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eliy_carla's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
charhandles's review against another edition
4.0
I originally read Ink when it came out in 2017 (I believe?) and loved it. I found out recently that two other books came out as a trilogy and had to get them and read them.
Spark picks up roughly where Ink left off. It's only now that I've re-read Ink and am picking up the rest of the trilogy that I realise how YA the books are, which is definitely more noticeable with the amount of Adult fantasy/fiction I've read as I've gotten older. This isn't a criticism, just something I'm aware of as I am probably not the target audience anymore.
It's a well-done mystery with a lot of twists, turns and breadcrumbs. The FMC is quite young and naive (as many 16-year-olds are) and I do like that there is more introspection at the pressure and weight put on her for her age.
My main complaint with the book is that I would love for there to be more emotional depth. I don't think we always fully explore character emotions and how deep they run which can make FMC and her counterparts slightly one-dimensional at times.
I really like the retelling of popular fairytales, I think it's an added fun element that does make you question who is right and how it will all wrap up in the end.
Overall this a great, easy-to-read, YA mystery that highlights how people with opposing views from opposing sides can have more similarities than they think. It raises questions on beliefs, pennance, sins and how we show them.
Spark picks up roughly where Ink left off. It's only now that I've re-read Ink and am picking up the rest of the trilogy that I realise how YA the books are, which is definitely more noticeable with the amount of Adult fantasy/fiction I've read as I've gotten older. This isn't a criticism, just something I'm aware of as I am probably not the target audience anymore.
It's a well-done mystery with a lot of twists, turns and breadcrumbs. The FMC is quite young and naive (as many 16-year-olds are) and I do like that there is more introspection at the pressure and weight put on her for her age.
My main complaint with the book is that I would love for there to be more emotional depth. I don't think we always fully explore character emotions and how deep they run which can make FMC and her counterparts slightly one-dimensional at times.
I really like the retelling of popular fairytales, I think it's an added fun element that does make you question who is right and how it will all wrap up in the end.
Overall this a great, easy-to-read, YA mystery that highlights how people with opposing views from opposing sides can have more similarities than they think. It raises questions on beliefs, pennance, sins and how we show them.
patty_creatively_bookish's review against another edition
4.0
Verhaal: 4/5
Karakters: 4/5
Schrijfstijl: 4/5
Papier/audio? Ik heb eindelijk het boek gekocht en dus meteen fysiek gelezen.
Herlezen: Ja, en heel benieuwd naar het volgende deel.
Karakters: 4/5
Schrijfstijl: 4/5
Papier/audio? Ik heb eindelijk het boek gekocht en dus meteen fysiek gelezen.
Herlezen: Ja, en heel benieuwd naar het volgende deel.
bookish_redpanda15's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
3.0
I honestly almost didn’t pick this up. I found Ink very odd and a little off putting - I couldn’t get over the concept really (though in retrospect, I now feel I liked the story more than I rated it at the time). And the frustration of Leora constantly being lied to.
While some of that is true here, I actually really enjoyed Spark - by going to the Blank village, and learning the “other side” of the origins story, you get an interesting commentary on both religion and seeing an event from both sides. There’s a truly brilliant quote about that about a blanket that I am going to try and always keep in mind.
There is definitely the us and them mentality on both sides, and it’s pretty uncomfortable in places if I’m honest. But it’s also well written - Leora’s uncomfy response really comes across, as does her gradual realisation that her world view could be wrong.
I also found that, once away from the marks and the skin books (they still creep me out!), Broadway’s storytelling shines through. The tales she wove throughout the story were perfect - short but powerful. And there were twists a plenty, and politics on both sides.
I also really liked the ending, and am now really looking forward to book 3! Glad I picked this up, 3.5 stars.
While some of that is true here, I actually really enjoyed Spark - by going to the Blank village, and learning the “other side” of the origins story, you get an interesting commentary on both religion and seeing an event from both sides. There’s a truly brilliant quote about that about a blanket that I am going to try and always keep in mind.
There is definitely the us and them mentality on both sides, and it’s pretty uncomfortable in places if I’m honest. But it’s also well written - Leora’s uncomfy response really comes across, as does her gradual realisation that her world view could be wrong.
I also found that, once away from the marks and the skin books (they still creep me out!), Broadway’s storytelling shines through. The tales she wove throughout the story were perfect - short but powerful. And there were twists a plenty, and politics on both sides.
I also really liked the ending, and am now really looking forward to book 3! Glad I picked this up, 3.5 stars.
_david_'s review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed this one less than the first. It felt as if Leora's growth has taken a step back and come to an halt. She was far more naive. Throughout the book her only reactions to the stories in Featherstone were "but in Saintstone the story was different". I was hoping to see her (transition into) questioning one or both stories. Her actions don't seem to line up with her thoughts either. I thought the growth of Gull and the history of another character which was briefly mentioned were more interesting than Leora. Similarly to the first book, the end felt rushed compared to the slow pace of the rest of the book. Something which I did like more in this book was the moment that was chosen as a cliffhanger. Eventhough elements could have been expected, it leaves some mystery.
jess_soanes's review against another edition
5.0
Loving this series and I hope the final one completes the story well!
inbookishworld's review against another edition
2.0
"Iskra" jak drugi tom trylogii Księgi skór podobał mi się troszeczkę bardziej niż "Tusz" (może dlatego, że był mroczniejszy?).
Historia opowiedziana przez autorkę nadal ma pewne luki (gdzie ci ludzie mieszkają? Na wyspie? bo jak wyjaśnić inaczej, że jest mowa tylko o tak niewielkiej grupce osób żyjących w tym świecie) . Leora ciągle jest strasznie naiwna i łatwowierna, przez co łatwo nią manipulować. W tym tomie na szczęście jest więcej akcji. Chociaż zakończenie jest trochę naciągane. Na plus na pewno to, że autorka pokazuje jak jedną opowieść/baśń można interpretować na różne sposoby.
Cóż, trzeci tom przeczytam z ciekawości, ale niestety seria nie zapadnie mi w pamięci.
Historia opowiedziana przez autorkę nadal ma pewne luki (gdzie ci ludzie mieszkają? Na wyspie? bo jak wyjaśnić inaczej, że jest mowa tylko o tak niewielkiej grupce osób żyjących w tym świecie) . Leora ciągle jest strasznie naiwna i łatwowierna, przez co łatwo nią manipulować. W tym tomie na szczęście jest więcej akcji. Chociaż zakończenie jest trochę naciągane. Na plus na pewno to, że autorka pokazuje jak jedną opowieść/baśń można interpretować na różne sposoby.
Cóż, trzeci tom przeczytam z ciekawości, ale niestety seria nie zapadnie mi w pamięci.
katie_baker's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0