A review by knitreadkate
The Sending by Isobelle Carmody

adventurous emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.25

The Sending" by Isobelle Carmody, the sixth installment in the "Obernewtyn Chronicles" series, left me with mixed feelings. While technically shorter than its predecessors, the pacing made it feel much longer, and I found myself struggling to engage with the story.

For the first 65% of the book, very little seemed to happen, with much of the focus on the buildup between Elspeth and Rushton, only to have Elspeth abruptly leave without explanation just as Rushton seeks to bond with her. This left me feeling frustrated and disappointed, particularly with Elspeth's decision to leave Obernewtyn and abandon the bond wreath, leaving poor Rushton behind.

Despite the slow start, I did enjoy the moments shared between Elspeth and Rushton, as well as the surprises encountered during Elspeth's journey in the mountains and her interactions with Dragon.

One aspect that particularly irked me was the flippant mention of Malik's death, which felt abrupt and lacked the depth it deserved. It was unsettling to learn of such a significant event in passing, especially considering the lack of information provided in the preceding pages.

While there were certainly important elements in the book, they felt overshadowed by the slow pacing and unnecessary filler. It seemed as though the story could have been condensed into a shorter length without losing its impact, serving as a bridge between the action-packed previous installment and the anticipated conclusion of the series.

In conclusion, "The Sending" serves as a mixed bag within the "Obernewtyn Chronicles" series, with moments of intrigue and character development overshadowed by pacing issues and filler content. Despite its flaws, fans of the series may still find enjoyment in exploring Elspeth's continued journey, albeit with tempered expectations.