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kristyreadsalot_'s review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars.
I really enjoyed this one! A great end to the series!
I really enjoyed this one! A great end to the series!
illborrowthisone's review against another edition
4.0
This certainly provides a small reminder of the difficulties for minorities and women in the 1850s. Thankfully much has changed and hopefully so much more will continue to change. Can Leah triumph in the face of adversity? You should read and find out.
I love the historical journey this series took me on. The American frontier can really feel like a fantasy for our modern world and I just loved Carson's take with this fascinating magical twist.
I love the historical journey this series took me on. The American frontier can really feel like a fantasy for our modern world and I just loved Carson's take with this fascinating magical twist.
giulay's review against another edition
3.0
"Magic makes mischief"
This was a very satisfying (even if a bit cheesy) ending. And even if it's just a 3 stars, it is a VERY HIGH 3 stars! This whole series is, to be honest.
Deep down I know that a mere 3 stars is a bit harsh but on the other hand, I cannot bring myself to give it a higher rating.
I liked everything about these books:
Did I love the characters? Yes.
Did I love the writing style? Yeah.
Did I love the whole idea behind the story? I adored it.
Now Giulia stop asking stupid questions, please.
And yet...among all this love there's something that simply doesn't work for me and that doesn't allow me to give this whole series (this book included) more than three stars.
And I think the problem is the pace.
All the books start off ridiculously strong. Really they do! The first 30% is literally mind-blowing.
But then.
Then everything becomes unbearably slow and I just kinda lose interest in what's happening... And that's not good.
STILL.
This is a very easy, very appealing series to read.
And it does help the fact that all the covers can be considered as freaking masterpieces.
So, three reasons (among many others) to pick [b:Walk on Earth a Stranger|17564519|Walk on Earth a Stranger (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #1)|Rae Carson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1424451210l/17564519._SY75_.jpg|24498341] - the first book in the Gold Seer Trilogy - up:
1. No love triangle
2. No miscommunication whatsoever because the characters are SMART and FABULOUS
3. Great discussions about race, gender, politics and power
Good stuff. Really.
This was a very satisfying (even if a bit cheesy) ending. And even if it's just a 3 stars, it is a VERY HIGH 3 stars! This whole series is, to be honest.
Deep down I know that a mere 3 stars is a bit harsh but on the other hand, I cannot bring myself to give it a higher rating.
I liked everything about these books:
Did I love the characters? Yes.
Did I love the writing style? Yeah.
Did I love the whole idea behind the story? I adored it.
Now Giulia stop asking stupid questions, please.
And yet...among all this love there's something that simply doesn't work for me and that doesn't allow me to give this whole series (this book included) more than three stars.
And I think the problem is the pace.
All the books start off ridiculously strong. Really they do! The first 30% is literally mind-blowing.
But then.
Then everything becomes unbearably slow and I just kinda lose interest in what's happening... And that's not good.
STILL.
This is a very easy, very appealing series to read.
And it does help the fact that all the covers can be considered as freaking masterpieces.
So, three reasons (among many others) to pick [b:Walk on Earth a Stranger|17564519|Walk on Earth a Stranger (The Gold Seer Trilogy, #1)|Rae Carson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1424451210l/17564519._SY75_.jpg|24498341] - the first book in the Gold Seer Trilogy - up:
1. No love triangle
2. No miscommunication whatsoever because the characters are SMART and FABULOUS
3. Great discussions about race, gender, politics and power
Good stuff. Really.
rebelbelle13's review against another edition
4.0
Into the Bright Unknown is a satisfying ending to a surprisingly entertaining historical fiction/magic trilogy. I did not realize going into it that it was a heist story, but it became apparent about halfway through the novel. It felt very "Ocean's 11" to me, in the sense that there were many players (not all of whom were aware of everyone else's actions), there was solid recon and relay of information, and there was an explanation at the end as to how the heist was accomplished. This isn't to say that it wasn't well done, of course- imitation is the highest form of flattery, after all. I found it easy to follow the chain of events, and anyone who was paying attention could figure out Jim's part. However, I don't believe that 'figuring it out' lessens the enjoyment of seeing the plan play out and Hardwick and Dilly get what's deserved. In Dilly's case, his comeuppance has been three books in coming. Leah's growth in her abilities is believable as well. It's taken her a long time to accept and learn to control her gold powers, so the climax and what she can do makes sense.
This type of story would not have worked in the first or even second installments, since there are so many working parts and the digestion of the plan and the story relies heavily on our knowledge of the characters and their growth arc, and their strengths and weaknesses. Had we just been thrown into a historical fiction/fantasy heist story without knowing what has led up to this moment, there would be less of a reason for us to invest in Leah and her friends, less of a feeling of wanting them to succeed. All of the cast members have a purpose in the story, and each lends their own color shade to the tapestry. Every character's story had a satisfying conclusion, and it's rather obvious that the adventures of the citizens of Glory, California have come to an end. My feelings may be slightly mixed, but on the whole, I'm happy that I read this trilogy, but conversely, I'm also happy that it ends here.
This type of story would not have worked in the first or even second installments, since there are so many working parts and the digestion of the plan and the story relies heavily on our knowledge of the characters and their growth arc, and their strengths and weaknesses. Had we just been thrown into a historical fiction/fantasy heist story without knowing what has led up to this moment, there would be less of a reason for us to invest in Leah and her friends, less of a feeling of wanting them to succeed. All of the cast members have a purpose in the story, and each lends their own color shade to the tapestry. Every character's story had a satisfying conclusion, and it's rather obvious that the adventures of the citizens of Glory, California have come to an end. My feelings may be slightly mixed, but on the whole, I'm happy that I read this trilogy, but conversely, I'm also happy that it ends here.
bluestarshells's review against another edition
3.0
Oh I really hate to say this. But it must be said. I didn't much care for this book or the way it was written. I'm extremely disappointed as Rea Carson is one of my favorite authors, but this is by far the worst book she's written.
As a stand alone book comparing it to current YA books in the same genre it's still on the higher end of the spectrum. But comparing it to the previous books in this series and comparing the author to her previous series as well, it just didn't hold to the same standard. This book is stagnant where Rea Carson usually has lots of plot movement. This book is predictable where as there are usually unpredictable plot turns. This book is short, boring, with very little thrill. It reads like an epilogue novella and would have been great as one.
All in all Leah's story ended happily, albeit a bit abruptly and predictably. I'm glad I read it, but I would have felt the same way at the end of book 2. This third book left a few things unresolved and really didn't add any substance to the meat of the story.
That being said I'm still remaining an avid Rea Carson fan and look forward to the next world she brings us.
As a stand alone book comparing it to current YA books in the same genre it's still on the higher end of the spectrum. But comparing it to the previous books in this series and comparing the author to her previous series as well, it just didn't hold to the same standard. This book is stagnant where Rea Carson usually has lots of plot movement. This book is predictable where as there are usually unpredictable plot turns. This book is short, boring, with very little thrill. It reads like an epilogue novella and would have been great as one.
All in all Leah's story ended happily, albeit a bit abruptly and predictably. I'm glad I read it, but I would have felt the same way at the end of book 2. This third book left a few things unresolved and really didn't add any substance to the meat of the story.
That being said I'm still remaining an avid Rea Carson fan and look forward to the next world she brings us.
lostintomes's review against another edition
3.0
I am not entirely sure what I expected going into this but I know a revenge/heist plot was NOT it. I was intrigued at first by this sudden plot change however the more I read, the more disappointed I was. The first mistake was that we have a new (less interesting) villain in this one. Uncle Hiram was so hate-able! And while James Hardwick is still a bad guy, he’s just not as compelling. A heist story needs a strong, despicable villain that everyone can hate. Hardwick just didn't do it for me. It felt like a step down when we should have gone up.
Lee’s powers really are not really used to their advantage in this either.
Spoiler
Yes it is nice that we get to meet another person with powers and a small back story with her mom… but it doesn’t feel very substantial and I still had a lot of questions left unanswered.Spoiler
of doing that… they steal it?! REALLY?! Why do we not get any honest-to-goodness gold hunting in this? I was looking forward to some more of that.Overall I didn’t feel a connection to this story or to their motivation for their revenge. As a heist book it really falls flat. We don’t get to experience any of the planning or the action sequences. Most of the time we are “distracting” people while things happen behind the scenes. When we get to the end there’s a big summary of what really was going on during the book and it feels like a letdown. It’s normal for the reader to be kept in the dark for part of the heist but usually not blind to practically the entire thing. Why didn’t we get to experience any of that? I was missing the emotional tie to the characters that we had in the first two as well. There wasn’t anything to pull me in and keep my interest. Thank goodness for the amazing audio narrator because otherwise I would never have finished this on my own.
The ending is happy but not very satisfying.
Spoiler
Did we really have to have everyone paired up at the end?! Like really…? It happens quickly and to people we don’t really care about. And we don’t even get to see the whole wedding!eliseofsoleana's review against another edition
3.0
This one barely makes a 3 stars because it felt like a rehash of book 2 (oh boy time to take down another slimy bastard who's taking advantage of minorities and those who don't have money). This one also felt overtly preachy in how the historical disadvantages towards minorities and women were presented, but I know that's a common criticism with this series. However Carson's documentation of her research (and it's very well-done research) bumped this up in the end. Personally, I think is the weakest in the trilogy, especially compared to Walk on Earth a Stranger.
magaramach's review against another edition
4.0
So, first off, I love this trilogy, love love love it. The first book is actually on my favourites list. This one is probably the weakest book in the trilogy - the only reason for this is the plot is unclear and confusing to a dumbass like me. That didn’t mean it wasn’t great, though.
One thing to know is that I love historical fiction, but I am so picky about it. People if colour weren’t invented in 1990, and I have no patience for writers whitewashing and straightwashing times that weren’t actually so white and straight. That’s probably why I love Gold Seer as much as I do - there are 4 abled straight white men in this book: two villains, the 4-year-old son of a main character, and some random sailor they hire halfway through. Not only do we see all these amazing people and cultures intermingling in California, the book constantly makes Leah, the protagonist, check her privilege and realize how unfair life is for everyone around her. She’s fully exposed to the injustice Black, Chinese, and Native American peoples have to deal with in the creation of California.*
And the characters themselves - they’re my favourite part of this entire series. It was fecking fantastic to see all these random people grow closer together into a found family over the first book, and stay close and supporting to each other now. Although, the fact that no drama could come from those relationships meant they were at the background in favour of numerous confrontations with the villain, which meant we didn’t see Leah’s friends as much as we should have. Anyways, what we did see of them was amazing.
I liked the magic aspect of the book being expanded, the mysteries surrounding her powers related to gold and the confusing things her Uncle Hiram said about her parents coming to light. I think the mystery of her parents could have come out in a better way than it did, though - it was found out hanging out in a restaurant with Jim, who just unloads all this stuff on her and doesn’t give her a chance to really feel anything about it.**
My favourite characters;
- Jefferson, the half-Cherokee love interest. He’s just sweet and doesn’t do anything wrong ever.
- Mary, this badass Chinese girl who’s been through hell and back. She’s sarcastic and prickly and funny and I love her.
- Honestly Leah is pretty great too.
- Hampton, an escaped slave who just wants to see his wife and I can respect that.
- they’re all pretty great, so honourable mention to Becky’s kids, who are adorable, Becky herself (owner of the Worst Tavern in California, kid of an asshole but she’s trying), the Major (this disabled guy who just wants Becky to notice he exists), the college men (3 gay guys who just want to hang out in California), and Jim Boisclair (an actual real person who Carson thought was so awesome she needed him in her story).
Favourite relationship:
- Jefferson and Leah they’re cuties who support and love each other unconditionally and it’s a running gag that they’re being cute and someone notices and complains about how cute they’re being
- Leah and Mary: essentially, Mary is rude to Leah and Leah thinks Mary is the best and that’s it. That’s their entire friendship and I love it.
SPOILERCORNERSPOILERCORNER SPOILERCORNERSPOILERCORNERSPOILE
Favourite scenes;
- There’s this one where Tom or Henry is horrified that no one there votes in elections before he realizes there’s only like 3 people of the 7 there that are actually eligible to vote
- Every time Jefferson and Leah are acting cute and someone tells them to stop because they’re gross and mushy
- Every time Jim makes Leah check her privilege
* The subplots in this were: trying to get their friend who bought his way out of slavery his freedom after some people illegally kidnaped him, and trying to get Leah’s mother figure’s house back when she couldn’t own property. Actually, now that I’m thinking about it, that’s much less subplots than usual - I think that might be sort of the problem as to why this book was less good. It didn’t use its characters, and the characters are the reason I come back to this series.
**Like, she found out she was a product of rape and that her mom had powers, too, and we just don’t see her emotions regarding the subject later. That’s pretty heavy stuff.
One thing to know is that I love historical fiction, but I am so picky about it. People if colour weren’t invented in 1990, and I have no patience for writers whitewashing and straightwashing times that weren’t actually so white and straight. That’s probably why I love Gold Seer as much as I do - there are 4 abled straight white men in this book: two villains, the 4-year-old son of a main character, and some random sailor they hire halfway through. Not only do we see all these amazing people and cultures intermingling in California, the book constantly makes Leah, the protagonist, check her privilege and realize how unfair life is for everyone around her. She’s fully exposed to the injustice Black, Chinese, and Native American peoples have to deal with in the creation of California.*
And the characters themselves - they’re my favourite part of this entire series. It was fecking fantastic to see all these random people grow closer together into a found family over the first book, and stay close and supporting to each other now. Although, the fact that no drama could come from those relationships meant they were at the background in favour of numerous confrontations with the villain, which meant we didn’t see Leah’s friends as much as we should have. Anyways, what we did see of them was amazing.
I liked the magic aspect of the book being expanded, the mysteries surrounding her powers related to gold and the confusing things her Uncle Hiram said about her parents coming to light. I think the mystery of her parents could have come out in a better way than it did, though - it was found out hanging out in a restaurant with Jim, who just unloads all this stuff on her and doesn’t give her a chance to really feel anything about it.**
My favourite characters;
- Jefferson, the half-Cherokee love interest. He’s just sweet and doesn’t do anything wrong ever.
- Mary, this badass Chinese girl who’s been through hell and back. She’s sarcastic and prickly and funny and I love her.
- Honestly Leah is pretty great too.
- Hampton, an escaped slave who just wants to see his wife and I can respect that.
- they’re all pretty great, so honourable mention to Becky’s kids, who are adorable, Becky herself (owner of the Worst Tavern in California, kid of an asshole but she’s trying), the Major (this disabled guy who just wants Becky to notice he exists), the college men (3 gay guys who just want to hang out in California), and Jim Boisclair (an actual real person who Carson thought was so awesome she needed him in her story).
Favourite relationship:
- Jefferson and Leah they’re cuties who support and love each other unconditionally and it’s a running gag that they’re being cute and someone notices and complains about how cute they’re being
- Leah and Mary: essentially, Mary is rude to Leah and Leah thinks Mary is the best and that’s it. That’s their entire friendship and I love it.
SPOILERCORNERSPOILERCORNER SPOILERCORNERSPOILERCORNERSPOILE
Favourite scenes;
- There’s this one where Tom or Henry is horrified that no one there votes in elections before he realizes there’s only like 3 people of the 7 there that are actually eligible to vote
- Every time Jefferson and Leah are acting cute and someone tells them to stop because they’re gross and mushy
- Every time Jim makes Leah check her privilege
* The subplots in this were: trying to get their friend who bought his way out of slavery his freedom after some people illegally kidnaped him, and trying to get Leah’s mother figure’s house back when she couldn’t own property. Actually, now that I’m thinking about it, that’s much less subplots than usual - I think that might be sort of the problem as to why this book was less good. It didn’t use its characters, and the characters are the reason I come back to this series.
**Like, she found out she was a product of rape and that her mom had powers, too, and we just don’t see her emotions regarding the subject later. That’s pretty heavy stuff.
jeslyn_'s review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adore this series and the ending couldn’t have been more perfect!