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abbie_ 's review for:
A Winter's Promise
by Christelle Dabos
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was super excited for this fantasy novel translated from French, especially since it's rare for me to read international fantasy fiction. Unfortunately, my expectations may have been too high and I was left wanting in the end.
Usually the job of a first novel in a series is to set the scene, lay the groundwork, world-build, basically clue the reader into everything that's going on. I think Dabos took this role too seriously, in that everything was laying the groundwork for book two and a good 300 pages of the 500 felt like filler.
The writing was lovely, the translation by Hildegarde Serle smooth, so it wasn't a chore to read. But I did feel like I was plodding through the first 350 pages. Nothing much was happening except Ophelia sneezing constantly and the reader being reminded every other page that Thorn, her fiancé (not by choice), is tall. He's really tall, okay? There were glimmers of interest, like Gail the mechanic, a hidden member of a former family forced to live in secrecy, but they'd be quickly extinguished in favour of more plodding.
It wasn't until page 350 that something actually happened which made me sit up and take note. From then until the end, it was a pacier read and I enjoyed the scandal and intrigue of the court. Annoyingly the ending really did make me want to read book two, but it basically could have been condensed into 200 pages and then onto book two, rather than 500.
I clearly have very different expectations for genres. It's not like me to complain about a lack of action, but with my fantasy I need action. I'd happily read a 300 page literary fiction novel with literally no action and all introspection. But fantasy? I need something, I need a hook. Maybe it wouldn't have been as disappointing had I warmed up to the characters more as well. Ophelia is... fine? I don't dislike her but I wouldn't say I particularly loved her either. I sort of got 'I'm not like other girls and I don't like other girls' vibes from her. Thorn is extremely blah. And tall. And also I'm not convinced by the progression of their relationship at all.
So overall, underwhelming. I am curious about the ending and will likely continue with the series... but I can't see myself rushing to it this year.
Usually the job of a first novel in a series is to set the scene, lay the groundwork, world-build, basically clue the reader into everything that's going on. I think Dabos took this role too seriously, in that everything was laying the groundwork for book two and a good 300 pages of the 500 felt like filler.
The writing was lovely, the translation by Hildegarde Serle smooth, so it wasn't a chore to read. But I did feel like I was plodding through the first 350 pages. Nothing much was happening except Ophelia sneezing constantly and the reader being reminded every other page that Thorn, her fiancé (not by choice), is tall. He's really tall, okay? There were glimmers of interest, like Gail the mechanic, a hidden member of a former family forced to live in secrecy, but they'd be quickly extinguished in favour of more plodding.
It wasn't until page 350 that something actually happened which made me sit up and take note. From then until the end, it was a pacier read and I enjoyed the scandal and intrigue of the court. Annoyingly the ending really did make me want to read book two, but it basically could have been condensed into 200 pages and then onto book two, rather than 500.
I clearly have very different expectations for genres. It's not like me to complain about a lack of action, but with my fantasy I need action. I'd happily read a 300 page literary fiction novel with literally no action and all introspection. But fantasy? I need something, I need a hook. Maybe it wouldn't have been as disappointing had I warmed up to the characters more as well. Ophelia is... fine? I don't dislike her but I wouldn't say I particularly loved her either. I sort of got 'I'm not like other girls and I don't like other girls' vibes from her. Thorn is extremely blah. And tall. And also I'm not convinced by the progression of their relationship at all.
So overall, underwhelming. I am curious about the ending and will likely continue with the series... but I can't see myself rushing to it this year.