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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Unfortunately, this wasn't a hit for me. Multi-POV and multi-timeline stories take a long time to heat up and I did think it came together well. However, everything after the timelines connect felt like the stakes were out of whack and some loose ends were not tied up satisfyingly. I did really enjoy Natalie Naudus' narration, it helped me keep all the characters straight in my head!
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Thank you NetGalley, Hawk Ridge Press, and Emily Renk Hawthorne for this arc in exchange for an honest review!
Thoughts:
Of Mountains and Seas is an intense YA Chinese fantasy with aspects of politics and difficult family dynamics tied into a mystery. After reading the blurb/summary, I was incredibly excited to pick up this read. However, now that I have read it, I truly don’t know if the blurb/summary really gave me everything I was looking for and excited to read about. I left this book feeling a little dissatisfied with many parts of the book. It is a fast paced read, but not in a good way as everything felt rushed and not fully developed. This is especially so when it comes to the timeline. We bounce around so often in the timeline that it gets a little confusing to know where we are, and what that part of time means for the plot. The characters are also very one note. I felt very separated from them the entire book, so it was hard to become emotionally attached to anyone. Although, I did have a fun time getting the POV of characters that you don’t necessarily root for, but are interested in.
I still believe Of Mountains and Seas had very good potential and had some enjoyable aspects! Our author Emily Renk Hawthorne knows how to peak a reader’s curiosity and keep you wanting to continue forward. The writing style was intriguing to me as well. I don’t believe this is the last book I’ll pick up from this author as it was an interesting debut, but it just wasn’t for me overall. I’m curious enough though to see what comes next.
P.s. the narrator was fantastic!
Paperback/Hardcover/Audiobook/E-book:
Audiobook
Pace:
Fast
Cover thoughts:
BEAUTIFUL! SO BEAUTIFUL!
TWs:
Death, Injury, Family Trauma, Fire, Toxic Relationships, etc.
TWs:
Death, Injury, Family Trauma, Fire, Toxic Relationships, etc.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While this was an interesting story I was very confused by the timeline. I understood eventually that it was a generational storyline spanning several years (centuries even?) but the amount of time it took me to figure that out was too long. I was torn between liking several of these characters and disliking them as they grew older. I don't think I ever fully connected with anyone except Anna who disappeared from the narrative after she lost her powers. The main girls Iris and Nivi weren't really my cup of tea and I didn't like Amber at all. I didn't appreciate how she would suddenly distrust her friend. I was also confused by the fact that she didn't realize she was good at school? At the end of one of her chapters it sounded like she didn't realize she was getting passing grades, like she'd blocked out the memory or something. I don't understand how or why that would have happened though. Regardless, I don't think I want to read the next book in the series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Lets start off by saying: Wow! Of Mountains and Seas was a story woven with many threads. We follow 5+ different perspectives in this story told across multiple timelines. Hawthorne masterfully ties all of these little components together in a way that keeps the reader engaged and begging for more. This was a great introduction and set up for a series so I hope that is where this story is headed!
DNF at 31%
I am disappointed to be DNFing this book but we are not pushing through mediocre books in 2025.
I would like to preface this review by emphasising that a) my opinions are based on the first third of the book, things may or may not have improved in the latter thirds, and b) this is a YA fantasy and I am an adult.
Now, my decision to DNF does not mean, by any means, that this is a terrible book. I just didn't personally gel with the storytelling, didn't feel hooked or enamoured by the story, therefore, didn't feel any urge to continue.
Unfortunately, everything about this book felt underdeveloped - from the world building and magic system to the characters. This book follows several timelines, ranging from 1932 to 2000, with several character POVs within those timelines (I have a count of 5 POVs in the first 30%). I found these POVs to be indistinguishable - there was little to no world building or descriptions to distinguish the time settings, whilst the characters felt flat and samey. The single audiobook narrator did not help either as all POVs sounded the same. If it wasn't for the name and date heading every chapter, I would have been lost.
I wish the synopsis had been clearer about the multiple POVs and time settings to better convey what this book was about. I prefer a historical setting in fantasy and wrongly assumed (my bad) that because this is based on mythology that it would have a historical setting (and no, the 1900s do not make the cut).
However, you may enjoy this book if you are looking for a YA fantasy based on Chinese mythology that has multiple POVs and no romantic plot (as far as I know).
Thank you to NetGalley and Hawk Ridge Press for the opportunity to review this book.
I am disappointed to be DNFing this book but we are not pushing through mediocre books in 2025.
I would like to preface this review by emphasising that a) my opinions are based on the first third of the book, things may or may not have improved in the latter thirds, and b) this is a YA fantasy and I am an adult.
Now, my decision to DNF does not mean, by any means, that this is a terrible book. I just didn't personally gel with the storytelling, didn't feel hooked or enamoured by the story, therefore, didn't feel any urge to continue.
Unfortunately, everything about this book felt underdeveloped - from the world building and magic system to the characters. This book follows several timelines, ranging from 1932 to 2000, with several character POVs within those timelines (I have a count of 5 POVs in the first 30%). I found these POVs to be indistinguishable - there was little to no world building or descriptions to distinguish the time settings, whilst the characters felt flat and samey. The single audiobook narrator did not help either as all POVs sounded the same. If it wasn't for the name and date heading every chapter, I would have been lost.
I wish the synopsis had been clearer about the multiple POVs and time settings to better convey what this book was about. I prefer a historical setting in fantasy and wrongly assumed (my bad) that because this is based on mythology that it would have a historical setting (and no, the 1900s do not make the cut).
However, you may enjoy this book if you are looking for a YA fantasy based on Chinese mythology that has multiple POVs and no romantic plot (as far as I know).
Thank you to NetGalley and Hawk Ridge Press for the opportunity to review this book.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'd like to thank Netgalley for an advanced listener copy. In exchange, I am providing an honest review.
I think I enjoyed the first 80% of this story more than the ending. I felt like the overlapping timelines and the way they connected together was really interesting to see play out. I did get a bit lost with all the different characters however since I was listening to the book, and I feel like I fare better with that many characters in written form. I also did not feel like many of the characters were as distinct and fluhed out as I would have liked them to be.
The ending had a lot going on. I mean - a lot-, and I had a hard time keeping up with everything since so much happened at once.
Overall though, I did enjoy the plot and the connections to the creatures of mythology. I am looking forward to the sequel.
I think I enjoyed the first 80% of this story more than the ending. I felt like the overlapping timelines and the way they connected together was really interesting to see play out. I did get a bit lost with all the different characters however since I was listening to the book, and I feel like I fare better with that many characters in written form. I also did not feel like many of the characters were as distinct and fluhed out as I would have liked them to be.
The ending had a lot going on. I mean - a lot-, and I had a hard time keeping up with everything since so much happened at once.
Overall though, I did enjoy the plot and the connections to the creatures of mythology. I am looking forward to the sequel.
Such a magical story. I was hooked from the beginning to the end. In fact, I didn't want it to end!
It was a bit confusing at the beginning with the audiobook. The timelines move back and forth a lot. Once you start to get used to the characters and timeline, the story flows easily.
I don't know much about this mythology but the story was so fascinating and magical. I loved seeing multiple generations stories.
The only negative thing, isn't about the book, the synopsis doesn't match the actual story. The actual story is more magical and wonderful than the what the synopsis implies. I recommend this book to anyone who loves magic, mythology and family.
It was a bit confusing at the beginning with the audiobook. The timelines move back and forth a lot. Once you start to get used to the characters and timeline, the story flows easily.
I don't know much about this mythology but the story was so fascinating and magical. I loved seeing multiple generations stories.
The only negative thing, isn't about the book, the synopsis doesn't match the actual story. The actual story is more magical and wonderful than the what the synopsis implies. I recommend this book to anyone who loves magic, mythology and family.
This was such a fantastic read, though for some reasons, numbers are hard to understand in audiobooks, so all the time jumping was a bit confusing, but oh, once it came together, it was so good!
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
overall rating: ⭒ ⭒ ¾
Of Mountains and Seas by Emily Renk Hawthorne is a Chinese mythology inspired story about power, greed, and family secrets. In theory, this story is complicated, tantalizing, filled with twists and revelations that keep the reader on their toes, but it fell flat in many ways.
The character work felt very one dimensional. Many of these characters had goals that were weakly tied to their childhoods or events in their past. But the logic connecting their development, corruption, or methods of achieving such goals to their past was poorly done, and often the characters felt like they were not grounded, they had no roots, and were simply meant to do the most interesting and crazy thing possible. Further, their connections with one another felt inauthentic and forced.
The writing was too rushed and this created weak relationships, unnatural dialogue, cringe worthy moments, and overall a very underwhelming manifestation of a promising plot.
The ending especially was so incredibly dramatic but the descriptions and dialogue really made it feel like stick figures half heartedly reenacting what should be a cinematic masterpiece. Overall, the execution and writing were disappointing in my opinion. I would have also loved to see more about the mythology, which was the most interesting part of the novel, but rarely explained.
Ultimately, if you want a book about mythology, or powers and family drama, there are better books out there.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Of Mountains and Seas by Emily Renk Hawthorne is a Chinese mythology inspired story about power, greed, and family secrets. In theory, this story is complicated, tantalizing, filled with twists and revelations that keep the reader on their toes, but it fell flat in many ways.
The character work felt very one dimensional. Many of these characters had goals that were weakly tied to their childhoods or events in their past. But the logic connecting their development, corruption, or methods of achieving such goals to their past was poorly done, and often the characters felt like they were not grounded, they had no roots, and were simply meant to do the most interesting and crazy thing possible. Further, their connections with one another felt inauthentic and forced.
The writing was too rushed and this created weak relationships, unnatural dialogue, cringe worthy moments, and overall a very underwhelming manifestation of a promising plot.
The ending especially was so incredibly dramatic but the descriptions and dialogue really made it feel like stick figures half heartedly reenacting what should be a cinematic masterpiece. Overall, the execution and writing were disappointing in my opinion. I would have also loved to see more about the mythology, which was the most interesting part of the novel, but rarely explained.
Ultimately, if you want a book about mythology, or powers and family drama, there are better books out there.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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:
Complicated