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A review by mostlyshanti
Shadowlark by Meagan Spooner
3.0
(3.5 stars)I feel so torn with Shadowlark. On one hand, it fits a lot of clichés and had a fairly predictable plot. On the other side, the ‘nature of evil’ theme and the unique world, captured perfectly in captivating writing entranced me. Which side wins?
Loved
I loved all the questions Lark had to deal with on her journey. She’s come a long way from the uncertain girl who doesn’t know her own power—she has become the figurehead of a revolution and a passionate friend. But she still had to decide a lot of things—what does being a good friend mean? Can you love someone who betrayed you? Can someone you love betray you? When should she tell the truth? What does being a good sister mean? What can and can’t you do in the name of the greater good? When is manipulation okay? What responsibility should be attached to power?
I really liked how Wesley was a mentor to her and let her bounce ideas off him, and how Oren’s relationship to her evolved as well. She see’s Oren as a person, but he is basically soulless, which was so interesting. Lark is a really interesting character, and I loved her response to the dark hunger inside herself that was hard to control (metaphor, much?) Magic as a whole is a fascinating way to represent lifeforce/humanity.
The world Spooner develops is also intriguing. I liked it in Skylark, but Shadowlark is focussed on a single place—the city of Lethe—and we get to know it very well. The mix of magic, dystopia, and technology, worked really well for me—it created this entrancing, thrilling atmosphere. I really loved how all the elements worked together, bound in this taut, swift writing. There aren’t any dull moments in Shadowlark.
But…
My major problem with Shadowlark was that the plot was predictable. The minute that Lark picked up the diary I knew that she was going to find out that Prometheus was her brother Of course, I liked the high stakes situations that this ‘plot twist’ enabled, but it was so obvious. I knew it was coming. Well I can admire foreshadowing well done, I don’t like knowing what’s going to happen. The plot was exciting, but predictable.
Shadowlark also relies on a lot of clichés. Dystopias are all over the place these days, and I’ve read lots of them. These are some of the things I’ve seen many times before which also appeared in Shadowlark. (This might slightly spoil you, but it’s non-specific)
-Girl with ‘special’ powers undergoes great trials and becomes the figurehead and quasi-leader of the rebellion without having to think about logistics like food.
-Girl knows special information that can help everyone.
-Girl doesn’t know whether she trusts friend, but still wants to save her.
-Girl has relinquished all right to boys attention; still gets jealous
-Girl is impulsive
-Girl has no parents
- A new government which promised Utopia is anything but.
- Girl will sacrifice herself for people she barely knows.
-Girl will sacrifice people she barely knows for the greater good
-Girl just happens to find the rebels in a big city.
At least she was the second most wanted, not the most wanted fugitive in the city. The way it relied on these clichés irritated me, but I still want to read Lark Ascending, because the series—the writing, the characters, the themes—have potential to be amazing even though they haven’t blown me away yet.
Loved
I loved all the questions Lark had to deal with on her journey. She’s come a long way from the uncertain girl who doesn’t know her own power—she has become the figurehead of a revolution and a passionate friend. But she still had to decide a lot of things—what does being a good friend mean? Can you love someone who betrayed you? Can someone you love betray you? When should she tell the truth? What does being a good sister mean? What can and can’t you do in the name of the greater good? When is manipulation okay? What responsibility should be attached to power?
I really liked how Wesley was a mentor to her and let her bounce ideas off him, and how Oren’s relationship to her evolved as well. She see’s Oren as a person, but he is basically soulless, which was so interesting. Lark is a really interesting character, and I loved her response to the dark hunger inside herself that was hard to control (metaphor, much?) Magic as a whole is a fascinating way to represent lifeforce/humanity.
The world Spooner develops is also intriguing. I liked it in Skylark, but Shadowlark is focussed on a single place—the city of Lethe—and we get to know it very well. The mix of magic, dystopia, and technology, worked really well for me—it created this entrancing, thrilling atmosphere. I really loved how all the elements worked together, bound in this taut, swift writing. There aren’t any dull moments in Shadowlark.
But…
My major problem with Shadowlark was that the plot was predictable. The minute that Lark picked up
Shadowlark also relies on a lot of clichés. Dystopias are all over the place these days, and I’ve read lots of them. These are some of the things I’ve seen many times before which also appeared in Shadowlark. (This might slightly spoil you, but it’s non-specific)
-Girl with ‘special’ powers undergoes great trials and becomes the figurehead and quasi-leader of the rebellion without having to think about logistics like food.
-Girl knows special information that can help everyone.
-Girl doesn’t know whether she trusts friend, but still wants to save her.
-Girl has relinquished all right to boys attention; still gets jealous
-Girl is impulsive
-Girl has no parents
- A new government which promised Utopia is anything but.
- Girl will sacrifice herself for people she barely knows.
-Girl will sacrifice people she barely knows for the greater good
-Girl just happens to find the rebels in a big city.
At least she was the second most wanted, not the most wanted fugitive in the city. The way it relied on these clichés irritated me, but I still want to read Lark Ascending, because the series—the writing, the characters, the themes—have potential to be amazing even though they haven’t blown me away yet.