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A review by bibi_reads_writes
Rising Sun by Donna Grant
3.0
When I read the synopsis, this book seemed right up my alley. The genre, the tropes, the elves… so why didn’t I enjoy it more? I have no complaints about the plot, worldbuilding, and lore, but unfortunately the characters and writing didn’t do it for me.
Note: I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback.
❤️ Swoon-worthy voice actor
❤️ Smart, strong FMC
❤️ Interesting worldbuilding
❤️ Gorgeous cover
❌ Inconsistent pace
❌ Too much telling vs. showing
❌ Meh MMC
❌ Third-act breakup
Trigger warnings: violence, blood and gore, injury detail, child abuse (mentioned), racism, controlled reproduction, hunger, kidnapping, human trafficking, torture.
Plot:
To save their region from a terrorist attack, reluctant partners Yasmin and Ravi have to steal a powerful weapon in Shaldorn, a stronghold where rich, sadistic Elves can do whatever they want without consequences. Yasmin is the only one who’s ever managed to escape from this place of nightmares, but to avoid life imprisonment and take care of the ones she loves, she accepts to guide Ravi to the one place she vowed she’d never go back to.
The worldbuilding in the first 20% was captivating and intriguing (with segregation and discrimination of humans from the elves), but most of it was quickly swept under the rug and barely mentioned again while our protagonists embarked on a mission to save their region from a peril I didn’t know (or care) much about. Then, the story started dragging while they hiked for a long while, barely talking and yet falling in “love.” By the time they got to the stronghold, I was uninvested in both the quest and the relationship/romance.
Characters:
This is where things went wrong, in my opinion. I just can’t enjoy a book if I don’t like the characters.
While I liked Yasmin’s profile, I failed to connect with her character. Perhaps it would have helped if she’d used sentences with more than four words? As for Ravi, I disliked his intransigence and lack of compassion. I was hoping for more character development from him and had a hard time believing in his budding relationship with Yas; I saw lust, but no chemistry or love.
And then there’s this other elf called Dain. I wanted to know mooooooooore about him! When he was introduced, I was convinced he’d be the MMC. He certainly seemed stronger, kinder, sexier than Ravi! If I continue this series (I haven’t decided yet), it would be 100% thanks to Dain and the dragon shifters, as Yasmin and Ravi failed to keep me interested.
Writing:
While the writing wasn’t *bad*, it was slightly choppy. I also feel like more atmosphere and imagery would have been great, especially given how amazing the worldbuilding was.
Audiobook:
Okaaay, I am now a Shane East fan. I could listen to his deep, toe-curling voice and British accent aaaaall day. And while I usually prefer having two different voice actors for dual-POV stories, I think he did a spectacular job at changing his voice and speech pattern for the various characters.
Follow me on Instagram: @bibi.reads.writes
Note: I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for honest feedback.
❤️ Swoon-worthy voice actor
❤️ Smart, strong FMC
❤️ Interesting worldbuilding
❤️ Gorgeous cover
❌ Inconsistent pace
❌ Too much telling vs. showing
❌ Meh MMC
❌ Third-act breakup
Trigger warnings: violence, blood and gore, injury detail, child abuse (mentioned), racism, controlled reproduction, hunger, kidnapping, human trafficking, torture.
Plot:
To save their region from a terrorist attack, reluctant partners Yasmin and Ravi have to steal a powerful weapon in Shaldorn, a stronghold where rich, sadistic Elves can do whatever they want without consequences. Yasmin is the only one who’s ever managed to escape from this place of nightmares, but to avoid life imprisonment and take care of the ones she loves, she accepts to guide Ravi to the one place she vowed she’d never go back to.
The worldbuilding in the first 20% was captivating and intriguing (with segregation and discrimination of humans from the elves), but most of it was quickly swept under the rug and barely mentioned again while our protagonists embarked on a mission to save their region from a peril I didn’t know (or care) much about. Then, the story started dragging while they hiked for a long while, barely talking and yet falling in “love.” By the time they got to the stronghold, I was uninvested in both the quest and the relationship/romance.
Characters:
This is where things went wrong, in my opinion. I just can’t enjoy a book if I don’t like the characters.
While I liked Yasmin’s profile, I failed to connect with her character. Perhaps it would have helped if she’d used sentences with more than four words? As for Ravi, I disliked his intransigence and lack of compassion. I was hoping for more character development from him and had a hard time believing in his budding relationship with Yas; I saw lust, but no chemistry or love.
And then there’s this other elf called Dain. I wanted to know mooooooooore about him! When he was introduced, I was convinced he’d be the MMC. He certainly seemed stronger, kinder, sexier than Ravi! If I continue this series (I haven’t decided yet), it would be 100% thanks to Dain and the dragon shifters, as Yasmin and Ravi failed to keep me interested.
Writing:
While the writing wasn’t *bad*, it was slightly choppy. I also feel like more atmosphere and imagery would have been great, especially given how amazing the worldbuilding was.
Audiobook:
Okaaay, I am now a Shane East fan. I could listen to his deep, toe-curling voice and British accent aaaaall day. And while I usually prefer having two different voice actors for dual-POV stories, I think he did a spectacular job at changing his voice and speech pattern for the various characters.
Follow me on Instagram: @bibi.reads.writes