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kanissa's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of those books that annoys me, because I don't really like it all that much, but I want to read it just to see what happens.
My biggest complaint is the goofy names: StarDrifter, GoldFeather, AfterLife....What's with the funky capitalization? And magic comes from the "Star Dance"? Talk about silly.
Characters seem very one-dimensional. Protagonists are good; antagonists are unlikable. There are no conflicted heroes here. There also doesn't really seem to be any development. Take Borneheld's generals, for example. They're all very loyal, stand-up guys, defending the crown and realm. Then boom, they decide to follow Axis instead.
This is a big problem with the book, in my opinion. Characters throw away long-held beliefs at the drop of a hat. It goes something like this: "My entire life, I've believed the Forbidden are evil, and we have a religious obligation to destroy their forests and junk. What? There's an ancient prophecy that says they're NOT evil? Oh, well, ok! Let's all eat s'mores and sing Kumbaya!" (And I am NOT exaggerating.)
You'd think throwing aside a lifetime of indoctrination would be a BIT harder. The only characters who think "HEY, this prophecy is a load of bull!" are the antagonists.
My biggest complaint is the goofy names: StarDrifter, GoldFeather, AfterLife....What's with the funky capitalization? And magic comes from the "Star Dance"? Talk about silly.
Characters seem very one-dimensional. Protagonists are good; antagonists are unlikable. There are no conflicted heroes here. There also doesn't really seem to be any development. Take Borneheld's generals, for example. They're all very loyal, stand-up guys, defending the crown and realm. Then boom, they decide to follow Axis instead.
This is a big problem with the book, in my opinion. Characters throw away long-held beliefs at the drop of a hat. It goes something like this: "My entire life, I've believed the Forbidden are evil, and we have a religious obligation to destroy their forests and junk. What? There's an ancient prophecy that says they're NOT evil? Oh, well, ok! Let's all eat s'mores and sing Kumbaya!" (And I am NOT exaggerating.)
You'd think throwing aside a lifetime of indoctrination would be a BIT harder. The only characters who think "HEY, this prophecy is a load of bull!" are the antagonists.
ladylizardxvii's review against another edition
1.0
I'm sure this book was exciting and new in the nineties, but I'm just not sure it holds up in 2019. I didn't start to become really intrigued with the world until the last 100 pages or so, and at that point I was adamant I was not going to read another book in this series. The characters were so painfully archetypal, and the way they interacted with each other was stiff and unnatural. The point of view would change in the middle of the scene as well, which was jarring and seemed a little immature, writing style-wise.
Based on other reviews, I feel like I read a classic, but I didn't read it at the right period in my life. And now I've just read too many better books to really get behind this one.
Based on other reviews, I feel like I read a classic, but I didn't read it at the right period in my life. And now I've just read too many better books to really get behind this one.
alistairstafford's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
acousticlunatic's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Great story but terrible writing.
dogearedbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, War, Blood, Animal death, Violence, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Animal death, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, and Murder
Minor: Rape and Sexual content
donnaadouglas's review against another edition
3.0
As far as trilogy openers go, this one was a good one. From page one it captured my interest and held it through to the end. Compared to the last fantasy book I read, [a:Raymond E. Feist|8588|Raymond E. Feist|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1190654917p2/8588.jpg]'s [b:Magician|65605|The Magician's Nephew (Chronicles of Narnia, #1)|C.S. Lewis|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1170634447s/65605.jpg|1031537], I found this to be a gripping fantasy story that was pretty well written. It's clearly not high literature, but it kept me entertained.
QUOTATIONS I LIKED:
"'Sometimes I think we dream too much of safe haven in a world where few truly find it...'"
QUOTATIONS I LIKED:
"'Sometimes I think we dream too much of safe haven in a world where few truly find it...'"
blodeuedd's review against another edition
2.0
Sigh. This is not the way you want to book 1 to end. With a feeling that I will not read more. Not even if the library had it.
The first 300 pages has promise. Even with the instalove. Seriously why are those two in love?!?! They did not really talk for a long time, they just are. Whatever.
The world was interesting. Humans pushed out two other races and forgot about them. Because humans are stupid. They all lived in harmony once. And now darkness is coming, and humans are still stupid. Seriously two other races, leave and let the humans rot.
The hero was...confused most of the time.
The heroine was a Mary Sue. Chose, beautiful *eyeroll*
Then I started to get bored, then I started to skim.
So for that ok first half it gets an ok. After that it just got boring and ridiculous . I would not recommend it.
So I did what anyone would do, read reviews of the other 5 books so that I wont have to think about. It seems this is a trilogy that continues with another trilogy 40 years later. And that one sounded effed up, incest and all kind of weird stuff. Not to mention that this trilogy spirals out of control too
The first 300 pages has promise. Even with the instalove. Seriously why are those two in love?!?! They did not really talk for a long time, they just are. Whatever.
The world was interesting. Humans pushed out two other races and forgot about them. Because humans are stupid. They all lived in harmony once. And now darkness is coming, and humans are still stupid. Seriously two other races, leave and let the humans rot.
The hero was...confused most of the time.
The heroine was a Mary Sue. Chose, beautiful *eyeroll*
Then I started to get bored, then I started to skim.
So for that ok first half it gets an ok. After that it just got boring and ridiculous . I would not recommend it.
So I did what anyone would do, read reviews of the other 5 books so that I wont have to think about. It seems this is a trilogy that continues with another trilogy 40 years later. And that one sounded effed up, incest and all kind of weird stuff. Not to mention that this trilogy spirals out of control too
jedicook's review against another edition
2.0
Gave up reading after a few chapters. Gave it two stars instead of one in case it gets better from a dreadful start.
helarsen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Age gap relationship(18&30)
marineb09's review against another edition
2.0
... I don't know what to say ... this book was so disappointing.
It was said to be an epic fantasy - a must read - bla bla bla ... I never felt so drained by a book before haha
It was weird and fast and not structured (at least from my point of view).
"Oh hey you girl, you are part of the prophecy, come with us deep into the forest - you know the people you never met before, come we tell you the truth.
"Okay"
WHAT the F... ?
The characters are so truth worthy, they take everything they are said to be the truth and oh well I don't know why I would think for myself now ^^
The part they are on has some test of sort but are amazing characters pass them without a scratch. And ouspi I am already where I want to be. And oh don't get me started on love at first sight and I pledge my life to you even If I learn your name, like 2 minutes ago... Argh
I read and read because I hate to DNF a book and I was hoping for it to be better ...
The unnerving part in all of this : I still want to know what happens ^^ but I am sure won't read the reste of the series ... it will be too painful ...
It was said to be an epic fantasy - a must read - bla bla bla ... I never felt so drained by a book before haha
It was weird and fast and not structured (at least from my point of view).
"Oh hey you girl, you are part of the prophecy, come with us deep into the forest - you know the people you never met before, come we tell you the truth.
"Okay"
WHAT the F... ?
The characters are so truth worthy, they take everything they are said to be the truth and oh well I don't know why I would think for myself now ^^
The part they are on has some test of sort but are amazing characters pass them without a scratch. And ouspi I am already where I want to be. And oh don't get me started on love at first sight and I pledge my life to you even If I learn your name, like 2 minutes ago... Argh
I read and read because I hate to DNF a book and I was hoping for it to be better ...
The unnerving part in all of this : I still want to know what happens ^^ but I am sure won't read the reste of the series ... it will be too painful ...