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A review by mels_reading_rook
The Unspoken Name by A.K. Larkwood
4.0
3.5 stars
A solid debut novel, but I had a few problems with it.
My biggest struggle with this book was that I wasn't sure what I was reading most of the time. When I first started it, the setting seemed to be more fantasy-esque, and I was enjoying following Csorwe and her struggles. As time went on, however, and the characters began to explore more of the worlds, the setting became less clear to me. I believe this is more in the sci-fi genre than the fantasy, but I could never truly tell because I never fully grasped what the setting was like through the writing. I had a similar feeling about the magic system: I never had a true understanding of how the magic worked despite it seeming like it will have major consequences to the characters in the future. This is more forgivable though since Csorwe is not a practitioner of magic, and her lack of understanding should also reflect the readers'.
Also, the pacing wasn't quite right for me. I enjoyed the story, but at the same time, it felt like it was progressing very slowly. And then to break the slow times, there were moments of higher action that lasted only a brief time before bringing it back to its usual pace.
What I really enjoyed was seeing the struggle of Csorwe coming into her own and the personal conflict she had with her past. It's interesting to see a character who has been groomed all her life for another's purpose, the slow and painful difficulties of breaking with it, and figuring out what she wants for herself.
I will certainly be reading the sequel when it releases later this year.
A solid debut novel, but I had a few problems with it.
My biggest struggle with this book was that I wasn't sure what I was reading most of the time. When I first started it, the setting seemed to be more fantasy-esque, and I was enjoying following Csorwe and her struggles. As time went on, however, and the characters began to explore more of the worlds, the setting became less clear to me. I believe this is more in the sci-fi genre than the fantasy, but I could never truly tell because I never fully grasped what the setting was like through the writing. I had a similar feeling about the magic system: I never had a true understanding of how the magic worked despite it seeming like it will have major consequences to the characters in the future. This is more forgivable though since Csorwe is not a practitioner of magic, and her lack of understanding should also reflect the readers'.
Also, the pacing wasn't quite right for me. I enjoyed the story, but at the same time, it felt like it was progressing very slowly. And then to break the slow times, there were moments of higher action that lasted only a brief time before bringing it back to its usual pace.
What I really enjoyed was seeing the struggle of Csorwe coming into her own and the personal conflict she had with her past. It's interesting to see a character who has been groomed all her life for another's purpose, the slow and painful difficulties of breaking with it, and figuring out what she wants for herself.
I will certainly be reading the sequel when it releases later this year.