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sarah_taleweaver's reviews
1137 reviews
The War of Swords by D. Barkley Briggs
5.0
Warning: the following is more an expression of feels than an actual review. Read at your own risk.
I waited for this book for two years. That's not a lot compared to how long I and others have waited for other books, but it's still a lot. When I got it for Christmas, I was excited- and scared. Would The War of Swords be as good as I hoped? What if it disappointed me?
Short answer: It was. And it didn't. Also, the feels. (But more on that later.)
Long answer: I'm dividing this into Awesomeness and Not-So-Awesomeness for the sake of easy fangirling. And I think I'm stealing someone's format by doing this, but . . . sorry.
Awesomeness:
-Cruedwyn! I have been waiting since the end of Song of Unmaking to learn of his fate. And now I finally have and when I first read what became of him, I didn't know whether to rejoice or mourn or both.
-We actually heard from all the Barlow brothers (and other important characters) on a regular basis, as opposed to The Ravaged Realm, where we heard mostly from Gabe, Arthur, and Mr. Barlow with a little bit from Ewan and Garrett and NOTHING from Hadyn. That was greatly appreciated.
-The FEELS. Oh the feels. Briggs's writing doesn't enrapture my emotions as much as that of some other authors, but he still knows how to play with my emotions. And let's face it, any book that sets me yelling at the characters/pages about how that's not supposed to happen; you're not allowed to die/do that! is definitely producing some significant emotions.
-Reggie and Odessa. There isn't as much of them together as in The Ravaged Realm, for obvious reasons, but there's enough to make me grin. And there's one scene towards the end of the book where
-The ending. Seriously. It was beautiful and triumphant and just a touch bittersweet and just . . . yes.
-POV. I didn't notice until my recent Legends of Karac Tor marathon leading up to War of Swords, but the series is written in omniscient POV, which not many authors (particularly YA authors) do, and Briggs pulls it off pretty well.
The Not-So-Awesome:
-Random typos here and there. I suspect it's because The War of Swords was self-published (or so I've heard). Nothing too bad.
-Odessa's gift.
-It ended. 'Nuff said.
Overall, though, The War of Swords was definitely awesome. I'm sad that the adventures in Karac Tor are over, but if they had to end, this book was a fitting conclusion.
I waited for this book for two years. That's not a lot compared to how long I and others have waited for other books, but it's still a lot. When I got it for Christmas, I was excited- and scared. Would The War of Swords be as good as I hoped? What if it disappointed me?
Short answer: It was. And it didn't. Also, the feels. (But more on that later.)
Long answer: I'm dividing this into Awesomeness and Not-So-Awesomeness for the sake of easy fangirling. And I think I'm stealing someone's format by doing this, but . . . sorry.
Awesomeness:
-Cruedwyn! I have been waiting since the end of Song of Unmaking to learn of his fate. And now I finally have and when I first read what became of him, I didn't know whether to rejoice or mourn or both.
Spoiler
Mr. Briggs managed to make both my worst fears and my greatest hopes occur- Cruedwyn, that poor, dear, foolish bard, was changed. But he was still in there and he showed up just in time because he's still Cruedwyn and that's what he does. And then he lasted all of one chapter before he was gone- but it didn't hurt as much as it could've, because even at death's door forgiveness and Life can be given.-We actually heard from all the Barlow brothers (and other important characters) on a regular basis, as opposed to The Ravaged Realm, where we heard mostly from Gabe, Arthur, and Mr. Barlow with a little bit from Ewan and Garrett and NOTHING from Hadyn. That was greatly appreciated.
-The FEELS. Oh the feels. Briggs's writing doesn't enrapture my emotions as much as that of some other authors, but he still knows how to play with my emotions.
Spoiler
Cruedwyn. Pol. Corus. Reggie, temporarily. The list goes on.-Reggie and Odessa. There isn't as much of them together as in The Ravaged Realm, for obvious reasons, but there's enough to make me grin. And there's one scene towards the end of the book where
Spoiler
Mr. Barlow tells Hadyn and Ewan about his feelings for Odessa and they're like "Yeah, we know" and it's just so awesome and funny and yes.-The ending. Seriously. It was beautiful and triumphant and just a touch bittersweet and just . . . yes.
Spoiler
Arthur using his sword as proof that Kr'Nuos can be defeated. Aion's return. Reggie and Odessa and the promise of more adventures for their family. Once more, the list goes on.-POV. I didn't notice until my recent Legends of Karac Tor marathon leading up to War of Swords, but the series is written in omniscient POV, which not many authors (particularly YA authors) do, and Briggs pulls it off pretty well.
The Not-So-Awesome:
-Random typos here and there. I suspect it's because The War of Swords was self-published (or so I've heard). Nothing too bad.
-Odessa's gift.
Spoiler
Was it just for that one instance in the cave with Rianor at the end of The Ravaged Realm? Because I thought it was for more than that, and I want to know why she never uses it again.-It ended. 'Nuff said.
Overall, though, The War of Swords was definitely awesome. I'm sad that the adventures in Karac Tor are over, but if they had to end, this book was a fitting conclusion.
Five Glass Slippers by Rachel Heffington, Stephanie Ricker, Elisabeth Brown, Emma Clifton, Clara Diane Thompson
5.0
WHAT EYES CAN SEE: This is definitely the most traditional of the collection, but it's unique as well in its way. I liked that the "wicked" stepfamily wasn't actually wicked, and I could certainly relate to Arella's shyness. It was a sweet story and a good beginning for the collection.
BROKEN GLASS: Eep! This was awesome! All the characters were such fun, and I loved the dialogue, particularly that between Rosalind and Marius, and all the scheming. The ending was great as well; Emma should write a sequel. Finally, it was steampunk, which I really liked. The world needs more steampunk fairy tales.
THE WINDY SIDE OF CARE: This was definitely my favorite story in the collection. It was absolutely delicious, every bit of it. The characters, the plotting, the way everything tied together in the end, the wry twist of humor- it was all wonderful. It also reminded me a bit of [b:Entwined|8428195|Entwined|Heather Dixon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1279037245s/8428195.jpg|13291399] in certain ways (mostly the accents and some of the humor).
A CINDER'S TALE: This was a very unique story. The setting was my favorite part, and I'd like to see more stories/books set in the same world.
THE MOON MASTER'S BALL: This wasn't quite what I thought it would be from what I'd heard, but I really liked it! The mystery and the magical, eerie feel enchanted me, and I liked how certain plot elements tied together in the end.
BROKEN GLASS: Eep! This was awesome! All the characters were such fun, and I loved the dialogue, particularly that between Rosalind and Marius, and all the scheming. The ending was great as well; Emma should write a sequel. Finally, it was steampunk, which I really liked. The world needs more steampunk fairy tales.
THE WINDY SIDE OF CARE: This was definitely my favorite story in the collection. It was absolutely delicious, every bit of it. The characters, the plotting, the way everything tied together in the end, the wry twist of humor- it was all wonderful. It also reminded me a bit of [b:Entwined|8428195|Entwined|Heather Dixon|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1279037245s/8428195.jpg|13291399] in certain ways (mostly the accents and some of the humor).
A CINDER'S TALE: This was a very unique story. The setting was my favorite part, and I'd like to see more stories/books set in the same world.
THE MOON MASTER'S BALL: This wasn't quite what I thought it would be from what I'd heard, but I really liked it! The mystery and the magical, eerie feel enchanted me, and I liked how certain plot elements tied together in the end.