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lizbethandthelifeinbetween
I thought I might enjoy this going in, for Kristen Cashore blurbed this and I have loved every book of hers with a passion.
This book seriously satisfied my craving for a good fantasy, which is odd, because it really isn't that much of a fantasy. Sure it takes place in a different world with green storms, but after that, not much else is very fantasy-esque. There's no magic and sure the people have gods, but it's a belief and not proof of magic in the society.
I can see why everyone was raving about it. The Winner's Curse is a great political novel though and I loved the minor conflict of might versus whit. There were just so many little things the nerd core of me loved like the moral implications of slavery, conquering and whether or not children (who might not have even been born at the time) should be held responsible for their forefather's actions.
This took me no time at all o read. I flew through it, hanging off of every word, utterly in love. I hope I can read the next one soon because I believe I'm certified trash for this series, the romance and the cover. I love how it took the girl in dresses trope and spun it on its head (sort literally?).
This book seriously satisfied my craving for a good fantasy, which is odd, because it really isn't that much of a fantasy. Sure it takes place in a different world with green storms, but after that, not much else is very fantasy-esque. There's no magic and sure the people have gods, but it's a belief and not proof of magic in the society.
I can see why everyone was raving about it. The Winner's Curse is a great political novel though and I loved the minor conflict of might versus whit. There were just so many little things the nerd core of me loved like the moral implications of slavery, conquering and whether or not children (who might not have even been born at the time) should be held responsible for their forefather's actions.
This took me no time at all o read. I flew through it, hanging off of every word, utterly in love. I hope I can read the next one soon because I believe I'm certified trash for this series, the romance and the cover. I love how it took the girl in dresses trope and spun it on its head (sort literally?).
This was a reread. After absolutely loving [b:Tess of the Road|35046472|Tess of the Road (Tess of the Road, #1)|Rachel Hartman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1503599285l/35046472._SY75_.jpg|53793345], I decided to go back to the roos of Godredd for the first time in four years. I have to say, it's better upon the reread but even bore that, I was very alarmed that I was the only person in four years to have taken this our from the library, including the person who gotten it out the first week before I did. This book is really good and original. So original in fact, that I did not like it upon my first reading because it did not have the epic sense of dragons I was looking for and instead gave them their own original characterization. Now I do have more of an appreciation for how the author considers what it would be like to live with dragon and war against them in a way I haven't read about, ever, I believe. This book a truly original and refr3eshing and I would recommend it to only the hardcore fantasy lovers.
2.5
This is a sequel and I'm so confused. I got lost about half-way through, but I really liked Iko in the first book and just pressed on. I should probably revisit this once I finish the series because right now I find it pretty confusing and I'm not really sure who most of the characters are or why I care about them.
This is a sequel and I'm so confused. I got lost about half-way through, but I really liked Iko in the first book and just pressed on. I should probably revisit this once I finish the series because right now I find it pretty confusing and I'm not really sure who most of the characters are or why I care about them.
2.5
*I put down the book and let out a breath fo relief, knowing that I can finally review it.*
There are so many people complaining that x character is a rip off of Celena. I propose you this: Celena is the sucky rip-off of Katsa (and practically all the leading ladies) in The Graceling Realm by Kristin Cashore. Seriously, that was all I could think about while reading this. She's a knockoff Kasta in a knock off court ruled by a knockoff King Leck and is also filling the role (to some degree) of a knockoff Bitterblue and Fire. I love that series with all my heart and I really could not fall into this and enjoy it because of that. I am bitter that this is more popular and Graceling is not. And people go around getting mad at "Celena rip-offs". Graceling came out in 2008. Fire came out in 2009 and Bitterblue hit shelves in 2012 (although I get that publishing takes years so this one might not count for much).
Also, everyone talking about her names and calling her Aelin when they said they didn't want to spoil the series spoiled the plot twist of this book. I can't even tell you if it was obvious or not, though judging that it's similar toCinder by Marrissa Meyer , it was probably something that someone would have deduced if they were fully captivated by the plot. Which, as I mentioned above, was very hard for me for many reasons.
*I let out a calming breath*
On a lighter note, I can see why it has the hype and not just because it's a knockoff of one of the best YA fantasy trilogies ever written. It has a lot of interesting elements and ideas, but they were not executed well. I'm not a fan of Celena's character. I'm a fan of the idea of Celena. She sounds cool, but liking cake is not a personality trait. Being instantly attractive to all the important people is not a personality trait. Having remorse for killing, sure I guess, but it just makes her character weird and inconsistent, and it makes me believe like there should be a lot more to her characterization but there isn't. And then I just think back to how well Katsa is everything she is not and, well...
This book was enjoyable. It was fun, light read. I will give it that. It's better than the first one, and after reading the Assassin's Blade I believe there's more promise for improvement as this series continues. I also bought the next two installments at Value Village some time ago, so I'm glad this didn't put me off the series completely. I'm actually really excited to see where this goes if the story improves, but I have read mixed reviews for some of the later volumes so I'm not sure. But that has nothing to do with this book other than to point out that it has potential. It just doesn't live up to it.
Does it live up to the hype? Kind of? I guess? I can't say that it blew me away and that I will now sing Sarah J. Maas's praises from every rooftop, but it wasn't heinously bad. Just very disappointing. Maybe because of the hype. I have a feeling if you haven't read Graceling you would like this a lot more than I did. Because all I was thinking about was Katsa, and how she bridged the gap between Middle Grade and YA for me, and how deeply connected I felt for the character and how much I enjoyed Bitterblue and found Fire interesting and reread them for years until I finally had the courage to read more YA. I didn't feel any of that here. Someone else might though, and I'll be happy for them.
And at the very least, SJM is improving as a writer. Maybe her future works will be something I will love. There is that potential. I don't yet believe that it has been squashed.
*I let out another apprehensive breath that I had been holding now that I've finally gotten down all my pent-up thoughts.*
And if this review seems long, somehow, this book felt long. Like I was enjoying, but about 70% of the way through I was just waiting and waiting and waiting for it to be over.
This review is over now
At least, I'm pretty sure it.
Gotta make sure I have nothing else smart to say.
No, I don't.
This review is over.
*I put down the book and let out a breath fo relief, knowing that I can finally review it.*
There are so many people complaining that x character is a rip off of Celena. I propose you this: Celena is the sucky rip-off of Katsa (and practically all the leading ladies) in The Graceling Realm by Kristin Cashore. Seriously, that was all I could think about while reading this. She's a knockoff Kasta in a knock off court ruled by a knockoff King Leck and is also filling the role (to some degree) of a knockoff Bitterblue and Fire. I love that series with all my heart and I really could not fall into this and enjoy it because of that. I am bitter that this is more popular and Graceling is not. And people go around getting mad at "Celena rip-offs". Graceling came out in 2008. Fire came out in 2009 and Bitterblue hit shelves in 2012 (although I get that publishing takes years so this one might not count for much).
Also, everyone talking about her names and calling her Aelin when they said they didn't want to spoil the series spoiled the plot twist of this book. I can't even tell you if it was obvious or not, though judging that it's similar to
*I let out a calming breath*
On a lighter note, I can see why it has the hype and not just because it's a knockoff of one of the best YA fantasy trilogies ever written. It has a lot of interesting elements and ideas, but they were not executed well. I'm not a fan of Celena's character. I'm a fan of the idea of Celena. She sounds cool, but liking cake is not a personality trait. Being instantly attractive to all the important people is not a personality trait. Having remorse for killing, sure I guess, but it just makes her character weird and inconsistent, and it makes me believe like there should be a lot more to her characterization but there isn't. And then I just think back to how well Katsa is everything she is not and, well...
This book was enjoyable. It was fun, light read. I will give it that. It's better than the first one, and after reading the Assassin's Blade I believe there's more promise for improvement as this series continues. I also bought the next two installments at Value Village some time ago, so I'm glad this didn't put me off the series completely. I'm actually really excited to see where this goes if the story improves, but I have read mixed reviews for some of the later volumes so I'm not sure. But that has nothing to do with this book other than to point out that it has potential. It just doesn't live up to it.
Does it live up to the hype? Kind of? I guess? I can't say that it blew me away and that I will now sing Sarah J. Maas's praises from every rooftop, but it wasn't heinously bad. Just very disappointing. Maybe because of the hype. I have a feeling if you haven't read Graceling you would like this a lot more than I did. Because all I was thinking about was Katsa, and how she bridged the gap between Middle Grade and YA for me, and how deeply connected I felt for the character and how much I enjoyed Bitterblue and found Fire interesting and reread them for years until I finally had the courage to read more YA. I didn't feel any of that here. Someone else might though, and I'll be happy for them.
And at the very least, SJM is improving as a writer. Maybe her future works will be something I will love. There is that potential. I don't yet believe that it has been squashed.
*I let out another apprehensive breath that I had been holding now that I've finally gotten down all my pent-up thoughts.*
And if this review seems long, somehow, this book felt long. Like I was enjoying, but about 70% of the way through I was just waiting and waiting and waiting for it to be over.
This review is over now
At least, I'm pretty sure it.
Gotta make sure I have nothing else smart to say.
No, I don't.
This review is over.
The ebook read didn't have a distinction between who was writing what, however, it was pretty easy to figure it out. I found this pretty interesting but it was also kind of boring in some areas. I appreciate the map of Idris though. I love maps.
3.5
I don't have much to say about this that I haven't covered before. But I will say that unlike the other two books this one did not drag on. I was hoping for a more epic finale though. This one felt very tame in comparison to the last two in the series.
I don't have much to say about this that I haven't covered before. But I will say that unlike the other two books this one did not drag on. I was hoping for a more epic finale though. This one felt very tame in comparison to the last two in the series.
I did not enjoy this. There was too much going on and none of it was very interesting.
2.5
Leaning a bit more to three stars, so I might boost it later on. This was enjoyable, but not really up my alley. I don't hate it, but I don't like it that much either. I've definitely read retelling or reimaginations that I've liked more. It's defiantly not bad, but it's just not my favourite. The Goodreads standards for 2 stars "It's okay" is how I feel about this.
I just thought there would be a bit more to this. And I've probably already read it too as I was having a lot of deja vu, but also thinking "this can't be it, there's more right?" and there wasn't. It's quite short.
I'm also not a fan of the story structure either. I prefer plot-based things and am not a fan of episodic, seemingly unrelated chapters. However, this is not the worse example of this style that I've read. There's a lot more cohesion and continuity to it.
Leaning a bit more to three stars, so I might boost it later on. This was enjoyable, but not really up my alley. I don't hate it, but I don't like it that much either. I've definitely read retelling or reimaginations that I've liked more. It's defiantly not bad, but it's just not my favourite. The Goodreads standards for 2 stars "It's okay" is how I feel about this.
I just thought there would be a bit more to this. And I've probably already read it too as I was having a lot of deja vu, but also thinking "this can't be it, there's more right?" and there wasn't. It's quite short.
I'm also not a fan of the story structure either. I prefer plot-based things and am not a fan of episodic, seemingly unrelated chapters. However, this is not the worse example of this style that I've read. There's a lot more cohesion and continuity to it.
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I have a lot to say but can't really be bothered to write up a long review. Basically what I've thought about all the other books. Also, this series just majorly departs from the first book so much when they try and tie things in from the first book it just makes me think how absolutely not set up these concepts were in the first book, especially when you think about what the author wanted ToG to be. It can't be rags to riches if you had riched to begging with.
Also, why aren't we seeing Aelin make all these strategies? She seems so vapid and uninterested and then boom, actually, she was doing smart stuff. Can we please see her do the smart stuff?
Also, why aren't we seeing Aelin make all these strategies? She seems so vapid and uninterested and then boom, actually, she was doing smart stuff. Can we please see her do the smart stuff?
4.5
Loved this. Wasn't a huge fan of all three stories, but they were all unique in their own ways. Each narrator had their own strong and distinct voice. I think I would have enjoyed this more if it had not been four years since I read the series as there were a lot of names and character I recognized but I could not 100% piece together how they all interact and connect. This is amazing though and Paige is an amazing and talent writer and I adore her retellings. I just love how she made Oz feel like Oz, yet like her own version as well.
This is just really well done. Highly recommenced.
Loved this. Wasn't a huge fan of all three stories, but they were all unique in their own ways. Each narrator had their own strong and distinct voice. I think I would have enjoyed this more if it had not been four years since I read the series as there were a lot of names and character I recognized but I could not 100% piece together how they all interact and connect. This is amazing though and Paige is an amazing and talent writer and I adore her retellings. I just love how she made Oz feel like Oz, yet like her own version as well.
This is just really well done. Highly recommenced.