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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
4.5 Stars
I’m surprised it took me so long to read this book, because it is exactly what I look for in epic fantasies! Especially in my youth.
This was a fun ride (pun intended) and a perfect blend of classic fantasy with a slight modern tone. Although I loved 99% of the book I found the nonstop introduction of new characters to be a bit tiring, and the ending was a little bumpy. But otherwise I loved the world building, story and characters.
I’m excited to continue on with the series.
I’m surprised it took me so long to read this book, because it is exactly what I look for in epic fantasies! Especially in my youth.
This was a fun ride (pun intended) and a perfect blend of classic fantasy with a slight modern tone. Although I loved 99% of the book I found the nonstop introduction of new characters to be a bit tiring, and the ending was a little bumpy. But otherwise I loved the world building, story and characters.
I’m excited to continue on with the series.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
this is a poorly paced drag of a book, in which the protagonist suffers from "average looking, to avoid an ego, but somehow still alluring to every man she comes across" disease - and, based on how the book ends, this looks as if it's going to be terminal. the book comes to a natural end ~100 pages before its actual conclusion, but instead of heeding her own writing the author limps the story onwards, resulting in a rushed (second) climax, weak villains whose defeats ring hollow, and a happy ending that's boring and feeble. the final chapter of the book is clearly meant to set up a sequel - but in order to do so, the protagonist has to make no character development through the whole book, which makes for... rough reading. i wouldn't want to hasten a guess at how many times she says "i'm not a green rider! i'll never be a green rider!" (all while doing everything to suggest the opposite, naturally), but it's got to be in high figures. she suffers from a muddled motivations and a confused personality - but, to be honest, most things happen while she's either passed out or asleep. whenever things get complicated, you can count on her to faint.
also WHAT was with all the sleazy men? i don't get it? every single middling or major villain in this novel was a leering predator. why? what purpose did this serve?
all in all, this was an incredibly meh read. i wouldn't be against reading the next book (if only because the horse has a name now... finally), but i'd be hoping for serious improvements in the writing quality, structure and pace of the narrative, and some believable character development.
also WHAT was with all the sleazy men? i don't get it? every single middling or major villain in this novel was a leering predator. why? what purpose did this serve?
all in all, this was an incredibly meh read. i wouldn't be against reading the next book (if only because the horse has a name now... finally), but i'd be hoping for serious improvements in the writing quality, structure and pace of the narrative, and some believable character development.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I’m at a 3.5 for this book. i really enjoyed reading it and I’ve already purchased the second book to continue reading the series. Overall, i thought this book was a fun dive into a new fantasy world
My only gripe with the book is that it all feels a little too simple. The characters are good, but not quite explored enough. The relationships are interesting, but also not explored enough to feel invested in them. The plot is interesting, but it reads a little too much like a formula.
That said, I still want to see more of this world and its characters. I hope the complexity grows and deepens as the series progresses. There’s so much to love here—likable female lead, magic, adventure, surprises, and intrigue 😉. One thing i particularly liked about this book is how, in the world, both men and women fulfill all kinds of roles, from warriors to leaders to servants, and what i particularly like is that there’s no discussion about how or why women are shown in traditionally “male” types of roles—particularly in high fantasy worlds—it just is. The author doesn’t feel the need to justify anything or make elaborate stories about it. The women do the same things the men do and no one in the story makes any fuss about it. There’s something i deeply love about that. Can’t wait to see what book 2 has in store!
My only gripe with the book is that it all feels a little too simple. The characters are good, but not quite explored enough. The relationships are interesting, but also not explored enough to feel invested in them. The plot is interesting, but it reads a little too much like a formula.
That said, I still want to see more of this world and its characters. I hope the complexity grows and deepens as the series progresses. There’s so much to love here—likable female lead, magic, adventure, surprises, and intrigue 😉. One thing i particularly liked about this book is how, in the world, both men and women fulfill all kinds of roles, from warriors to leaders to servants, and what i particularly like is that there’s no discussion about how or why women are shown in traditionally “male” types of roles—particularly in high fantasy worlds—it just is. The author doesn’t feel the need to justify anything or make elaborate stories about it. The women do the same things the men do and no one in the story makes any fuss about it. There’s something i deeply love about that. Can’t wait to see what book 2 has in store!
adventurous
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
adventurous
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