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3.01 AVERAGE
3.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
**Posting to blog on May 29, 2019**
Thank you to Blink and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC.
The premise of this story is really interesting. Memories are used as currency and the world created around this idea is fascinating. Taking memories sounds a bit scary to me, just because I wonder how someone would stay themself with other memories in their head. Also it feels like cheating. If you want to learn a skill, steal a memory and now you are an expert in it. It shows how the Gifted has the upper hand in this world.
Etta Lark is hiding from her past. Her best friends are dead and her mother is in an asylum. Etta made a deal with Madame, the ruler of Craewick, that would help her hide from the Shadows, a group she betrayed to help save her mother. But Madame changes the rules on her and Etta has to go back to the people she hurt to help her mom again.
This was a fast read. I devoured all the information about the Gift, Ungifted, and Minders. The world of the Shadows is really intriguing and probably my favorite part of the book. Some of the story is told through memories, since Etta has taken a few. There is insta-love but I think it works because it is a standalone book. Etta and her love interest do get to know each other on their quest. I’m so used to reading trilogies with love stories drawn out that seeing insta-love in a book that isn’t purely a romance novel is sometimes hard to get used to. It works in this story but I wasn’t that invested in the romance though.
When Etta and Reid get to the end of their journey, Etta’s past is revealed in a twist and it seemed so convenient. Etta accepts this reveal so easily. From there on, the story wraps up and everything works out in the end. Which is great, but my interest was dwindling by then. The time span of this story happens in one week, so the ending felt rushed.
Overall, this was an interesting book, with a potential to be amazing because I really enjoyed the underworld of the Shadows. Everything else though fell flat for me.
Thank you to Blink and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this eARC.
The premise of this story is really interesting. Memories are used as currency and the world created around this idea is fascinating. Taking memories sounds a bit scary to me, just because I wonder how someone would stay themself with other memories in their head. Also it feels like cheating. If you want to learn a skill, steal a memory and now you are an expert in it. It shows how the Gifted has the upper hand in this world.
Etta Lark is hiding from her past. Her best friends are dead and her mother is in an asylum. Etta made a deal with Madame, the ruler of Craewick, that would help her hide from the Shadows, a group she betrayed to help save her mother. But Madame changes the rules on her and Etta has to go back to the people she hurt to help her mom again.
This was a fast read. I devoured all the information about the Gift, Ungifted, and Minders. The world of the Shadows is really intriguing and probably my favorite part of the book. Some of the story is told through memories, since Etta has taken a few. There is insta-love but I think it works because it is a standalone book. Etta and her love interest do get to know each other on their quest. I’m so used to reading trilogies with love stories drawn out that seeing insta-love in a book that isn’t purely a romance novel is sometimes hard to get used to. It works in this story but I wasn’t that invested in the romance though.
When Etta and Reid get to the end of their journey, Etta’s past is revealed in a twist and it seemed so convenient. Etta accepts this reveal so easily. From there on, the story wraps up and everything works out in the end. Which is great, but my interest was dwindling by then. The time span of this story happens in one week, so the ending felt rushed.
Overall, this was an interesting book, with a potential to be amazing because I really enjoyed the underworld of the Shadows. Everything else though fell flat for me.
3.5 stars
I really, really loved the concept of this book. Mansy clearly had a well thought out world, the problem for me was the way it was introduced. Before you get to the actual story there is a glossary which explains the magic system and the governmental system of the world. I didn't particularly mind. I find glossaries helpful if there are complex magic systems that you need to reference back to, although this one did read a little like a history textbook. What bothered me was that there wasn't any additional world-building in the book. Personally I think that the world-building belongs in the actual story, not out front of it. I think that much of the glossary could have been kept and turned into more of a prologue and I would have had no problems with it. However, the way it was written left me feeling like I had to sit through a history lesson before I could get to the book. I also found the book a little predictable. I don't think it was necessarily bad but, there were a couple of things that were clearly supposed to be surprising but were very clear from the beginning. I did enjoy it enough to read it in one sitting when I only meant to read one chapter. So overall a good clean book, but far from perfect.
I really, really loved the concept of this book. Mansy clearly had a well thought out world, the problem for me was the way it was introduced. Before you get to the actual story there is a glossary which explains the magic system and the governmental system of the world. I didn't particularly mind. I find glossaries helpful if there are complex magic systems that you need to reference back to, although this one did read a little like a history textbook. What bothered me was that there wasn't any additional world-building in the book. Personally I think that the world-building belongs in the actual story, not out front of it. I think that much of the glossary could have been kept and turned into more of a prologue and I would have had no problems with it. However, the way it was written left me feeling like I had to sit through a history lesson before I could get to the book. I also found the book a little predictable. I don't think it was necessarily bad but, there were a couple of things that were clearly supposed to be surprising but were very clear from the beginning. I did enjoy it enough to read it in one sitting when I only meant to read one chapter. So overall a good clean book, but far from perfect.
I didn't get very far through this book before putting it down. I wanted to like this book - the worldbuilding sounded so cool, the plot sounded interesting, and the character's sounded fun.
Unfortunately, the worldbuilding was skeletal and uninteresting, the plot was convoluted and info dumped through handholding, the main character did very little thinking, made dumb decisions, and needed the plot explained to her so she knew what to do, and the villain was two dimensional.
The idea of memories as a commerce is fascinating. How does that work? What impacts does that have? There were touches of how the memory influenced the world through the auction and the lottery, but these felt less like interesting worldbuilding and more like a back seat backdrop so the main character could do the plot. The magic and the world might have been explored more later in the book, but I wasn't really interested in pushing through on the potential that that was true.
Like the world building, the plot sounded very interesting from the outset - I'm a sucker for a heist story - but the way it was set up was incredibly frustrating because of how much it relied on the main character making dumb decisions and not thinking things through.
The other character that that was frustrating to read was Madame. She was incredibly two dimensional and seemed to have all the checkmarks of 'stereotype evil female character'. Manipulative? Check. Ruthless? Check. Power hungry? Check. Backstabbing? Check. It was hard to enjoy her character in the slightest when she read like a cardboard cutout of a person.
I don't recommend this book. It was not good and I didn't even get 60 pages in before I decided to call it quits. I imagine if the book was updated to have more depth to literally everything then it could be a higher star rating, and I don't think it completely needs to be rewritten to achieve that, so it deserves more than one star, but not much beyond that.
Unfortunately, the worldbuilding was skeletal and uninteresting, the plot was convoluted and info dumped through handholding, the main character did very little thinking, made dumb decisions, and needed the plot explained to her so she knew what to do, and the villain was two dimensional.
The idea of memories as a commerce is fascinating. How does that work? What impacts does that have? There were touches of how the memory influenced the world through the auction and the lottery, but these felt less like interesting worldbuilding and more like a back seat backdrop so the main character could do the plot. The magic and the world might have been explored more later in the book, but I wasn't really interested in pushing through on the potential that that was true.
Like the world building, the plot sounded very interesting from the outset - I'm a sucker for a heist story - but the way it was set up was incredibly frustrating because of how much it relied on the main character making dumb decisions and not thinking things through.
Spoiler
Etta knows that the Shadow's organisation is out for her, but yet seems surprised when the plan to ask them for help backfires and she's kidnapped and put in a cell. What did you think would happen? They hate you for what you did, why would they help you? As well as this, she brings nothing to the table to negotiate with except that she can't have her mind read. Sure, it sounds pretty useful but she literally betrayed them . Why should they trust her even if she has this power? Is it really that powerful that they'll put their faith in someone who caused multiple murders of important people who were also personally connected to the new leader of the Shadows? And this leader, just accepts that and monologues about what Etta has to do, as if she can't think or plan for herself (but you know, we have to lead the audience through the plot lest they get confused). Both the main character and the gang leader make dumb decisions just to move the plot along and this is poor writing, in my opinion.The other character that that was frustrating to read was Madame. She was incredibly two dimensional and seemed to have all the checkmarks of 'stereotype evil female character'. Manipulative? Check. Ruthless? Check. Power hungry? Check. Backstabbing? Check. It was hard to enjoy her character in the slightest when she read like a cardboard cutout of a person.
I don't recommend this book. It was not good and I didn't even get 60 pages in before I decided to call it quits. I imagine if the book was updated to have more depth to literally everything then it could be a higher star rating, and I don't think it completely needs to be rewritten to achieve that, so it deserves more than one star, but not much beyond that.
adventurous
hopeful
fast-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
Found family besties
Beautiful cover. Interesting idea about a world of people with the ability to give, take, and steal memories. Violent enough that it’s for teens, but also seems to lack a finesse and flow, so ideal for grades 7 up. Critique is that many of the plot twists were seen very early on. Other plot points seemed like retreading of common tropes. Time and distance seem to jump quickly and romance was forced.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*This arc was given to me from Net Galley. Opinions are my own*
TW: people in an asylum, violence, flashbacks
This book was basically everything I look for in a fantasy novel: well thought-out characters, lack of toxic masculinity, a plot that is a metaphor for bigger things, sassy dialogue, and not a lot of main characters dying. One of my favourite quotations is when the protagonist Etta says "Don't make a scene.," and her companion Ryder responds that "Not making a scene is what lead to this" (pg 22). This is such an important issue right now and I think Mansy addressed it wonderfully.
This book was so well-written that the only break I took in reading was to get myself a snack. The visuals are stunning and the power dynamics are so interesting. There is this thread running through the book that you are not your past but you can become a better person from it. However, this is also tied to the idea that you don't have to forgive people that have wronged you-- that it is your choice. Many characters are not what they seem and no one is wholly any one thing which I really appreciate.
For most of the story Etta is plagued with regret but she learns that it is not her fault for reacting to a situation that she did not choose to be in. She frequently has flashbacks and many of them are from four years ago-- when she was fourteen. She blames herself for her actions but the people around her help her realise that she was just a child and was doing what she could within limited options. I am quite passionate about this being a narrative that needs to be seen more often especially relating to childhood trauma.
As you can tell, I was deeply engrossed in this book and would have given it five stars except for one thing: the lack if diversity. This is something that I would not have noticed except that I have actively been looking for diversity when I read to better understand how to be an ally. I read this book very carefully and took notes, but there are no skin colours listed for anyone. While this may seem like it is so people can be interpreted any skin colour, stuff like this ends up being heavily white-washed since our society has been trained to believe that unless otherwise stated (and quite often even when it is stated) that everyone is white. Additionally, I did not notice any characters that were not heterosexual. The book was very nuanced, but it could have benefited from some diversity.
The author could improve her book by including more diverse characters (and being very careful when using terms like Tribes), but overall this is a smashing debut novel and I look forward to seeing what she writes in future!
TW: people in an asylum, violence, flashbacks
This book was basically everything I look for in a fantasy novel: well thought-out characters, lack of toxic masculinity, a plot that is a metaphor for bigger things, sassy dialogue, and not a lot of main characters dying. One of my favourite quotations is when the protagonist Etta says "Don't make a scene.," and her companion Ryder responds that "Not making a scene is what lead to this" (pg 22). This is such an important issue right now and I think Mansy addressed it wonderfully.
This book was so well-written that the only break I took in reading was to get myself a snack. The visuals are stunning and the power dynamics are so interesting. There is this thread running through the book that you are not your past but you can become a better person from it. However, this is also tied to the idea that you don't have to forgive people that have wronged you-- that it is your choice. Many characters are not what they seem and no one is wholly any one thing which I really appreciate.
For most of the story Etta is plagued with regret but she learns that it is not her fault for reacting to a situation that she did not choose to be in. She frequently has flashbacks and many of them are from four years ago-- when she was fourteen. She blames herself for her actions but the people around her help her realise that she was just a child and was doing what she could within limited options. I am quite passionate about this being a narrative that needs to be seen more often especially relating to childhood trauma.
As you can tell, I was deeply engrossed in this book and would have given it five stars except for one thing: the lack if diversity. This is something that I would not have noticed except that I have actively been looking for diversity when I read to better understand how to be an ally. I read this book very carefully and took notes, but there are no skin colours listed for anyone. While this may seem like it is so people can be interpreted any skin colour, stuff like this ends up being heavily white-washed since our society has been trained to believe that unless otherwise stated (and quite often even when it is stated) that everyone is white. Additionally, I did not notice any characters that were not heterosexual. The book was very nuanced, but it could have benefited from some diversity.
The author could improve her book by including more diverse characters (and being very careful when using terms like Tribes), but overall this is a smashing debut novel and I look forward to seeing what she writes in future!
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes