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abby_ace_of_books 's review for:
Furyborn
by Claire Legrand
Apparently, the first time I read this, I somehow missed the major age gap romance blooming, and it's literally just a reverse Padme and Anakin.
I first read Furyborn a few years ago, but I never finished the series. I saw it sitting on my shelf and decided it was time for a reread (and maybe I'd actually finish the trilogy this time) because I remembered pretty much nothing about the book. As I reread, I started to remember why I hadn't picked up this book again sooner...
The premise itself is pretty cool; there are two prophesized queens - a Sun Queen and a Blood Queen - and while one will save the world, the other will destroy it. I think everyone agrees that the prologue is the best part of this book because it's one of those stories separated by time but connected in some ways. We know from the prologue how Rielle's story will end, and while I typically love that trope, it seems to work against the story because there aren't any stakes. Rielle is supposed to be enduring these seven deadly trials, but the action is lackluster and incredibly repetitive. Eliana, on the other hand, is your basic YA assassin struggling with her morality (and lack thereof). Her story, while wielding a bit higher stakes, was really trope-y and didn't offer much nuance. In general, the plot twists were relatively predictable, too.
I also realized how much I don't like the characters. Rielle was the worst of the two because everything about her story felt two-dimensional to me. Audric's only purpose is to offer something for Rielle to lust after, and he literally has no personality. Ludivine was a bit more interesting, but only because she's so agreeable it's suspicious. I remembered really liking Simon the first time, but he gave me the major ick. Eliana was okay, but again, she's so trope-y. The same goes for Remy, and any character with the name Navi is immediately disliked for no reason.
Although I intend to keep reading soon (and hopefully finish the trilogy), Furyborn is a generic fantasy novel that offers interesting points mostly through parallels between the characters.
3.25/5
I first read Furyborn a few years ago, but I never finished the series. I saw it sitting on my shelf and decided it was time for a reread (and maybe I'd actually finish the trilogy this time) because I remembered pretty much nothing about the book. As I reread, I started to remember why I hadn't picked up this book again sooner...
The premise itself is pretty cool; there are two prophesized queens - a Sun Queen and a Blood Queen - and while one will save the world, the other will destroy it. I think everyone agrees that the prologue is the best part of this book because it's one of those stories separated by time but connected in some ways. We know from the prologue how Rielle's story will end, and while I typically love that trope, it seems to work against the story because there aren't any stakes. Rielle is supposed to be enduring these seven deadly trials, but the action is lackluster and incredibly repetitive. Eliana, on the other hand, is your basic YA assassin struggling with her morality (and lack thereof). Her story, while wielding a bit higher stakes, was really trope-y and didn't offer much nuance. In general, the plot twists were relatively predictable, too.
I also realized how much I don't like the characters. Rielle was the worst of the two because everything about her story felt two-dimensional to me. Audric's only purpose is to offer something for Rielle to lust after, and he literally has no personality. Ludivine was a bit more interesting, but only because she's so agreeable it's suspicious. I remembered really liking Simon the first time, but he gave me the major ick. Eliana was okay, but again, she's so trope-y. The same goes for Remy, and any character with the name Navi is immediately disliked for no reason.
Although I intend to keep reading soon (and hopefully finish the trilogy), Furyborn is a generic fantasy novel that offers interesting points mostly through parallels between the characters.
3.25/5