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blewballoon 's review for:

The Warden by Daniel M. Ford
3.25
adventurous mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

This was okay. It wasn't quite what I was hoping for (mostly based on the cover) and I think my expectations were a little too high. This read like a YA book to me, which is fine, but I think my biggest hang-up was that I never really liked Aelis and the book is entrenched in her experiences and thoughts.

I found Aelis self absorbed and entitled, and while some characters responded positively to her more abrasive approach to people, I thought she was unnecessarily rude. She did have some moments where she was more reasonable after insulting people, but it felt to me like there was a lot of room for character improvement that doesn't seem to be coming because she mostly didn't face any consequences for her attitude. 

I didn't find the residents of Lone Pine particularly interesting either, and her interactions with them take up the bulk of the first half of the book. I did like the love interest (who plays a very minor role and is absent for most of the story) and the huntsman/guide she works with for a portion of the second half of the book. I also thought the plot mysteries were fairly intriguing, and they are what mostly got me through to the end.

The audiobook narrator was good, I think they matched the energy the author intended. 

Not sure if I will continue with the series or not, I had a physical copy of this book and I might just donate it.

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