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A review by ashli
The Name-Bearer by Natalia Hernandez
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
If I had not listened to the audiobook, I probably would've given this a 3.75.
I don't normally listen to audiobooks outside of normal speed because I generally like hearing the story-rhythm, but I did increase the speed about halfway through.
Narrator's choices: the narrator's voice for the main character had a baby-voice quality to it. At first, I thought this made sense as the character was younger, but then they were up in their 20s an they still had it. The narrator also kept mispronouncing words, one of which was the word coax. They mispronounced it so many times I thought maybe I was wrong and had to look it up, but they were definitely wrong. Both of those things kept bumping out my focus.
Book as a whole: I never got behind the "flowers of prophecy" concept. I had been hoping it was a metaphor, but it is very literal. I was inclined to laugh every time they were mentioned. For what felt like a very large portion of the book they weren't mentioned at all so I completely forgot about them, but then they were mentioned again and it was back. The rest of the story was much more casual and almost cozy. Most of the rest of this first book is a slice of life until things really start to kick into gear. I liked the time spent with the order, but I ended up feeling as if the wrapping up point of the book was rushed. It didn't feel like it had a perfect cut-off point, but I could just feel that way because things only started happening towards what felt like the very end of the book. All in all, I won't read the second book unless someone I know or trust tells me the next book is better.
I don't normally listen to audiobooks outside of normal speed because I generally like hearing the story-rhythm, but I did increase the speed about halfway through.
Narrator's choices: the narrator's voice for the main character had a baby-voice quality to it. At first, I thought this made sense as the character was younger, but then they were up in their 20s an they still had it. The narrator also kept mispronouncing words, one of which was the word coax. They mispronounced it so many times I thought maybe I was wrong and had to look it up, but they were definitely wrong. Both of those things kept bumping out my focus.
Book as a whole: I never got behind the "flowers of prophecy" concept. I had been hoping it was a metaphor, but it is very literal. I was inclined to laugh every time they were mentioned. For what felt like a very large portion of the book they weren't mentioned at all so I completely forgot about them, but then they were mentioned again and it was back. The rest of the story was much more casual and almost cozy. Most of the rest of this first book is a slice of life until things really start to kick into gear. I liked the time spent with the order, but I ended up feeling as if the wrapping up point of the book was rushed. It didn't feel like it had a perfect cut-off point, but I could just feel that way because things only started happening towards what felt like the very end of the book. All in all, I won't read the second book unless someone I know or trust tells me the next book is better.