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A review by skylarkblue1
Guardians of the Source by Tamsin Mori
adventurous
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Representations: https://trello.com/c/DEQ55M7g/99-gargoyles-1-guardians-of-the-source-by-tamsin-mori
Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I knew from just the first page that I'd love this. While the plot didn't instantly go into high action, a gripping mystery, etc, the writing alone for setting the scene was just so well done. The atmosphere, emotions and everything was so well described seemingly effortless. It set up what the main character was like and so much more information so quickly, so detailed, but nothing felt like it was trying too hard.
And on the characters, I really loved them! While I don't think some of them got enough time (more on pacing later), the kids felt great and where really quite unique from each other and the parents of Callen I actually really liked. Normally I kinda just ignore and/or forget about parent characters but I really loved how they tied into the story and character progression, it's nice to see a good parent pair <3
For pacing... this is the only negative I have. Scenes where quite short and except for a couple scenes felt just a tad rushed. I would have preferred it to be a bit longer and let some of the scenes stretch out a bit more to allow for some additional emotions, tension, etc! But for scenes like the big final fight the pacing felt perfect for it in my opinion and there was enough time for character growth and everything like that (Probably also helps the scene was also quite fast paced in nature anyway haha).
The world, if this was a standalone I would certainly say the world building was lacking a bit, but for a first in a series I would say it was more than enough. And honestly, if you want to read for the characters and just the plot that's in the book you could easily read it as a standalone - it's got a good ending you can leave it at. There was enough explained where I wasn't confused on any of the concepts or ideas, but it also didn't feel overly indepth and complex like I personally enjoy in magic systems - but this is very much a "me" issue and not actually really anything to do with the writing itself honestly haha.
I absolutely will be reading the next books in the series, and luckily I had actually picked up the start of Tamsin's other series, The Weather Weaver, the other day and hadn't made the connection before between the books until now so I'm even more excited to read that one!!
Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!
I knew from just the first page that I'd love this. While the plot didn't instantly go into high action, a gripping mystery, etc, the writing alone for setting the scene was just so well done. The atmosphere, emotions and everything was so well described seemingly effortless. It set up what the main character was like and so much more information so quickly, so detailed, but nothing felt like it was trying too hard.
And on the characters, I really loved them! While I don't think some of them got enough time (more on pacing later), the kids felt great and where really quite unique from each other and the parents of Callen I actually really liked. Normally I kinda just ignore and/or forget about parent characters but I really loved how they tied into the story and character progression, it's nice to see a good parent pair <3
For pacing... this is the only negative I have. Scenes where quite short and except for a couple scenes felt just a tad rushed. I would have preferred it to be a bit longer and let some of the scenes stretch out a bit more to allow for some additional emotions, tension, etc! But for scenes like the big final fight the pacing felt perfect for it in my opinion and there was enough time for character growth and everything like that (Probably also helps the scene was also quite fast paced in nature anyway haha).
The world, if this was a standalone I would certainly say the world building was lacking a bit, but for a first in a series I would say it was more than enough. And honestly, if you want to read for the characters and just the plot that's in the book you could easily read it as a standalone - it's got a good ending you can leave it at. There was enough explained where I wasn't confused on any of the concepts or ideas, but it also didn't feel overly indepth and complex like I personally enjoy in magic systems - but this is very much a "me" issue and not actually really anything to do with the writing itself honestly haha.
I absolutely will be reading the next books in the series, and luckily I had actually picked up the start of Tamsin's other series, The Weather Weaver, the other day and hadn't made the connection before between the books until now so I'm even more excited to read that one!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death of parent and Toxic friendship
Death of a parent is of the main characters' nan who dies before the events of the book.