I mean, I loved this book. Myfanwy Thomas wakes up with a note that says, "This body used to be mine". YEAH! I LOVE AMNESIA PLOTS! Except this is a bi...moreI mean, I loved this book. Myfanwy Thomas wakes up with a note that says, "This body used to be mine". YEAH! I LOVE AMNESIA PLOTS! Except this is a bit more than that. Secret societies are kind of my fave, and this book builds a GREAT one. The secret Chequey (I love all the chess terms) battle supernatural forces in the world, and this new amnesiac is now fully immersed in it. I definitely felt like this could be a TV show, the richness of the world is so good! The tone is a bit hard to grasp, but it's classic British "serious but also cheeky", so once you get on the tricycle you're golden. It's just FUN, like Dr. Who.
The pacing of this book was the only part I can quibble with, a bit erratic at times, but the world building was rich and the characters super fun, I loved it and would like to see more in the world! (less)
Ok I read this a while ago, and this isn't the kind of book that's easily summarized far away from reading, but I know that I enjoyed it, so that's go...moreOk I read this a while ago, and this isn't the kind of book that's easily summarized far away from reading, but I know that I enjoyed it, so that's good enough for a review. It's a fantastical mystery, if you've read Tim Powers then this is RIGHT up your alley. A strange town, lots of points of views, folklore and big bad evil people. A bit of George RR Martin with all the different characters and brutal death scenes, but really engrossing. Definitely one to read slowly, but if you love complex, fantastical worlds, this is very intriguing!(less)
Well, I can't say I've been charmed by a book more in a while, and jealous I didn't write it. This is a totally hipster book that rings all my bells,...moreWell, I can't say I've been charmed by a book more in a while, and jealous I didn't write it. This is a totally hipster book that rings all my bells, I feel like it sort of summarizes the zeitgeist of our internet generation, the gap between old and new.
Basically the main character, Clay, is unemployed tech guy, gets a job in a run-down bookstore that has a mysterious agenda that he can't help but get roped into. I'm a sucker for secret societies, and there's a touch of Amelie whimsey that is right up my alley in this as well. I mean, Google comes into it, it's so almost a cliche for me this book!
If I were to quibble, it's that the ending isn't quite dramatic enough, but the journey was so fun I can forget that. Recommended!(less)
Well, this is a wonderful book! I love loved it! It's about Alif, a hacker in the Middle East, who has an ill-fated romance with a woman, is stalked b...moreWell, this is a wonderful book! I love loved it! It's about Alif, a hacker in the Middle East, who has an ill-fated romance with a woman, is stalked by a mysterious government hacker called The Hand, and interacts with real Djinn who actually exist, invisible among us. It's totally fascinating! A really enjoyable read that combines politics and tech and magic in a wonderful way.
Recommended for people who like Neal Stephenson or Da Vinci Code, just a fantastic thriller with magical overtones and interesting politics. (less)
I got this ARC from the publisher (YEAH IM ON A LIST!!!)
This is a really cool, dystopian sort of fantasy/sci-fi world mashup, it's hard to describe, b...moreI got this ARC from the publisher (YEAH IM ON A LIST!!!)
This is a really cool, dystopian sort of fantasy/sci-fi world mashup, it's hard to describe, because there's magic and yet there's tech as well. It's supposed to be very China Mieville, but since I've never been able to get through one of those books, I'll just take people's word for it, lol.
I DID get through this one, and enjoyed it a LOT! The world building is crazy interesting, the characters are very noir, and the plot was enough to keep me on my toes (although a few things that happen towards the last third are VERY convenient, needed to be set up a wee bit earlier to be smooth, but that's a small criticism).
I'm very excited to read the second in the series for sure! I love this new wave of gritty fantasy/sci-fi world building, it's like Brazil is very en-vogue!! The movie, not the country.(less)
Ah NK Jemisin, you can do no wrong. For some reason it took me a long time to pick this up, mainly because I loved her OTHER world so much I got pouty...moreAh NK Jemisin, you can do no wrong. For some reason it took me a long time to pick this up, mainly because I loved her OTHER world so much I got pouty that she was moving onto another one. Well, she built the last one to be amazing, she does no less in this one, perhaps even BETTER.
The blend of cultures and lore she draws on to make this very unique world is just stunning, and the fact that she inhabits it with such 3-dimensional characters is even more impressive. The Gatherers are some of the most interesting "magic" users I've read lately. If you want to get away from the traditional fantasy world-building, but keep the compelling characters and deep lore, definitely pick this up!!(less)
This was a SUPER inventive and dark world-building novel. Definitely epic fantasy leaning, meaty and engrossing about Heaven and Hell and demon battli...moreThis was a SUPER inventive and dark world-building novel. Definitely epic fantasy leaning, meaty and engrossing about Heaven and Hell and demon battling and love. I really enjoyed it, and the fact it was a first novel was even cooler, and it felt much meatier than the relatively short 300 pages, which is interesting.
There are some GREAT characters and relationships (and a LOT of drama) that keep you page-turning. Recommended to CS Friedman fans, or Sarah Monette fans.(less)
**spoiler alert** OKAY listen, this book caught my eye hard, and I really thought the premise was interesting (Fey power + Jane Eyre). There were some...more**spoiler alert** OKAY listen, this book caught my eye hard, and I really thought the premise was interesting (Fey power + Jane Eyre). There were some cool things, and I 100% enjoyed the first half of the book. And then....
SPOILERS:
WE GET TO THE FACE PEELING. I COULDNT DEAL GUYS, GROSS! It turned into a bad reality show about plastic surgery gone wrong, OMG I was so grossed out by the ending. ANYWHOO...if you like horror you might dig this book, it's just VERY different from what I thought it was going in.
I love me some Abercrombie, his style is so snarky and detailed and dirty. I love how with a few sentences he can fill out a minor character so well t...moreI love me some Abercrombie, his style is so snarky and detailed and dirty. I love how with a few sentences he can fill out a minor character so well that you actually feel sorry when they're killed in passing.
This is NOT really a fantasy book though guys, it's 100% Western. If you've read his other books you'll recognize several characters, but you don't REALLY need to read the others to get into this. If you don't like Westerns move along doggy, but this is worth reading for sure. (less)
Soooo I seriously love this series. I just love it to death, and this book doesn't disappoint. We learn a TON about Josef, and get a lot of world-buil...moreSoooo I seriously love this series. I just love it to death, and this book doesn't disappoint. We learn a TON about Josef, and get a lot of world-building context as the author builds towards the fifth (and final) book, released this fall. CAN IT BE NOW PLEASE?!
The tone of this one is a bit more serious than the previous ones, but it is definitely due, as the glibness of characters is stripped back to reveal WHY they're so glib, and what they're really hiding. And the ending...OMG THE ENDING I was like, "WHAT!?!?!" really really good.
There was a LOT of setup for the ending, but I see brilliance in the threads she's spinning, I'm so confident the ending book will blow my top off. If you like light-ish fantasy, you definitely need to read this series. The first book shows a bit of the newness of the author, but each of the subsequent books gets better and better and better. Characters + Great Worldbuilding = Wonderful series!(less)
I mean...Sanderson is just amazing. He writes so well, his characters are SO well-drawn, you simply can't stop reading. There's a feeling of completen...moreI mean...Sanderson is just amazing. He writes so well, his characters are SO well-drawn, you simply can't stop reading. There's a feeling of completeness in his plotting that makes you feel completely taken care of. The worldbuilding is stunning and vibrant and new...it's just, kind of ridiculous.
This is a followup in the world of Mistborn, but you DONT need to read the first three to understand what's going on (you should read them though, because it is icing on the cake as far as details.) This is a world with an amazing magic system, but vaguely steampunk/industrial-era in ambience. I went in without really remembering the first three, but the opening is one of the best I've read in a very long time. You INSTANTLY are drawn into the story.
So, if you like high fantasy, or a urban fantasy, or anything like that, pick this up.(less)
WHOAH. Blast of testosterone to the face in the midst of my romance novel obsession. THIS WAS FANTASTIC!
So this book is really hard to describe, it ta...moreWHOAH. Blast of testosterone to the face in the midst of my romance novel obsession. THIS WAS FANTASTIC!
So this book is really hard to describe, it takes place in a futuristic dystopian society that uses crazy technology to send "actors" to an alternate reality called Overworld, a traditional Fantasy-ish world. They are watched back home via virtual reality tech as the actors live in the Fantasy world, the fantasy people have no idea they're from an alternate dimension. The hero, Hari, is basically the Sylvester Stallone (at his peak) of actors, and his wife, another actor, gets trapped in the Otherworld and he has to go save her. That's the basics. It's very Hunger Games-esque in a way. But way darker. WAY darker.
I mean, talk about a dark anti-hero. Talk about a cool alt-SF/Fantasy world. Talk about some violent assholes who populate BOTH universes. I mean Hari is one of the biggest badasses I've read in a LONG time. Seriously flawed, very nihilistic world/WORLDS really he's involved in. And yet, his journey is so full of emotion, you root for him every step of the way. This is an Alpha male you can get behind. Damn. Hot damn. Don't read if you don't like profanity, unlikeable characters and awesome fight scenes. :D
If you like really really gritty, dark fantasy like George RR Martin, Richard Morgan (Takashi Kovaks books) or ESPECIALLY Joe Abercrombie, you should get this book. (less)
So I enjoyed this book, but didn't LOVE it. Poison Study (by this author) is one of my ALL TIME FAVES so I can't help compare all her other heroines t...moreSo I enjoyed this book, but didn't LOVE it. Poison Study (by this author) is one of my ALL TIME FAVES so I can't help compare all her other heroines to that one, and no one ever lives up to her 100%. I enjoyed the magic worldbuilding, for some reason I just felt one step ahead of the characters frequently. I didn't 100% feel the attraction between the two main characters either, so maybe that made me a bit less invested. I enjoyed the heroine's POV though, and am interested to see the second in the series. Felt a bit young adult-ish in tone, so it would be good for teen readers.(less)
Yay! Another Heroes book! If you've read my other reviews, I have just ADORED this series, it's a light fantasy romp that has two engaging main charac...moreYay! Another Heroes book! If you've read my other reviews, I have just ADORED this series, it's a light fantasy romp that has two engaging main characters and really fun magical world. I guess I could review the book (which I enjoyed A LOT) but mainly I wanted to list this for the author's blog post here: http://moiraj.livejournal.com/125218....
Basically her publisher has decided not to publish the next book, THE LAST in the series! Um, 14 years of work on the series and they declined to have her finish? That's just...well, sad to say the least. I for one hope that Moira decides to self-publish if there is no other way, because I would be first in line to see the series wrap up. I've personally, as a fan, invested a lot in the series, bought every book, spent hours enjoying the series, and to not have it wrapped up in my own imagination would be quite disappointing. To know that it's in her mind, even on paper, and could possibly never be released...say it ain't so!
We're in a world where creators don't need the gatekeeper's help to find their audience, Moira please finish the book and release it! :)(less)
Let's talk about this cover. Who ordered all that eyeliner, what is going on, who is that supposed to be from...moreThis is a REALLY good book. But first...
Let's talk about this cover. Who ordered all that eyeliner, what is going on, who is that supposed to be from the book? Nico? Are you frikkin' kidding me?! She would never put eyeliner on, I'm so confused why this looks like a Twilight sequel cover. UUUUUUUGH
Anyway, this is the best of the three books WRITING-WISE I've read in the series, which is exciting! What I love is that the author sets up stuff that will CLEARLY come back in the next book, but she does it in a way that you still feel really satisfied with THIS book. I hate it when a book feels filler-y, and this does NOT feel like that, although I can name 10 things I know will pay off next installment.
This book we learn a lot more about the bigger plot, about the lady in white, about demons and how they work, and we deal with Nico and her struggle to resist the demon inside her. Eli is as arrogant as ever, but he actually has some real character growth, which is nice to see. Josef and his sword as USUAL kick ass, and the bad guys do not disappoint in their badness or their plotiness.
I loved seeing the world fill out, the lore is really keeping up with the potential of the world, and as always, although a bit weightier plot, the sense of humor comes through strong. Love it! Can't wait for the next one!
I don't understand this cover or log line, I feel like it's horrible marketing for this book. Someone get that dude who did the Robert Jordan books in...moreI don't understand this cover or log line, I feel like it's horrible marketing for this book. Someone get that dude who did the Robert Jordan books in here, for once his art would be appropriate (Darryl Sweet, right? I really hated those covers for Wheel of Time, but for this book it would rock)
I can't get over this cover, I mean Miranda is a key character, but this looks like a Danielle Steel book, like she's going to bury her grandma and can't pick the coffin. And it's a light-hearted fantasy romp about 5 or 6 characters. Who put this book in sepia, did they even read it?! Whatever.
This book was SUPER enjoyable. It carries on from the first with Eli seeking trouble, Miranda getting into a lot of trouble from the plot of book 1 with the Spiritualists, at the same time there's a big bad aiming to capture Eli with a crazy OCD plan. He's actually a great bad guy because he feels super original in his detailed planning. Like an evil accountant. Not a typical fantasy baddie. The unveiling of how he uses his powers was cleverly done too.
A few other characters join the fray (including a few from Eli's past), I loved what they did with Miranda's Great Spirit, and we learn more about Nico and her demon (which builds to the next book as well). I overall gobbled this one up. Better than the first, and the third I think is even better!(less)
So I'm giving this four stars because I have read all three books in the series and so I'm rating the series overall as such this far. The second and...moreSo I'm giving this four stars because I have read all three books in the series and so I'm rating the series overall as such this far. The second and third books are actually better than this first one. A REALLY REALLY fun series that fantasy fans will enjoy if they like their entertainment fluffy and light, and the books get better and better, so I would definitely encourage you to check it out!
This is a familiar fantasy-renaissance world, but where everything has a "spirit", water and air and even objects like doors and signs etc. The hero of the story is Eli Monpress, a dude who wants to be the most famous thief in the world, and is basically obsessed with raising the bounty on his head. Eli can be kind of irritating in his egoism, but the other characters are great, I particularly love his companion characters, Nico and Josef. (And they get more and more interesting in books 2 and 3).
I really REALLY like the world building here, and as the books go on the world gets more and more fleshed out. Super fun and interesting, I love the sense of humor that a main character can TALK to a door. Overall there is a very tongue in cheek attitude here that I super loved. And there's no heavy romance stuff (which guys might appreciate in the morass of lady-fiction I'm uploading :) )
If you like Diana Wynne Jones or any light fantasy like Piers Anthony etc, I think you might really like this series! It is definitely written at a young adult level too, so teens would def like it.
I can't wait for the next one out next summer!(less)
I don't have much to say about this, but felt compelled to add it to the stack for completionist sake. I am just so confused about where this series i...moreI don't have much to say about this, but felt compelled to add it to the stack for completionist sake. I am just so confused about where this series is going, I thought Cast in Silence was pretty good, and the first couple were just BRILLIANT, but I dunno. And Kaylin continues to be soooo emotionally messed up, I just want her to grow a bit (and get with Nightshade, but looking at this book it doesn't look good.)
Soo I kinda wanted to give this 4 stars, but I'm struggling because the ENDING was really nice, but it was SO HARD to start the book, the first 1/4th...moreSoo I kinda wanted to give this 4 stars, but I'm struggling because the ENDING was really nice, but it was SO HARD to start the book, the first 1/4th was almost making me give up because of structure stuff. Part of that is because it has been a while since I read the first in this series, so I guess there's that, but I consider it part of the author's job to give a recap, or at least write a BIT of refresher for people who liked the previous book but don't wanna go back and read the whole thing.
If you are familiar with the world, it's a re-imagining of the era of Charlotte Bronte, or Jane Austen, but with magic. I really like the concept even more than execution, but I will admit this second book felt way better paced and better laid out than the first. I LOVE the house and uncovering all the secrets. This is a DENSE read but after initial bumps I really enjoyed.
My problem I guess was that in the beginning it's hard to understand why the book is done from different people's POVs (same problem I had with the first one). I wish the characters had interacted more together to kind of justify why we were following them so disparately, and when it finally adds up WAY into the book, that's when things pay off, but it feels too late to me.
SLIGHT SPOILER: I also don't quite understand the relationship between the main character and her husband and this unrequited love interest thing going on. It feels like the husband is gonna get killed off and the other two will end up together, but it's taking a long time, and the wife/husband duo relationship is not really getting fleshed out, so you don't really root for them to be together. I dunno.
Upshot, I will definitely read the next one because I felt this one improved on the world, and I love the main character and her sisters and wanna see where it goes!(less)
Well, this was a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, and I think my favorite of the three. In my other reviews you'll remember I definitely wasn't a...moreWell, this was a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy, and I think my favorite of the three. In my other reviews you'll remember I definitely wasn't as keen on this installment in the world, mostly because Bao as a hero was not very compelling, I just never saw why Moirin fell and/or fought so hard to be with him. In this last book though, there are very few twists and turns in their relationship, so he basically fades into the background and it becomes more about Moirin and her journey back to the capital and then to Terra Nova to save , which was way funner to follow.
To me, the first 1/4 of the book was a bit wheel spinny, but then it really got going, and was a REALLY fun ride. I mean there's some CRAZY crap that happens in the middle-end, like some 50's black and white pulp novel, or like a crazy island Tiki restaurant gone wild, and it's SO GOOD!
I read somewhere this is the last book in the world?! NOOOOOO! PLEASE WRITE MORE I BUY THEM ALL IN HARDBACK AND KINDLE BOTH! (less)
UUUUUUUUG I dunno. I LOVED the first one in this series, totally interesting steampunk-magic world, and I was so psyched to see this pop up on my Kind...moreUUUUUUUUG I dunno. I LOVED the first one in this series, totally interesting steampunk-magic world, and I was so psyched to see this pop up on my Kindle the other day, but something felt completely off for me in the first half of this book. Especially the first 50 pages, it was lot of confusing information that didn't really settle you back into the world that readers have been away from for a few years, it was like an info dump, and a bit of a scattered wonky political info dump at that. Maybe a prologue would have helped or something? Not sure.
THEN after the unbelievably interesting European setting in book 1, we somehow go to the Carribean for...I'm not sure why? Zombies and fire mages (that were so weak compared to the badass cold mages, what was with that?) I just felt like so much had been set up in the European area I was pouty while I read, "Why are we on a zombie island now?! I wanna go hoooooome!"
GOOD THINGS: Vai is, as always, a REALLY good character in himself with his bad-ass cold magic that's amazing, and there's a great romance here between him and the lead. The two lead girls have a really lovely devoted sister-like relationship that continued to feel fresh to me, and the last 80 pages or so were SO GOOD I wanted to read the next book IMMEDIATELY.
Soo...I dunno. If you read the first one 100% read this one because at the end it sets up for a great third book. I just had some reservations about stuff that happened plot-wise, that's all. But it was a fun romp at least.(less)
UGH i dunno guys. I know it won the Hugo but I'm ok to have a differing opinion, right? I will definitely give credit, the book is IMPECCABLY research...moreUGH i dunno guys. I know it won the Hugo but I'm ok to have a differing opinion, right? I will definitely give credit, the book is IMPECCABLY researched. So much time and detail into WWII England, just...bravo for the research ALONE it deserved an award.
But I mean, bar none, this book does NOT feel like a stand-alone. From my investigations the publisher split the plot in two, and it's so clunky with the ending it shows. The book could TOTALLY have stood an edit pass that took out tomes of unnecessary info and just compiled the two books into one.
Ok, BARRING THAT, I am a HUGE Connie Willis fan. "To Say Nothing of the Dog" is one of my all time FAVORITE books, so I'm into her time travel world and setup. Unfortunately, this book really just felt static to me, I mean the whole point of it is that people are traveling back in time and know EXACTLY WHATS GOING TO HAPPEN and then it kind of seems like it's not gonna go like they think it's supposed to...and then it does. ugh.
And then most of the OTHER part of the book is basically, "Will X get to Y or will their paths never cross?!" And THEN I feel like the main characters...I mean seriously they are all so plain, you could have switched each character out of their plot and into another and it felt like they would have acted the same. Could one of them had no scruples, or one of them have sex with someone? Or be a bully? Or anything other than just going along with the plot? I dunno, there were parts I was SO INTO but the verbosity and lack of character just compel me to post a bit critically which I often don't do, but I felt that there were people who might love this book, so feel free to try it. I'm not sorry I read it for sure, just a few frustrating aspects that make me reluctant to finish the second installment.(less)
Robin Hobb wrote a few of my FAVORITE series, Assassin's Apprentice and the Liveship Traders, so I'm always a fan of her books. This one was as well w...moreRobin Hobb wrote a few of my FAVORITE series, Assassin's Apprentice and the Liveship Traders, so I'm always a fan of her books. This one was as well written as the others, but it felt slow to start, and as soon as the story picked up, the book ended! JUST AS I GOT INTO IT!
So, I guess I should be waiting for the next book excitedly to continue the story, but considering the subject matter of the book, I'm a bit reluctant to follow up with the series, for totally squeamish personal reasons. The whole story follows dragons, MALFORMED dragons who can't really take care of themselves. I am a person who's favorite movie is Babe. Yeah, the pig movie. While at the movies watching the Peter Jackson King Kong redo, I became so hysterical when they were capturing the ape that I had to leave the theatre and NOT GO BACK IN. Ever. Yeah, so I'm kind of irrational when reading about animals in danger, or even threatened. So basically, the set up for the next books is gonna lead to a LOT OF DRAGON TRAUMA, I JUST KNOW IT! And I dunno if I can personally hang in there. Robin Hobb is great at torturing her characters, and I'm cool with doing that to humans, but doing it to the dragons may not be something I can sign up for, ultimate happy ending or not.
I know this review doesn't help anyone, haha, but whatever. That's the deal. The book was slow to start but ok, and I'm sure it will continue wonderfully. For those who aren't a little bit crazy :)(less)
I LOVED the first two books in this series. Like, five stars, MUST READ, loved. I had extremely high hopes for this one, but it just didn't feel very...moreI LOVED the first two books in this series. Like, five stars, MUST READ, loved. I had extremely high hopes for this one, but it just didn't feel very connected to the other two. The plot was pretty stand alone from the previous, and seemed really exposition-y with the animals spirits, taking place in a different region, different characters etc. It started off well but just led to me skipping a lot to the end. I'm not sure what happened, I love this author but would probably recommend sticking to the first two of this series. Hoping she goes back to the series roots with the subsequent books. BIG FAN.(less)
I really enjoy this author's work! She's pretty much on my must-buy list for well-done, light fantasy with a bit of romance that's not too smutty (lik...moreI really enjoy this author's work! She's pretty much on my must-buy list for well-done, light fantasy with a bit of romance that's not too smutty (like Ilona Andrews) I think this series took a step up in world-building with this second episode, I was definitely interested in all the new stuff we learned through Merrick in particular. I loved seeing Sorcha and Raed's conflict, I just love them together! Only criticism is that it felt short, I feel like I wanted more plot to happen with the Grand Duchess, and the end twist? But really, it was fun and I can't wait for the next one! (less)
So there were many nice things in this book. The Austin-esque plot was interesting, and the main character and her relationship with her sister was la...moreSo there were many nice things in this book. The Austin-esque plot was interesting, and the main character and her relationship with her sister was layered, I really think the character was well-drawn and the best thing about the book. Her POV as the "plain" sister was written from a very real place.
I guess I just ached for a bit more complexity, with the plot (and romance) and the world-building. There's some VERY interesting magic conceits here, and I just wanted a bigger scope. I think the author could build upon this world for more and more interesting books. This one was a nice basic intro. I think the plot just needed more twists, and there needed to be MORE characters to act as red herrings to make the ending a bit more surprising.
I'm torn because I think this is probably a 4 star book, as I list it, but I didn't LOVE it as much as the first two in this trilogy. I don't know why...moreI'm torn because I think this is probably a 4 star book, as I list it, but I didn't LOVE it as much as the first two in this trilogy. I don't know why, maybe I just didn't love the characters as much, maybe the focus on the mortal people was not as interesting as how deep the relationships ran in the last two books. I almost wish this book had been about the three gods reuniting, but I dunno. Sieh is a fantastic character, and this was a really interesting direction to take him, I'm just on the fence because the first two books blew me away, and this one didn't as much. 100% will read anything this author writes though, so there's that :) (less)
Well, having drooled all over the first in this series, I didn't QUITE love it as much as the other, but the bar was set so high it would have been ex...moreWell, having drooled all over the first in this series, I didn't QUITE love it as much as the other, but the bar was set so high it would have been extremely hard to outdo my love for the first protagonist. I found myself feeling disloyal when I sided with this one occasionally, haha.
This book was very good though, I was definitely engrossed (except for a section where I got impatient with the character's plight, I don't want to spoil but I think anyone who reads will know what I'm referring to). The world was further filled out from the first book in interesting ways, and the ultimate twists in character were unexpected.
I think the biggest thing I liked about it was that it took the plot of the first novel, and twisted it to see from a differing characters POV. It was interesting to see events differently, and emphasized that there is no black and white, just gray subjectivity.
Well, I really loved this book. Not since I've read Jaqueline Carey's Kushiel series have I been as enamored, in fact they are very evocative of each...moreWell, I really loved this book. Not since I've read Jaqueline Carey's Kushiel series have I been as enamored, in fact they are very evocative of each other, these series.
I had no expectations of this book, in fact I've had an ARC copy by my bed for like a year and a half, and for some reason couldn't get myself to pick it up. I think the cover implies a more epic fantasy feel than it is, really it would appeal to most female-driven urban fantasy fans, but again, i guess it's smart not to slap a pretty girl on the cover and restrict yourself to just a female audience. Everyone can enjoy this book, the romantic arc is subtle and not cliched-ly prominent.
But basically, this is a lovely fantasy with a strong female protagonist. Yes, she doesn't remain assertive and plot-driving as she should, and really that should have taken a star off, but the contemplative nature of the world-building, and layered motivations and mysteries involving the ensemble overcame that for me. I really felt like it was smart and avoided cliches. And I was totally hooked when the ending paid off SO WELL!
Other series this is similar to are Sharon Shinn's Archangel series and Garth Nix's Sabriel.
Loading...
