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allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Road of the Lost takes us into a world of fae alongside Croi, a brownie with far more questions than answers and whose lone friend is a cursed stone statue. Croi craves the love and belonging she sees when invisibly slinking through the human world, but she doesn't belong. All she has is the Hag and her own impetuous verve. The Hag may be Croi's guardian, but there's no love lost between the two. The Hag passes down edicts, and Croi defies them and questions them when given half a chance. But things change when Croi has a dream-- a dream with a feast, the Robber Prince of the fae, and a question: are you the heir of the Forgotten King? And Croi's glamour, a secret even to her, falls. Painfully. She's magically pushed out the door by a brutal, insistent summoning spell. She doesn't know her destination or who's waiting on the other end of the spell. As she's dragged into the Otherworld, she's just as mystified by the overnight changes to her body as the glamour is stripped away. Who is she really, and what will be revealed as her true form once the changes are complete?
Croi makes for a fascinating protagonist, hard to like in the face of some of her decisions, but all the more strong for it. At times compassionate and at others resolutely protective of herself, Croi's lack of social inhibitions or expectations lets her stand tall on her own terms. Growing up virtually alone makes her hungry for connection, but it also makes her unlikely to cave to conventions she views as constricting or frivolous.
This is a weird fantasy in that it's both expected and not. There are some genre conventions at play here-- handsome prince, secret princess, a power struggle for the crown. But Croi's unusual stature as a protagonist makes things interesting. There's a viciousness to the story that's more than surface level. Family, the greater good, and friendship might mean nothing in the face of quests for power or personal safety.
My biggest gripe is that the overloaded story leaves no space for relationship development. There's a romance I cared little about, friendships that are tenuous at best, and a unique opportunity to talk about Croi's relationship with herself that's squandered by an abrupt ending. I'm not sure if some things are left a bit open with the hope for future adventures, but I don't think I'd return for more regardless. A protagonist that left me ambivalent and relationships that don't inspire me are a kiss of death. However, I think this is a creative approach to ya fantasy and one that steps outside the bounds of what we expect from a teenage girl on an adventure. And that's powerful in and of itself. Thanks to Simon Teen for my copy to read and review!
Croi makes for a fascinating protagonist, hard to like in the face of some of her decisions, but all the more strong for it. At times compassionate and at others resolutely protective of herself, Croi's lack of social inhibitions or expectations lets her stand tall on her own terms. Growing up virtually alone makes her hungry for connection, but it also makes her unlikely to cave to conventions she views as constricting or frivolous.
This is a weird fantasy in that it's both expected and not. There are some genre conventions at play here-- handsome prince, secret princess, a power struggle for the crown. But Croi's unusual stature as a protagonist makes things interesting. There's a viciousness to the story that's more than surface level. Family, the greater good, and friendship might mean nothing in the face of quests for power or personal safety.
My biggest gripe is that the overloaded story leaves no space for relationship development. There's a romance I cared little about, friendships that are tenuous at best, and a unique opportunity to talk about Croi's relationship with herself that's squandered by an abrupt ending. I'm not sure if some things are left a bit open with the hope for future adventures, but I don't think I'd return for more regardless. A protagonist that left me ambivalent and relationships that don't inspire me are a kiss of death. However, I think this is a creative approach to ya fantasy and one that steps outside the bounds of what we expect from a teenage girl on an adventure. And that's powerful in and of itself. Thanks to Simon Teen for my copy to read and review!
pennym_'s review
this is very well written! croi is an enjoyable main character, the worldbuilding is gorgeous, and i love the author's dedication to describing fairies similarly to how theyd appear in folk tales (ie, more creatures of nature than sjm-style Hot Dudes [sorry, Males] and Hot Gals [sorry, Females] with Pointy Ears). unfortunately i just dont think i can enjoy this kind of ya anymore. croi feels like a very young character, probably because shes very naive. which is fine! this is defintely a great book for those transitioning from mg to ya, or for readers who enjoy a good coming of age story. the description "perfect for fans of the cruel prince" is a bit misleading, however. while the world is very similar, this does not have the same grittiness as a holly black book. def recommend for fans of dianna wynne jones
booksandhalohalo's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
emiann2023's review
5.0
This is a completely different feel to The Candle and The Flame, but I really like that. There is a rawness in this book that is painful and powerful.
tayanapier's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
God this was good.
I love how we start off with a very naive character who as the story unfolds continues to become more confident and self aware (shocking for a YA, I know but this was so well done)
It felt deserved and honestly Croi is now one of my favourite heroines. She’s honestly doesn’t take anyone’s shit and I love her for it. By the end of story is very unapologetically herself.
The writing in this was fantastic. I was definitely hooked the whole way through. I also love how vibes follow Croi characters arc. At the start of the story there’s a lot of whimsy, however as Croi started to become more self aware so did the story by taking on a darker tone.
While still feeling like a fairytale the whole time, I loved the introduction of betrayal, mystery, family drama and politics which made the story overall much more interesting.
My only complaint is that it ended before we got a full resolution, it’s slightly more opened ended. While all of the questions got answered I just wish there was just a little more (but also because I didn’t want the story to end).
I love how we start off with a very naive character who as the story unfolds continues to become more confident and self aware (shocking for a YA, I know but this was so well done)
It felt deserved and honestly Croi is now one of my favourite heroines. She’s honestly doesn’t take anyone’s shit and I love her for it. By the end of story is very unapologetically herself.
The writing in this was fantastic. I was definitely hooked the whole way through. I also love how vibes follow Croi characters arc. At the start of the story there’s a lot of whimsy, however as Croi started to become more self aware so did the story by taking on a darker tone.
While still feeling like a fairytale the whole time, I loved the introduction of betrayal, mystery, family drama and politics which made the story overall much more interesting.
My only complaint is that it ended before we got a full resolution, it’s slightly more opened ended. While all of the questions got answered I just wish there was just a little more (but also because I didn’t want the story to end).
gayfaepup's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
5.0
acasualreadersrecord's review against another edition
2.0
I enjoyed it better than I expected to. The world building was enjoyable. I didn't feel like the end made sense or was particularly satisfying, and I didn't like where the character arc ended.
stranger_reader's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
margiebythebookcase's review
4.0
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Have you ever read a high fantasy book where you wished the characters spent more time in the magical forest's? This is the book for you! Nafiza Azadi, the author, keeps you hypnotized on a wonderful and harrowing journey through magical forests, as a tethering spell pulls Croi; out of her cloaking spell and towards her final destination.
Have you ever read a high fantasy book where you wished the characters spent more time in the magical forest's? This is the book for you! Nafiza Azadi, the author, keeps you hypnotized on a wonderful and harrowing journey through magical forests, as a tethering spell pulls Croi; out of her cloaking spell and towards her final destination.