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lhnicoleauthor's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book in exchange for an honest review so here we go.
I liked this book, though, for me, the pacing was a bit slow at times. However I loved the characters and I felt like I could connect with them. (always a plus)
The world building and magic in this book were pretty cool and i had fun reading about it and what Amie goes through, moving to a different country and trying to wrap her head around all the magic.
I was probably a bit nice giving this a four but i think it deserved better than just a three and I would recommend this book to friends.
I liked this book, though, for me, the pacing was a bit slow at times. However I loved the characters and I felt like I could connect with them. (always a plus)
The world building and magic in this book were pretty cool and i had fun reading about it and what Amie goes through, moving to a different country and trying to wrap her head around all the magic.
I was probably a bit nice giving this a four but i think it deserved better than just a three and I would recommend this book to friends.
adamantly_andrea's review against another edition
4.0
Silver Hollow is definitely in a world of its own. Both in terms of the book itself and the world out story takes place in. This is a world where, according to Silverwood, is filled with "faeries and unicorns and gremlins" and more.
The writing is very detailed and full of amazing descriptive language and scenes. I could picture myself there as Silverwood described each scene and I could feel Amie's confusion as she experienced this completely different world.
I say confusion because the characters who are a part of Wenderdowne speak in something akin to Shakespearean language. At time I had to re-read what they said to try to grasp what they were saying. A lot of them spoke in riddles, too. After a while I got used to it, but it was very frustrating in the beginning. However, at the same time, it allowed me to connect with Amie because she had no idea what they were trying to say either. At least I had the ability to take a few moments and figure out what they were saying/trying to say.
The plot itself was detailed, but vague and mysterious enough that I had to keep reading. I always thought I had it figured out and then nope, I was wrong. What I thought was, wasn't. What I thought wasn't, was. When she was told "trust no one," she really couldn't trust anyone. I liked that I had to keep guessing, too. Made it really interesting that I never saw the twists coming.
At the same time, it wasn't necessarily an easy read - but I mean that in a good way. With Silver Hollow you have to sit down and focus on the book and really immerse yourself in the world/plot. It's not really a book that you can read with distractions (i.e. your boyfriend watching TV in the same room as you). I did think the first part of the novel was pretty difficult to get through, but I'm really glad I stuck with it.
But that's the tricky part when you're creating a whole new world. (And now Aladdin is stuck in my head.) Even though this world exists in the author's head and makes complete sense to them, as a reader we know nothing about this world. It does help however that our main character is in the exact same position so it doesn't seem odd when other characters have to explain things for the benefit of the reader, as they're really explaining it for Amie. When they weren't talking in riddles and cryptic phrases, that is.
The writing is very detailed and full of amazing descriptive language and scenes. I could picture myself there as Silverwood described each scene and I could feel Amie's confusion as she experienced this completely different world.
I say confusion because the characters who are a part of Wenderdowne speak in something akin to Shakespearean language. At time I had to re-read what they said to try to grasp what they were saying. A lot of them spoke in riddles, too. After a while I got used to it, but it was very frustrating in the beginning. However, at the same time, it allowed me to connect with Amie because she had no idea what they were trying to say either. At least I had the ability to take a few moments and figure out what they were saying/trying to say.
The plot itself was detailed, but vague and mysterious enough that I had to keep reading. I always thought I had it figured out and then nope, I was wrong. What I thought was, wasn't. What I thought wasn't, was. When she was told "trust no one," she really couldn't trust anyone. I liked that I had to keep guessing, too. Made it really interesting that I never saw the twists coming.
At the same time, it wasn't necessarily an easy read - but I mean that in a good way. With Silver Hollow you have to sit down and focus on the book and really immerse yourself in the world/plot. It's not really a book that you can read with distractions (i.e. your boyfriend watching TV in the same room as you). I did think the first part of the novel was pretty difficult to get through, but I'm really glad I stuck with it.
But that's the tricky part when you're creating a whole new world. (And now Aladdin is stuck in my head.) Even though this world exists in the author's head and makes complete sense to them, as a reader we know nothing about this world. It does help however that our main character is in the exact same position so it doesn't seem odd when other characters have to explain things for the benefit of the reader, as they're really explaining it for Amie. When they weren't talking in riddles and cryptic phrases, that is.
anelson82's review against another edition
4.0
*I received this book free as an ARC*
Wow. This was, something. I am not completely sure what I just read, but I couldn't put it down as I tried to figure it out. This story was so fantastical, with so much going on and so many different creatures and characters. Thank the Creator for the glossary in the back of the book. As others were, I was torn between which love interest I wanted to root for with Amie. They each had their plusses and minuses in my book. But, the overall purpose and the majority of the book was not spent on romance. This book focused on Amie, who was thrust into a dreamlike world that appeared to be lost in time, without age and innovation, as she worked to uncover her true identity and the truth behind her uncle's estate. At many points in the story, different people told her to trust noone, and seriously, they weren't kidding. Some good ended up being bad and vice versa. I was thrown a lot. For the most part I liked the heroine, Amie. The girl had some moxie. However, it bothered me how she would ask a question that would go unanswered, or someone would make a comment that was so strange and she would stow it away for further thought later rather than demand an explanation at that point. Ugh, it drove me nuts! Of course the purpose is to let us find out in due time what was going on, but still...I felt Amie could have been more demanding. Otherwise, she was a good heroine, and overall this was a very good story. Definitely a keeper!
Wow. This was, something. I am not completely sure what I just read, but I couldn't put it down as I tried to figure it out. This story was so fantastical, with so much going on and so many different creatures and characters. Thank the Creator for the glossary in the back of the book. As others were, I was torn between which love interest I wanted to root for with Amie. They each had their plusses and minuses in my book. But, the overall purpose and the majority of the book was not spent on romance. This book focused on Amie, who was thrust into a dreamlike world that appeared to be lost in time, without age and innovation, as she worked to uncover her true identity and the truth behind her uncle's estate. At many points in the story, different people told her to trust noone, and seriously, they weren't kidding. Some good ended up being bad and vice versa. I was thrown a lot. For the most part I liked the heroine, Amie. The girl had some moxie. However, it bothered me how she would ask a question that would go unanswered, or someone would make a comment that was so strange and she would stow it away for further thought later rather than demand an explanation at that point. Ugh, it drove me nuts! Of course the purpose is to let us find out in due time what was going on, but still...I felt Amie could have been more demanding. Otherwise, she was a good heroine, and overall this was a very good story. Definitely a keeper!
maelia's review against another edition
4.0
This novel invites the reader to discover a mysterious fantasy world (meeting in the process some legendary characters that are well-known in our world too) alongside the heroine, who belongs there but doesn't remember any of it as her childhood memories were erased. This works well, as it means we don't get an overwhelming amount of information all at once in the beginning, although it can also be rather frustrating in places, as it is to Amie when it's obvious everyone is hiding things from her (at least we do get to share her feelings).
Book 2 added to my to-read list.
Book 2 added to my to-read list.
tatteredpharey1's review against another edition
3.0
Sorry I never finished this one. I had a hard time staying with it. I liked the overall story line. I also read it at a time when my life was falling apart. I will try to read it again when things settle down and write a new review. Thank you for the chance to read it though. Keep up the writing.
mgakis's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the 'otherworldliness' aspects of this book - the descriptions of castle Amie is staying in, the forest, even the clothes Amie and others wear. There was a lot of world building and I definitely had the sense of stepping into another world.
The glossary at the back was a GREAT addition. It really helped with the terminology. I liked the fact that in the castle the characters all used what would be considered normal terminology for them, but for Amie it was strange and different - it really added to the otherworld feel. I found the glossary helped me keep the narrative straight.
I liked the detail that all characters had a 'fairy' name, but I did find it hard to keep them straight at times. Perhaps this could be included as well in part of the glossary?
I liked how Amie was struggling with her heritage - what did it mean? Who was she? How did she define herself? What are her abilities and how can she learn to use them.
The sense that 'something was coming' was also laid out well - I don't want to give any spoilers, but there was definitely big things coming and we got the sense that Amie was being prepared for it!
Overall, it was an interesting read and I'm curious to see if it continues!~!