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jjujube's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
theartolater's review
3.0
Still feels very rote and plodding. Still don't know why I'm compelled by it. Ah well.
mythicalbrit's review
4.0
A satisfying sequel, with the welcome return of familiar, likable characters. The language is a bit awkward and unnatural at times, but overall the story flows a little better than in the first book, and sets the scene nicely for the conclusion to the trilogy. I'm looking forward to Book 3 very much!
kailey_luminouslibro's review
2.0
Not good writing. Sloppy style. The plot is very good though, so the action keeps you reading. Characters are one-dimensional and not developed enough, which can make them boring.
elevetha's review
2.0
2 1\2 stars. Pretty boring. It was all right but certainly not anything special. What is up with Alexa being chosen by Elyon since the very beginning as the person to save everyone? Her destiny and all that. More annoying than epic in my opinion. I ended up buying this and the first one at Half Price Books for $1 each. So that was a good price but I'm not sure I would have spent much more on this.
mikeejanine's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
rosenectur's review
5.0
I'm going to group my thoughts on this trilogy into one entry. Wow! What an introduction to Patrick Carman. This series is fantastic. A fantasy story about a young girl (I know, I know some of you signed just then because every other YA fantasy story is a about a young girl who finds herself with some special power to save her world.) And yes this one is starts out just the same. Alexa Daley is given a special stone and thrust into a world she doesn't know beyond the safe walls of her city with a destiny to save her world from a coming war. (Again I know you've heard all that before.)
What sets this series apart and makes it something you really want to read is the connection between the creator Elyon and his land and his people. The mystery behind that relationship keeps it interesting. Plus there are other mysteries; why were the walls built? Where is this evil influence coming from? Why are the leaders so secretive?... It's starts out like those others YA fantasy stories but becomes a touching Christian allegory.
I copied this passage as a small example of that: "Elyon has only one hope for us Alexa. That we would know he loves us. Do you understand? The one who made you, the one who made everything... He loves you. And more than that, there is nothing you or I need do to earn his reckless affection for us. That love has driven me tho fight his enemy the enemy of us all... I have failed, and failed, and failed again... But no amount of failure can move Elyon's hand of affection away from me. It's inescapable. To live bodily for that kind of love is the least I can do." The visuals popped out from the pages and I was really able to get into the world of Elyon. He does a really great job with imagery and mood. You can not only see the world in your head you can feel it too.
What sets this series apart and makes it something you really want to read is the connection between the creator Elyon and his land and his people. The mystery behind that relationship keeps it interesting. Plus there are other mysteries; why were the walls built? Where is this evil influence coming from? Why are the leaders so secretive?... It's starts out like those others YA fantasy stories but becomes a touching Christian allegory.
I copied this passage as a small example of that: "Elyon has only one hope for us Alexa. That we would know he loves us. Do you understand? The one who made you, the one who made everything... He loves you. And more than that, there is nothing you or I need do to earn his reckless affection for us. That love has driven me tho fight his enemy the enemy of us all... I have failed, and failed, and failed again... But no amount of failure can move Elyon's hand of affection away from me. It's inescapable. To live bodily for that kind of love is the least I can do." The visuals popped out from the pages and I was really able to get into the world of Elyon. He does a really great job with imagery and mood. You can not only see the world in your head you can feel it too.
savvyj655's review
4.0
I had this series read to me by my 5th grade teacher during snack time. I think this is what sparked my love of reading. Rereading it, I definitely noticed more of the flaws - this one is a bit info-dumpy, the side characters aren't fleshed out as much, etc. - but I don't think any of those diminished my enjoyment of the book. I was a bit impatient to get to the end, but I still really enjoyed reading it.
Side note: This has more blatant Christian influences than The Chronicles of Narnia, so keep that in mind before picking up the book.
Side note: This has more blatant Christian influences than The Chronicles of Narnia, so keep that in mind before picking up the book.