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librarianlayla's Reviews (954)
A great short story to tide me over until the second book comes out next month - I honestly canot wait. Do not sleep on this series if you are a fan of sci-fi, or of Les Miserables!
3.5 stars.
I'm struggling with my feelings about this novel. It was slow to start, and there were a few niggly things that tugged at me. I think the premise was really good, and had it focused on more of the spooky side, than trying to tie a romance into it, I feel that it would have come across a little better. The romantic side of things seemed out of place and unnecessary to the story. It could have been a fantastic horror novel otherwise, I just felt a complete lack of depth to the entire romance aspect.
I'm struggling with my feelings about this novel. It was slow to start, and there were a few niggly things that tugged at me. I think the premise was really good, and had it focused on more of the spooky side, than trying to tie a romance into it, I feel that it would have come across a little better. The romantic side of things seemed out of place and unnecessary to the story. It could have been a fantastic horror novel otherwise, I just felt a complete lack of depth to the entire romance aspect.
I received an eARC of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A story filled with intrigue, fire and mystery. Loveable characters, heart racing spectacles with an undercurrent of sadness weaving it's way through.
If I had anything negative to say it would be that at times the story feels that it's dragging, and the time line can seem a little off and confusing. Also, not much is answered at all about any of the mysteries that are laid bare, which whilst makes for intrigue, can be a little frustrating when you reach the last page.
However I loved the depth to the characters, even those who don't feature in the spotlight. Care has been taken with each one of them and that's always something I look for in a story. I really enjoyed the tension between the two main characters, as I'm a sucker for any kind of angst.
Fans of books such as Caraval, The Night Circus and The Folk of the Air trilogy might just enjoy this book.
A story filled with intrigue, fire and mystery. Loveable characters, heart racing spectacles with an undercurrent of sadness weaving it's way through.
If I had anything negative to say it would be that at times the story feels that it's dragging, and the time line can seem a little off and confusing. Also, not much is answered at all about any of the mysteries that are laid bare, which whilst makes for intrigue, can be a little frustrating when you reach the last page.
However I loved the depth to the characters, even those who don't feature in the spotlight. Care has been taken with each one of them and that's always something I look for in a story. I really enjoyed the tension between the two main characters, as I'm a sucker for any kind of angst.
Fans of books such as Caraval, The Night Circus and The Folk of the Air trilogy might just enjoy this book.
I received an eARC of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Heartfelt, inspiring and wonderful. I cannot recommend this enough.
A unique tale inspired by The Wizard of Oz accompanied by stunning, emotive illustrations. The tale of Canto and his people will draw the reader in instantly and you can't help but root for this little hero. I was captivated and felt so much in such a short amount of time, this is how you do a graphic novel and do it well.
Heartfelt, inspiring and wonderful. I cannot recommend this enough.
A unique tale inspired by The Wizard of Oz accompanied by stunning, emotive illustrations. The tale of Canto and his people will draw the reader in instantly and you can't help but root for this little hero. I was captivated and felt so much in such a short amount of time, this is how you do a graphic novel and do it well.
I received an eARC of this through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Beautiful illustrations accompany this fast paced paranormal, magical story.
A fantastic collection of interesting characters are introduced in this first installment to this series. A mystery that needs to be solved, bringing together four unique individuals with various powers and forging unlikely friendships.
Really grips the reader from start to finish.
Fans of both Marvel and DC comics will enjoy this.
Beautiful illustrations accompany this fast paced paranormal, magical story.
A fantastic collection of interesting characters are introduced in this first installment to this series. A mystery that needs to be solved, bringing together four unique individuals with various powers and forging unlikely friendships.
Really grips the reader from start to finish.
Fans of both Marvel and DC comics will enjoy this.
3.5/4 stars.
I have mixed feelings about this book, so apologies if this is more all over the place rambling, than review.
The main character, Elizabeth, spends an obscene amount of time swooning, or passing out entirely during the first three quarters of this book and honestly with little to no depth to her, became rather frustrating.
There are some scene's, particularly in the middle, that remind me very much of Beauty and the Beast. And if there is one thing that Margaret can do well, it is to describe a scene with regards to appearance and decor ect. Sadly though there is a lot of time spent describing surroundings and not enough done with characters. Bar Silas, he was the only character I felt anything for.
As with An Enchantment of Ravens, I enjoyed the story idea, but the characters were lacking. What book lover wouldn't love a book about libraries and magical books/grimoires, however I need to feel for my characters. I need to go on their journey with them, feel their emotions. Elizabeth had little to no layers to her at all, Nathaniel was marginally more intriguing, Katrien was far more interesting than the pair of them put together, but had only a marginal role. And as I've said before, Silas was the character that had the most appeal, and I cared about the most.
Margaret is fantastic at writing out detailed scenes, painting a beautiful picture of the areas the characters are in. She just hasn't quite mastered depth to her characters yet. Once she does though, I feel her books will truly be outstanding as she has fantastic ideas, this was a much needed story I just wish the characters were more.
I have mixed feelings about this book, so apologies if this is more all over the place rambling, than review.
The main character, Elizabeth, spends an obscene amount of time swooning, or passing out entirely during the first three quarters of this book and honestly with little to no depth to her, became rather frustrating.
There are some scene's, particularly in the middle, that remind me very much of Beauty and the Beast. And if there is one thing that Margaret can do well, it is to describe a scene with regards to appearance and decor ect. Sadly though there is a lot of time spent describing surroundings and not enough done with characters. Bar Silas, he was the only character I felt anything for.
As with An Enchantment of Ravens, I enjoyed the story idea, but the characters were lacking. What book lover wouldn't love a book about libraries and magical books/grimoires, however I need to feel for my characters. I need to go on their journey with them, feel their emotions. Elizabeth had little to no layers to her at all, Nathaniel was marginally more intriguing, Katrien was far more interesting than the pair of them put together, but had only a marginal role. And as I've said before, Silas was the character that had the most appeal, and I cared about the most.
Margaret is fantastic at writing out detailed scenes, painting a beautiful picture of the areas the characters are in. She just hasn't quite mastered depth to her characters yet. Once she does though, I feel her books will truly be outstanding as she has fantastic ideas, this was a much needed story I just wish the characters were more.
3.5 stars.
This was a little slow to get into, however with recent events surrounding Coronavirus, I was drawn in to the thought of a virus, ending the world. And I'm thankful that I stayed with the story as there are some truly poignant and thought provoking moments, detailing humanities reaction to the end of the world. The ending was almost anti-climactic, I can see why it was done that way, but there had been so much build up for very little. I did however enjoy/appreciate the diversity of characters, with regards to their race, sexuality, life experiences ect.
This was a little slow to get into, however with recent events surrounding Coronavirus, I was drawn in to the thought of a virus, ending the world. And I'm thankful that I stayed with the story as there are some truly poignant and thought provoking moments, detailing humanities reaction to the end of the world. The ending was almost anti-climactic, I can see why it was done that way, but there had been so much build up for very little. I did however enjoy/appreciate the diversity of characters, with regards to their race, sexuality, life experiences ect.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
King Arthur's legend retold from the perspective of the oft forgotten Guinevere.
An interesting deception based story line concept that sadly didn't pull me in as much as I had hoped. It was an easy to read book, but I wasnt drawn in to the characters. Unfortunately they were all slightly bland and I kept clutching at the few delicious little nuggets that were thrown down, but they didn't last long enough to satisfy. The last quarter was the most interesting and gained my rating of 3.5 rather than the 3 it was sliding towards.
I had such high hopes for this due to being a fan of not only the legend of King Arthur, but also of the previous work I've read from Kiersten. It just didn't seem to have enough substance to it and the character of Guinevere had the potential to be such a complex interesting character but fell a little short.
I appreciated the concept and wish that the energy and depth to the story that came in the last 60 pages of the book had been present throughout.
King Arthur's legend retold from the perspective of the oft forgotten Guinevere.
An interesting deception based story line concept that sadly didn't pull me in as much as I had hoped. It was an easy to read book, but I wasnt drawn in to the characters. Unfortunately they were all slightly bland and I kept clutching at the few delicious little nuggets that were thrown down, but they didn't last long enough to satisfy. The last quarter was the most interesting and gained my rating of 3.5 rather than the 3 it was sliding towards.
I had such high hopes for this due to being a fan of not only the legend of King Arthur, but also of the previous work I've read from Kiersten. It just didn't seem to have enough substance to it and the character of Guinevere had the potential to be such a complex interesting character but fell a little short.
I appreciated the concept and wish that the energy and depth to the story that came in the last 60 pages of the book had been present throughout.
Magic, pirates and destiny.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this story, but it didn't disappoint. It has fantastic traction and gets better and better as you read, introducing characters in a fashion that gives you time to get a real feel for them. The latter half of this story really had me hooked and I didn't want to put it down.
The character dynamics, conflicts and growth really are given time to shine in this, and the beautifully described surroundings and engagements truly tie the whole story together.
I very much look forward to the next book in this duology.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this story, but it didn't disappoint. It has fantastic traction and gets better and better as you read, introducing characters in a fashion that gives you time to get a real feel for them. The latter half of this story really had me hooked and I didn't want to put it down.
The character dynamics, conflicts and growth really are given time to shine in this, and the beautifully described surroundings and engagements truly tie the whole story together.
I very much look forward to the next book in this duology.