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arielamandah's review against another edition
4.0
This was good. McGuire knows how to pull a book together - not to mention a whole complex philosophy. For me, personally, this didn’t rise to Middlegame’s awesomeness. There was a LOT of explaining (to the point where the characters joke about it) and orienting this book against Middlegame. There also wasn’t the compelling struggle between sympathetic “good” and extra diabolical evil. The characters, likable as they were, felt “less than” Roger and Dodger. Nonetheless, it swept me along and kept me up past my bedtime. I’ll take it!
carmiendo's review against another edition
3.0
unsatisfying!! and i wanted to hear Mel's side too!!
the first one was way better
the first one was way better
ellasbookishwonderland's review against another edition
3.0
3.5*
[b:Middlegame|35965482|Middlegame (Alchemical Journeys, #1)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537297437l/35965482._SX50_.jpg|57524946] is one of my all time favorite books, and, although it pains me to say, Seasonal Fears was a disappointment.
To start out with the positives, I had forgotten how utterly obsessed I am with Seanan McGuire's writing. It's so beautiful, and so unique, an absolute pleasure to read. Just like in [b:Middlegame|35965482|Middlegame (Alchemical Journeys, #1)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537297437l/35965482._SX50_.jpg|57524946] I feel like the writing adds a whole new level to the story. Part of that is how interesting the narration is, specifically the use of parenthesis to add in little sections that tell the story in an almost fourth wall breaking kind of way, it adds so much to the vibe. Also, first person present will never cease to amaze me. I don't know what it is about it.
The characters are also great. McGuire writes friendships and relationships so well, we saw it with Rodger and Dodger in [b:Middlegame|35965482|Middlegame (Alchemical Journeys, #1)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537297437l/35965482._SX50_.jpg|57524946], and she's done it again with the main characters of Seasonal Fears, Harry and Melanie. Their all-encompassing, teenage relationship, with how much they love and care about each other, was one of my favorite aspects of the book. The antagonists are all wonderfully twisted, and contrast to the protagonists in an interesting way. Jack was one of my favorite characters, she added a bit of comedic relief, and I really enjoyed the discussion on gender and gender expression she was involved in. We have her, a girl named Jack, and man named Jenny, for example, and I found it really interesting how one of those things seems more reasonable than the other, something that's also talked about in the book. Why are masculine names unisex, when men having feminine names is weird?
As for the plot, it was dry, and it was boring. The concept, with people embodying seasons and having to compete with each other to be the one season incarnate, complete with a good dose of alchemy, is fascinating, but the execution doesn't go all the way. When I was 300 pages into the book, nothing had happened, aside from various people explaining every aspect of the premise to me seven or so times in a row. The first time around I found the scientific aspect interesting, because [b:Middlegame|35965482|Middlegame (Alchemical Journeys, #1)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537297437l/35965482._SX50_.jpg|57524946] was more on the whimsical, confusing side, but after a while I got quite sick of characters saying words instead of, you know, doing something. It's like the author really wants to make sure you understand how good the idea is, while forgetting to actually execute it. The ending was a bit anticlimactic, and probably would have been more interesting had there been more build up. It left me feeling like I had just read a bunch of words and not really gotten anything out of the book. Where was the story? I didn't find it.
All in all, I don't think Seasonal Fears lived up to the expectations I had after Middlegame. I am disappointed, but I hope to get more books in the series that are more similar to the first one.
[b:Middlegame|35965482|Middlegame (Alchemical Journeys, #1)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537297437l/35965482._SX50_.jpg|57524946] is one of my all time favorite books, and, although it pains me to say, Seasonal Fears was a disappointment.
To start out with the positives, I had forgotten how utterly obsessed I am with Seanan McGuire's writing. It's so beautiful, and so unique, an absolute pleasure to read. Just like in [b:Middlegame|35965482|Middlegame (Alchemical Journeys, #1)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537297437l/35965482._SX50_.jpg|57524946] I feel like the writing adds a whole new level to the story. Part of that is how interesting the narration is, specifically the use of parenthesis to add in little sections that tell the story in an almost fourth wall breaking kind of way, it adds so much to the vibe. Also, first person present will never cease to amaze me. I don't know what it is about it.
The characters are also great. McGuire writes friendships and relationships so well, we saw it with Rodger and Dodger in [b:Middlegame|35965482|Middlegame (Alchemical Journeys, #1)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537297437l/35965482._SX50_.jpg|57524946], and she's done it again with the main characters of Seasonal Fears, Harry and Melanie. Their all-encompassing, teenage relationship, with how much they love and care about each other, was one of my favorite aspects of the book. The antagonists are all wonderfully twisted, and contrast to the protagonists in an interesting way. Jack was one of my favorite characters, she added a bit of comedic relief, and I really enjoyed the discussion on gender and gender expression she was involved in. We have her, a girl named Jack, and man named Jenny, for example, and I found it really interesting how one of those things seems more reasonable than the other, something that's also talked about in the book. Why are masculine names unisex, when men having feminine names is weird?
As for the plot, it was dry, and it was boring. The concept, with people embodying seasons and having to compete with each other to be the one season incarnate, complete with a good dose of alchemy, is fascinating, but the execution doesn't go all the way. When I was 300 pages into the book, nothing had happened, aside from various people explaining every aspect of the premise to me seven or so times in a row. The first time around I found the scientific aspect interesting, because [b:Middlegame|35965482|Middlegame (Alchemical Journeys, #1)|Seanan McGuire|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537297437l/35965482._SX50_.jpg|57524946] was more on the whimsical, confusing side, but after a while I got quite sick of characters saying words instead of, you know, doing something. It's like the author really wants to make sure you understand how good the idea is, while forgetting to actually execute it. The ending was a bit anticlimactic, and probably would have been more interesting had there been more build up. It left me feeling like I had just read a bunch of words and not really gotten anything out of the book. Where was the story? I didn't find it.
All in all, I don't think Seasonal Fears lived up to the expectations I had after Middlegame. I am disappointed, but I hope to get more books in the series that are more similar to the first one.
_thatliterarylife's review against another edition
3.0
I think I'll have to give this one a 3.5. I enjoyed the premise, but the execution was a little off. It seemed like the majority of the story was just Jack explaining things to Harry and Mel, but I did like learning about it all. I think my expectations were just way too high after Middlegame (which I loved).
lib_britannia's review against another edition
Too similar to the first book, just with new characters. I wasn't in the mood to do it all over again. Maybe someday.
aden's review against another edition
5.0
this was fantastic! it was not as good as middlegame but considering middlegame is one of my favorite books of all time i was not expecting this to be on that level so i’m not disappointed in this one. in fact, i think if seanan mcguire made this story too close to middlegame it would not have been as good! i loved following harry and mel and thought that their character work was extremely well done. the cameos in this book had me heart SOARING. the worldbuilding is, as expected, spectacular and mind blowing. seanan mcguire knows how to craft her worlds perfectly. i will say, this definitely feels like 500 page book. i ended up taking a big break after hitting halfway but the second half flew by. i’m so excited for book 3! it seems like this series can go anywhere and i’m so here for that
madeline_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank my lucky stars that this book, being the second of a series, has almost nothing to do with the first one. At one point I looked up the plot of the first (Middlegame) to help jog my memory but it seems that the characters and situations from the first were only lightly tied in. Truly you can be read this book with no knowledge of the first one.
That all being said. I really love Seanan McGuire's writing. Her ideas are fun and well developed. Her world building through her characters comes with just enough snark and fun. I really enjoy her ability to present new magic approaches without over extending the edges of what is and is not possible within her worlds.
That all being said. I really love Seanan McGuire's writing. Her ideas are fun and well developed. Her world building through her characters comes with just enough snark and fun. I really enjoy her ability to present new magic approaches without over extending the edges of what is and is not possible within her worlds.
dyrimwolfe's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful as always!
This has to be one of my favorite authors' hands down.
The story is freaking indescribable and definitely didn't disappoint like some tend to do.
I am eagerly going to wait and see if a third is in the works.
This has to be one of my favorite authors' hands down.
The story is freaking indescribable and definitely didn't disappoint like some tend to do.
I am eagerly going to wait and see if a third is in the works.
simoneandherbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Well, Seanan McGuire's gone above and beyond to create another story of alchemy and mystery set in the same world as Middlegame. It's a companion novel, so you can read it alone. However, I think you'll really benefit more if you've read the first. Thanks to Tor dot com for a gifted copy of the book.
I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I started this book. I knew that there was going to be some wibbly wobbly timey wimey-ness to it because if it's a companion to Middlegame, then there's definitely going to be talk of the Impossible City, the Up-and-Under, and maybe even appearances from the A Deborah Baker books she's written.
And this book does all of those things and more. One of the reasons why I love reading Seanan McGuire is her ability to create these incredible worlds. A place where real life huamsn can dream of places they've only read in books or seen on TV. Portals to worlds that coincide with ours, energies that exist that shouldn't exist. And this one explores these concepts just as much as any of her other books. Alchemy is supposed to be the study of science and magic and I think Seanan McGuire does an excellent job throughout this series with creating her alchemical world.
Seasonal Fears features two main characters, Harry and Melanie, but if I'm going to be honest, this is Harry's story. Melanie has been sick since she's been born and Harry is the jock football player with a huge sense of humor. In many ways they're different, but they've loved each other for as long as they've known each other. But when both of them collapse one day, only one came back alive and thus began their journey on the improbable road to the Impossible City.
I absolutely love the play on seasons in this one. Seanan McGuire's creativity is one of the reasons why I come back to her stories. Using the same concepts in Middlegame of embodying intangible things and making them human plays itself out in Seasonal Fears as Summer and Winter. It's so beautiful to think about; how a person can embody a season and their emotions contribute directly to how the season will play out. On top of that, the corruption and lies behind the seasons and the people who embody them. It was part political, part emotional, and just really blew my mind.
Harry and Melanie were also the kinds of characters you rooted for. While both of them come from different backgrounds and lived very different lives side-by-side, you can relate to either of them in any of the ways. Harry is naive and hard-headed, which makes it difficult for him to understand the alchemical concepts that are being explained to him numerous times. Melanie is made for the season she was built for, which made it easier for her to accept what's happening. Their relationship was sweet and the kind of young love that makes readers sigh with joy for them and make you fiercely protect that innocence from any outside parties.
And throughout the story, there were numerous outside parties; people who were trying to kill Harry and Melanie for their candidacy as Summer and Winter. I also loved this part of the book because Harry and Melanie weren't technically the chosen ones. They are candidates for the position and they were on their way to claim the crowns for themselves, but so were a few dozen other people. It was interesting to see them on their journey, but I also felt like it was unnecessarily long. I honestly felt like the journey was too long and the destination scenes were too short. I would have loved the reverse.
Seanan McGuire definitely puts in a lot of effort to make sure every reader understands clearly what's going on. Perhaps there was some feedback from Middlegame being too difficult in its concepts, so she doubled-down on this one. In some ways, it was a little too much becoming more repetitive than informative. But I can also understand her frustration with receiving "I don't get it" feedback from her first novel. I truly appreciate that she took the time to really flesh out these ideas creating a much more robust world that's a bit more digestible. It wasn't as good as Middle game, in my humble opinion, but it was still something I devoured.
Of course, this book isn't complete with a few surprises around each corner. I loved seeing the characters from Middlegame make an appearance and also a lot of understanding behind what happened to them, the parallels of the story to the stories by A Deborah Baker, and deeper understanding of the entire alchemical world created by Seanan. I appreciate this book for finally bringing to light some of the more confusing aspects and while it wasn't perfect, it was definitely the perfect companion.
I wasn't sure what I was expecting when I started this book. I knew that there was going to be some wibbly wobbly timey wimey-ness to it because if it's a companion to Middlegame, then there's definitely going to be talk of the Impossible City, the Up-and-Under, and maybe even appearances from the A Deborah Baker books she's written.
And this book does all of those things and more. One of the reasons why I love reading Seanan McGuire is her ability to create these incredible worlds. A place where real life huamsn can dream of places they've only read in books or seen on TV. Portals to worlds that coincide with ours, energies that exist that shouldn't exist. And this one explores these concepts just as much as any of her other books. Alchemy is supposed to be the study of science and magic and I think Seanan McGuire does an excellent job throughout this series with creating her alchemical world.
Seasonal Fears features two main characters, Harry and Melanie, but if I'm going to be honest, this is Harry's story. Melanie has been sick since she's been born and Harry is the jock football player with a huge sense of humor. In many ways they're different, but they've loved each other for as long as they've known each other. But when both of them collapse one day, only one came back alive and thus began their journey on the improbable road to the Impossible City.
I absolutely love the play on seasons in this one. Seanan McGuire's creativity is one of the reasons why I come back to her stories. Using the same concepts in Middlegame of embodying intangible things and making them human plays itself out in Seasonal Fears as Summer and Winter. It's so beautiful to think about; how a person can embody a season and their emotions contribute directly to how the season will play out. On top of that, the corruption and lies behind the seasons and the people who embody them. It was part political, part emotional, and just really blew my mind.
Harry and Melanie were also the kinds of characters you rooted for. While both of them come from different backgrounds and lived very different lives side-by-side, you can relate to either of them in any of the ways. Harry is naive and hard-headed, which makes it difficult for him to understand the alchemical concepts that are being explained to him numerous times. Melanie is made for the season she was built for, which made it easier for her to accept what's happening. Their relationship was sweet and the kind of young love that makes readers sigh with joy for them and make you fiercely protect that innocence from any outside parties.
And throughout the story, there were numerous outside parties; people who were trying to kill Harry and Melanie for their candidacy as Summer and Winter. I also loved this part of the book because Harry and Melanie weren't technically the chosen ones. They are candidates for the position and they were on their way to claim the crowns for themselves, but so were a few dozen other people. It was interesting to see them on their journey, but I also felt like it was unnecessarily long. I honestly felt like the journey was too long and the destination scenes were too short. I would have loved the reverse.
Seanan McGuire definitely puts in a lot of effort to make sure every reader understands clearly what's going on. Perhaps there was some feedback from Middlegame being too difficult in its concepts, so she doubled-down on this one. In some ways, it was a little too much becoming more repetitive than informative. But I can also understand her frustration with receiving "I don't get it" feedback from her first novel. I truly appreciate that she took the time to really flesh out these ideas creating a much more robust world that's a bit more digestible. It wasn't as good as Middle game, in my humble opinion, but it was still something I devoured.
Of course, this book isn't complete with a few surprises around each corner. I loved seeing the characters from Middlegame make an appearance and also a lot of understanding behind what happened to them, the parallels of the story to the stories by A Deborah Baker, and deeper understanding of the entire alchemical world created by Seanan. I appreciate this book for finally bringing to light some of the more confusing aspects and while it wasn't perfect, it was definitely the perfect companion.
imjustadow's review against another edition
3.0
this one gets a lower score from me than the first, but i did still enjoy it quite a bit. the characters were fun to discover, and the cameos from book 1 felt right. i just wish that the stuff that happens in the last 30-50 pages of the book had been more like, spread out over the second half of the book and we hadn't taken so long to get to the true crux of what the story was building to. still very much looking forward to tidal creatures