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goldfishp's review against another edition
The book was a drag, but I was waiting if the relationships would pay off. They didn’t. The POV character is just… weird, and although Sir Ightham is interesting, nothing is happening and it just bored me to tears
jemimah11's review against another edition
5.0
Imagine Lord of the Rings, with Frodo, Aragorn and Treebeard-on-steroids going on a quest. Except that they're all female (yey!).
Dragonoak is set in a time when dragons go around razing whole towns. And knights in dragon bone armor go around trying to stop them. But don't go looking for dragon slaying action here. At least not in the first book. Or at least, not in 97% of the first book. This is first and foremost about the journey of a young woman cursed with a special ability so terrifying and diabolical, people would burn her at the stake if they knew. It's a journey of self-discovery (the book is entirely from her first person perspective) as she goes from a simple, country girl and unwanted village pariah to being a valued member of a "family", as she comes face to face with the prejudices, hatred, fears and superstitions of the outside world, as she experiences love and betrayal for the first time, and as she is forced to make hard and dubious choices for the "greater good".
Probably the most frustrating thing about the book is that the purpose of the quest is not made known to the lead character (and therefore, the reader) until late in the book. So it takes quite a bit of patience (and a lot of trust in friend reviews ;)) to get through the many chapters where the main characters travel from one town to another with no seeming end or purpose. It occasionally got disorienting as well. More than once I had to try to recall where I was in this world. I think it would have helped if there was a map of some sort in the book. And a glossary for the different peoples/races mentioned. Fortunately, the same limited perspective that made the read so frustrating also made it so incredibly addicting (and powerful when the truth hits). Everything is seen from the country girl's innocent yet not-so-innocent eyes. It's a truly immersive and emotional experience.
All that travelling around allowed the author to draw such detailed and in-depth characterizations of the three main protagonists---Rowan the country girl, Igtham, the knight/dragonslayer and Kouris, the amazingly badass but also motherly creature called "pane" that it was impossible not to fall in love with them (despite how hideous the book's description made the "pane" seem like). By the time the true purpose of the quest was revealed, I was completely hooked.
The book is trying for the epic fantasy look and feel obviously, and succeeding mostly. Though it could probably use a bit of trimming here and there. Like jettison that annoying Michael character and his entire storyline. I won't miss him one bit. Akela's accent. I don't know what to make of it. It's funnier than it's supposed to be. Distracting, at best. I had a hard time trying not to imagine her as a gag character, which she obviously isn't. Occasionally, something seemingly out of place, or rather, out of time slips in--modernish concoctions like ice or chocolate, or modern terms like "processing" an emotion, or "dietary choices" or "operative word". Nothing big but they were enough to pull me back to the present like that coin from "Somewhere in Time". Tolkien this ain't. But it's still entertaining as hell.
4.5 stars
Dragonoak is set in a time when dragons go around razing whole towns. And knights in dragon bone armor go around trying to stop them. But don't go looking for dragon slaying action here. At least not in the first book. Or at least, not in 97% of the first book. This is first and foremost about the journey of a young woman cursed with a special ability so terrifying and diabolical, people would burn her at the stake if they knew. It's a journey of self-discovery (the book is entirely from her first person perspective) as she goes from a simple, country girl and unwanted village pariah to being a valued member of a "family", as she comes face to face with the prejudices, hatred, fears and superstitions of the outside world, as she experiences love and betrayal for the first time, and as she is forced to make hard and dubious choices for the "greater good".
Probably the most frustrating thing about the book is that the purpose of the quest is not made known to the lead character (and therefore, the reader) until late in the book. So it takes quite a bit of patience (and a lot of trust in friend reviews ;)) to get through the many chapters where the main characters travel from one town to another with no seeming end or purpose. It occasionally got disorienting as well. More than once I had to try to recall where I was in this world. I think it would have helped if there was a map of some sort in the book. And a glossary for the different peoples/races mentioned. Fortunately, the same limited perspective that made the read so frustrating also made it so incredibly addicting (and powerful when the truth hits). Everything is seen from the country girl's innocent yet not-so-innocent eyes. It's a truly immersive and emotional experience.
All that travelling around allowed the author to draw such detailed and in-depth characterizations of the three main protagonists---Rowan the country girl, Igtham, the knight/dragonslayer and Kouris, the amazingly badass but also motherly creature called "pane" that it was impossible not to fall in love with them (despite how hideous the book's description made the "pane" seem like). By the time the true purpose of the quest was revealed, I was completely hooked.
The book is trying for the epic fantasy look and feel obviously, and succeeding mostly. Though it could probably use a bit of trimming here and there. Like jettison that annoying Michael character and his entire storyline. I won't miss him one bit. Akela's accent. I don't know what to make of it. It's funnier than it's supposed to be. Distracting, at best. I had a hard time trying not to imagine her as a gag character, which she obviously isn't. Occasionally, something seemingly out of place, or rather, out of time slips in--modernish concoctions like ice or chocolate, or modern terms like "processing" an emotion, or "dietary choices" or "operative word". Nothing big but they were enough to pull me back to the present like that coin from "Somewhere in Time". Tolkien this ain't. But it's still entertaining as hell.
4.5 stars
llylia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
lezreadalot's review against another edition
4.0
FUCK. I loved this.
And the burgeoning friendship (and moreship?!?!) between Rowan and Ran was so satisfying I want to screech. They were so playful and wonderful and sweet and tender with each other. And there was never any jealousy and there are two more book in the series so fingers crossed for poly!!! I just loved the dynamic. Rowan is this powerful necromancer coming into her own, and yet here are these two strong amazing women who will do any and everything to protect her. Every time Ran gave her a piggy back ride or let Rowan hold her horns I screamed.
A quick word about Ran and the pane in general: hot????? Favourite fictional fantasy race ever???? Fucking... do me??????????????
World-building was fun and detailed and very creative, though I definitely feel like I lost a lot of threads (most of that is my own fault, I took a break in reading, came back to it without refreshing my memory) and it could have used a bit more... coherence? And yeah, the book isn't perfectly plotted or paced and edited and could use a good bit of work in that respect.
But oh man I'm so happy about these CHARACTERS.
Re: the ending: ROWAN WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY T__T God I'm so sad. And confused. Why do that??? You promised!!!!!! But I'm still aching to read the further instalments, because I need to believe that things are going to turn out all right for my three best girls. ;;
In conclusion: not a perfect book, but it made me an absurdly happy lesbian.
Spoiler
As always, characters and character interaction are what I love and cling to, and this had a couple of absolutely amazing blossoming relationships that I just. I'm SWOONING thinking about it. The slow build of trust between Rowan and Sir Ightham was fucking delicious. Every inch that Rowan earned with her made me want to punch the air, and the slow turn to romance was ksjhfkjdshfsd. My copy is half highlighted passages of them saying meaningful stuff to one another.And the burgeoning friendship (and moreship?!?!) between Rowan and Ran was so satisfying I want to screech. They were so playful and wonderful and sweet and tender with each other. And there was never any jealousy and there are two more book in the series so fingers crossed for poly!!! I just loved the dynamic. Rowan is this powerful necromancer coming into her own, and yet here are these two strong amazing women who will do any and everything to protect her. Every time Ran gave her a piggy back ride or let Rowan hold her horns I screamed.
A quick word about Ran and the pane in general: hot????? Favourite fictional fantasy race ever???? Fucking... do me??????????????
World-building was fun and detailed and very creative, though I definitely feel like I lost a lot of threads (most of that is my own fault, I took a break in reading, came back to it without refreshing my memory) and it could have used a bit more... coherence? And yeah, the book isn't perfectly plotted or paced and edited and could use a good bit of work in that respect.
But oh man I'm so happy about these CHARACTERS.
Re: the ending: ROWAN WHYYYYYYYYYYYYYY T__T God I'm so sad. And confused. Why do that??? You promised!!!!!! But I'm still aching to read the further instalments, because I need to believe that things are going to turn out all right for my three best girls. ;;
In conclusion: not a perfect book, but it made me an absurdly happy lesbian.
hannaliebl's review against another edition
3.0
The story starts slow, but I really enjoyed the last 30% or so. I got this book because I really want to read more fantasy featuring queer characters, and this book definitely fits the bill. The writing and editing are a little rough at times, but nothing that stopped me from finishing and enjoying this book. I am looking forward to reading the sequel.
obscurenooks's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant book that rides your traditional dragon and knights fantasy setting, with a refreshing amount of inclusions of cultural inspirations.
oldaq_001's review against another edition
5.0
I love books with strong female characters, fantasy themes and the concept of necromancy (used by the heroine on top). This book has all, it is part of a trilogy, yet only book two is available right now which can be frustrating for some.
If you want a light summer reading, it may be a good book for you.
Book two is in my opinion even better.
If you want a light summer reading, it may be a good book for you.
Book two is in my opinion even better.
whiteyrainbow's review against another edition
5.0
author manages to write the most realistic parallel in a fantasy world. (-when you dont want someone to know your identity so you have to micromanage your reaction while having a very different narrative in your mind -the relief you feel when your identity is realised -ironically both by one character that does more harm than good)