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once_upon_a_storybook's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
4.5
Wow, just wow. This was so good. I really enjoyed seeing how different yet the same both girls life was. I loved how we got to see them grow as people. The storytelling was very compelling. The only thing that frustrates me is that they didn’t meet until the end of the book, I was dying for them to meet already. Definitely starting book two asap.
tianaosuoha's review
4.0
I loved the whole idea of twins separated at birth, finding each other and killing the enemy. But how does an age old enemy die so easily? We don't even understand completely who the twins are, what powers they possess and the reason for their birth. Anyways....I'm gonna read book two. Hope it's much better than book one.
elzabetg's review
3.0
I wanted so much to love this audiobook and series but unfortunately I came away with a rather"meh" feeling about it. That said, I AM going to read the next book. Amayo did not commit the cardinal sin of totally boring her reader (me) The story did made me want to find out what happens next. I'm hoping some of what pulled me out of the story are just first time author issues.
Most of these stars go to the narrator. Weruche Opia has a great voice. It's like butter; soothing and deep. She told the story well. She didn't "do voices" which was confusing at times but, in my opinion, that was due to the way the points of view jumped around more than any narratory failing on their part. 4 stars for narration.
As I mentioned above, points of view shifted randomly, sometimes within a paragraph, which made following the dialogue very difficult when there were more than two characters speaking.
Time and distance were confusing -- at one point the City of Nri was several days' journey away from the forest hiding place and at the same time people were able to get there (and back) in just a few hours. I'm still trying to figure out where the cave and waterfall were that Meekulu and Sinai could get there and back to the city in just a few moments it seemed.
There was a lot of "running" and "screaming" and arm waving when folks were supposed to be sneaky and secretive which made no sense to me. Some side characters made an entrance, basically just annoyed the main characters, and then fell off the face of the earth at the climax.
The Big Bad was...flat. He just kind of frothed at the mouth at the end and that was it. And please please please will someone explain the magic and the fact that no one noticed it. Or was it supposed to be so common that no one needed to explain it? Seriously how do you dismiss the fact that you and have it never be mentioned again until nearly the end????
The summary grabbed me -- as did the cover. I wanted to read about these twins separated at birth who were actually goddesses fighting against an evil emperor to bring peace back to the nation. Sadly, the execution fell short of my expectation.
4 stars for narration
3 stars for story
3.5 overall
Most of these stars go to the narrator. Weruche Opia has a great voice. It's like butter; soothing and deep. She told the story well. She didn't "do voices" which was confusing at times but, in my opinion, that was due to the way the points of view jumped around more than any narratory failing on their part. 4 stars for narration.
As I mentioned above, points of view shifted randomly, sometimes within a paragraph, which made following the dialogue very difficult when there were more than two characters speaking.
Time and distance were confusing -- at one point the City of Nri was several days' journey away from the forest hiding place and at the same time people were able to get there (and back) in just a few hours. I'm still trying to figure out where the cave and waterfall were that Meekulu and Sinai could get there and back to the city in just a few moments it seemed.
There was a lot of "running" and "screaming" and arm waving when folks were supposed to be sneaky and secretive which made no sense to me. Some side characters made an entrance, basically just annoyed the main characters, and then fell off the face of the earth at the climax.
The Big Bad was...flat. He just kind of frothed at the mouth at the end and that was it. And please please please will someone explain the magic and the fact that no one noticed it. Or was it supposed to be so common that no one needed to explain it? Seriously how do you dismiss the fact that you
Spoiler
ARE FLOATINGThe summary grabbed me -- as did the cover. I wanted to read about these twins separated at birth who were actually goddesses fighting against an evil emperor to bring peace back to the nation. Sadly, the execution fell short of my expectation.
4 stars for narration
3 stars for story
3.5 overall
uadjyt's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 out of 5 for this book. This book has wonderful pacing until the end. The world-building is solid and then ending is rushed and anticlimactic. I had high hopes, but I feel the ending hurt the book overall. It is a good read for sure, just not to the full potential I thought it could be.
leothil's review
4.0
Loved it! Loved the setting, loved the characters, loved how words in Igbo were such an intrisic part of the world. More African languages for the people!! That said, you can tell this is Amayo's first novel. The rapidly switching perspectives - there could be several on just one page - and the way the story and the legends just felt plain confusing at times prompts me to bump it down one star. I wish the Ewe would have gotten a bit more time on the page too, because as it is, he remained a mystical enemy that we never really got to know.
manaledi's review
3.0
I read this straight through one night and really enjoyed the premise (sisters! Earth Mother!). That said, parts in the middle dragged (ah fantasy info dumps) and I wanted a little more depth out of some of the friendships. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes out of book two.
hoesluvdiva's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
heloise_lifeinbooks's review
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
adorablyandie's review against another edition
1.0
DNF - The audiobook narration was amazing but I just couldn't get in/stay with the story. Only half of the storyline was truly engaging.