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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
johnny_the_ginger's review against another edition
1.0
This book was a waste of time. The characters from the other books are barely mentioned, and there is almost no action at all. It's simply a story line of two love interests with less chemistry than Bella and Edward. The language is fouler, the humor is dirtier, and the plot is lamer than the previous books in this series. I was so disappointed. The only reason I finished it is for closure.
thebookpage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I liked this book, I think it shows an effective evaluation of the stakes and dangers of the world and introduces some new magical wrinkles.
The tone is surprisingly darker, with many more people dying so quickly compared to earlier books and is shocking turnaround from the casualty light earlier books as named characters of consequence quickly start dropping dead and the plot actively engages with the consequences of these deaths.
The characters are believable as angst ridden but heroic and trying to be kind teens and the antagonists are more fully realized and sympathetic than most previous villains, specially while still being evil, with Rowan Devries as an especial stand out with a surprising amount of depth. He feels like someone who could be a lead if the story had gone another way.
My main gripe is that personally I am annoyed by the trope of characters withholding information that would resolve tension from other characters for weak reasons. While there are some secrets that are definitely understandable to keep secret such as Jonah’s murder spree, his ability to kill with a touch and the fact it means he can’t touch anyone is annoyingly dragged out as a secret and leads to irritating continued moping from Emma which I feel coulda been solved simply by anyone else in his friend circle giving her the simple explanation.
The tone is surprisingly darker, with many more people dying so quickly compared to earlier books and is shocking turnaround from the casualty light earlier books as named characters of consequence quickly start dropping dead and the plot actively engages with the consequences of these deaths.
The characters are believable as angst ridden but heroic and trying to be kind teens and the antagonists are more fully realized and sympathetic than most previous villains, specially while still being evil, with Rowan Devries as an especial stand out with a surprising amount of depth. He feels like someone who could be a lead if the story had gone another way.
My main gripe is that personally I am annoyed by the trope of characters withholding information that would resolve tension from other characters for weak reasons. While there are some secrets that are definitely understandable to keep secret such as Jonah’s murder spree, his ability to kill with a touch and the fact it means he can’t touch anyone is annoyingly dragged out as a secret and leads to irritating continued moping from Emma which I feel coulda been solved simply by anyone else in his friend circle giving her the simple explanation.
rarudd1's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a lot more violent and gory then the previous books. It also contained a lot more "adult ideas" then previous books in the series.
cbollinger43's review against another edition
4.0
This was another amazing Cinda Williams Chima novel!
My only problem, and the reason I dropped a star, is some of the world building stuff. The Anchorage, Thorn Hill, and the savants all just sort of sprung up out of nowhere. Plus, I don't understand the zombies/shades at all. It reminded me of Alice in Zombieland, in that respect, but it just wasn't explained enough. I would have been fine if somewhere in the original trilogy, they had mentioned Thorn Hill or the Anchorage in passing or whatever. Even one of the characters' names. But, they didn't, so I felt this story was really good, just out of context.
Also, the blurb isn't very accurate. Just saying.
However, the music aspect was awesome!! If only one of the band members played electric cello or something (hint hint Ms. Chima). ;)
My only problem, and the reason I dropped a star, is some of the world building stuff. The Anchorage, Thorn Hill, and the savants all just sort of sprung up out of nowhere. Plus, I don't understand the zombies/shades at all. It reminded me of Alice in Zombieland, in that respect, but it just wasn't explained enough. I would have been fine if somewhere in the original trilogy, they had mentioned Thorn Hill or the Anchorage in passing or whatever. Even one of the characters' names. But, they didn't, so I felt this story was really good, just out of context.
Also, the blurb isn't very accurate. Just saying.
However, the music aspect was awesome!! If only one of the band members played electric cello or something (hint hint Ms. Chima). ;)
dr_dumpling's review against another edition
3.0
When I heard that The Heir Series was going to be continued, I was ecstatic--so needless to say, I had high expectations for this book. But I feel like it was... well... kind of a letdown. Don't get me wrong; I love Chima's writing since they're so well-written and she has a great style. The Enchanter Heir had a great premise, and it was nice to see old characters again, but the story was incredibly awkwardly paced. Also, there were several major details that kind of weakened the book:
1. I spent half of the book wondering, "How the heck did Jonah kill Marcy? He had to have touched people before her." This question wasn't answered/made clear until halfway through the book, until Natalie said that the poison mutated the survivors' powers.
2. Emma's "attraction" to Jonah and vice versa made ABSOLUTELY no sense. Please, for heaven's sake, don't expect us to believe the whole "Jonah's got charm" thing.
3. Okay, this is my last point. How the hell did Emma survive kissing Jonah? If his touch kills on contact, then why the heck isn't she dead???
Spoiler
1. I spent half of the book wondering, "How the heck did Jonah kill Marcy? He had to have touched people before her." This question wasn't answered/made clear until halfway through the book, until Natalie said that the poison mutated the survivors' powers.
2. Emma's "attraction" to Jonah and vice versa made ABSOLUTELY no sense. Please, for heaven's sake, don't expect us to believe the whole "Jonah's got charm" thing.
3. Okay, this is my last point. How the hell did Emma survive kissing Jonah? If his touch kills on contact, then why the heck isn't she dead???
averille's review against another edition
4.0
Read this in a day. Love all the Heir books, but this one seemed less bogged down in fuzzy details. Cliff hanger ending, hoping the 2014 date of the 2nd one is sooner rather than later!
micanl's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
daniellebranson's review against another edition
5.0
This is an extremely well crafted book. The characters are well developed and their actions are true to their character. (Something that very much bothers me is when characters act contrary to how they are presented, especially when it is strictly to drive the plot.)
The reader accompanies the characters to try to solve the big mystery. We're given lots of clues but I didn't find myself figuring things out before the characters very often. I can't handle books where you, the reader, have quickly figured everything out and spend the entire book waiting for the characters to get it!
All in all, a great read.
The reader accompanies the characters to try to solve the big mystery. We're given lots of clues but I didn't find myself figuring things out before the characters very often. I can't handle books where you, the reader, have quickly figured everything out and spend the entire book waiting for the characters to get it!
All in all, a great read.
bookloverri's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this book because I have thoroughly enjoyed the all of the author's other books. I did like the characters in the book. In Jonah's case it made me realize how much emotion we communicate through touching. I just didn't think the story ever gained momentum. The ending involved no resolution. In all her other books, Chima has managed to resolve the the main problem in the story even if the larger issue continues to develop. In this book you reach the end of the book but everything is still unresolved.