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A review by readingthestars
Amber & Dusk by Lyra Selene
3.0
Spoilers.
Okay so my biggest question is...WHAT IS A "SPAN"?? One thing that writers often do is come up with random words for concepts that already exist. Which makes some sense, but I literally spent this entire book not understanding what a "span" was, or a "Compline." Is is a week? A month? A day? How would I know! In general, the world building was a bit weak, mostly towards the beginning.
I feel like too much was told at the beginning (in terms of backstories), and I think they could've been shown more. The early sort-of romance was too quick, and the flowery language was unlike anything that a teenage boy or girl would say. I also felt this way later in the book, but it was more understandable since Sunder is an aristocrat of sorts. But I would've liked to see some more distinction when it came to speaking, since those outside the Amber City would talk differently than those outside. For a time, it seemed to me like the beginning picked up on weird spot in time and the pacing was off for quite a bit of time after.
There was also a very intense romance between Sylvie and Luca that doesn't really make sense considering how long they've known each other (not that long, but again, I can't really tell because I don't know what a "span" is).
The plot really picked up after Sylvie learns the truth, and the last 80 or so pages was great. I really liked reading about the battle between Sylvie and Severine. I love Sunder and his layers, and while I like Sylvie well enough, there were definitely parts where she got on my nerves. Maybe she was a little too cliche for me - I'm not sure. She was complicated and I appreciate that but at times I also got annoyed with her.
I liked this book enough. I might read the next book because it sounds interesting, but the beginning of this one was just slow and confusing to me.
Okay so my biggest question is...WHAT IS A "SPAN"?? One thing that writers often do is come up with random words for concepts that already exist. Which makes some sense, but I literally spent this entire book not understanding what a "span" was, or a "Compline." Is is a week? A month? A day? How would I know! In general, the world building was a bit weak, mostly towards the beginning.
I feel like too much was told at the beginning (in terms of backstories), and I think they could've been shown more. The early sort-of romance was too quick, and the flowery language was unlike anything that a teenage boy or girl would say. I also felt this way later in the book, but it was more understandable since Sunder is an aristocrat of sorts. But I would've liked to see some more distinction when it came to speaking, since those outside the Amber City would talk differently than those outside. For a time, it seemed to me like the beginning picked up on weird spot in time and the pacing was off for quite a bit of time after.
There was also a very intense romance between Sylvie and Luca that doesn't really make sense considering how long they've known each other (not that long, but again, I can't really tell because I don't know what a "span" is).
The plot really picked up after Sylvie learns the truth, and the last 80 or so pages was great. I really liked reading about the battle between Sylvie and Severine. I love Sunder and his layers, and while I like Sylvie well enough, there were definitely parts where she got on my nerves. Maybe she was a little too cliche for me - I'm not sure. She was complicated and I appreciate that but at times I also got annoyed with her.
I liked this book enough. I might read the next book because it sounds interesting, but the beginning of this one was just slow and confusing to me.