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acedimski 's review for:
Wicked Saints
by Emily A. Duncan
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You can sell anything to me that involves slavic folklore or is inspired by it, and I wouldn't be able to contain my excitement. Thus why I couldn't wait to lay my hands on this book, and dive into a world that is ruled by blood magic, has saints (and them being wicked!), and is described as the perfect book for "The Darkling" fans. But this book has been a total let-down. I wish I could say I enjoyed one aspect of the story, but if I truly try to think of one, it's probably chapter 1-3 and then it stops right theeeeere.
Don't take me wrong, I can see why this book can be loved, and I truly can see the potential for this story. But this felt more like a rough idea, a not developed concept, a love letter to characters like The Darkling but forgetting to introduce the character properly. Many times I happened to stop in the middle of a page and ask myself what editor would let this happen as many many many times I just stood there, confused and bored.
The characters were flat. I couldn't feel for them, or understand them. They seemed to have one trait, and if another trait or habit was convienant for that part of the story, then they would gain it and lose it again. Just like that. You can't make a guy an alcoholic, but then again, he seems to be dealing pretty well with his trauma? I was not able to understand where all of that was coming from, and it was written from his POV. Nadya's devotion to her gods, and then her breaking some rules was predictable, but whatever she was feeling about it, just felt like utter nonsense... because it simply made NO sense. As of the villain... If that should be a love letter to the Darkling, then I ask myself if whoever has promoted this book has truly read the Grishaverse? Because it's a shame to even COMPARE these two.
Anyways, I don't feel good to only talk about negative aspects, and I did decide to rate this book two stars, but simply because I could see the POTENTIAL! I could see why it might appeal to other people. The more I think of this book, the more I lean towards 1 star-rating, but since those are reserved for DNF's, I will keep it like this.
You can sell anything to me that involves slavic folklore or is inspired by it, and I wouldn't be able to contain my excitement. Thus why I couldn't wait to lay my hands on this book, and dive into a world that is ruled by blood magic, has saints (and them being wicked!), and is described as the perfect book for "The Darkling" fans. But this book has been a total let-down. I wish I could say I enjoyed one aspect of the story, but if I truly try to think of one, it's probably chapter 1-3 and then it stops right theeeeere.
Don't take me wrong, I can see why this book can be loved, and I truly can see the potential for this story. But this felt more like a rough idea, a not developed concept, a love letter to characters like The Darkling but forgetting to introduce the character properly. Many times I happened to stop in the middle of a page and ask myself what editor would let this happen as many many many times I just stood there, confused and bored.
The characters were flat. I couldn't feel for them, or understand them. They seemed to have one trait, and if another trait or habit was convienant for that part of the story, then they would gain it and lose it again. Just like that. You can't make a guy an alcoholic, but then again, he seems to be dealing pretty well with his trauma? I was not able to understand where all of that was coming from, and it was written from his POV. Nadya's devotion to her gods, and then her breaking some rules was predictable, but whatever she was feeling about it, just felt like utter nonsense... because it simply made NO sense. As of the villain... If that should be a love letter to the Darkling, then I ask myself if whoever has promoted this book has truly read the Grishaverse? Because it's a shame to even COMPARE these two.
Anyways, I don't feel good to only talk about negative aspects, and I did decide to rate this book two stars, but simply because I could see the POTENTIAL! I could see why it might appeal to other people. The more I think of this book, the more I lean towards 1 star-rating, but since those are reserved for DNF's, I will keep it like this.