skittles0313 's review for:

The Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley

3.0

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3/9/25: ughhhHHH chat I would've liked this book a lot more had it not been for the remarkably strange romantic entanglements in here. I know the purpose of this book isn't the romance at all but about Aerin and her journey but I fear I am mad. also I don't know it didn't have the same singular importance Blue Sword had for me. Aerin isn't Harry :(( and she didn't speak to me the same way even though I do appreciate her arc. and I think the fact that Luthe shows up HALFWAY THROUGH really doesn't help + nothing is ever truly explained I fear which usually isn't that big of a deal Lord knows I love soft magic systems but it was just all very odd tbh. I think maybe the thread of blood heritage and prophecy is so much stronger in here in such a way that it doesn't entirely enamor it to me. I did like the backstory to BS though yippee and McKinley is just really good at writing girls who are misplaced and then find their self through a quest. just like BS the conflict is really bewildering and it's more about the journey than the climatic fight and I do appreciate that. The themes are good, class and gender roles and race too, but. I am simply not as invested :(

Spoiler

I guess one of the big things is the idea that Aerin's immortal side--the side that loves Luthe--must be put aside for country and for Tor who the mortal side of her loves but I am distinctly not really a fan of that even though it is kind of interesting. really unfortunate honestly. also lmao why are both the love interests so much older than Aerin #bruh

I do, however, really really fricken love Talat. good ponies in fantasy >>>
and the other creatures <33
I think I'm a fan of the way McKinley writes dialogue though lmaoo I like the mix between colloquial modern conversation and classic high fantasy speech.


since when does Damar have dragons