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3.46 AVERAGE
3.46 AVERAGE
2.5 - not for me. I was looking for a good magical/fantasy novel to tide me over until the new Nevermoor book comes out later this year, and hoped this would fit the bill. Unfortunately, the writing felt much like the town of Rotherweird - dead ends, twisting alleys, and nonsensical staircases leading nowhere. I couldn't get plugged into any of the characters or their stories.
The narratives are a bit hard to connect at first with the time period switches and the many perspective changes, but it all comes to a really nice convergence at the end, and I’m intrigued about Book 2. Will be ordering!
Not sure what to make of this, but there's no doubt it's imaginative and surprising, and keeps you guessing. I suspect I will be reading more.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I loved this book. I tried to listen to the audio book first, which was a struggle because there are a lot of characters and similar sounding names. But when I started reading it I was hooked! I really enjoyed the world building, and there were enough hints that you as a reader get to feel smart and be a part of the mystery. Looking forward to reading the next part.
This was a calming book for me. Like there's plot and conflict and decent pacing but I found it relaxing for some reason. It's a mash-up of a few different genres but I think anyone just wanting to enjoy a historical fiction that just ISN'T THAT DEEP. The characters were enjoyable and I did keep guessing about the whole mystery for the entire book. I'll definitely be picking up the sequel.
We also need to normalize using maps as book covers.
We also need to normalize using maps as book covers.
adventurous
dark
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
N/A
This book is the perfect example of what happens when you feel absolutely nothing for it. It is impossible for the author to build suspense when the reader is totally indifferent and just doesn't care. That is how I felt the entire time I read it. I couldn't keep straight who was who, which I suspect the author knew this would be the case as every time someone was introduced to a seen, they also had a "they work here" added so you would remember, oh yah, that is who they are.
I suspect the author also suspected people's lack of interest because after certain scenes he would add an entire paragraph where one of the characters would go into which questions you, as the reader, should be asking. Shocker: I didn't care enough to ask.
And finally, he had an entire crowd gathering moment at the end where the author, I mean, characters went over the entire plot and provided all the important clues so the entire 'mystery' could be explained just in case you didn't get it yourself. I will not be continuing the story because I seriously don't care!
I gave it two stars because there was one character I did like alot, but sadly was entirely unimportant to anything. I thought the idea of the Actress (who doesn't get named) playing the part of the wife, and all of her thoughts centering on her acting job was amusing. I was sad to see her go.
I suspect the author also suspected people's lack of interest because after certain scenes he would add an entire paragraph where one of the characters would go into which questions you, as the reader, should be asking. Shocker: I didn't care enough to ask.
And finally, he had an entire crowd gathering moment at the end where the author, I mean, characters went over the entire plot and provided all the important clues so the entire 'mystery' could be explained just in case you didn't get it yourself. I will not be continuing the story because I seriously don't care!
I gave it two stars because there was one character I did like alot, but sadly was entirely unimportant to anything. I thought the idea of the Actress (who doesn't get named) playing the part of the wife, and all of her thoughts centering on her acting job was amusing. I was sad to see her go.
Really wanted to like it - has all the elements I like: history, mystery, adventure, a bit of fantasy. But just fell slightly flat, and I wasn’t as invested in the story or characters as I would have liked. Pushed through since I wanted to know the conclusion, but felt like a bit of a chore. I wonder if there were just too many characters so I didn’t really care that much about most of them.