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3.63 AVERAGE
3.63 AVERAGE
I first read this book in 2021 and never really stopped thinking about it. I still stand by the proclamation that this is one of the best books I have ever read.
The ending might've felt unsatisfying and even after the second time, again, I feel a little bit of frustration tingling beneath my amazement but genuinely, I think that's exactly the emotion this book is supposed to provoke.
All is left undone and you close the book with your head railing, going back and forth, thinking you skipped a page or were too dumb to understand. The main character did not get what they wanted, nobody did, really, and the epilouge reveals a twist so uncanny and unpredicted, yet so carefully planted you realize Hesina was never the main character to begin with but almost a puppet that executed what her father had staged for her.
Frustration is a hard feeling, especially for a reader because not feeling satisfied with a story gives room to ponder - and thinking about a story in all its details makes you even more frustrated, thinking you could do better, that you could connect the dots better. But in all honesty, I think a good story needs exactly this to be remembered. Throw away all the happy endings, all the stories tied together so smoothly at the end you don't even have to think about it again, because why would you? It's all you thought it would be.
But real stories, real plot twists are exactly what this book is. Not what you expected.
I want a book that makes me consider, reflect, contemplate, days, months and years after I put it back into my shelf. I want a story slightly incomplete, an ending that doesn't feel like one, like hey, there should be another chapter, no? And when there isn't you think for yourself for once. Thinking - remembering a story is all I need for a story to be good. And this one is by far the best one yet.
The ending might've felt unsatisfying and even after the second time, again, I feel a little bit of frustration tingling beneath my amazement but genuinely, I think that's exactly the emotion this book is supposed to provoke.
All is left undone and you close the book with your head railing, going back and forth, thinking you skipped a page or were too dumb to understand. The main character did not get what they wanted, nobody did, really, and the epilouge reveals a twist so uncanny and unpredicted, yet so carefully planted you realize Hesina was never the main character to begin with but almost a puppet that executed what her father had staged for her.
Frustration is a hard feeling, especially for a reader because not feeling satisfied with a story gives room to ponder - and thinking about a story in all its details makes you even more frustrated, thinking you could do better, that you could connect the dots better. But in all honesty, I think a good story needs exactly this to be remembered. Throw away all the happy endings, all the stories tied together so smoothly at the end you don't even have to think about it again, because why would you? It's all you thought it would be.
But real stories, real plot twists are exactly what this book is. Not what you expected.
I want a book that makes me consider, reflect, contemplate, days, months and years after I put it back into my shelf. I want a story slightly incomplete, an ending that doesn't feel like one, like hey, there should be another chapter, no? And when there isn't you think for yourself for once. Thinking - remembering a story is all I need for a story to be good. And this one is by far the best one yet.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
DNF at page 291.
This will teach me to pick up books based on the cover.
This will teach me to pick up books based on the cover.
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wonderful. Great cast of characters. A complex world with a harshly persecuted minority who have a form of magical powers. The ground keeps shifting as people are manipulated and cheated. Great writing and truly compelling.
i understand that this will likely not be followed up with a sequel, and i respect he's decision either way, but if i could get even the bullet points for the rest of the plot i could be satisfied. i find the ending of this novel to be enough, i think it tied up the important pieces just so to let me sleep at night, but at the same time i crave more of these characters. he's grasp of political intrigue is everything i look for, and she made me believe in het love. beautiful character progression and really interesting magic system. i do recommend, even without the completion of the series.
probably gonna forget everything about this book in two hours
also the writing was meh
also the writing was meh
I really enjoyed the twists, turns, and magic woven throughout the entire book. It took a little while to pick up but once it did, it never stopped. The writing style was beautiful and reading a novel set in a different time and place from anything I have previously read forced me to imagine something new, and guided by this novel something beautiful