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A review by beauty_andthe_bookworms
The Waking Land by Callie Bates
4.0
I received a copy of this book through a Goodreads giveaway, so i'd like to begin by thanking both Goodreads and Del Ray for my Advance Reader Edition.
I really enjoyed the book, and will be looking out for the second one in the future!
Now, for an actual review:
The book balanced El's politics well, we are looking at a girl kidnapped at a young age and raised in a foreign court where most passed judgement based on her heritage. It's hard to maintain your parents political views and culture when you're kidnapped at five years old, but as the book progresses you can see her become torn between the two different places she calls home, aided with the appearance of her intense Magical abilities. I do feel that her character progressed well, and realistically, as she slowly uncovered the Truth. My only qualms with the book were that the ending moved very quickly, and felt rushed in comparison to the rest of the novel, but I do hope to see it extended in the sequel. The other issue I took with the novel was the romance, which came on too fast and strong. You could tell that the characters DID have chemistry, but it feels like the Author knew more than she wrote, and therefor left holes in the relationship that the reader is forced to fill in themselves.
You could definitely tell the Author has an extensive knowledge behind the politics and culture in the novel, and I would be interested to see it explained more in the future or even see the notes the author may have on this fictional world.
Overall I gave 4.5 Stars, this novel was wonderful but leaves some to be desired in the future, and I will be looking out for the next book. Callie Bates has won me over.
PS: I would have bought the novel on the cover art alone, as it is gorgeous.
I really enjoyed the book, and will be looking out for the second one in the future!
Now, for an actual review:
The book balanced El's politics well, we are looking at a girl kidnapped at a young age and raised in a foreign court where most passed judgement based on her heritage. It's hard to maintain your parents political views and culture when you're kidnapped at five years old, but as the book progresses you can see her become torn between the two different places she calls home, aided with the appearance of her intense Magical abilities. I do feel that her character progressed well, and realistically, as she slowly uncovered the Truth. My only qualms with the book were that the ending moved very quickly, and felt rushed in comparison to the rest of the novel, but I do hope to see it extended in the sequel. The other issue I took with the novel was the romance, which came on too fast and strong. You could tell that the characters DID have chemistry, but it feels like the Author knew more than she wrote, and therefor left holes in the relationship that the reader is forced to fill in themselves.
You could definitely tell the Author has an extensive knowledge behind the politics and culture in the novel, and I would be interested to see it explained more in the future or even see the notes the author may have on this fictional world.
Overall I gave 4.5 Stars, this novel was wonderful but leaves some to be desired in the future, and I will be looking out for the next book. Callie Bates has won me over.
PS: I would have bought the novel on the cover art alone, as it is gorgeous.