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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
I didn't really expect or like the academy part and couldn't really get past it, so I put it down for now
In the world of Renthia, people live in trees. Not, like, in a DON'T CUT DOWN THIS REDWOOD protester kind of way, but entire cities built up in the branches kind of way. These trees, and in fact all nature and natural things, are controlled by spirits - but the spirits themselves are controlled by the ruling queen and women with power. Unchecked by a queen's power, these spirits are destructive. Destroy your town and everyone and everything in it destructive. It was when Daleina's town experienced such destruction that Daleina realized she had power over the spirits. She decides to put that power to use by studying at the academy, which prepares the lucky few to potentially take over should the current reigning queen die.
That synopsis was hard to write, but only because the worldbuilding in this novel is quite rich. I'm sure it's been done before (because at this point, what hasn't?), but I loved the idea of entire cities built in trees, with people that travel above the trees on wires/ziplines, and below in the forest on foot (but only if they are quite brave - lots of nasty spirits live on the ground). The magic system and the...spirit interface? matriarchal culture? made sense and were interesting to learn about as the book progressed. It was reminiscent of horro/fantasy involving demons/demon control, just minus any pentagrams/pentacles or whatever. Anyway, A++ for worldbuilding.
The characters were also pretty awesome. When we meet Daleina, she's pretty young, and we get to follow her as she matures and grows. Unlike in a lot of fantasy, Daleina is a pretty average girl. In fact, she barely has enough magic to get into the Academy in the first place. Once she's there, though, she works her ASS OFF and is creative and fosters teamwork. She's definitely a very likable character. Ven, the other "main" character, is a champion of the queen who is responsible for helping to train future queens, and he's a fairly interesting character as well. He's flawed, but appreciates Daleina for all of the reasons she should be appreciated - her motives, determination, and her SJW mindset. Throughout the course of her studies at the academy, she develops several female friendships, which is something sadly lacking from a lot of fantasy.
In short, if you are looking for your next seriously entertaining fantasy read, look no further. And, as a bonus, you don't even have to wait that long for book 2 (but even if you did, bonus! There's no cliffhanger in this one!) as it comes out July 2017. I really enjoyed this - 4 stars.
That synopsis was hard to write, but only because the worldbuilding in this novel is quite rich. I'm sure it's been done before (because at this point, what hasn't?), but I loved the idea of entire cities built in trees, with people that travel above the trees on wires/ziplines, and below in the forest on foot (but only if they are quite brave - lots of nasty spirits live on the ground). The magic system and the...spirit interface? matriarchal culture? made sense and were interesting to learn about as the book progressed. It was reminiscent of horro/fantasy involving demons/demon control, just minus any pentagrams/pentacles or whatever. Anyway, A++ for worldbuilding.
The characters were also pretty awesome. When we meet Daleina, she's pretty young, and we get to follow her as she matures and grows. Unlike in a lot of fantasy, Daleina is a pretty average girl. In fact, she barely has enough magic to get into the Academy in the first place. Once she's there, though, she works her ASS OFF and is creative and fosters teamwork. She's definitely a very likable character. Ven, the other "main" character, is a champion of the queen who is responsible for helping to train future queens, and he's a fairly interesting character as well. He's flawed, but appreciates Daleina for all of the reasons she should be appreciated - her motives, determination, and her SJW mindset. Throughout the course of her studies at the academy, she develops several female friendships, which is something sadly lacking from a lot of fantasy.
In short, if you are looking for your next seriously entertaining fantasy read, look no further. And, as a bonus, you don't even have to wait that long for book 2 (but even if you did, bonus! There's no cliffhanger in this one!) as it comes out July 2017. I really enjoyed this - 4 stars.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
I'm so surprised by the sub-4 rating of this book and the relatively low number of reviews. This book is everything YA fantasy should be. It's unique. It's beautiful and terrible at the same time. It has a fantastic, flawed main character. It has beautiful female friendships and a sweet love (and NO love triangle) and a supportive family. It has a fantastic world and I can't wait to see it built out more in the next few books..
But... Also.....
WHAT THE H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS WAS THAT ENDING?!?!?!?!?!? I don't know if my heart will ever recover 💔😔😢
But... Also.....
WHAT THE H-E-DOUBLE HOCKEY STICKS WAS THAT ENDING?!?!?!?!?!? I don't know if my heart will ever recover 💔😔😢
Unsurprisingly, I believe I have stumbled onto a new favorite. After reading The Bone Maker, I had an idea that Sarah Beth Durst would be an author that I continued to enjoy and picked up this series. I am happy that I did.
One of the things I like most about Durst's writing is that it flows so well. It makes for a compulsive and addictive read. Her books are hard to set aside for any amount of time and this is no exception. Her writing also plays to my specific tastes. I've stated many times that I don't like a lot of flowery, unnecessary description or "filler" pages. Durst never does this. Her plots and storytelling remain clear and consice while still delivering that epic fantasy feel to her novels.
Her magic systems are always simple as well. They don't need over explanations to ensure the reader understands what is going on. All magic has a cost. Elementals exist. Simple. Easy.
I am excited to continue with the rest of the series, and Sarah Beth Durst had now become an auto-buy author for me.
One of the things I like most about Durst's writing is that it flows so well. It makes for a compulsive and addictive read. Her books are hard to set aside for any amount of time and this is no exception. Her writing also plays to my specific tastes. I've stated many times that I don't like a lot of flowery, unnecessary description or "filler" pages. Durst never does this. Her plots and storytelling remain clear and consice while still delivering that epic fantasy feel to her novels.
Her magic systems are always simple as well. They don't need over explanations to ensure the reader understands what is going on. All magic has a cost. Elementals exist. Simple. Easy.
I am excited to continue with the rest of the series, and Sarah Beth Durst had now become an auto-buy author for me.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes