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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
The writing style is very descriptive and really helps you feel a part of the world. You’re uncovering things as the main character is, so the development can feel very slow. However around the 50% mark it takes off and you’re running alongside January and it’s an incredible time. But then! the chapter before last lulls and the ending wraps things up nicely. I think the amazing part was worth the slower build up to it. Highly recommend for those who enjoy portal fantasies and lush storytelling. Personal note - although the narrator was great, this kind of writing is hard for me to follow by audio.
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Sometimes, all it takes is reading the first chapter to know you're not going to like a book, because that was one of the most long-winded beginnings I've ever read! It was a lot of exposition. Honestly, I'm not quite sure what I read. I fear Alix E. Harrow's writing style isn't for me. I think I'm going to DNF since I'm having a lot of trouble getting into it.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
All of the side characters: 10/10
January: 0/10
Overly flowery and meandering with a too naive and obtuse to be believed main character. Heavy handed in its portrayal of racism and sexism, and the extremely casually mentioned non-heteronormative characters really felt like ticking off a diversity checklist. The "surprises" were obviously telegraphed as well. This book is completely lacking in nuance and subtlety. The concept was a good one, and any of the stories not about January were great (Samuel's epilogue was more compelling than January's entire narrative,) but overall not at all a fan of this one. Reminded me negatively of The Starless Sea.
January: 0/10
Overly flowery and meandering with a too naive and obtuse to be believed main character. Heavy handed in its portrayal of racism and sexism, and the extremely casually mentioned non-heteronormative characters really felt like ticking off a diversity checklist. The "surprises" were obviously telegraphed as well. This book is completely lacking in nuance and subtlety. The concept was a good one, and any of the stories not about January were great (Samuel's epilogue was more compelling than January's entire narrative,) but overall not at all a fan of this one. Reminded me negatively of The Starless Sea.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
adventurous
emotional
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:
No
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No