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marg89's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
cb45's review
adventurous
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
fulltimebookish's review
4.0
A coming of age story based in a highly classist society that is so terrified of the magic that exists all around them that they have outlawed any mention of it. Holland, an orphaned young woman, sequestered to the lowest class section of her country, dreams of a brighter future. She sets out on an adventure of discovery, leaving behind the little she has and the one friend she's kept since she was a girl.
Plot: I really loved how this storyline unfolds. The slow paced adventure kept me hooked, and was good to pick up at any point for a little more. I didn't devour it like I do some books but I don't think that's always necessary. It was a warm hug of a book and a great cozy read, though some of the themes were hard, sad and much deeper than they appear.
Characters: I really did relate to Holland and Marcus. I do feel like at some points they were far less mature than they should be for their age and circumstances. I think if they were 3 or 4 years younger it would have made a lot more sense. That said, I found it easy just to operate on that level and enjoy it thoroughly. I do also think their character backstories were fairly cookie cutter cliche, which is why I categorize this as a fairlytale. The point is the journey, not the set up and fairytales are very good at starting from expectable places and growing it's characters through trial toward their destiny and the characters really did have great development over time.
Setting: As assuming as the characters were, the world was quite unique! I loved the way they set up the magical and magic-less worlds and their opposing functions. The magic system again was very loose and fairytale which I love, and the greater and lesser sections of the country was fun to experience.
Prose: Very sweet, tastefully purple which I was a huge fan of, and very well paced for a slower plot. It felt light and whimsical, even when dealing with hard subjects, and was a joy to read.
Overall I loved it and will absolutely be reading Unearth the Tides and The Earth Treader because Alissa's voice is worth listening to.
Content Warning: suggested mutilation, hanging, combat, mind control, death. I would allow my 8th grader to read this book if he wanted to read it.
Plot: I really loved how this storyline unfolds. The slow paced adventure kept me hooked, and was good to pick up at any point for a little more. I didn't devour it like I do some books but I don't think that's always necessary. It was a warm hug of a book and a great cozy read, though some of the themes were hard, sad and much deeper than they appear.
Characters: I really did relate to Holland and Marcus. I do feel like at some points they were far less mature than they should be for their age and circumstances. I think if they were 3 or 4 years younger it would have made a lot more sense. That said, I found it easy just to operate on that level and enjoy it thoroughly. I do also think their character backstories were fairly cookie cutter cliche, which is why I categorize this as a fairlytale. The point is the journey, not the set up and fairytales are very good at starting from expectable places and growing it's characters through trial toward their destiny and the characters really did have great development over time.
Setting: As assuming as the characters were, the world was quite unique! I loved the way they set up the magical and magic-less worlds and their opposing functions. The magic system again was very loose and fairytale which I love, and the greater and lesser sections of the country was fun to experience.
Prose: Very sweet, tastefully purple which I was a huge fan of, and very well paced for a slower plot. It felt light and whimsical, even when dealing with hard subjects, and was a joy to read.
Overall I loved it and will absolutely be reading Unearth the Tides and The Earth Treader because Alissa's voice is worth listening to.
Content Warning: suggested mutilation, hanging, combat, mind control, death. I would allow my 8th grader to read this book if he wanted to read it.
kyliegh_reads's review
4.0
“But hope. It is the greatest of friends. Don’t be afraid to cling to it, for by it you will find solace in the midst of the darkest nights. Without hope, what else do you have?”
To say I loved this book would be an understatement. I’m having trouble putting my thoughts into words. This was such a wholesome tale full of adventure and hope. I fell in love with Markus and Holland from the beginning. Their relationship was so sweet and slowly evolved from friendship into a healthy romantic relationship. The characters in this book suffered so much loss, yet most of them never lost their hope. I LOVED the epilogue. It was everything I was hoping to see and much more.
**this book is a sweet closed door romance. There is violence, but it isn’t overwhelming or gruesome
To say I loved this book would be an understatement. I’m having trouble putting my thoughts into words. This was such a wholesome tale full of adventure and hope. I fell in love with Markus and Holland from the beginning. Their relationship was so sweet and slowly evolved from friendship into a healthy romantic relationship. The characters in this book suffered so much loss, yet most of them never lost their hope. I LOVED the epilogue. It was everything I was hoping to see and much more.
**this book is a sweet closed door romance. There is violence, but it isn’t overwhelming or gruesome
morgangiesbrecht's review
5.0
April 2023
Updating this to 5 ⭐️ because, wow! This story hit even harder the second time around & it’s absolutely gorgeous! Alissa’s stories are not to be missed!
Updating this to 5 ⭐️ because, wow! This story hit even harder the second time around & it’s absolutely gorgeous! Alissa’s stories are not to be missed!
kekea's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
geneticginger's review
4.0
This was a very sweet fantasy book about Holland who is a girl without a family in a world torn by strife between classes and disbelief in magic. Holland has a strong desire for justice and believes there is more in the world which leads her to leave all she knows to find a better life. Through her journey she finds her family, a sweet relationship, and how to hope amidst difficulties. I really appreciated how Zavalianos weaved threads of grief into her characters so you see how they responded to difficult circumstances of their lives.
erinphillipsauthor's review
5.0
Another five star story great for anyone and everyone from Alissa Zavalianos!
Like all of Alissa's stories, Endlewood has the pleasant atmosphere of the hero’s journey, and Zavalianos’ classic but modernized Tolkien vibes, with the strongest moments in this tale reminding me of Galadriel and Samwise, although perfectly fitting for the setting and story.
"She'd lost something before she'd even had the chance to find it."
Holland is very relatable, struggling to find belonging and value in the midst of life’s disappointments and pain. Markus equally had great relatabiltity in his drive to achieve a dream, and the continuous fight for hope to achieve it.
"It was a kind of friendship which made saying goodbye hard."
I love the boy falls first trope so this romance hit me squarely in the feels! Right away, Markus and Holland have not only a great friendship, but potential for more! (Although I was very worried that Holland would realize it too late!) The love and friendship between them is so pure and wholesome, and definitely a great example to young readers of healthy love.
"A heart [...] needed love, and love had the power to do what fear could not. Restore. Forgive. Mend."
The world building was also exception, and I loved having a map to refer to as I followed Holland and Markus around the world of Griskol! Additionally the concept of “name-branding” was exceptionally brilliant and easy to understand and catch on to. There was a lot of depth and history in the world, which could be grasped even though the focus is tightly on our two main leads.
"There is still some light left in Griskol, though it be just a spark."
I was also so excited to see how The Tale of Endlewood would connect with Holland’s the entire time! It reminded me a little of Dearest Josephine (Caroline George), with how the main story was interrupted with bits of another story within the story.
"And what of mundane things? I'm convinced they are made up of magical moments, too."
On top of it all, Zavalianos did an amazing job at delivering with the plot! Sprinkled throughout were some clever hints and teasers, which all paid off with great twisting reveals that were so fun to uncover.
"You don't feel it, but there is hope, and hope is its own kind of magic. It exists alongside despair."
I am so glad to have Endlewood on my shelf! It is truly a story of Hope and Home, Loss and Love.
"It took courage to choose hope when all the heart wanted to remember was despair."
Like all of Alissa's stories, Endlewood has the pleasant atmosphere of the hero’s journey, and Zavalianos’ classic but modernized Tolkien vibes, with the strongest moments in this tale reminding me of Galadriel and Samwise, although perfectly fitting for the setting and story.
"She'd lost something before she'd even had the chance to find it."
Holland is very relatable, struggling to find belonging and value in the midst of life’s disappointments and pain. Markus equally had great relatabiltity in his drive to achieve a dream, and the continuous fight for hope to achieve it.
"It was a kind of friendship which made saying goodbye hard."
I love the boy falls first trope so this romance hit me squarely in the feels! Right away, Markus and Holland have not only a great friendship, but potential for more! (Although I was very worried that Holland would realize it too late!) The love and friendship between them is so pure and wholesome, and definitely a great example to young readers of healthy love.
"A heart [...] needed love, and love had the power to do what fear could not. Restore. Forgive. Mend."
The world building was also exception, and I loved having a map to refer to as I followed Holland and Markus around the world of Griskol! Additionally the concept of “name-branding” was exceptionally brilliant and easy to understand and catch on to. There was a lot of depth and history in the world, which could be grasped even though the focus is tightly on our two main leads.
"There is still some light left in Griskol, though it be just a spark."
I was also so excited to see how The Tale of Endlewood would connect with Holland’s the entire time! It reminded me a little of Dearest Josephine (Caroline George), with how the main story was interrupted with bits of another story within the story.
"And what of mundane things? I'm convinced they are made up of magical moments, too."
On top of it all, Zavalianos did an amazing job at delivering with the plot! Sprinkled throughout were some clever hints and teasers, which all paid off with great twisting reveals that were so fun to uncover.
"You don't feel it, but there is hope, and hope is its own kind of magic. It exists alongside despair."
I am so glad to have Endlewood on my shelf! It is truly a story of Hope and Home, Loss and Love.
"It took courage to choose hope when all the heart wanted to remember was despair."
kayla_jones_writes's review
5.0
(New Goodreads Account)
Enthralling, fascinating, and heartfelt...Endlewood will keep you reading into all hours of the night.
Enthralling, fascinating, and heartfelt...Endlewood will keep you reading into all hours of the night.
ericadansereau's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
Endlewood blew me away. A YA fantasy novel, this one will take you on an adventure through a wonderfully crafted fictional world and the lives & hearts of its endearing characters. I don’t often read fantasy, but escaping into this story was a breath of fresh air. This one checked all the boxes for me!