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A review by booksnapsandcatnaps
A Story Spun in Scarlet by R. Dugan
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
With its intriguing concept and plot, R. Dugan's fantasy novel "A Story Spun in Scarlet" had a lot of potential. Our captivating heroes, Audra and Jaik, have a journey that is easy to follow. Their connection is made more complex by the tension that exists between them. But this is more on the YA side of fantasy if you're looking for a New Adult hot romance.
My main issue with the book is its detail and speed. I found some passages to be redundantly descriptive, which made it difficult for me to get fully immersed in the narrative. I understand that Audra's a storyteller, but we didn't need everything described in such detail. It often felt like Dugan had a great outline for a chapter and then stretched out the narrative. This made the plot feel disjointed, which is a shame because the story is quite intriguing.
I couldn't help but wish there had been more depth and explanation, despite the fact the setting and magic system were fairly easy to understand. Although the explanations of concepts such as airships and guns were clear, the overall kingdom and magic system appeared somewhat incomplete. Dugan was an insider in the world, but struggled to put their knowledge on paper. I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in the environment because of this lack of depth, which left me wanting more.
Being intertwined with the action, Audra's stories were a unique way of incorporating them into the plot. This narrative style was interesting, even though it seemed a little jumbled at first. I liked how they subsequently connected to the main plot and made the tale more intricate.
"A Story Spun in Scarlet" lacks world-building and pacing overall, yet it has a strong overall base. For those seeking a lighter fantasy book, it's a good read.
My main issue with the book is its detail and speed. I found some passages to be redundantly descriptive, which made it difficult for me to get fully immersed in the narrative. I understand that Audra's a storyteller, but we didn't need everything described in such detail. It often felt like Dugan had a great outline for a chapter and then stretched out the narrative. This made the plot feel disjointed, which is a shame because the story is quite intriguing.
I couldn't help but wish there had been more depth and explanation, despite the fact the setting and magic system were fairly easy to understand. Although the explanations of concepts such as airships and guns were clear, the overall kingdom and magic system appeared somewhat incomplete. Dugan was an insider in the world, but struggled to put their knowledge on paper. I found it difficult to fully immerse myself in the environment because of this lack of depth, which left me wanting more.
Being intertwined with the action, Audra's stories were a unique way of incorporating them into the plot. This narrative style was interesting, even though it seemed a little jumbled at first. I liked how they subsequently connected to the main plot and made the tale more intricate.
"A Story Spun in Scarlet" lacks world-building and pacing overall, yet it has a strong overall base. For those seeking a lighter fantasy book, it's a good read.