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kblincoln's review against another edition
4.0
This is Urban Fantasy, and I totally see why people might compare it to Harkness' "Discovery of Witches", but really it isn't quite like that at all.
Garet James is in severe financial trouble, her father is in the hospital and is suspected of insurance fraud, and their recent acquisition of Pissaro winter snowscapes have been stolen.
Then she walks into a mysterious jeweler's store she's never seen before and agrees to open a mysterious silver box with the same swan seal as a ring her dead mother gave her.
Only opening the box will also open her eyes to the fae that live in New York. Garet must travel around New York physically and fae-wise in order to gain the information necessary from stopping the nefarious John Dee from his ultimate plan of chaos.
So this was fine. It was readable, the version of fae here, tied in with the elements with names like Obie Smith, Noam Erdmann, and Melusine were cool. The backstory of how Garet's mom ties in with John Dee and the darkly handsome Will Hughes was also fine.
But...goodness I'm not sure what my problem was. I never got into Garet. I never got into her luuuurrve for Will, and never felt the excitement or urgency of her encounters with John Dee.
Maybe its because everyone seems so matter-of-fact about everything? Maybe its because I felt so emotionally removed from Garet, she was just too...plainly Mary Sue in some ways. Or maybe the romance never took off with me because how little face time Will and Garet spend before being drawn to eachother.
I probably won't go out and seek the sequel, but I'd read it if I came across it accidentally at the library. As I said, the backstory and world building (and endless details of New York. If you live in New York you probably would love this book, it's very focused there) were cool. I just didn't connect with Garet at all.
This Book's Snack Rating: Sour Cream and Chive Lay's for the somewhat cheesy romance on a fae-dwelling New York love affair of a story with a slightly distant heroine
Garet James is in severe financial trouble, her father is in the hospital and is suspected of insurance fraud, and their recent acquisition of Pissaro winter snowscapes have been stolen.
Then she walks into a mysterious jeweler's store she's never seen before and agrees to open a mysterious silver box with the same swan seal as a ring her dead mother gave her.
Only opening the box will also open her eyes to the fae that live in New York. Garet must travel around New York physically and fae-wise in order to gain the information necessary from stopping the nefarious John Dee from his ultimate plan of chaos.
So this was fine. It was readable, the version of fae here, tied in with the elements with names like Obie Smith, Noam Erdmann, and Melusine were cool. The backstory of how Garet's mom ties in with John Dee and the darkly handsome Will Hughes was also fine.
But...goodness I'm not sure what my problem was. I never got into Garet. I never got into her luuuurrve for Will, and never felt the excitement or urgency of her encounters with John Dee.
Maybe its because everyone seems so matter-of-fact about everything? Maybe its because I felt so emotionally removed from Garet, she was just too...plainly Mary Sue in some ways. Or maybe the romance never took off with me because how little face time Will and Garet spend before being drawn to eachother.
I probably won't go out and seek the sequel, but I'd read it if I came across it accidentally at the library. As I said, the backstory and world building (and endless details of New York. If you live in New York you probably would love this book, it's very focused there) were cool. I just didn't connect with Garet at all.
This Book's Snack Rating: Sour Cream and Chive Lay's for the somewhat cheesy romance on a fae-dwelling New York love affair of a story with a slightly distant heroine
andimontgomery's review against another edition
3.0
This book started out very strong, but it fell flat for me in the last 50 pages, and I was disappointed with the ending!
munchkim's review against another edition
5.0
It sounded fascinating to me having read the description and I'm so pleased to say that it hasn't disappointed me at all. In fact it has been a far better read than I could have hoped for. I've found it to be a wonderful fantasy adventure set in the real world but also in a world where there are many more possibilities than most people suspect.
How would you cope if you suddenly found out that the world around you wasn't what you always believed it to be? What about if you discovered that your Mother had kept the biggest of secrets from you? And that in that revelation the past, and even the very distant past, show just how much of an influence they have had over your life, to the extent that events that had happened were not only what they seemed to be at the time but also a portent of what was to come.
All these secrets Garet seems to take in her stride, she accepts so many new ideas in such a short time that it's so easy to get caught up with all her new experiences as well as discoveries about the past and the people around her, both new and old. The writing is very expressive and descriptive, allowing you to follow the story easily, eagerly awaiting the next development in the tale and enjoying the depth of storytelling that kept me riveted until the last page was turned. I have to say I did enjoy that the climax happened and then we got to see what happened to most of the characters for a while afterwards as well, so many books end with a climax and leave you wondering what happened next, was everyone really OK. Black Swan Rising is not one of those books, you're left at the end knowing a little of what happened after all the drama while the storyline is set up magnificently for book 2
How would you cope if you suddenly found out that the world around you wasn't what you always believed it to be? What about if you discovered that your Mother had kept the biggest of secrets from you? And that in that revelation the past, and even the very distant past, show just how much of an influence they have had over your life, to the extent that events that had happened were not only what they seemed to be at the time but also a portent of what was to come.
All these secrets Garet seems to take in her stride, she accepts so many new ideas in such a short time that it's so easy to get caught up with all her new experiences as well as discoveries about the past and the people around her, both new and old. The writing is very expressive and descriptive, allowing you to follow the story easily, eagerly awaiting the next development in the tale and enjoying the depth of storytelling that kept me riveted until the last page was turned. I have to say I did enjoy that the climax happened and then we got to see what happened to most of the characters for a while afterwards as well, so many books end with a climax and leave you wondering what happened next, was everyone really OK. Black Swan Rising is not one of those books, you're left at the end knowing a little of what happened after all the drama while the storyline is set up magnificently for book 2
bookaholic_22's review against another edition
1.0
Didn't finish it I found it a bit slow and there was never much happening I found it was confusing and wasn't that keen on it.
ptaradactyl's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the premise. I liked the universe.
I just wish I liked Garet a bit more....
I just wish I liked Garet a bit more....
vixenchick's review against another edition
4.0
This book had so much in it that I liked, I really can't name them all. I'm going to keep this review simple because I'm on a lot of medication and don't remember a lot of details. LOL Only really how I felt throughout the book. I read this while part in the hospital and part when I came home.
I really don't remember any slow parts in this book. There was always something going on, even if it was behind the scenes. There were times when it felt like I was so anxious that I was holding my breath. Then there were times where I was angry at the heroine, Garet. There is a vampire, fey, demons, and elementals. I thought it was so interesting how Garet learns about her powers. I absolutely recommend this book for anyone who likes any type of supernatural.
I really don't remember any slow parts in this book. There was always something going on, even if it was behind the scenes. There were times when it felt like I was so anxious that I was holding my breath. Then there were times where I was angry at the heroine, Garet. There is a vampire, fey, demons, and elementals. I thought it was so interesting how Garet learns about her powers. I absolutely recommend this book for anyone who likes any type of supernatural.
shayob17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide attempt
Minor: Rape
emmettspot's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
omad's review against another edition
4.0
A fun and enjoyable read. New York is a great place to set a Fantasy adventure.
Likeable and interesting characters, with a story that keeps the pages turning.
Likeable and interesting characters, with a story that keeps the pages turning.
katrinarichardson's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting take on the whole vampire world. I personally really liked this book, but i'm not sure its for everyone