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bookperusing's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
alilfish's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Overall an interesting read.. bit slow...maybe pretty slow. It's very lore based. I was excited for necromancy action BABBBBYYY...and you get very little untill the end and BANG everything happens all at once within the last 50 pages.
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.
seamtressstenny's review
3.0
I wanted this series to be better. Farren creates an exquisite world in which same-sex couples, transgender folks, and gender non-binary folks are so commonplace that it’s almost jarring when a straight cis character shows up. I can’t overstate how incredibly refreshing that is. Meanwhile, Farren weaves an intricate tapestry of messy history, deep-rooted prejudice, family secrets, slow-burn romance, adrenaline-filled action sequences, and pragmatic fantasy that is almost - almost - delightful enough to allow me to forgive the abundant and obvious flaws technical.
The books read like drafts - like really good drafts, but drafts that still need work. From the more minor copy editing mistakes (which are pervasive - typos, missing words, incorrect words, etc) to the broader thematic and structural flaws, there are just too many distractions to overlook.
One of my biggest issues is that the books are written in first person, but the narrator almost has an omniscient voice as she describes other character’s feelings, reactions, and motivations. In fact, I’d argue that she reveals more about other characters’ inner dialogue than she does her own. She is also one of the least-developed and least complex characters, although only a few of the characters have greater than one dimension that is manifested in their one dominant trait. The ones that are more developed and complex are some of the most intriguing characters I’ve come across in quite some time. I only wish Farren had given the same amount of attention to all of the characters.
Another major issue is the entire lack of exposition. Farren leaves the reader to discover the story along with the narrator, which is a great way to drive suspense, but fails to give us even a hint of the background knowledge that the main character already possesses. They leave it up to the reader to piece together the necessary information to make sense the action, and sometimes we aren’t given vital pieces of information until the very end of the book or indeed, the end of the series. For example (not a spoiler, and by far not the only example), many references are made to the Bloodless Lands and how humans cannot look at the Lands without being harmed. We find out eventually - in the one section of true exposition in the entire series - how and why the Bloodless Lands were created; but I cannot tell you what happens to a human if they look at the Bloodless Lands. Does it really matter? No, I suppose not. But in order for the series to feel real and fully fleshed and complete, it’s necessary.
My point is that these books are one or two steps away from being something truly spectacular. I’m honestly saddened that they were published as they were. Another round or two of revisions, with some frank feedback and a fresh set of critical eyes, could put these works of fiction among the greats.
If you are a generally forgiving reader and like to be swept away into a world of fantasy and intrigue, these are wonderful books. If you are a more discerning reader and get distracted by mechanical errors, you may still enjoy them, but perhaps not to the extent that you wish you could.
The books read like drafts - like really good drafts, but drafts that still need work. From the more minor copy editing mistakes (which are pervasive - typos, missing words, incorrect words, etc) to the broader thematic and structural flaws, there are just too many distractions to overlook.
One of my biggest issues is that the books are written in first person, but the narrator almost has an omniscient voice as she describes other character’s feelings, reactions, and motivations. In fact, I’d argue that she reveals more about other characters’ inner dialogue than she does her own. She is also one of the least-developed and least complex characters, although only a few of the characters have greater than one dimension that is manifested in their one dominant trait. The ones that are more developed and complex are some of the most intriguing characters I’ve come across in quite some time. I only wish Farren had given the same amount of attention to all of the characters.
Another major issue is the entire lack of exposition. Farren leaves the reader to discover the story along with the narrator, which is a great way to drive suspense, but fails to give us even a hint of the background knowledge that the main character already possesses. They leave it up to the reader to piece together the necessary information to make sense the action, and sometimes we aren’t given vital pieces of information until the very end of the book or indeed, the end of the series. For example (not a spoiler, and by far not the only example), many references are made to the Bloodless Lands and how humans cannot look at the Lands without being harmed. We find out eventually - in the one section of true exposition in the entire series - how and why the Bloodless Lands were created; but I cannot tell you what happens to a human if they look at the Bloodless Lands. Does it really matter? No, I suppose not. But in order for the series to feel real and fully fleshed and complete, it’s necessary.
My point is that these books are one or two steps away from being something truly spectacular. I’m honestly saddened that they were published as they were. Another round or two of revisions, with some frank feedback and a fresh set of critical eyes, could put these works of fiction among the greats.
If you are a generally forgiving reader and like to be swept away into a world of fantasy and intrigue, these are wonderful books. If you are a more discerning reader and get distracted by mechanical errors, you may still enjoy them, but perhaps not to the extent that you wish you could.
kadomi's review against another edition
4.0
I originally discovered this book because the author posted a Life is Strange fanfiction story that I love. She mentioned in the author's notes that she's offering the first book of her fantasy series for free on Amazon, mentioning that it contains gay ladies and women of color and such.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though it is not without weak points. Told from the first perspective, our protagonist is Rowan, a girl from a small village where she is shunned because she is a necromancer. What necromancy is capable of, you never fully learn. It has the power to heal people and bring them back from the dead, and in the past was used to control dragons and a race called pane (who I imagine much like the Qunari from Dragon Age). In any case, Rowan tends sheep and lives alone, until a knight comes by, Sir Igtham. She is a celebrated dragon-slayer traveling through, and when she departs, Rowan runs away with her. The knight doesn't ever tell Rowan what her mission is, but takes her along. On the way, they meet the pane woman Rán who turns out to be integral to Sir Igtham's mission.
The characters are the focus of the author, and thus, the story is incredibly slow to build. Rowan has no clue what's going on, and is mostly a sightseer. It's only until the last quarter of the book that Rowan finds out the truth, and then things end in a fast-paced cliffhanger that finds me eager to read on.
Rowan and Sir Claire Igtham have a slow-burn romance that was very sweet and enjoyable to read, though I really wish we got to know Claire better. It's my weakness for ice-queens, I suppose.
The world-building is quite excellent, I just wish we found out more backstory than the glimpses of the past we've received so far.
In any case, I recommend this book, if you're into fantasy and enjoy f-f romances.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though it is not without weak points. Told from the first perspective, our protagonist is Rowan, a girl from a small village where she is shunned because she is a necromancer. What necromancy is capable of, you never fully learn. It has the power to heal people and bring them back from the dead, and in the past was used to control dragons and a race called pane (who I imagine much like the Qunari from Dragon Age). In any case, Rowan tends sheep and lives alone, until a knight comes by, Sir Igtham. She is a celebrated dragon-slayer traveling through, and when she departs, Rowan runs away with her. The knight doesn't ever tell Rowan what her mission is, but takes her along. On the way, they meet the pane woman Rán who turns out to be integral to Sir Igtham's mission.
The characters are the focus of the author, and thus, the story is incredibly slow to build. Rowan has no clue what's going on, and is mostly a sightseer. It's only until the last quarter of the book that Rowan finds out the truth, and then things end in a fast-paced cliffhanger that finds me eager to read on.
Rowan and Sir Claire Igtham have a slow-burn romance that was very sweet and enjoyable to read, though I really wish we got to know Claire better. It's my weakness for ice-queens, I suppose.
The world-building is quite excellent, I just wish we found out more backstory than the glimpses of the past we've received so far.
In any case, I recommend this book, if you're into fantasy and enjoy f-f romances.
sigdigs's review against another edition
4.0
I was so happy to see such casual, positive lgbt rep in a fantasy book! The story was compelling and while I found the main character frustrating at times I couldn't put the book down and I'm eager to immediately start the second one.
smyth21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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? Yes
5.0
4.5/5 stars.
A necromancer, a Knight/Princess and a Pane Queen, what could possibly go wrong?
I loved this story, even though it is in first person narrative and was slow in parts, it is well worth the read.
Our story follows Rowan, excilied by her village to her families farm for being a necromancer. She meets Sir Ightham/Claire, a knight who is passing through and decides to leave with her. They meet Ran along the way, a Pane (beast/human hybrid) who had quiet the soft spot for Rowan. (Yrval - awwww my heart!).
There is adventure, mystery and a little sprinkling of romance, (I would gladly get behind one specific trouple - just saying)
What did I love:
The characters, especially Akela
The world building,
What I didn’t love:
Honestly, nothing, the story was slow in parts but as a whole, I enjoyed the entire thing, well, possibly Luxon.
I also ended up also purchasing a Kindle as this ended on a cliffhanger and I NEED TO READ MORE!!
All in all, a fantastic first instalment and I cannot wait to get into book 2!
(I also finished this like two weeks ago but forgot to update my goodreads with the review
A necromancer, a Knight/Princess and a Pane Queen, what could possibly go wrong?
I loved this story, even though it is in first person narrative and was slow in parts, it is well worth the read.
Our story follows Rowan, excilied by her village to her families farm for being a necromancer. She meets Sir Ightham/Claire, a knight who is passing through and decides to leave with her. They meet Ran along the way, a Pane (beast/human hybrid) who had quiet the soft spot for Rowan. (Yrval - awwww my heart!).
There is adventure, mystery and a little sprinkling of romance, (I would gladly get behind one specific trouple - just saying)
What did I love:
The characters, especially Akela
The world building,
What I didn’t love:
Honestly, nothing, the story was slow in parts but as a whole, I enjoyed the entire thing, well, possibly Luxon.
I also ended up also purchasing a Kindle as this ended on a cliffhanger and I NEED TO READ MORE!!
All in all, a fantastic first instalment and I cannot wait to get into book 2!
(I also finished this like two weeks ago but forgot to update my goodreads with the review
agott's review against another edition
4.0
Is it a prerequisite that every book with lesbians have a tragic ending? Such poor decision making from the main character
sherm's review against another edition
Just couldn’t get into the writing style or main character.