dialogue though lmaoo I like the mix between colloquial modern conversation and classic high fantasy speech.
since when does Damar have dragons
Spoiler
I guess one of the big things is the idea that Aerin's immortal side--the side that loves Luthe--must be put aside for country and for Tor who the mortal side of her loves but I am distinctly not really a fan of that even though it is kind of interesting. really unfortunate honestly. also lmao why are both the love interests so much older than Aerin #bruhI do, however, really really fricken love Talat. good ponies in fantasy >>>
and the other creatures <33
I think I'm a fan of the way McKinley writes dialogue though lmaoo I like the mix between colloquial modern conversation and classic high fantasy speech.
since when does Damar have dragons
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes