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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Even BETTER than First Year was! That last chapter made me smile out loud, scream for joy, and beg for a sequel. I am so giddy I can't stop it. I recommend this series so much it hurts!
I absolutely loved the characters. Oh sweet, stubborn Ryiah. No wonder Darren loves her, she is reckless for all the right reasons. She goes through so much in this book alone, a lot in part because she trusted her heart and it seemed to have failed her. She tries to choose what she knows to be "right" by her brain, but that damn heart of hers never seems to shut up for a second. I loved spirited Ella and her relationship with Ryiah's twin brother Alex. They are perfect for each other and I hope to read more about their future and what they both decide to do. I also enjoyed Derrick, Ryiah's younger brother who in a few appearances manages to capture your heart with a select few words.And Ian, oh sweet funny Ian. He was introduced in First Year as being in a higher grade than Ryiah, and they had an instant connection. A lot happens in this book, some good and some bad, but I am ever glad we got to see his character again. I really do hope we get to read much more from him in the future as well.
I appreciate that we now have a little background plot going on as well. A lot of battles and missions that are leading towards a much bigger conflict in the future of the series. I am afraid that in the near future we are going to cry a lot of tears, I am afraid this is truly the calm before the storm. Apprentice ended on a good note, but maybe the next book wont be as lucky. Probably not, if the many good characters that died in this book is any indication.
Alas, Darren. The romance, which consumed a large portion of this book, was terrific. I was kept at the edge of my seat, and loving every second of it. I don't want to give anything away, just know that it is SO worth it. That ending truly was what I needed. I need to read more about this infuriating couple.
While First Year only spanned one year of Ryiah's life, Apprentice spanned FOUR whole years. Maybe a risky move, but I appreciated it since now we get to see the next chapter in our characters lives without having to wait for four more titles. Though if I am to be honest the representation of which year we were at what time could have maybe been constructed in a better way, maybe with something as simple as "Year Three" at the top of a new chapter, or maybe separating the story in parts that correspond to each new year. It would just convey the story better.
Also, could we PLEASE have a novella? From Darren's POV through everything he went through. Like, a full fledged novella. Maybe 200 pages of what he went through... would make my life. I never knew I needed this story, but now I find myself not being quite able to move on without it.
Now excuse me, I need to go re-read that ending like a thousand more times.
re-read on April 2016
I absolutely loved the characters. Oh sweet, stubborn Ryiah. No wonder Darren loves her, she is reckless for all the right reasons. She goes through so much in this book alone, a lot in part because she trusted her heart and it seemed to have failed her. She tries to choose what she knows to be "right" by her brain, but that damn heart of hers never seems to shut up for a second. I loved spirited Ella and her relationship with Ryiah's twin brother Alex. They are perfect for each other and I hope to read more about their future and what they both decide to do. I also enjoyed Derrick, Ryiah's younger brother who in a few appearances manages to capture your heart with a select few words.And Ian, oh sweet funny Ian. He was introduced in First Year as being in a higher grade than Ryiah, and they had an instant connection. A lot happens in this book, some good and some bad, but I am ever glad we got to see his character again. I really do hope we get to read much more from him in the future as well.
I appreciate that we now have a little background plot going on as well. A lot of battles and missions that are leading towards a much bigger conflict in the future of the series. I am afraid that in the near future we are going to cry a lot of tears, I am afraid this is truly the calm before the storm. Apprentice ended on a good note, but maybe the next book wont be as lucky. Probably not, if the many good characters that died in this book is any indication.
Alas, Darren. The romance, which consumed a large portion of this book, was terrific. I was kept at the edge of my seat, and loving every second of it. I don't want to give anything away, just know that it is SO worth it. That ending truly was what I needed. I need to read more about this infuriating couple.
While First Year only spanned one year of Ryiah's life, Apprentice spanned FOUR whole years. Maybe a risky move, but I appreciated it since now we get to see the next chapter in our characters lives without having to wait for four more titles. Though if I am to be honest the representation of which year we were at what time could have maybe been constructed in a better way, maybe with something as simple as "Year Three" at the top of a new chapter, or maybe separating the story in parts that correspond to each new year. It would just convey the story better.
Also, could we PLEASE have a novella? From Darren's POV through everything he went through. Like, a full fledged novella. Maybe 200 pages of what he went through... would make my life. I never knew I needed this story, but now I find myself not being quite able to move on without it.
Now excuse me, I need to go re-read that ending like a thousand more times.
re-read on April 2016
Much more action packed than the first, but the character development seems to have stalled a bit. World build is still solid, but many of the problems from the last book (stereotypical characters, angsty romance) have perpetuated, and perhaps gotten worse.
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really liked Apprentice. It was enjoyable, I like Ryiah and the world, and I loved getting more of a glimpse into the world, seeing more places. It’s just… I can’t help but compare it to the first book, that I absolutely loved, and it wasn’t as good. I still really enjoyed it, but I just felt like there needed to be more focus on the plot, because this was much like the first book, except they travelled to different places to study.
I love Ryiah.
Here’s the thing; Ryiah is going to be a Combat mage. As such, she has to be able to kick some major butt. Now, you all know I love me some majorly badass main characters, and Ryiah is definitely badass. I love reading about her! And there was some character development, and I’m looking forward to seeing how she’ll keep developing through the other books.
The romance…
To be honest, I have mixed feelings about the romance. On one hand, I love Darren. I just can’t help it. But he does act like an ass through some parts of the book, and I didn’t like how he acted toward Ryiah some of the time. Sure, at one point, I understand why he does it, but he is really mean and I didn’t like that. But I think there was a bit too much focus on it, too much focus on the back-and-forth, the heartache and the confusion. Still, there is so much tension between Ryiah and Darren that I just can’t help but love it.
I would’ve liked a bit more focus on the plot.
The plot is good, but I felt like it was a bit too little of it. I was a little disappointed when the book ended up being mostly about the apprenticeship – I would’ve really liked some more plot except for that. And what other plot there was, it was a bit too little. But I have high hopes for the next books, after the admittedly well-done build-up in this book!
This world is incredible.
I love the world! The world-building is still amazing, and I loved that the reader gets to see more of the world, as the apprentices travel to different places for their training. I felt like I got a better look at exactly what is going on and how the world works, and from what I’ve seen so far, there’s lots and lots of potential for the other books.
All in all, a highly enjoyable read!
Despite the fact that the plot was a bit lost in everything else, I really enjoyed reading it. I got a little stuck around half-way, but once I started reading, it was easy to get lost in the incredible world-building. So while there were some issues, I really liked it, and I’m so excited to read the next book!
I love Ryiah.
Here’s the thing; Ryiah is going to be a Combat mage. As such, she has to be able to kick some major butt. Now, you all know I love me some majorly badass main characters, and Ryiah is definitely badass. I love reading about her! And there was some character development, and I’m looking forward to seeing how she’ll keep developing through the other books.
The romance…
To be honest, I have mixed feelings about the romance. On one hand, I love Darren. I just can’t help it. But he does act like an ass through some parts of the book, and I didn’t like how he acted toward Ryiah some of the time. Sure, at one point, I understand why he does it, but he is really mean and I didn’t like that. But I think there was a bit too much focus on it, too much focus on the back-and-forth, the heartache and the confusion. Still, there is so much tension between Ryiah and Darren that I just can’t help but love it.
I would’ve liked a bit more focus on the plot.
The plot is good, but I felt like it was a bit too little of it. I was a little disappointed when the book ended up being mostly about the apprenticeship – I would’ve really liked some more plot except for that. And what other plot there was, it was a bit too little. But I have high hopes for the next books, after the admittedly well-done build-up in this book!
This world is incredible.
I love the world! The world-building is still amazing, and I loved that the reader gets to see more of the world, as the apprentices travel to different places for their training. I felt like I got a better look at exactly what is going on and how the world works, and from what I’ve seen so far, there’s lots and lots of potential for the other books.
All in all, a highly enjoyable read!
Despite the fact that the plot was a bit lost in everything else, I really enjoyed reading it. I got a little stuck around half-way, but once I started reading, it was easy to get lost in the incredible world-building. So while there were some issues, I really liked it, and I’m so excited to read the next book!
3.5 stars because I love Ryiah but she is such an idiot sometimes.
I got it myself as a post-exam period treat and it was oh so good .
So much action, so much drama. Ryiah is just as amazing and relatable as I remembered. She's not your usual pushover, self-sacrificing heroine waiting for her prince, but she is not a heartless badass either. She is just... normal. Well, stronger, braver, prettier normal. I'd love her to be my friend.
And Alex and Ella! <3
Don't even get me started on Darren and Ian. I'm just happy that I wasn't the one forced to choose between them. Okay, maybe I know who I'd choose. I'll just say that the last 5-or-so% had me grinning like a madman.
My only complaint is that the four years of the Apprenticeship flew by and it was more of a taste than a full immersion in the life of an Apprentice. At the same time, I understand that it needed to be this way for the rest of the plot.
Overall? I'd be buying "Candidate" right now if I didn't know that it ends with cliffhanger. So I'll wallow in misery, trying to find another book with this much awesomeness.
So much action, so much drama. Ryiah is just as amazing and relatable as I remembered. She's not your usual pushover, self-sacrificing heroine waiting for her prince, but she is not a heartless badass either. She is just... normal. Well, stronger, braver, prettier normal. I'd love her to be my friend.
And Alex and Ella! <3
Don't even get me started on Darren and Ian. I'm just happy that I wasn't the one forced to choose between them. Okay, maybe I know who I'd choose. I'll just say that the last 5-or-so% had me grinning like a madman.
My only complaint is that the four years of the Apprenticeship flew by and it was more of a taste than a full immersion in the life of an Apprentice. At the same time, I understand that it needed to be this way for the rest of the plot.
Overall? I'd be buying "Candidate" right now if I didn't know that it ends with cliffhanger. So I'll wallow in misery, trying to find another book with this much awesomeness.
GUYS I'M OBSESSED. I have so many books I need to read right now, but you know what I'm going to do now? CANDIDATE HERE I COME.
GUYS I'M OBSESSED. I have so many books I need to read right now, but you know what I'm going to do now? CANDIDATE HERE I COME.