A review by allisonliljen
Fall of the Horizon by Jessica J. Ayala

Did not finish book. Stopped at 8%.

  • “‘I can tell your power is growing even through your sword fighting, so you need to be careful. Remember that no one, no citizen or soldier—including the other guilds and the High King himself—must know what you possess.’” /43
    • Save me from lazy exposition, I beg you
  • “‘The bastard is still bitter that Ikarria refused to swear allegiance and—‘ 
“‘Yes, yes.’ Zara’s grip tightened on her swords. She already knew where this was going. ‘It is because I am the adopted daughter of the male who dared defy him. That is why he made me the Rogue.’ 
“Hakim sighed. ‘Precisely. That is our theory at least.’” /44
  • Oh, you’ve got to stop. We already established this. There’s no way they’d be rehashing this entire thing randomly
  • “‘I still think rebelling against the hunting season would only work in our favor. Or stay the same at least. All this talk of the High King and I don’t see how his rule has benefited us.’” /46
    • STOPPIT
  • “‘In the end, the guilds were forced to satisfy the political demands of the Continent,’ Zara muttered. She cocked her head, feeling a sliver of bitterness seep into her veins. ‘We spill blood to serve. We spill blood to survive.’ 
“Axar exhaled through his nostrils. ‘There is little choice in the matter.’” /48
  • So, I’m already annoyed, but now I’m even more bothered. She’s 27. I get the whole “fae age slower than humans” thing, but why are she and Axar acting - and being treated - like petulant teenagers? 
  • Is the “We spill blood to serve. We spill blood to survive” and axiom or something? I’m supposed to believe that either A, she just whipped that out of nowhere, or B, the more likely option, she’s doing more lazy exposition and is spouting Guild rhetoric. I hate both options. And I’m starting to not like this book. 
  • UGH THAT WHOLE CHAPTER WAS PAINFUL. /49
  • “There were no records as to what had happened to its citizens or their king—the lost king of Damalis. It was said, out of his family, none had survived—except for him.” /52
    • Hello, love interest

Nope. I can’t do it. There’s way too much lazy exposition and telling without showing. I do not have high hopes for that to improve as the book goes on. I should probably give it some more time, but I shan’t. LIFE’S TOO SHORT TO READ BOOKS YOU DON’T LOVE.