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A review by alexiarightwritingwords
Into the Wildbarrens by Christian Sterling
4.0
Welcome to my review for Into the Wildbarrens by Christian Sterling!
The non-spoiler review:
We all know the about the chosen hero that needs to save the world, and we all know about the wizard that guides the hero.
Into the Wildbarrens tells the wizards story and it’s about time we learn more about the secretive mentors of heroes.
We follow Falin as he and his 6 champions journey across the land in search for the Gems of Elsana. Falin needs these gems to fully take control of his power and help aid the other wizards against evil.
Overall, I think this was just was just such a pleasant and refreshing read. I forgot how much I missed inherently good characters who have no desire to turn evil.
There was peril, and I think there is so much more evil coming that I’m ready to read the next book. I felt like we only got a glimpse of that in this book.
The characters together were hilarious! I laughed out loud a few times, too. Their conversations and attitudes weren’t boring and they worked well together.
The world-building was amazing and the plot was simple yet it took a long time to get to the end.
There were quite a few spelling and grammar errors but since this is an arc, I’ll excuse those errors. (Also because I’m an unrelenting grammar-nazi😬 I always look specifically for mistakes)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m very excited for the next one!
The review full of spoilers:
You have been warned.
-Don’t judge people based on prejudices because you will most certainly regret it. (*clears throat* the dragon wasn’t exactly what you expected, now was it? 😏)
-Don’t judge people on their past; rather take the time to get to know them and observe their actions. (Looks at Bossador and Carthon.)
-Just because something has always been done in one way, doesn’t mean a new way is wrong. (Falin having 6 champions instead of 4)
-Always be kind to everyone; you never know what bad situation they could help you out of. (Carthon wanting to eat the rabbit but then the rabbit later on showed them the right way)
The story had lots and lots of good messages so a full star in this catagory!
Interesting story:
At first I was really sceptical when I read that Falin had to go on a quest to find the gems because I thought, Percy Jackson already did this several times and what could this author possibly bring to the table that keeps it fresh?
Well, that’s where the characters and worldbuilding really helped. With those two factors, it felt like the major plot line was still important but was not the central focus of the book: because those two factors disguised the fact of what the quest actually was: an over-glorified treasure hunt.
Going to be honest here: not a fan of quests in books. I loved them in the Percy Jackson books and I’ll accept them in movies because even if the plot’s weak, the animation or visual effects might still be enough to keep you entertained.
In books, if the plot’s weak, you’re going to bore yourself to death because there’s nothing to save you from the boring-ness.
Except characters and world-building.
Which are the two factors the author utilized entirely in this book. Those two things were the saving grace of Into the Wildbarrens, in my opinion.
So, I wasn’t all impressed with the plot line. I think the author could have put a twist in it; it certainly feels like the author has more than enough imagination for that.
Half a star for this catagory.
Realistic characters and growth:
I was giggling at the start of the book, knowing exactly what the author had in mind.
Time would tell if I would be right and indeed, I was.
Carthon + Nym together = adorable. 😍Somehow, I wish there was just a little bit more romance but I appreciate what I had gotten.
The friendship that came to be between Bossador and Carthon was just beautiful, especially when you think back to how much bad blood there was between their kingdoms.
The supporting sisters Nym and Melquin became to each other was also just beautiful. I appreciate it so much that there was no stereotypical mean-girl nonsense bewteen them.
Red and Jimbuah were the biggest surprises for me in this book. They were so different from the entire book’s narrative style that it was at first disorienting to read them but soon became a joy. It is quite possible that Jimbuah is now my favorite character.
Falin was a bit dry during the book for me but near the end he started to show some spunk so that helped.
A whole star for this catagory!
Fantastic Worldbuilding:
Yes!
Definitely!
Absolutely!
And the best part? No random info-dumps that leave you reeling!
Elsana’s history is beautifuly told through different perspectives. Different people have different opinions on different things and I loved that!
There were so many types of races and religions, each unique in their own right.
The world building is definitely one of the saving graces of this book and I’m thankful for it!
A whole star for this catagory!
Writing style is beautiful/Easy to read:
I got so many beautiful quotes from this book and I’m so happy about it.
There were random pieces of wisdom thrown in, I could always picture a scene clearly, and I never had to wonder what on Earth the writer was trying to say.
It was also very easy to read, which helped to get past some boring scenes.
A whole star for this catagory!
Overall:
4.5 stars out of 5!
This was such a refreshing and light read that I needed. I giggled out loud a few times and rooted for the characters.
If you’re new to the fantasy genre or you’re an epic-fantasy reader who’s looking for something light, then this is for you!
“No journey well spent has ever gone without stumbles.”
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The non-spoiler review:
We all know the about the chosen hero that needs to save the world, and we all know about the wizard that guides the hero.
Into the Wildbarrens tells the wizards story and it’s about time we learn more about the secretive mentors of heroes.
We follow Falin as he and his 6 champions journey across the land in search for the Gems of Elsana. Falin needs these gems to fully take control of his power and help aid the other wizards against evil.
Overall, I think this was just was just such a pleasant and refreshing read. I forgot how much I missed inherently good characters who have no desire to turn evil.
There was peril, and I think there is so much more evil coming that I’m ready to read the next book. I felt like we only got a glimpse of that in this book.
The characters together were hilarious! I laughed out loud a few times, too. Their conversations and attitudes weren’t boring and they worked well together.
The world-building was amazing and the plot was simple yet it took a long time to get to the end.
There were quite a few spelling and grammar errors but since this is an arc, I’ll excuse those errors. (Also because I’m an unrelenting grammar-nazi😬 I always look specifically for mistakes)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I’m very excited for the next one!
The review full of spoilers:
You have been warned.
Spoiler
Good underlying themes/messages:-Don’t judge people based on prejudices because you will most certainly regret it. (*clears throat* the dragon wasn’t exactly what you expected, now was it? 😏)
-Don’t judge people on their past; rather take the time to get to know them and observe their actions. (Looks at Bossador and Carthon.)
-Just because something has always been done in one way, doesn’t mean a new way is wrong. (Falin having 6 champions instead of 4)
-Always be kind to everyone; you never know what bad situation they could help you out of. (Carthon wanting to eat the rabbit but then the rabbit later on showed them the right way)
The story had lots and lots of good messages so a full star in this catagory!
Interesting story:
At first I was really sceptical when I read that Falin had to go on a quest to find the gems because I thought, Percy Jackson already did this several times and what could this author possibly bring to the table that keeps it fresh?
Well, that’s where the characters and worldbuilding really helped. With those two factors, it felt like the major plot line was still important but was not the central focus of the book: because those two factors disguised the fact of what the quest actually was: an over-glorified treasure hunt.
Going to be honest here: not a fan of quests in books. I loved them in the Percy Jackson books and I’ll accept them in movies because even if the plot’s weak, the animation or visual effects might still be enough to keep you entertained.
In books, if the plot’s weak, you’re going to bore yourself to death because there’s nothing to save you from the boring-ness.
Except characters and world-building.
Which are the two factors the author utilized entirely in this book. Those two things were the saving grace of Into the Wildbarrens, in my opinion.
So, I wasn’t all impressed with the plot line. I think the author could have put a twist in it; it certainly feels like the author has more than enough imagination for that.
Half a star for this catagory.
Realistic characters and growth:
I was giggling at the start of the book, knowing exactly what the author had in mind.
Time would tell if I would be right and indeed, I was.
Carthon + Nym together = adorable. 😍Somehow, I wish there was just a little bit more romance but I appreciate what I had gotten.
The friendship that came to be between Bossador and Carthon was just beautiful, especially when you think back to how much bad blood there was between their kingdoms.
The supporting sisters Nym and Melquin became to each other was also just beautiful. I appreciate it so much that there was no stereotypical mean-girl nonsense bewteen them.
Red and Jimbuah were the biggest surprises for me in this book. They were so different from the entire book’s narrative style that it was at first disorienting to read them but soon became a joy. It is quite possible that Jimbuah is now my favorite character.
Falin was a bit dry during the book for me but near the end he started to show some spunk so that helped.
A whole star for this catagory!
Fantastic Worldbuilding:
Yes!
Definitely!
Absolutely!
And the best part? No random info-dumps that leave you reeling!
Elsana’s history is beautifuly told through different perspectives. Different people have different opinions on different things and I loved that!
There were so many types of races and religions, each unique in their own right.
The world building is definitely one of the saving graces of this book and I’m thankful for it!
A whole star for this catagory!
Writing style is beautiful/Easy to read:
I got so many beautiful quotes from this book and I’m so happy about it.
There were random pieces of wisdom thrown in, I could always picture a scene clearly, and I never had to wonder what on Earth the writer was trying to say.
It was also very easy to read, which helped to get past some boring scenes.
A whole star for this catagory!
Overall:
4.5 stars out of 5!
This was such a refreshing and light read that I needed. I giggled out loud a few times and rooted for the characters.
If you’re new to the fantasy genre or you’re an epic-fantasy reader who’s looking for something light, then this is for you!
“No journey well spent has ever gone without stumbles.”
*I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.