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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
4.5, points for violence and gore without being disturbing, strangely. Expansive and engaging world building. I feel this is a definitely more robust story than the first elemental books and it makes me want to finsih that series. I really like the play between Ari and Cvarah. Cvarah is a cool character. The steampunk elements are neat, too.
Very different from most of her other work, but still an incredible story.
.
The romantic elements for this one are very much a subplot, but the dynamic between Arianna and Cvareh is still exceptional. I really loved Florence as well.
.
This is such a unique world with equally unique characters. I was so instantly wrapped up in this steampunk world covered in heavy clouds with an unseen world of dragons above.
.
The romantic elements for this one are very much a subplot, but the dynamic between Arianna and Cvareh is still exceptional. I really loved Florence as well.
.
This is such a unique world with equally unique characters. I was so instantly wrapped up in this steampunk world covered in heavy clouds with an unseen world of dragons above.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Listened to the audio book. I'm not 100% sure if this book/series was for me, but it was alright, overall.
Generally speaking, I'm quite familiar with fantasy settings, however, the most recurring thought in my mind while reading this: "What the hell is a peca? What the hell is a veca??" These are, apparently, units of measurement with (as far as I can tell) no real-world equivalent provided.
Cvareh was probably the more interesting character for me, as neither Arianna or Florence really grabbed my attention. I actually found Arianna a bit obnoxious, particularly at the start, where she keeps bringing up her hatred for dragons. For me, it definitely got a bit "alright, I get it, but this is starting to get a bit repetitive."
Leona was an interesting (active?) antagonist. I definitely called her dynamic with the Dono (King) maybe a paragraph (~1-2 minutes) before that scene with him. Normally that sort of dynamic is something I can vibe with/get behind, but this take was.... something, that's for sure. Definitely wasn't too keen on it in general.
Possible spoiler for the last quarter of the book;
Cvareh apparently claims to have never let anyone "imbibe" from him? I don't know if I misheard or missed the context, but he literally was letting Florence consume his blood so she could A) not die, and B) become a Chimera???
Generally speaking, I'm quite familiar with fantasy settings, however, the most recurring thought in my mind while reading this: "What the hell is a peca? What the hell is a veca??" These are, apparently, units of measurement with (as far as I can tell) no real-world equivalent provided.
Cvareh was probably the more interesting character for me, as neither Arianna or Florence really grabbed my attention. I actually found Arianna a bit obnoxious, particularly at the start, where she keeps bringing up her hatred for dragons. For me, it definitely got a bit "alright, I get it, but this is starting to get a bit repetitive."
Leona was an interesting (active?) antagonist. I definitely called her dynamic with the Dono (King) maybe a paragraph (~1-2 minutes) before that scene with him. Normally that sort of dynamic is something I can vibe with/get behind, but this take was.... something, that's for sure. Definitely wasn't too keen on it in general.
Possible spoiler for the last quarter of the book;
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
Mentions/descriptions of broken bones towards the latter half.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
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:
Yes
I found myself confused by the races and politics and irritated by the characters and POV switches. All in all, not a book for me, though I think it would have benefited from a 5-10 page preface about whatever war got them to this place.
The beginning of this book was a little heavy on the YA content - this book is sorted alternately into adult fiction and Y depending on the reviewer - but I'm happy to announce it was worth getting through. This style of organ-trafficking, blood-drinking dragon magic is so far up my alley that I couldn't put it down once I'd absorbed all the capital Terminology the beginning is spattered with.
DNF @ 41%
A couple of my GR friends really liked this but I just wasn't feeling it.
A couple of my GR friends really liked this but I just wasn't feeling it.