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Set in the stingy docks of the Thames in the 1820’s to a shining citadel hidden from the world.
C.S. did a super job with setting the tone with her environments, that equally held dark and magical feelings.
Aesthetically and storytelling wise alot of the elements in Dark Rise felt very alike to Lord of the rings and I could see the similarities with shadow hunters that some made.
Overall, It was a world that was well planned that gradually grows on you as you delve into the history and mythology aspect of the story.
Giving off a richness through it’s interesting mix of medieval and ancient history and tradition fantasy.
Characters -
Each character had their own backstory and a role that unravelled interestingly and unexpectedly as the book progressed.
Pacat truly, played on ’People are not what they seem’ trope and it paid off spectacularly.
Yet, one thing to note, apart from seeing them react to what was happening to them in the moment. The characters were seriously lacking another dimension to their personality.
They, at times, seemed flat!
now, I don't know if this was a deliberate choice, as to not give too much away in terms of the secrets we eventually learn about out characters. But if you were to ask me the mc’s favourite colour or beverage...not a clue.
But, to make up for it, certain characters interactions when they were on the page together just worked wonderfully.
Most notably: James & Will / Will & Katherine The romantic tension at times… Oh my word.
I think this maybe the authors best talent.
However, reading this book was a bit of a slog.
The first chapters were quite promising, but it was definitely a slow burn and the story didn’t pick up anywhere I wanted until around the halfway mark. She redeemed herself a lot in the second half.
I can only hope that in book 2, now we know most of the characters secrets, we can really start to open up their personalities.