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4.05 AVERAGE
4.05 AVERAGE
* I read this as it's a finalist for #SPFBO 2018 and I am a judge *
This book was one I hoped would be good judging from the attention paid to the cover, the premise which sounded exactly like my kind of read, and the blog that nominated it who I frequently agree with. All of those factors led me to having high hopes for this story, and thankfully I wasn't disappointed in the slightest, in fact I really enjoyed this and I definitely want to read what happens next!
This is a story of two main characters, we have Sable who is a young woman exiled from her homeland after a mysterious power within her risks the lives of many around her. Sable is a healer by the time we catch up with her story again and she is hiding out in The Wilds, away from those who may wish to hunt her down. She hasn't touched the power that banished her since the day she left and has instead managed to keep a fairly low profile considering that her Scab status marks her out as different. She's apprenticed to the town healer Tolya and she is doing her best to learn all she can. Sable has a lot to discover still about her true potential and I think her decisions and skills in the book showed her to be a realistic and believable character.
The other main character is the Wolf or Jos. He's a Prince and he's also an assassin of Scabs throughout the land. He is known to be a killer and a tracker and he's supposedly dangerous too. However, we meet the 'real' Jos when he is sent to find a healer to help restore his father's health which is deteriorating desperately. Jos is a character who has more to tell than first meets the eye and I enjoyed getting to uncover this.
There is a lot of magic in this story from the Liagé who are a race of powerful beings of the Sol (Sable's race) through to necromancers, ancient beings, and more. We see Shades attacking, evil changelings, and sorcerers too. There is constantly a threat on the horizon to keep things interesting, but there's also a lot to learn about the magic still.
The pacing of this one was thoroughly solid throughout and I found it incredibly easy to get into and to want to keep reading. It kept me up late finishing it, which is always a good sign, and ultimately I thoroughly enjoyed it. I gave it a 4.5*s in the end which is 9/10 for #SPFBO (the same rating I gave my own nomination and tied for the best score I've given so far for #SPFBO 2018). Highly recommended :)
This book was one I hoped would be good judging from the attention paid to the cover, the premise which sounded exactly like my kind of read, and the blog that nominated it who I frequently agree with. All of those factors led me to having high hopes for this story, and thankfully I wasn't disappointed in the slightest, in fact I really enjoyed this and I definitely want to read what happens next!
This is a story of two main characters, we have Sable who is a young woman exiled from her homeland after a mysterious power within her risks the lives of many around her. Sable is a healer by the time we catch up with her story again and she is hiding out in The Wilds, away from those who may wish to hunt her down. She hasn't touched the power that banished her since the day she left and has instead managed to keep a fairly low profile considering that her Scab status marks her out as different. She's apprenticed to the town healer Tolya and she is doing her best to learn all she can. Sable has a lot to discover still about her true potential and I think her decisions and skills in the book showed her to be a realistic and believable character.
The other main character is the Wolf or Jos. He's a Prince and he's also an assassin of Scabs throughout the land. He is known to be a killer and a tracker and he's supposedly dangerous too. However, we meet the 'real' Jos when he is sent to find a healer to help restore his father's health which is deteriorating desperately. Jos is a character who has more to tell than first meets the eye and I enjoyed getting to uncover this.
There is a lot of magic in this story from the Liagé who are a race of powerful beings of the Sol (Sable's race) through to necromancers, ancient beings, and more. We see Shades attacking, evil changelings, and sorcerers too. There is constantly a threat on the horizon to keep things interesting, but there's also a lot to learn about the magic still.
The pacing of this one was thoroughly solid throughout and I found it incredibly easy to get into and to want to keep reading. It kept me up late finishing it, which is always a good sign, and ultimately I thoroughly enjoyed it. I gave it a 4.5*s in the end which is 9/10 for #SPFBO (the same rating I gave my own nomination and tied for the best score I've given so far for #SPFBO 2018). Highly recommended :)
4,75 ⭐️
Un premier tome très prometteur pour cette trilogie.
Le worldbuilding est original et très bien ficelé. J’ai adoré l’intrigue des Ombres et tout ce qui les entourent.
Sable est une jeune fille indépendante, forte mais sensible. Elle a gardé une grande humanité malgré toute la haine qui l’entoure.
Jeric quant à lui est le typique protagoniste qui se bat pour son pays, qui ne prend pas toujours les bonnes décisions mais qui pense faire au mieux. Leur relation est bien construite et elle les amènent tous deux à remettre leurs point de vue en question. Ceci promet une grande évolution, je suis intriguée par ce que la suite leur réserve.
Un premier tome très prometteur pour cette trilogie.
Le worldbuilding est original et très bien ficelé. J’ai adoré l’intrigue des Ombres et tout ce qui les entourent.
Sable est une jeune fille indépendante, forte mais sensible. Elle a gardé une grande humanité malgré toute la haine qui l’entoure.
Jeric quant à lui est le typique protagoniste qui se bat pour son pays, qui ne prend pas toujours les bonnes décisions mais qui pense faire au mieux. Leur relation est bien construite et elle les amènent tous deux à remettre leurs point de vue en question. Ceci promet une grande évolution, je suis intriguée par ce que la suite leur réserve.
Dès les 2/3 premiers chapitres, j’ai énormément apprécié la lecture de ce livre et j’ai su que je l’adorerai une fois fini.
Je ne saurai pas expliquer par quelle magie je l’ai senti, alors que l’historie s’installait à peine, mais c’était une évidence et j’étais déjà heureuse et je trépignais d’impatience de savoir que j’allais en tomber amoureuse
Je ne saurai pas expliquer par quelle magie je l’ai senti, alors que l’historie s’installait à peine, mais c’était une évidence et j’étais déjà heureuse et je trépignais d’impatience de savoir que j’allais en tomber amoureuse
between 2 and 2.5 ⭐️
the story had potential but it was really badly written, there are too many characters and way too many descriptions that add 0 value to the story. not an enjoyable read!
the story had potential but it was really badly written, there are too many characters and way too many descriptions that add 0 value to the story. not an enjoyable read!
medium-paced
Surprisingly wonderful
I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure of a fantasy. Great characters and a compelling story. I enjoyed it and think you will too.
I thoroughly enjoyed this adventure of a fantasy. Great characters and a compelling story. I enjoyed it and think you will too.
4,5 stars
This book put me back into fantasy. 100% recommend. The characters are awesome juste lire the plot.
This book put me back into fantasy. 100% recommend. The characters are awesome juste lire the plot.
Reviewed for YA Books Central
There is nothing not to like in this book.
The story:
Sable hasn't had it easy. The daughter of a powerful man, she was sent away from home at a young age when a power she didn't understand showed in her. Years later, she's living as a healer in a village that doesn't want her there. When Jos shows up wanting to take her home with him to heal his father, she's skeptical, but eventually realizes there's no other choice.
Hunted by rabid beings and powerful sorcerers, she fights just to stay alive. As she grows closer to Jos, secrets are revealed and she learns just how much about him she doesn't know.
What I loved:
Is everything an acceptable answer?
Probably not. LOL. This book gripped me from beginning to end. The characters are fantastic and the way they go from distrust to hate to allies is just so well done. Sable is strong in her own right. I felt every bit of Jos' confusion and then when he started to really regret the life he'd lived, it broke me a little bit.
But the real star of this book is the writing style. Every word is crafted to perfection, flowing beautifully, and giving life to a well-developed world.
What was just okay:
Nothing fits into this category for me. It was too good.
Final Verdict:
A beautiful story of two tortured people finding themselves in a dark fantasy world. A must-read for all fans of epic fantasies!
There is nothing not to like in this book.
The story:
Sable hasn't had it easy. The daughter of a powerful man, she was sent away from home at a young age when a power she didn't understand showed in her. Years later, she's living as a healer in a village that doesn't want her there. When Jos shows up wanting to take her home with him to heal his father, she's skeptical, but eventually realizes there's no other choice.
Hunted by rabid beings and powerful sorcerers, she fights just to stay alive. As she grows closer to Jos, secrets are revealed and she learns just how much about him she doesn't know.
What I loved:
Is everything an acceptable answer?
Probably not. LOL. This book gripped me from beginning to end. The characters are fantastic and the way they go from distrust to hate to allies is just so well done. Sable is strong in her own right. I felt every bit of Jos' confusion and then when he started to really regret the life he'd lived, it broke me a little bit.
But the real star of this book is the writing style. Every word is crafted to perfection, flowing beautifully, and giving life to a well-developed world.
What was just okay:
Nothing fits into this category for me. It was too good.
Final Verdict:
A beautiful story of two tortured people finding themselves in a dark fantasy world. A must-read for all fans of epic fantasies!
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