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A review by eden3
Lakesedge by Lyndall Clipstone
3.0
Lakesedge is a pretty, radiant and eloquent story of love, grief and fantasy. The books delivery is mostly great, with small moments of flat or dull expression. With strong and likeable characters I would expect this book to be enjoyed by many but repealed by few; the story often feels directionless and needs a little more backbone to be brilliant. Overall this was an enjoyable read, I would certainly read more from Lyndall Clipstone, however only wish the book had a little more solidity.
Lakesedge definitely falls into its marketed audience for YA Fantasy readers. The book is very much a story of love, magic and fantasy on a small scale (at least for Lakesedge book 1), the story mostly takes place within one location, dealing with the day to day dramas of a world soon corrupted by dark magic.The addition of chapter illustrations adds a much missing layer to the book that many fantasy novels do not claim.
The gothic aesthetic is highetened through appropriate and complimentary use of metaphors and similes, however somewhat juxtaposed against other more rigid and linear forms of writing within the book; it can often feel as if the book was written by two different minds at times.
Clipstone often loses sight of what they desire, the plot often becoming a little directionless; is this a romance? A fantastical journey? Is it about magic? Is it about the land? It doesn't necessarily hold any of them with courage however is still very enjoyable to witness. It needs a bit more grip and detail on some plot aspects to solidify them as relevant to the story.
The characters of Lakesedge are all wonderfully enjoyable; evil or good. Violetta is quite human, brave but not without flaws and mistakes which is very appreciated. Clover is a cute addition, maybe one of my more favourite support characters in a fantasy novel. I feel as if Leta's brother is a prominant character at the novels start and then somewhat loses presence quite suddenly which is a shame.
Lakesedge definitely falls into its marketed audience for YA Fantasy readers. The book is very much a story of love, magic and fantasy on a small scale (at least for Lakesedge book 1), the story mostly takes place within one location, dealing with the day to day dramas of a world soon corrupted by dark magic.The addition of chapter illustrations adds a much missing layer to the book that many fantasy novels do not claim.
The gothic aesthetic is highetened through appropriate and complimentary use of metaphors and similes, however somewhat juxtaposed against other more rigid and linear forms of writing within the book; it can often feel as if the book was written by two different minds at times.
Clipstone often loses sight of what they desire, the plot often becoming a little directionless; is this a romance? A fantastical journey? Is it about magic? Is it about the land? It doesn't necessarily hold any of them with courage however is still very enjoyable to witness. It needs a bit more grip and detail on some plot aspects to solidify them as relevant to the story.
The characters of Lakesedge are all wonderfully enjoyable; evil or good. Violetta is quite human, brave but not without flaws and mistakes which is very appreciated. Clover is a cute addition, maybe one of my more favourite support characters in a fantasy novel. I feel as if Leta's brother is a prominant character at the novels start and then somewhat loses presence quite suddenly which is a shame.