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wordsofclover's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
When Maerad, a young slave, meets a man looking for shelter, she is thrust into the world of Bards, magic and darkness against light. Maerad, who has no memory of her childhood, finds out she is from a special magic school called Pellinor, and she herself also contains the ability to do magic and a powerful at that. Now she travels with Cadvan, her friend, saviour and teacher, as they try to warn others about the powerful rising of darkness before it's too late.
This is a really nice high fantasy story with all the classic tropes you expect to see in the genre, with some nice elements thrown in that give the story charm and intrigue. I really enjoy Maerad's perspective from her fears and doubts to the times she is confident and powerful. There are some moments of coincidence in this book but I like how this was used as 'not so much chance meeting but faith and destiny intertwined'. I also like the dynamic of Maerad and Cadvan as student/mentor and I wonder if there is potential for that to become something more in future books.
Kudos to this book too for not forgetting that women in fantasy books also menstruate (and a wonderful scene when Cadvan thought he was going to have to explain how to handle your period to Maerad).
One thing I also appreciated in this book was the important of nature and animals. Bards in this book speak a special language and through this they can communicate with animals in a really lovely way from letting dogs know they mean no harm, sending messages via birds and forging an even deeper connection with horses. The nature in the book such as the woodland also plays an important part in the feelings it gives out and the characters know through the air and their own instincts when to feel on edge and wary of danger.
A strong first book in a series, and I'm looking forward to reading more!
This is a really nice high fantasy story with all the classic tropes you expect to see in the genre, with some nice elements thrown in that give the story charm and intrigue. I really enjoy Maerad's perspective from her fears and doubts to the times she is confident and powerful. There are some moments of coincidence in this book but I like how this was used as 'not so much chance meeting but faith and destiny intertwined'. I also like the dynamic of Maerad and Cadvan as student/mentor and I wonder if there is potential for that to become something more in future books.
Kudos to this book too for not forgetting that women in fantasy books also menstruate (and a wonderful scene when Cadvan thought he was going to have to explain how to handle your period to Maerad).
One thing I also appreciated in this book was the important of nature and animals. Bards in this book speak a special language and through this they can communicate with animals in a really lovely way from letting dogs know they mean no harm, sending messages via birds and forging an even deeper connection with horses. The nature in the book such as the woodland also plays an important part in the feelings it gives out and the characters know through the air and their own instincts when to feel on edge and wary of danger.
A strong first book in a series, and I'm looking forward to reading more!
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Animal death
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