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manduuhkay's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mistydawnwaters's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
This almost lost me with the lengthy traveling that occurred during the opening, but I’m glad I held on.
Loving the romantic conflict, and I’ll forever be a sucker for a love triangle.
The world building is spectacular.
Hoping the next book amps things up quite a bit more. I wouldn’t say I’m super drawn in yet.
This almost lost me with the lengthy traveling that occurred during the opening, but I’m glad I held on.
Loving the romantic conflict, and I’ll forever be a sucker for a love triangle.
The world building is spectacular.
Hoping the next book amps things up quite a bit more. I wouldn’t say I’m super drawn in yet.
bluejaybooks's review
4.0
Third Read Through
Second Read Through
I'm surprised to hear that the author was inspired to write this fictional world by Game of Thrones. It seems more reminiscent of The Wheel of Time to me, but then, I've only read the first Game of Thrones book, so maybe I'm wrong.
___
Note: This review is for the Seven Realms series as a whole, but contains no spoilers.
This series took a little while for me to get into the first book, but after I finished The Demon King I was hooked and marathoned the rest of the books.
My favorite aspect of this series was probably the world building. Often in YA fantasy novels the world seems very underdeveloped, but that was not the case here. I enjoyed reading about all of the seven realms various cultures and the tensions between them though the name of this series is somewhat deceptive as it manly focuses on one of the seven kingdoms in this world known as the Fells.
This series often references historical events in the seven realms. I really like when fictional historical events help shape the present in fictional universes because it makes them feel more realistic. Though, as most of the events referenced happened a thousand years ago, it was somewhat unrealistic that so little had changed since then, but this is a common occurrence in fantasy novels so I’m willing to ignore this fact. The ways that the historical facts had been distorted with time made me think a lot about how our own history has been manipulated.
I liked that the romance in this series never overshadowed the fantasy elements. The romance gradual in development which is something I really appreciated, though I do somewhat wish Hans and Raisa had spent more time together in the early books.
Many of the characters were very well developed. Our male main character, Hans, was probably my favorite. I found his backstory as a reformed thief fascinating.
These books just seemed to get better and better as the series went on. Each book seemed to expand upon the scope of the world a little more, and the plot progressed nicely with several twists. It’s not often that I feel the urge to read all the books in a four book long series in a row, but this series continued to feel fresh and engaging throughout.
Spoiler
I've always thought that there was a timing inconsistency between this book and book 4. After reading this book twice, I can see that there does seem to be. Book 4 mentions Han and Raisa having spent a "few months" at Oden's Ford and spring term being in session, but in this book, they're nearly finished with exams for spring terms by the end of it, and I think Han might even mention he has taken all of his. I wonder if the author realized while writing book three that she needed to speed up the timeline to keep the characters in the YA age group? Either that, or I've misinterpreted how much time has passed and it's been almost a full year.Second Read Through
I'm surprised to hear that the author was inspired to write this fictional world by Game of Thrones. It seems more reminiscent of The Wheel of Time to me, but then, I've only read the first Game of Thrones book, so maybe I'm wrong.
___
Note: This review is for the Seven Realms series as a whole, but contains no spoilers.
This series took a little while for me to get into the first book, but after I finished The Demon King I was hooked and marathoned the rest of the books.
My favorite aspect of this series was probably the world building. Often in YA fantasy novels the world seems very underdeveloped, but that was not the case here. I enjoyed reading about all of the seven realms various cultures and the tensions between them though the name of this series is somewhat deceptive as it manly focuses on one of the seven kingdoms in this world known as the Fells.
This series often references historical events in the seven realms. I really like when fictional historical events help shape the present in fictional universes because it makes them feel more realistic. Though, as most of the events referenced happened a thousand years ago, it was somewhat unrealistic that so little had changed since then, but this is a common occurrence in fantasy novels so I’m willing to ignore this fact. The ways that the historical facts had been distorted with time made me think a lot about how our own history has been manipulated.
I liked that the romance in this series never overshadowed the fantasy elements. The romance gradual in development which is something I really appreciated, though I do somewhat wish Hans and Raisa had spent more time together in the early books.
Many of the characters were very well developed. Our male main character, Hans, was probably my favorite. I found his backstory as a reformed thief fascinating.
These books just seemed to get better and better as the series went on. Each book seemed to expand upon the scope of the world a little more, and the plot progressed nicely with several twists. It’s not often that I feel the urge to read all the books in a four book long series in a row, but this series continued to feel fresh and engaging throughout.
rkle's review
3.75
This book was up and down, started off strong, the middle was boring and it felt like nothing happened, the end picked back up. Same as book 1, I like the characters and story enough to stay invested, I’m looking forward to book 3 but I’m not blown away but anything in particular. It is well written and super easy to read, it’s still pretty obviously a ya fantasy to me as I’m reading, there is no epic elements to it. There a slow burn that feels typical teenager romance. It doesn’t mean it’s bad by any means, it just is what it is. I’m really hoping there are some good plot movements in book 3 though because book 2 was a lot of story and not much action.
zhort's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
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
I started this book long ago but never finished it, then picked it up again and forgot what it was about so I spent the first few chapters completely confused with low expectations. Then Raisa caught my attention with her sass and competence tinged with anger management issues. And Han hooked me in with his guilt, wits, and resolution. The magic system is soft and uninteresting tbh, but I did not expect all the characters to captivate me so. It was almost 600 pages long and I blazed through it.
magikspells's review
4.0
Well, after feel like I had to struggled through the Demon King, I have to admit that I really liked this book. I think my favorite part of this series is that the focus is on a lot of different characters. Also, there's not just a standard YA love triangle, it's more of a love pentagon or something even larger depending on who you ship and such. I love that. But I enjoyed it, I wish Han would spend a little less time being hurt, I swear for a former street lord that boy is basically always hurt in some form.
I think my only downfall for this book was that it didn't feel like it lead up to much of a climax. It was more of a long story about a school year, with nothing really resolved, but granted it sets up nicely for some more action. I'm hoping the next book brings Raisa and Han together more, at least to make it seem less like two separated stories. Though honestly I do love Amon and Micah as well, I hope to see more of them too.
All in all, I fail to see how people say it's a ya version of A Song of Ice and Fire (which I have read in a variety of places)... I just can't see the similarity, I guess because it's seven realms? But the Graceling story has seven kingdoms as well. So what, authors like to have seven kingdoms? Whatever, people like to compare apples to oranges, that's their problem.
I think my only downfall for this book was that it didn't feel like it lead up to much of a climax. It was more of a long story about a school year, with nothing really resolved, but granted it sets up nicely for some more action. I'm hoping the next book brings Raisa and Han together more, at least to make it seem less like two separated stories. Though honestly I do love Amon and Micah as well, I hope to see more of them too.
All in all, I fail to see how people say it's a ya version of A Song of Ice and Fire (which I have read in a variety of places)... I just can't see the similarity, I guess because it's seven realms? But the Graceling story has seven kingdoms as well. So what, authors like to have seven kingdoms? Whatever, people like to compare apples to oranges, that's their problem.
arigoat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
readnrepeat1127's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sophieboddice's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. Absolutely loved Han in this book. I didn't really warm to him in the first book. I love Han and raisa's relationship too.
The reason why I didnt give this 5 stars was because of the whole scene with Raisa and amon where she basically begged him to leave his girlfriend to be with her... slightly awkward and cringy.
My favorite part of this series is the concept of the magical bond between the guard and the heir to the throne. Really cool idea and not something iv read about before. Onto book 3! :D
The reason why I didnt give this 5 stars was because of the whole scene with Raisa and amon where she basically begged him to leave his girlfriend to be with her... slightly awkward and cringy.
My favorite part of this series is the concept of the magical bond between the guard and the heir to the throne. Really cool idea and not something iv read about before. Onto book 3! :D