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A review by restless
Dragonoak: The Complete History of Kastelir by Sam Farren
3.0
A "nope, won't continue" from me.
What it's about: Rowan lives on the edge of the village with her father and brother. She has done a Terrible Thing and now all the villagers are scared of her. At night, Rowan dreams of pitchforks and torches, during the day, she wrestles with wolves.
It is a pretty bleak life, until one day, a knight appears in the village. Can Rowan get out before it's too late?
What I thought: this should have been SO good. There's a sapphic poly romance, there are dragons, there are hulking non-human characters with own their lore, language, and personalities. Heck, it is fantasy! This book should have been catnip.
But... I just couldn't connect with Rowan whatsoever. So sorry to everyone who loved this! :(
Imagine a high-stakes mystery novel in which the MC just bobbles along with zero interest in solving the mystery. That was this book for me.
Towards the end, where (I am pretty sure) we meet the Big Bad, it became painful to read. It's like the whole premise of this book relied on Rowan not thinking for herself.
Anyway - as for the good:
- the story is actually pretty interesting
- there is some interesting commentary on prejudice and persecution
- there is a cliffhanger that nicely sets up the next book
TL;DR: pick up a sample and see if the prose gels for you. If it does, then chances are you'll enjoy this novel.
What it's about: Rowan lives on the edge of the village with her father and brother. She has done a Terrible Thing and now all the villagers are scared of her. At night, Rowan dreams of pitchforks and torches, during the day, she wrestles with wolves.
It is a pretty bleak life, until one day, a knight appears in the village. Can Rowan get out before it's too late?
What I thought: this should have been SO good. There's a sapphic poly romance, there are dragons, there are hulking non-human characters with own their lore, language, and personalities. Heck, it is fantasy! This book should have been catnip.
But... I just couldn't connect with Rowan whatsoever. So sorry to everyone who loved this! :(
Imagine a high-stakes mystery novel in which the MC just bobbles along with zero interest in solving the mystery. That was this book for me.
Towards the end, where (I am pretty sure) we meet the Big Bad, it became painful to read. It's like the whole premise of this book relied on Rowan not thinking for herself.
Anyway - as for the good:
- the story is actually pretty interesting
- there is some interesting commentary on prejudice and persecution
- there is a cliffhanger that nicely sets up the next book
TL;DR: pick up a sample and see if the prose gels for you. If it does, then chances are you'll enjoy this novel.