Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read my full review over on my blog here
Tess of the Road is a fantastically written novel full of adventure and magic.
Having not read Seraphina or Dragon Scale, I wasn't sure what to expect but I really enjoyed this book. I do wish I had read those 2 books before jumping into this one though. Although not necessary, I do feel I would have benefitted greatly with understanding some characters as well as the world and lore. So, that's just something to keep in mind before you decide to jump into this book.
It's a very long book and perhaps some parts could have been cut down. But the entire book was very cohesive and I appreciate the work put into building this fantasy world and the explanations of aspects readers wouldn't know if they hadn't read Hartman's other books. Each part of the story intersects beautifully and I definitely recommend this book.
Tess of the Road is a fantastically written novel full of adventure and magic.
Having not read Seraphina or Dragon Scale, I wasn't sure what to expect but I really enjoyed this book. I do wish I had read those 2 books before jumping into this one though. Although not necessary, I do feel I would have benefitted greatly with understanding some characters as well as the world and lore. So, that's just something to keep in mind before you decide to jump into this book.
It's a very long book and perhaps some parts could have been cut down. But the entire book was very cohesive and I appreciate the work put into building this fantasy world and the explanations of aspects readers wouldn't know if they hadn't read Hartman's other books. Each part of the story intersects beautifully and I definitely recommend this book.
This is a solid 3 for me. It's not a book for everyone. Tess of the Road started out at a 5-star, but it failed to keep my attention the further and further the story progressed. This is a very character-driven story, and I think that is where it ultimately loses the audience by being so plot-poor that it becomes rambling. I kept waiting for something to happen, but it felt a bit more like actually going on a very long foot journey with lots of filler moments that don't seem to add to the overall arc. I do think the book deals with some very important issues about morality, the patriarchy, self-worth, religion, and family, but it just takes too long to get to the point to make it something I would re-read or be interested in a potential sequel.
“Ella todavía tenía aflicciones, pero no se componía de ellas. Su vida no era una tragedia. Era historia, y era suya.”
"Here's an analogy I like: guilt is a runaway wagon down the mountainside. It may carry you a long way, but it usually ends in disaster. Love, on the other hand, is much slower - just your own two feet, really. But it's more likely to take you somewhere worth going."
This is a very personal five star rating - I would definitely not expect everyone to feel the same as I do about this book. The plot is slow and there's very little action, but Tess's journey - her guilt, her hurt, her longing for something more - was so deeply relatable to me.
I'm usually excited about sequels and ready to devour them, but in this case I don't know that I need any more. This story stands perfectly on its own.
This is a very personal five star rating - I would definitely not expect everyone to feel the same as I do about this book. The plot is slow and there's very little action, but Tess's journey - her guilt, her hurt, her longing for something more - was so deeply relatable to me.
I'm usually excited about sequels and ready to devour them, but in this case I don't know that I need any more. This story stands perfectly on its own.
3.5
I really wanted to love this book, but I struggled with it. The writing and characters were great, but this fantasy world was just not for me.
I really wanted to love this book, but I struggled with it. The writing and characters were great, but this fantasy world was just not for me.
I wasn't sure at first, but by the end I was all in, and now I can't stand that I read this early and will need to wait that much longer for the rest of the story.
THIS BOOK IS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I literally cannot say how awesome this book was, for so many reasons. First off, though, I will have to caution that this is a continuation/spinoff of Hartman's Seraphina duology, and it would be far easier a read to start with those books and then continue on with this one, as the world-building isn't really that explained in Tess as it is in the first two books. I read the first two books a few years ago, and so I forgot a few things about the world, which made it a bit tricky to read Tess, but I managed.
Tess is a thoroughly incredible character. She's strong and sassy, full of love and is quick to help those around her even at her own expense. However, she's been beaten down because of the society in which she lives. I won't say too much about her backstory, because it's something that is beautifully discovered throughout the book, but she's had a hard time of it, and having a character work through her past like this was a really unique focus for a book, and I think it's one that definitely should be explored more. The themes of femininity, womanhood, agency, redemption, healing and finding your own place in the world are dealt with heavily through this book, and honestly I think it's a book that every young woman (or even adult woman) should read. I got teary-eyed several times.
I expected it to be more about adventure and less about the internal struggles of Tess, the main character, but I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly enjoyed everything this book had to offer. Tess is Everywoman, out on a journey to discover herself and reconcile the parts of her past that she regrets or that have left indelible scars on her soul.
I literally want everyone to read this book, so go do it!!
I literally cannot say how awesome this book was, for so many reasons. First off, though, I will have to caution that this is a continuation/spinoff of Hartman's Seraphina duology, and it would be far easier a read to start with those books and then continue on with this one, as the world-building isn't really that explained in Tess as it is in the first two books. I read the first two books a few years ago, and so I forgot a few things about the world, which made it a bit tricky to read Tess, but I managed.
Tess is a thoroughly incredible character. She's strong and sassy, full of love and is quick to help those around her even at her own expense. However, she's been beaten down because of the society in which she lives. I won't say too much about her backstory, because it's something that is beautifully discovered throughout the book, but she's had a hard time of it, and having a character work through her past like this was a really unique focus for a book, and I think it's one that definitely should be explored more. The themes of femininity, womanhood, agency, redemption, healing and finding your own place in the world are dealt with heavily through this book, and honestly I think it's a book that every young woman (or even adult woman) should read. I got teary-eyed several times.
I expected it to be more about adventure and less about the internal struggles of Tess, the main character, but I was pleasantly surprised and thoroughly enjoyed everything this book had to offer. Tess is Everywoman, out on a journey to discover herself and reconcile the parts of her past that she regrets or that have left indelible scars on her soul.
I literally want everyone to read this book, so go do it!!
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced