Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
I was selected as an ARC reader, and I initially applied because of the different magic systems. After so many fantasy romantasy books, you tend to get a little burnt out on the usual structures.
The plot didn't disappoint. I had to stop reading because I just knew I would finish and want there to be more! It did seem like everything moved pretty fast, missing opportunities as far as building a history and connection with the characters, although I was fully invested near the 70% mark.
That being said, overall, I would absolutely recommend it. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series!
The plot didn't disappoint. I had to stop reading because I just knew I would finish and want there to be more! It did seem like everything moved pretty fast, missing opportunities as far as building a history and connection with the characters, although I was fully invested near the 70% mark.
That being said, overall, I would absolutely recommend it. I'm really looking forward to the rest of the series!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was absolutely fantastic. It filled the need for an amazing YA adventure and had such a strong FMC. I cannot wait to read from this author as this is such a strong debut. Literally became one of my favorite books of the year. Thank you Lauren for the digital ARC, you did amazing!
adventurous
dark
tense
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
4.5 ⭐️. This book was really good! I really liked the characters! It had a few twist I didn’t see coming! And that cliffhanger.. I can’t wait for book 2!
4/5 stars
I really enjoyed the concept of this book, and was really glad I was chosen to receive an ARC for an honest review.
Overall, I’d say the execution of the plot was there, but there were times I struggled to get through. The beginning of the book felt slower and confusing, and cheesy at times. I feel that the plot developed well for most of the book, but the characters fell a little flat. It’s hard to mind both plot and character development while not making a book too long. I’m hoping the next books in the series will fill in the gaps and offer more insight into the characters now that the plot has been more established.
There were a few times where I felt I was more being “told” something by the author rather than shown. A phrase toward the end of the book stands out: “Steeling myself, I say it—my plan that could solve everything”, and right after this phrase that plan is described. Why tell me you’re telling me the plan rather than just telling me the plan?
What this book did leave me with is sadness that since I read it as an ARC, I’ll have to wait even longer for the next one to come out. The overall concept is fresh, easy enough to follow once you get a hang of it, and well executed. The smaller details were the “downfall” of this book, but I wouldn’t let that stop anyone from reading it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy books where people have varying powers. The author did deliver on the fact that they are earned, not inherent!
I really enjoyed the concept of this book, and was really glad I was chosen to receive an ARC for an honest review.
Overall, I’d say the execution of the plot was there, but there were times I struggled to get through. The beginning of the book felt slower and confusing, and cheesy at times. I feel that the plot developed well for most of the book, but the characters fell a little flat. It’s hard to mind both plot and character development while not making a book too long. I’m hoping the next books in the series will fill in the gaps and offer more insight into the characters now that the plot has been more established.
There were a few times where I felt I was more being “told” something by the author rather than shown. A phrase toward the end of the book stands out: “Steeling myself, I say it—my plan that could solve everything”, and right after this phrase that plan is described. Why tell me you’re telling me the plan rather than just telling me the plan?
What this book did leave me with is sadness that since I read it as an ARC, I’ll have to wait even longer for the next one to come out. The overall concept is fresh, easy enough to follow once you get a hang of it, and well executed. The smaller details were the “downfall” of this book, but I wouldn’t let that stop anyone from reading it. I would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy books where people have varying powers. The author did deliver on the fact that they are earned, not inherent!
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I’m an ARC reader and giving this one a 3.5/5.
War Hour was a fun read that I’d recommend to someone who enjoyed Divergent and The Hunger Games. I loved the premise of earning powers. The main character is relatable and easy to root for. I read the last quarter of the book FAST as the plot thickened and the twist at the end was fantastic.
However, I felt that some of the book was too fast-paced, especially the Trials which are such a focus. The world building was also quickly done, so I felt only loosely connected to what was happening. A lot of time was spent on politics, which wasn’t exactly what I was looking for.
Torryn seemed like the most interesting character but he didn’t get much time in this book. And when he was on page, his constant grumpiness and standoffish behavior was a bit frustrating rather than attractive. Am I rooting for him in book two though? Of course!
Overall this book did a great job setting the stage for a series and is an impressive debut novel!
War Hour was a fun read that I’d recommend to someone who enjoyed Divergent and The Hunger Games. I loved the premise of earning powers. The main character is relatable and easy to root for. I read the last quarter of the book FAST as the plot thickened and the twist at the end was fantastic.
However, I felt that some of the book was too fast-paced, especially the Trials which are such a focus. The world building was also quickly done, so I felt only loosely connected to what was happening. A lot of time was spent on politics, which wasn’t exactly what I was looking for.
Torryn seemed like the most interesting character but he didn’t get much time in this book. And when he was on page, his constant grumpiness and standoffish behavior was a bit frustrating rather than attractive. Am I rooting for him in book two though? Of course!
Overall this book did a great job setting the stage for a series and is an impressive debut novel!
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
War hour (The broken trail book 1)
Ok wow i have been on a romance roll but this book put me right in the mood to read more fantasy!
I mean its so good!
It kept me up until 2am !
The FMC Lysta was so feisty and head strong .
Loved her she never bowed down she was leading the way from the bottom up!
Tha fact that they have to earn their power and its not just there is amazing.
The trail are so good (also i would definitly perish🤣)
Im also unsure of the MMC in this book and its not a dislike its more of a scard to like ... I mean he's been so damn misterious !
And the plot twist was hit the mark , the betrayal was wow !
I wanna kniw how where why and when after the cliffhanger that is this books end ! '
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The concept, while similar to other YA novels of the same genre, was unique enough that I didn't feel as though I'd read the same book 12 times before.
I will say, you do have to be comfortable being thrown right into the action with very little context right from page one. Most of the world-building happens much later in the book, so if you prefer having an idea of how the "world" operates right from the get-go, you might struggle to connect with the story. However, once the world is explained it A. makes sense, which is always a plus and B. is easy to understand.
My other minor qualm with this book was that I had to suffer through 200 pages of the blandest, soggiest piece of white bread secondary love interest (*cough* Evander sucks *cough*), although without revealing too much, my suspicions of him were ultimately vindicated, so I have high hopes for the future of the romantic subplot in the second book.
For a breakout author, I thought this was really well done, and I highly anticipate the release of the second novel.
Rating: 4.25/5
I will say, you do have to be comfortable being thrown right into the action with very little context right from page one. Most of the world-building happens much later in the book, so if you prefer having an idea of how the "world" operates right from the get-go, you might struggle to connect with the story. However, once the world is explained it A. makes sense, which is always a plus and B. is easy to understand.
My other minor qualm with this book was that I had to suffer through 200 pages of the blandest, soggiest piece of white bread secondary love interest (*cough* Evander sucks *cough*), although without revealing too much, my suspicions of him were ultimately vindicated, so I have high hopes for the future of the romantic subplot in the second book.
For a breakout author, I thought this was really well done, and I highly anticipate the release of the second novel.
Rating: 4.25/5