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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Thank you to NetGalley and Angry Robot for providing a complimentary copy of this book.
This is a story of three students of Eshtem University, a school dedicated to training pupils to be dragon-riding, magic-wielding peacekeepers of the Order. Jadon, a reckless princeling who wants to become Edrei to escape his father's political plans for him. Christina, a princess dedicated to justice and bettering the Order. Diar, a young man who struggles with moral dilemmas during his first year of training.
I was unsure about this at first...I have to be in the mood for fantasy and there was a lot of world building at the beginning, but then it got good! It didn't take long for this story to ramp up. Starting off with a rebel escaping capture from the Order and is on the run for 4 years. A questionable crystal that the Order doesn't want in the wrong hands. A mystery that students at the university are trying to figure out - Is the Order just, or is it corrupt? What is the Order hiding from the rest of the citizens?
There wasn't a bunch of romance in this, which was a nice change of pace for the usual fantasy I read.
I was able to connect with these characters and see some character building along the way. I can tell this will continue on and I am curious to see where it goes. If you like Fourth Wing, Hunger Games, and the like, you will like this book!
This is a story of three students of Eshtem University, a school dedicated to training pupils to be dragon-riding, magic-wielding peacekeepers of the Order. Jadon, a reckless princeling who wants to become Edrei to escape his father's political plans for him. Christina, a princess dedicated to justice and bettering the Order. Diar, a young man who struggles with moral dilemmas during his first year of training.
I was unsure about this at first...I have to be in the mood for fantasy and there was a lot of world building at the beginning, but then it got good! It didn't take long for this story to ramp up. Starting off with a rebel escaping capture from the Order and is on the run for 4 years. A questionable crystal that the Order doesn't want in the wrong hands. A mystery that students at the university are trying to figure out - Is the Order just, or is it corrupt? What is the Order hiding from the rest of the citizens?
There wasn't a bunch of romance in this, which was a nice change of pace for the usual fantasy I read.
I was able to connect with these characters and see some character building along the way. I can tell this will continue on and I am curious to see where it goes. If you like Fourth Wing, Hunger Games, and the like, you will like this book!
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a great set up for an epic fantasy series. We follow four different characters from different backgrounds and upbringings, who entered Eshtem university for a chance to join the Edrei, an elite order of dragon riders.
The politics and world building in this book were really good. I loved the insight into history we got alongside the other Eshtem students in their classes. Despite this, I often felt a bit lost in the world building and politics, especially in the beginning. I would have liked a few more “lore dumps” earlier on in the book to help better understand the political history and the magic system. We did get some great lore on the history of the Edrei order and I wish we had gotten more insight into them and the dragons (we only see them about 3 times throughout the book), but I understand that this is probably only book 1 in a series.
Following four different students from different backgrounds was a great way to learn more about different philosophies, and the intricate political system. Diar, Jenne, Christina and Jardon were all interesting characters, but I think following four POVs together with the detailed world building didn’t allow for enough depth on all the characters and I didn’t find myself to be fully invested in them.
Overall, I think this is a solid first book in a series. After the ending of this book, I’m intrigued to see how the story develops and hopefully learn more about the dragons.
The Ellyrian Code is an epic fantasy set within an elite university.
We follow four students on their quest to make it into the order to become magicians and dragon riders. They are tested on their morals just as much as their power. The book covers lots of political intrigue and morality, which was interesting.
The characters are all distinct and highly competitive - so I can understand the comparison to The Atlas Six. There is also a nice romance subplot that I really enjoyed and got me invested into the characters more.
In terms of dragons this is clearly just the beginning and we only get a teaser of them. I loved how elusive they are and cannot wait to find out more about them as these characters progress.
The timeline is the first year and this really worked - bring on second year! I loved the epic feel of this book and just know this is going to be one of those series that develops into an immense and immersive world.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this advanced reader copy. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
TL;DR:
A lot of the world-building didn't make much sense, but the plot was compelling enough and I'm intrigued for a sequel.
Summary:
Following four students/initiates at an elite university in an epic fantasy world.
Eshtem University has long stood as a pillar of equal opportunity, a place that any youth of Ellyrian can apply to to become part of the Edrei, an elite order of dragon-riding, magic-wielding peacekeepers.
A lot of the world-building didn't make much sense, but the plot was compelling enough and I'm intrigued for a sequel.
Summary:
Following four students/initiates at an elite university in an epic fantasy world.
Eshtem University has long stood as a pillar of equal opportunity, a place that any youth of Ellyrian can apply to to become part of the Edrei, an elite order of dragon-riding, magic-wielding peacekeepers.
But as evidence of corruption surfaces within the order, the students will have to re-examine their future and the roles they wish to play as an Edrei… if they aren’t expelled first.
Ideal Reader:
A more plot-driven reader who enjoys high fantasy and can get behind a university setting and who doesn't care if there is romance or not (there's really not - just a developing crush).
Writing:
The writing is solid. Nothing fancy or striking, but well-written with a good narrative flow overall.
Characters:
I liked the characters well enough. They were unique and all had a different voice, but I did find most of them to be a little bit superficial. I don't feel like I knew them all that well, really.
Plot/Pacing:
I REALLY like the concept of the plot and the world, and particularly where we left off with what was set up for future installments. I'm genuinely a little excited to see where the story goes.
However a lot of the world-building details were nonsensical to me:
- details about how the university operates
- the demerits & merits being given out like freaking candy and in a very disruptive manner during the very first class... seems like an unproductive way to teach a class
- the slates with chalk to take notes. And being shuffled around between students? They literally have parchment in this world.
- the magical timer on the dorm building locks... if the university is so super strict with curfews, and they give out all these demerits, I don't understand why they wouldn't just have dorm supervisors monitoring all the time? And why would the lock need to be magical?
- Why would the university turn a blind eye to their lil secret War House fraternity-style group… if part of the rules of being there is to all be equals & leave the House hierarchies behind??
- the one group of people who record history unaltered being considered heretics and corrupt??? How would you convince an entire world that this is corrupt?? That it's honorable to redact facts from history simply because the other members of a House have renounced whatever individual troublemaker is being redacted??
Themes:
Corruption - specifically in institutions and governments. Friendship.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Racism, Violence, Xenophobia
Minor: Rape
adventurous
funny
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
⭐️ The Ellyrian Code ⭐️
The Edrei have long been the respected peacekeepers of the land, with the ability to wield magic and ride dragons. The only way to become one is to graduate from Eshtem University, which, in a land of strict class order, claims to give all a fair chance. Four students, Jenne, Jason, Christina and Diar, have all been given the opportunity to learn what’s required to become Edrei. Although they’re all from very different social and cultural backgrounds, their paths will soon cross and weave together, as they discover some things are not what they seem. A threat advances, a prophecy has been told, and corruption breeds corruption deep within the university.
Thank you Angry Robot and BF Peterson for this ARC (my first ever!!).
This book was already on my radar, having it seen advertised as Fourth Wing meets Atlas Six. First of all - I will say - this is definitely more YA, and there is no spice, so in terms of how it relates to those books, it’s more to do with the academic setting and corruption within.
I will be honest with this review, there were a few things I wish would’ve been better developed. For example the world building was a little superficial and the magic system, whilst incredibly interesting, was not explained as well or as deeply as I would have liked. Similarly, I felt that some of the characters could’ve been better developed. There’s definitely more of a focus on dialogue than kind of background context. There was also mention but no real sight of any dragons - however - I think that might be more by design, as first years are not meant to come into contact with them - and that’s who we are following.
Having said that, I actually quite enjoyed this book! I mean at nearly 500 pages, I flew through it and struggled to put it down, which is always a good sign! The premise is great. I really enjoyed the political aspects, the class/House systems and the undercurrent of mystery throughout. I also really liked all 4 main characters, and was very much invested in their stories (although I will say Jenne needs to give more!). The academic aspects of this books were great and interesting, and I quite liked being given insight into the different classes they had to attend.
Overall I think this book has great premise and is a fun read! With the way it ended I am definitely intrigued to see how the story continues….so keeping an eye out for a sequel!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was a complex but really interesting read. I loved the slow reveal of the characters and how their personalities grew with the story, several belong a lot more interesting than they first seem. The world is complicated and the story takes focus but I enjoyed the read.
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reminiscent of Fourth Wing. This interesting twist on the academia genre has us follow 4 students in Eshtem University. I wished that when swapping POVs, the chapters made it clearer, like putting names or something. The descriptions seemed a little rambling.
This has been a real struggle to get into and unclear why we need so many POVs. I felt very uncomfortable that the topic of guards raping ppl is just seen as too much work to punish them. Perhaps later the character that was dismissive of the situation has a redemption but I had a huge ick right there. It was jumping around so much I have no sense of the world building or powers. I was hoping for dragon school but didn't even make it to the school part.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.