Scan barcode
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review
4.0
I checked the time twice to make sure I would have enough time today to read this entire book. I've gotten it quite some time ago already, but for some reason it ended up on the shelves. However, since I've been reading three other Ross books I had on the shelves I've been craving for more. So once I assured myself that I'd really be able to finish this book today I finally got started. And I really hoped this book would be as good as the other three I've read!
I finished this book WAY sooner than I had thought. Not because the book was simple. The book was just flowing really nicely. There was a perfect balance between explanation, inner monologue and dialogue. And in between there were some really nice quotes really touching me. I like the author's writing style in general. It's flowery enough to understand why she's one of those outstanding authors. But it's not TOO flowery making it still easy to read.
I also absolutely loved the plot and the world. In a way the concept was quite simple and yet the author did such an amazing job making sure that everything worked and fit. Scenes and moments that seemed small in the beginning, got a lot more meaningful once we finally got the explanation. And I was really impressed how the author managed to build up everything so well that there was no way to guess what was going on before it was truly revealed, yet it didn't come out of nowhere.
And then there was the romance. Of course it was quite clear that these two characters were going to fall in love eventually. I did however really love how the romance happened. There was a certain spark at first sight and yet it took time for the characters to get to know each other, especially because our heroine wasn't too impressed after her first meeting with the hero. The finale, and especially the role of their romance in that finale, was worth the long wait though!
I finished this book WAY sooner than I had thought. Not because the book was simple. The book was just flowing really nicely. There was a perfect balance between explanation, inner monologue and dialogue. And in between there were some really nice quotes really touching me. I like the author's writing style in general. It's flowery enough to understand why she's one of those outstanding authors. But it's not TOO flowery making it still easy to read.
I also absolutely loved the plot and the world. In a way the concept was quite simple and yet the author did such an amazing job making sure that everything worked and fit. Scenes and moments that seemed small in the beginning, got a lot more meaningful once we finally got the explanation. And I was really impressed how the author managed to build up everything so well that there was no way to guess what was going on before it was truly revealed, yet it didn't come out of nowhere.
And then there was the romance. Of course it was quite clear that these two characters were going to fall in love eventually. I did however really love how the romance happened. There was a certain spark at first sight and yet it took time for the characters to get to know each other, especially because our heroine wasn't too impressed after her first meeting with the hero. The finale, and especially the role of their romance in that finale, was worth the long wait though!
allie_diana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A great book to read if you want something fast paced.
A perfect mix of romance and fantasy.
A perfect mix of romance and fantasy.
stephanienguyen96's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
cmdufresne's review against another edition
5.0
Nightmares, fighting/dueling magicians, ancient curses, vengeance, mystery, family lies, all wrapped in a nice little hardcover. I adore Rebecca Ross's characters and the way she weaves a story. I was hooked the entire time and only wish there was more to explain the world she brought us to.
gemmyleigh's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.75
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3/5
I had high hopes for this book. I always love the idea of a new fantasy world. My problem with this book was that I couldn’t keep the terms used for different characters straight. Seeing how that ended up surrounding the whole plot didn’t help in any way.
I had high hopes for this book. I always love the idea of a new fantasy world. My problem with this book was that I couldn’t keep the terms used for different characters straight. Seeing how that ended up surrounding the whole plot didn’t help in any way.
taya_bel's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic and cozy/wholesome read, but holy crap that ending was so rushed and it felt as though it was setting readers up for a sequel..? 3 years after being published and still no sequel announcement, so I don’t know what to think.
A few plot holes in the plot line which also lessened the overall enjoyment, but I digress.
Note to self: I read this book solely via audiobook
A few plot holes in the plot line which also lessened the overall enjoyment, but I digress.
Note to self: I read this book solely via audiobook
artsynerd97's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kenthekenku's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Really cool premise but a lot of repeating exposition and overly flowery prose. Overall still a good book! I just prefer a voice that trusts the reader a bit more.
I’ve read some of the author’s later work where their writing style has developed a bit more so my expectations were higher. I hope she comes back to this world later on. I’d like to see where the characters pick up with a bit more maturity.
I’ve read some of the author’s later work where their writing style has developed a bit more so my expectations were higher. I hope she comes back to this world later on. I’d like to see where the characters pick up with a bit more maturity.