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bellebookcorner's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I really wanted to like this one, the blurb sounds interesting and the cover looks gorgeous as well which makes me want to pick this one up. Unfortunately, I have a difficult time getting hooked into the story.
The world building is actually pretty interesting with a bunch of teenagers trying to find a way to secret world but the I was confused most of the time. It felt like I was thrown in the middle of a series which I know nothing about.
The story is told in multiple POVs, the characters are all different so it’s easier to differentiate them however it took a while for me to realize which POV is it. It would have been better if there’s a name of the character on the chapter heading.
I keep pushing through in hope there’ll be an explanation soon after. The explanation and the reveal comes near the ending by that time I wasn’t really interested in this story again.
This book has the potential to be a great one with all the elements it has but sadly this one fell flat. Moreover, the pacing and the writing style is not to my liking.
I received an advanced review copy for free through Netgalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. Huge thank you to the author and publisher!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence
forever_undone_fables's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
Thank you to Netgalley and Hidden Grove books for the opportunity to read a digital ARC of The Prophets Gambit in exchange for my honest review.
I was immediately drawn into the book by the beautiful cover art (for some reason it doesn’t show up on my kindle, which stinks because I’d have liked to use it for content) and the fact that part of the fantasy element had to do with dreams (something I am personally interested in)
This is a YA urban fantasy about a high school senior who finds out that she is a descendant of a magical peoples from an alternate realm through a new group of friends, who are trying to find their way back to that place. I love her found friendships, after her original friends were so awful. (A moment of appreciation for Mirai, how she is physically strong and can be explosive with her anger, but that she is so soft and caring with her friends). I think that each character had their moments where you got to know their good and “bad” sides. You even find yourself empathizing with and understanding why the villain ends up as they do. The magic system, overall writing style and pace all worked for me. There is also LGBTQ+ representation in here with the fmc having two dads and a non binary friend that used they/them pronouns.
Also- The love triangle in this book!!! I think anyone would have a difficult time choosing who they want her to end up with. I think the way they’re written is excellent, because they’re both multifaceted in such opposing and yet similar ways. I know who I’m rooting for, and that’s why I need more ASAP!
I really enjoyed this book! I honestly can’t wait to read the next one, and think it deserves way more hype than I have seen, because I haven’t seen nearly enough. I’ll be waiting for part two impatiently, because I KNOW things are about to get real. The only “negative” is that I wish there was more. This was very much so an introduction to the series, and book two is going to be so much more of that fantasy element, and even more character development.
I was immediately drawn into the book by the beautiful cover art (for some reason it doesn’t show up on my kindle, which stinks because I’d have liked to use it for content) and the fact that part of the fantasy element had to do with dreams (something I am personally interested in)
This is a YA urban fantasy about a high school senior who finds out that she is a descendant of a magical peoples from an alternate realm through a new group of friends, who are trying to find their way back to that place. I love her found friendships, after her original friends were so awful. (A moment of appreciation for Mirai, how she is physically strong and can be explosive with her anger, but that she is so soft and caring with her friends). I think that each character had their moments where you got to know their good and “bad” sides. You even find yourself empathizing with and understanding why the villain ends up as they do. The magic system, overall writing style and pace all worked for me. There is also LGBTQ+ representation in here with the fmc having two dads and a non binary friend that used they/them pronouns.
Also- The love triangle in this book!!! I think anyone would have a difficult time choosing who they want her to end up with. I think the way they’re written is excellent, because they’re both multifaceted in such opposing and yet similar ways. I know who I’m rooting for, and that’s why I need more ASAP!
I really enjoyed this book! I honestly can’t wait to read the next one, and think it deserves way more hype than I have seen, because I haven’t seen nearly enough. I’ll be waiting for part two impatiently, because I KNOW things are about to get real. The only “negative” is that I wish there was more. This was very much so an introduction to the series, and book two is going to be so much more of that fantasy element, and even more character development.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence and Violence