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shealea 's review for:
The Heart Forger
by Rin Chupeco
Update (14 Nov 2020):
My third time reading this book and here I am, broken and still crying over the same scenes.
Update (07 Jan 2019):
I now have hardbound copies of the first two books, and I've decided to reread them before diving into my ARC of The Shadow Glass.
My initial review already nicely summarizes how much I loved The Heart Forger. This book is straight up perfection, really. However, I think it's worth noting that I never expected to love the romantic development in this sequel so much? Tea and her love interest (I won't be dropping names, as it spoils the first book) are so adorable together! I've never swooned so hard for a pairing in a YA fantasy before, and I think that's really saying something.
Undoubtedly still a five-star read for me.
Rating: 5 stars
* Read the full reviews in my natural habitat: The Bone Witch | The Heart Forger | The Shadow Glass
*****
One of the most noticeable differences between The Bone Witch and The Heart Forger is that while the former was anchored to its characters, the latter was significantly more plot-driven. With the intricacies of the world-building already firmly established in the first book, The Heart Forger was given a lot of allowance to place more weight in its plot – a plot that is very faintly reminiscent to numerous dark fantasy novels, but without compromising the integrity and ingenuity of its original premise.
On its own, The Heart Forger is an incredibly well-thought, phenomenally written fantasy told in hauntingly compelling narratives at a thrillingly suspenseful pace. What I really loved about it was the author’s ability in expertly balancing out all the elements. The eventfulness of the plot never compromised the complexity or the development of the characters, especially Tea. The faster pacing never took away any depth – be it in terms of character relationships, themes, or impact. The deepening of a romantic relationship that was only hinted at in The Bone Witch was effective without overshadowing any of the other crucial elements.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that I can continue raving about The Heart Forger for hours and hours, but let me keep this as simple as I can. Basically, this sequel was everything I could hope for and more: excellently placed tension, subtle social commentary, meaningful and relevant themes, surprising reveals from both main and supporting character roles, engrossing and effective writing, and more insight to tons of unanswered questions while still leaving hopelessly obsessed readers, such as myself, wanting more and more and more. Book 3, I cannot wait to get my hands on you!
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of The Heart Forger as part of my participation in a blog tour. This neither affects my opinion nor the content of my review. Thank you very much to the blog tour organizers (The Fantastic Flying Book Club) and the publisher for the opportunity!
Actual rating: 5 stars
* Read the full review (as well as an interview with the author herself!) in my natural habitat.
My third time reading this book and here I am, broken and still crying over the same scenes.
Update (07 Jan 2019):
I now have hardbound copies of the first two books, and I've decided to reread them before diving into my ARC of The Shadow Glass.
My initial review already nicely summarizes how much I loved The Heart Forger. This book is straight up perfection, really. However, I think it's worth noting that I never expected to love the romantic development in this sequel so much? Tea and her love interest (I won't be dropping names, as it spoils the first book) are so adorable together! I've never swooned so hard for a pairing in a YA fantasy before, and I think that's really saying something.
Undoubtedly still a five-star read for me.
Rating: 5 stars
* Read the full reviews in my natural habitat: The Bone Witch | The Heart Forger | The Shadow Glass
*****
One of the most noticeable differences between The Bone Witch and The Heart Forger is that while the former was anchored to its characters, the latter was significantly more plot-driven. With the intricacies of the world-building already firmly established in the first book, The Heart Forger was given a lot of allowance to place more weight in its plot – a plot that is very faintly reminiscent to numerous dark fantasy novels, but without compromising the integrity and ingenuity of its original premise.
On its own, The Heart Forger is an incredibly well-thought, phenomenally written fantasy told in hauntingly compelling narratives at a thrillingly suspenseful pace. What I really loved about it was the author’s ability in expertly balancing out all the elements. The eventfulness of the plot never compromised the complexity or the development of the characters, especially Tea. The faster pacing never took away any depth – be it in terms of character relationships, themes, or impact. The deepening of a romantic relationship that was only hinted at in The Bone Witch was effective without overshadowing any of the other crucial elements.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that I can continue raving about The Heart Forger for hours and hours, but let me keep this as simple as I can. Basically, this sequel was everything I could hope for and more: excellently placed tension, subtle social commentary, meaningful and relevant themes, surprising reveals from both main and supporting character roles, engrossing and effective writing, and more insight to tons of unanswered questions while still leaving hopelessly obsessed readers, such as myself, wanting more and more and more. Book 3, I cannot wait to get my hands on you!
Disclosure: I received a digital copy of The Heart Forger as part of my participation in a blog tour. This neither affects my opinion nor the content of my review. Thank you very much to the blog tour organizers (The Fantastic Flying Book Club) and the publisher for the opportunity!
Actual rating: 5 stars
* Read the full review (as well as an interview with the author herself!) in my natural habitat.