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"It's more poetic than real life, I think"
"Stories always are"
I just realized that I don't really have a beginning for this review, and most of my overall thoughts are at the end 😅
But, as i've been writing this for days, we're just going to jump straight into this.
First, a warning: there is sexual assault in this book - I don't like reading about this topic, so I usually try to stay away from books that deal with it. But I wanted to read this book for quite a long while and only learned that it "It's more poetic than real life, I think"
"Stories always are"
I just realized that I don't really have a beginning for this review, and most of my overall thoughts are at the end 😅
But, as i've been writing this for days, we're just going to jump straight into this.
First, a warning: there is sexual assault in this book - I don't like reading about this topic, so I usually try to stay away from books that deal with it. But I wanted to read this book for quite a long while and only learned that it contains this issue just before starting - so I looked through the reviews - and after reading someone say that it wasn't too graphic, I just went ahead and read it.
The s. assault happens at the end of chapter 2, lasts less than a page and while we know what's happening, there are no graphic descriptions of the crime itself.
It was unpleasant to read, but I didn't feel exhausted or emotionally drained - hope this helps anyone sensitive to this topic decide if they want to read it. Be aware though that the assault happens to one of the main characters and is a prevalent theme in the book, and dealing with the aftermath of it is a big part of the story itself.
As the book is stretched over quite a few months, the topic kind of quitens down and comes up from time to time, and while it is a part of the story, it is not the main focus of it.
And I think that's mainly because it's a fantasy book with a clear rescue/let me finally die mission (that involves travel and surviving monsters), that's spread over a long period of time and the character doesn't have the convenience/time to completely break down.
I suppose not being able to think too much, because you're fighting monsters to stay alive, is at least better than a complete breakdown.
ROMANCE
So, the main relationship between Flora and Lazarus was just lovely. And I absolutely adore Lazarus.
That being said, at first I very much assumed that there will be no romance between these characters. It didn't seem to be leading to it, especially after this:
(plus my *commentary* on this scene, taken straight out of my notes)
When Lazarus described his past love with these words :
"Suffice it to say that it was all born from a love so intense that it will never have an equal"
😐 - that's not a good sign
Well that, and the fact that Flora was really interested in princess Beth's eyes.
Aaand that Lazarus' only goal was to die.
... off to a great start for the romance 😬 "
While I do think that the eventual turning of their relationship into romance was well done, like you can see, the no romance hints were very strong in the beginning with this one.
Now, even though Flora and Lazarus's romance didn't click in the beginning, fortunately, after a certain point, it just made sense.
I think that the transition from no romance to romance worked, because the story takes place over a looong period of time, so it's believebale and gradual - just, a bit of it happens off page. It's like a missing scene - not insta love in any way, but kind of like, we missed that one chapter saying outright: Oh I love them - but the characters were still showing all the signs of being in love.
I also think that the first "platonic" impressions of each other are just them still not having dealt with their past loves, and you know time passes and your heart, well - heals and changes.
I would say that there is a lot of soft character development and by this I mean just growing as a person.
Additionally the age difference isn't really an age difference (an issue that someone else mentioned, and that I absolutely disagree with) - we have Flora and then we have an immortal being that's basically stopped in time, it's just like if you had the same birthday over and over again, and I mean, you surely change, but your mind can't really progress or deteriorate. (this is honestly why most age differences in fantasy are hardly ever an issue)
Overall their relationship was portrayed very well, but if you want a full blown romance - kissing and whatnot - this might not be for you. This is more of a glances, small gestures and thoughts kind of thing. We're shown their closeness and how they act around each other, and that makes us realize their feelings. I think the whole thing is just precious ✨
There is also one other main relationship in the book that I want to talk about. (I don't count Flora's crush on Princess Beth as a romantic plot point, because it doesn't evolve beyond an infatuation, it's more of a purpose/motivation and a what if in a different scenario).
So let's talk about Lazarus' previous relationship. I think that this, plus Flora's main goal in the book are so strong a plot points, that the monster hunting, all the challenges (which I will talk about in a bit) were not needed and took away from the strong, encaptivating parts of the book.
That past love is an example that your memories may reflect a distorted version of the actual events that took place. It's a case of what you think, of your perceptions of people and past situations, and the truth about what they were and how they really happened.
I think that Anna and Lazarus's relationship was greatly portrayed, because we went from blind, powerful love for someone, love that closed eyes on the cracks that existed betweeen them and then we got to a point when they finally noticed and acknowledged the cracks, and became better because of it - just separately.
WRITING
Writing language was actually really good, and I found only one scene that should have been rewritten, because it was a description with easily fixable repetitions of its - so, really, no issues with it.
GENRE
Now onto the plot, which was good, juuust - all over the genres. The frequent changes to the tone of the story were actually one of the two issues that I had with this book.
We follow the characters through multiple scenarios, that are part of the main plot, but at the same time read like chapters taken from different versions of this story.
So half of the book is fantasy, then the main plot is a quest, with Witcher like intervals - fighting monsters and whatnot - then we have a bit of mystery and then challenges to get a price - it's kind of like the different storylines didn't really stay in the same genre - something just didn't work there.
WORLDBUILDING
There was too much mixed into this world - the magic system, the advancement of certain places, as well as the creature variety, was kind of all over the place.
It was like a mix of magic and science, but with most of the world being medieval like, the extent of the science part just made no sense - I mean it was better then our technology. We go from a simple fantasy town, to a still simple buildings, but now there are automatons everywhere and water systems and electricity and advanced medicine achieved without magic. It was all just mutually exluding itself.
Also the range of magical happenings - we have the main *decaying during the day* thing, and then one of the important side characters has some very convenient electricity powers (I don't remember specifically what they were, because I didn't write it down in my notes, oops 😅, but they were definitely out of place in the already established world). And when it's mostly thanks to him, that the plot progresses and that they can go on this journey and deal with one of the main problems of the book, it's emm, well, not good.
And the monsters - like I said, a lot of Witcher type of creatures there, and suddenly a monster from a different lore (I don't remember the exact type, but it was from like mythology or something - it was also a part of one of the big side plots) - I don't know how to feel about this. And the explanation for this creature (that read like it was from a completely different story) did not make the existence of a random creature better.
Oh yes, and the unicorns.
Be aware that the unicorns are quite a big plot point, and while it's a really well made plot point, every time I read "unicorns" I felt a bit silly.
I suppose it's because unicorns aren't really connected with seriousness, they're more associated with magic and childhood dreams and not really a main serious point of a fantasy? ya/na? book.
But I have to say, their storyline was executed very well.
Still it was just a complete mashup of lores - so: original magic system/happenings, creatures from mythology (I suppose), unicorns and then the sciency stuff.
It's not that they weren't good on their own, it just that they didn't connect in any way.
And also the cotton face masks, because I have to comment on that - I understand that our world makes an impact on how the stories are currently written, but in the context of the story, some sort of plague masks would be more understandable. Also they all had to wear masks, because they thought the sickness could transport through air, but then one of the characters just touches the sick person?!?!?!
idek 🤷
PLOT
Part of the book does rely on, emm how to say it, on producing convenient situations or things -
we have the dark creatures and unicorns, but we also have a sentient building, or Aistoneou's mechanical/magical inventions, or hearing the voice of the temple (talking, thinking building) in your head, or even the scientific stuff in the magical temple's tasks (the trials that I talked about earlier) - zero explanation, or characters omitting the logic/ mechanism of how it is possible - for example "it's hard to explain" 🙄
One of the challenges in the trials portion of the book was even more out of place. Well, all the challenges were - like I said before, parts of this book didn't really feel conected to the rest of the book in terms of genre and overall sense of the story. They were highly sciency and didn't really have the magical feel to them, and in this particular challenge, the room was getting smaller??? - and I just don't really see how it makes sense in terms of the story. Like, what is the logic behind the temple and its tasks? How do they fit into this magic system? If I had to answer, I would have to say, that world wise, they do not make sense at all.
I did like the intent behind the second task though.
Also when I heard the author's statement (which said that the ending would be positive, with no problems), I thought the ending would be uncharacteristically happy.
I'm glad to report that it was a well written, fullfilling resolution to the story.
It was generally happy in its tone, but as it was preceded by bitter sweet, painful moments, I would categorize it as "everything ended happily, but we did suffer along the way" type of ending - and I absolutely love this type of conclusion to stories. 🤩
OVERALL / ENDING THOUGHTS
I also want to say, that I do not agree with a review that said that the characters read like early teenagers. I would say that they act like normal young adults. The dialogues are well planned and almost all of their actions are justified or just make sense.
The Ankou is definitely a well written character. Who yes, has an opinion of being very dark and mysterious, someone to be feared, and yet, he's just a person. A good one at that. Other characters' views of him, their attitude towards him are also well written - some fear him, some still don't trust him, even though he appears kind and helpful, and some just treat him with understandable caution or respect.
And while I agree that the book didn't really make me connect with the story at first, when a big plot point involving Lazarus was introducted - I was hooked.
Though I have to say that something didn't really click in the middle part, I mean it was ok, I just didn't feel it - it might've been the lack of urgency, or not enough elaboration on certain emotions or the sudden changing of the genre for a scene (the fantasy journey into monster hunting that is).
So there are faults in the worldbuilding, but the story overall is very entertaining. From my understanding, the assault part of the book was important for the author, so while I don't think it would be /it's neccessary for the story, it also doesn't detract from it.
To be honest, after seeing that review, I was a bit shocked at most of the opinions that were in it, because for a moment it seemed like we read different books - but maybe it's a case that just some people shouldn't read certain genres if they don't like them.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, it has ups and downs, but it's a pretty strong story that I had an enjoyable time reading.
Also, it's the second ever published book for this author, and not only do I think its a good story, I mean I've read many not as good, but I'm also curious what the author comes up with next.
...more
"Stories always are"
I just realized that I don't really have a beginning for this review, and most of my overall thoughts are at the end 😅
But, as i've been writing this for days, we're just going to jump straight into this.
First, a warning: there is sexual assault in this book - I don't like reading about this topic, so I usually try to stay away from books that deal with it. But I wanted to read this book for quite a long while and only learned that it "It's more poetic than real life, I think"
"Stories always are"
I just realized that I don't really have a beginning for this review, and most of my overall thoughts are at the end 😅
But, as i've been writing this for days, we're just going to jump straight into this.
First, a warning: there is sexual assault in this book - I don't like reading about this topic, so I usually try to stay away from books that deal with it. But I wanted to read this book for quite a long while and only learned that it contains this issue just before starting - so I looked through the reviews - and after reading someone say that it wasn't too graphic, I just went ahead and read it.
The s. assault happens at the end of chapter 2, lasts less than a page and while we know what's happening, there are no graphic descriptions of the crime itself.
It was unpleasant to read, but I didn't feel exhausted or emotionally drained - hope this helps anyone sensitive to this topic decide if they want to read it. Be aware though that the assault happens to one of the main characters and is a prevalent theme in the book, and dealing with the aftermath of it is a big part of the story itself.
As the book is stretched over quite a few months, the topic kind of quitens down and comes up from time to time, and while it is a part of the story, it is not the main focus of it.
And I think that's mainly because it's a fantasy book with a clear rescue/let me finally die mission (that involves travel and surviving monsters), that's spread over a long period of time and the character doesn't have the convenience/time to completely break down.
I suppose not being able to think too much, because you're fighting monsters to stay alive, is at least better than a complete breakdown.
ROMANCE
So, the main relationship between Flora and Lazarus was just lovely. And I absolutely adore Lazarus.
That being said, at first I very much assumed that there will be no romance between these characters. It didn't seem to be leading to it, especially after this:
(plus my *commentary* on this scene, taken straight out of my notes)
When Lazarus described his past love with these words :
"Suffice it to say that it was all born from a love so intense that it will never have an equal"
😐 - that's not a good sign
Well that, and the fact that Flora was really interested in princess Beth's eyes.
Aaand that Lazarus' only goal was to die.
... off to a great start for the romance 😬 "
While I do think that the eventual turning of their relationship into romance was well done, like you can see, the no romance hints were very strong in the beginning with this one.
Now, even though Flora and Lazarus's romance didn't click in the beginning, fortunately, after a certain point, it just made sense.
I think that the transition from no romance to romance worked, because the story takes place over a looong period of time, so it's believebale and gradual - just, a bit of it happens off page. It's like a missing scene - not insta love in any way, but kind of like, we missed that one chapter saying outright: Oh I love them - but the characters were still showing all the signs of being in love.
I also think that the first "platonic" impressions of each other are just them still not having dealt with their past loves, and you know time passes and your heart, well - heals and changes.
I would say that there is a lot of soft character development and by this I mean just growing as a person.
Additionally the age difference isn't really an age difference (an issue that someone else mentioned, and that I absolutely disagree with) - we have Flora and then we have an immortal being that's basically stopped in time, it's just like if you had the same birthday over and over again, and I mean, you surely change, but your mind can't really progress or deteriorate. (this is honestly why most age differences in fantasy are hardly ever an issue)
Overall their relationship was portrayed very well, but if you want a full blown romance - kissing and whatnot - this might not be for you. This is more of a glances, small gestures and thoughts kind of thing. We're shown their closeness and how they act around each other, and that makes us realize their feelings. I think the whole thing is just precious ✨
There is also one other main relationship in the book that I want to talk about. (I don't count Flora's crush on Princess Beth as a romantic plot point, because it doesn't evolve beyond an infatuation, it's more of a purpose/motivation and a what if in a different scenario).
So let's talk about Lazarus' previous relationship. I think that this, plus Flora's main goal in the book are so strong a plot points, that the monster hunting, all the challenges (which I will talk about in a bit) were not needed and took away from the strong, encaptivating parts of the book.
That past love is an example that your memories may reflect a distorted version of the actual events that took place. It's a case of what you think, of your perceptions of people and past situations, and the truth about what they were and how they really happened.
I think that Anna and Lazarus's relationship was greatly portrayed, because we went from blind, powerful love for someone, love that closed eyes on the cracks that existed betweeen them and then we got to a point when they finally noticed and acknowledged the cracks, and became better because of it - just separately.
WRITING
Writing language was actually really good, and I found only one scene that should have been rewritten, because it was a description with easily fixable repetitions of its - so, really, no issues with it.
GENRE
Now onto the plot, which was good, juuust - all over the genres. The frequent changes to the tone of the story were actually one of the two issues that I had with this book.
We follow the characters through multiple scenarios, that are part of the main plot, but at the same time read like chapters taken from different versions of this story.
So half of the book is fantasy, then the main plot is a quest, with Witcher like intervals - fighting monsters and whatnot - then we have a bit of mystery and then challenges to get a price - it's kind of like the different storylines didn't really stay in the same genre - something just didn't work there.
WORLDBUILDING
There was too much mixed into this world - the magic system, the advancement of certain places, as well as the creature variety, was kind of all over the place.
It was like a mix of magic and science, but with most of the world being medieval like, the extent of the science part just made no sense - I mean it was better then our technology. We go from a simple fantasy town, to a still simple buildings, but now there are automatons everywhere and water systems and electricity and advanced medicine achieved without magic. It was all just mutually exluding itself.
Also the range of magical happenings - we have the main *decaying during the day* thing, and then one of the important side characters has some very convenient electricity powers (I don't remember specifically what they were, because I didn't write it down in my notes, oops 😅, but they were definitely out of place in the already established world). And when it's mostly thanks to him, that the plot progresses and that they can go on this journey and deal with one of the main problems of the book, it's emm, well, not good.
And the monsters - like I said, a lot of Witcher type of creatures there, and suddenly a monster from a different lore (I don't remember the exact type, but it was from like mythology or something - it was also a part of one of the big side plots) - I don't know how to feel about this. And the explanation for this creature (that read like it was from a completely different story) did not make the existence of a random creature better.
Oh yes, and the unicorns.
Be aware that the unicorns are quite a big plot point, and while it's a really well made plot point, every time I read "unicorns" I felt a bit silly.
I suppose it's because unicorns aren't really connected with seriousness, they're more associated with magic and childhood dreams and not really a main serious point of a fantasy? ya/na? book.
But I have to say, their storyline was executed very well.
Still it was just a complete mashup of lores - so: original magic system/happenings, creatures from mythology (I suppose), unicorns and then the sciency stuff.
It's not that they weren't good on their own, it just that they didn't connect in any way.
And also the cotton face masks, because I have to comment on that - I understand that our world makes an impact on how the stories are currently written, but in the context of the story, some sort of plague masks would be more understandable. Also they all had to wear masks, because they thought the sickness could transport through air, but then one of the characters just touches the sick person?!?!?!
idek 🤷
PLOT
Part of the book does rely on, emm how to say it, on producing convenient situations or things -
we have the dark creatures and unicorns, but we also have a sentient building, or Aistoneou's mechanical/magical inventions, or hearing the voice of the temple (talking, thinking building) in your head, or even the scientific stuff in the magical temple's tasks (the trials that I talked about earlier) - zero explanation, or characters omitting the logic/ mechanism of how it is possible - for example "it's hard to explain" 🙄
One of the challenges in the trials portion of the book was even more out of place. Well, all the challenges were - like I said before, parts of this book didn't really feel conected to the rest of the book in terms of genre and overall sense of the story. They were highly sciency and didn't really have the magical feel to them, and in this particular challenge, the room was getting smaller??? - and I just don't really see how it makes sense in terms of the story. Like, what is the logic behind the temple and its tasks? How do they fit into this magic system? If I had to answer, I would have to say, that world wise, they do not make sense at all.
I did like the intent behind the second task though.
Also when I heard the author's statement (which said that the ending would be positive, with no problems), I thought the ending would be uncharacteristically happy.
I'm glad to report that it was a well written, fullfilling resolution to the story.
It was generally happy in its tone, but as it was preceded by bitter sweet, painful moments, I would categorize it as "everything ended happily, but we did suffer along the way" type of ending - and I absolutely love this type of conclusion to stories. 🤩
OVERALL / ENDING THOUGHTS
I also want to say, that I do not agree with a review that said that the characters read like early teenagers. I would say that they act like normal young adults. The dialogues are well planned and almost all of their actions are justified or just make sense.
The Ankou is definitely a well written character. Who yes, has an opinion of being very dark and mysterious, someone to be feared, and yet, he's just a person. A good one at that. Other characters' views of him, their attitude towards him are also well written - some fear him, some still don't trust him, even though he appears kind and helpful, and some just treat him with understandable caution or respect.
And while I agree that the book didn't really make me connect with the story at first, when a big plot point involving Lazarus was introducted - I was hooked.
Though I have to say that something didn't really click in the middle part, I mean it was ok, I just didn't feel it - it might've been the lack of urgency, or not enough elaboration on certain emotions or the sudden changing of the genre for a scene (the fantasy journey into monster hunting that is).
So there are faults in the worldbuilding, but the story overall is very entertaining. From my understanding, the assault part of the book was important for the author, so while I don't think it would be /it's neccessary for the story, it also doesn't detract from it.
To be honest, after seeing that review, I was a bit shocked at most of the opinions that were in it, because for a moment it seemed like we read different books - but maybe it's a case that just some people shouldn't read certain genres if they don't like them.
Overall I really enjoyed this book, it has ups and downs, but it's a pretty strong story that I had an enjoyable time reading.
Also, it's the second ever published book for this author, and not only do I think its a good story, I mean I've read many not as good, but I'm also curious what the author comes up with next.
...more
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