competencefantasy's Reviews (912)

Not the most sophisticated book I've ever read. However its accessible and nicely paced. A couple scenes genuinely got to me. It even brings back some of the feeling of reading game of thrones before that became *a thing*. So I suppose I don't care if it's actually technically good. At the end of the day the good book is the one my brain actually lets me finish

I like everything about this book very much, except Cara. I love her unreservedly.

2nd reading: The Kiran and Ruslan abusive "loving" parent subplot has also really grown on me. Shocker there lol.

The worldbuilding on this is really tops.

So sweet and pleasant. Relaxed me after a stressful night. I love the art and the little dragons. I would like to learn more about the blacksmithing plotline as well. Overall a lovely bedtime story.

This is one of those things that I think needs to be performed. In print it was hard to follow the part changes. I also felt like I was going to he asked to write an essay at any moment. I think the themes of nature nationality race class and gender were all interesting. However, I never did quite figure where they were going.

The first book had an underlying horror style with the reveals amping up to a climatic mess. This installment has to work with the weird situation that many of the characters are supposed to be in recovery from their book one reveals. As a result the story can't really decide whether to be earnest or dark. However it does present a plausible aftermath for the first book and I had a good time with it. Be prepared to get mixed up about who is sympathetic though.

Rereading this one. It was a big deal to me as a child and very much part of my internal landscape. So it's funny after the fact to come back and find it could almost be a parody. I took it so serious as a kiddo. Still sweet and wholesome though.

I might have raced through this one a little too fast. The book is a juxtaposition of parental abuse with the somewhat nationalistic fancination with early "primative" tribes. I thought it did a good job building atmosphere and tension. I didn't expect the ending but wasn't mad at it. Short and creepy.

This is a very useful simple instructional story. My relation to this as a teacher, and so it was useful to me to see what was framed as helpful and unhelpful from teachers. There's some adjustment since my students are older, but it gave me a lot to think about. I also found it useful to see the framing of the character being excited to fast. It was useful for me to see.