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morganphoenix's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Physical abuse
Minor: Animal death and Child death
spearly's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
It’s often said of old buildings that they have a soul. On Anima, the ark where objects come to life, old buildings tend mostly to become appallingly bad-tempered.
A Winter's Promise is the fantastical first novel in The Mirror Visitor series, and takes place in a magical, post-rupture society, where the world is split into Arks. Or MC Ophelia is from an ark called Anima, and has the power to read the history of objects through touch, as well as travel short distances through mirrors. The story begins with an unexpected arranged marriage between her and gentleman named Thorn, who is from another Ark called The Pole.
There are very few books I have read that read to me like poetry, and yet, I was absorbed in every word. Dabos does an incredible job with her world-building, without inundating the beginning of the story with detail after detail. Rather, she drops us into the middle of world and lets it share itself chapter after chapter.
Likewise, I was no less impressed with Dabos' characterization. Everyone felt so distinct, so complex, so real, and Ophelia was an incredible character to follow throughout this journey. A lot of YA fantasy series have some sort of 16 year-old Mary-Sue character who knows nothing and yet is still somehow the key to saving the world. Not Ophelia. I mean, yes, she's powerful, but she is so unremarkable in many ways. She even spends half the book disguised as a mute servant so as not to arouse suspicion of her arrival at The Pole.
Thorn, Ophelia's fiancé is a puzzle, that's for certain. I couldn't get a read on him, even when it seemed his true intentions were revealed (and, sap that I am, I will just say I might have enjoyed a bit of clarity in this relationship before the novel ended, but thankfully the series came out in 2013, so I am already onto the next book ) I don't know how a man so determined to stay stoic and cold at all costs could have made my heart flutter, but he did. Sue me. Hopefully he doesn't turn out to be a disappointment. Because, once again, SAP THAT I AM, i need a bit of romance in my YA reading. Well, in all my reading, really. Hopefully it pans out!
That said, Ophelia's inner dialogue when she speaks of love and romance is making me thing she might be aromantic. Possibly asexual, too. I haven't read enough of the series to know for certain, and while I'm always happy to read books with more representation, I will say I would be a bit disappointed if that were the case, and I feel Ophelia and Thorn are being set up for what could be a great, slow-burn love-story. I guess we'll see!
The only reason this isn't a 5 star for me is the pacing. As quickly as it went by, I still felt like nothing much has happened in the first novel. By some other reviews I've read, it seems it picks up in book 2!
I can see why this series might have been one i passed over when it came out 8 years ago, but I feel like I'm appreciating it a lot more than my teenage self would have. I'm glad to know I still have 2.5 books (I'm halfway through [book:The Missing of Clairdelune|41953346]). It's truly unlike anything I've read before!
A Winter's Promise is the fantastical first novel in The Mirror Visitor series, and takes place in a magical, post-rupture society, where the world is split into Arks. Or MC Ophelia is from an ark called Anima, and has the power to read the history of objects through touch, as well as travel short distances through mirrors. The story begins with an unexpected arranged marriage between her and gentleman named Thorn, who is from another Ark called The Pole.
There are very few books I have read that read to me like poetry, and yet, I was absorbed in every word. Dabos does an incredible job with her world-building, without inundating the beginning of the story with detail after detail. Rather, she drops us into the middle of world and lets it share itself chapter after chapter.
Likewise, I was no less impressed with Dabos' characterization. Everyone felt so distinct, so complex, so real, and Ophelia was an incredible character to follow throughout this journey. A lot of YA fantasy series have some sort of 16 year-old Mary-Sue character who knows nothing and yet is still somehow the key to saving the world. Not Ophelia. I mean, yes, she's powerful, but she is so unremarkable in many ways. She even
Thorn, Ophelia's fiancé is a puzzle, that's for certain. I couldn't get a read on him, even when it seemed his true intentions were revealed (
That said,
The only reason this isn't a 5 star for me is the pacing. As quickly as it went by, I still felt like nothing much has happened in the first novel. By some other reviews I've read, it seems it picks up in book 2!
I can see why this series might have been one i passed over when it came out 8 years ago, but I feel like I'm appreciating it a lot more than my teenage self would have. I'm glad to know I still have 2.5 books (I'm halfway through [book:The Missing of Clairdelune|41953346]). It's truly unlike anything I've read before!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Animal death, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
dalawis's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Murder, Death, and Child death
mxrumphius's review against another edition
slow-paced
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Murder and Blood
Minor: Xenophobia, Suicide, Sexual assault, Police brutality, and Child death
aunteaandbiscuits's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A slow set up that leads to a much more exciting sequel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Minor: Animal cruelty, Car accident, Child death, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Genocide, Grief, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Misogyny, Murder, Police brutality, Sexism, Blood, and Alcoholism
ghiblies's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I enjoyed this a lot. The world building and magic system are seriously cool and I finished the book wishing we had gotten more of this. For me this is 3 stars because I found the ending somewhat underwhelming. I suppose a nicer way to put it is that we’re left with one hell of a cliffhanger, but in short you wouldn’t be able to read this as a stand-alone, which is a shame since the universe itself is such a strong selling point for this book.
As for our protagonists, I really like them, but oh boy, they really do put the slow in slow burn. Ophelia wasn't my favourite of the two but I found her blossoming love and respect for her aunt very heart-warming and I hope this relationship doesn’t fade into the background. I was personally more intrigued by Thorn, who was left as a very enigmatic character even by the end of the book. I will say, their relationship jumped back and forth quite dramatically which I am... scratching my head at a little... The reason for their conflict perhaps feels a little weak considering how pragmatic they both are, but hopefully as they get to know each other better these misunderstandings will be cleared up. (And do I love me some miscommunication and misunderstandings in my stories *rubs hands together gleefully*)
To close, I am looking forward to reading the sequel. I am equally as invested in uncovering the fate of our protagonists as I am in learning more about this universe and its magics!
As for our protagonists, I really like them, but oh boy, they really do put the slow in slow burn. Ophelia wasn't my favourite of the two but I found her blossoming love and respect for her aunt very heart-warming and I hope this relationship doesn’t fade into the background. I was personally more intrigued by Thorn, who was left as a very enigmatic character even by the end of the book. I will say, their relationship jumped back and forth quite dramatically which I am... scratching my head at a little... The reason for their conflict perhaps feels a little weak considering how pragmatic they both are, but hopefully as they get to know each other better these misunderstandings will be cleared up. (And do I love me some miscommunication and misunderstandings in my stories *rubs hands together gleefully*)
To close, I am looking forward to reading the sequel. I am equally as invested in uncovering the fate of our protagonists as I am in learning more about this universe and its magics!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Violence
Minor: Child death and Infidelity
peachani's review against another edition
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence, Child death, Bullying, Physical abuse, Grief, and Confinement
Minor: Blood, Toxic relationship, and Torture
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