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1.59k reviews by:
samantha_randolph
4.5/5 stars
Something about Vicky Savage's writing is so engrossing and wonderfully detailed. Once I read the first chapter, I was already super intrigued and dying to know more. Jaden is such a strong, kick ass character with a wonderful habit of trying to find out the truth on her own, regardless of what the people around her are saying. I loved seeing Domerica through her eyes, especially with the touching element of her mother added in, and the world building is just phenomenal. Her love interest, Ryder, is not only swoony, but adds such an interesting diverse aspect to the story. His love for his people is so strong, and I seriously ship him and Jaden. It's far too easy to get caught up in their story, and I happily paid the price of several hours of lost sleep to devour more of it.
What took away half a heart for me was the use of Jaden's slang. In Domerica, where she plays the princess, formal language is key. I understand a few slip ups (I would be terrible at speaking only formally), but it seemed at times she wasn't really understanding or acknowledging how important blending in was like Rals stressed to her. It's definitely more in there during the first half than the second, and it in no way stopped me from adoring Jaden and her story, but I did slightly affect the rating. Regardless, Transcender is absolutely a favorite of mine now!
4.5 Hearts!
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/07/blog-tour-transcender-trilogy-by-vicky_26.html
Something about Vicky Savage's writing is so engrossing and wonderfully detailed. Once I read the first chapter, I was already super intrigued and dying to know more. Jaden is such a strong, kick ass character with a wonderful habit of trying to find out the truth on her own, regardless of what the people around her are saying. I loved seeing Domerica through her eyes, especially with the touching element of her mother added in, and the world building is just phenomenal. Her love interest, Ryder, is not only swoony, but adds such an interesting diverse aspect to the story. His love for his people is so strong, and I seriously ship him and Jaden. It's far too easy to get caught up in their story, and I happily paid the price of several hours of lost sleep to devour more of it.
What took away half a heart for me was the use of Jaden's slang. In Domerica, where she plays the princess, formal language is key. I understand a few slip ups (I would be terrible at speaking only formally), but it seemed at times she wasn't really understanding or acknowledging how important blending in was like Rals stressed to her. It's definitely more in there during the first half than the second, and it in no way stopped me from adoring Jaden and her story, but I did slightly affect the rating. Regardless, Transcender is absolutely a favorite of mine now!
4.5 Hearts!
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/07/blog-tour-transcender-trilogy-by-vicky_26.html
This second book does not disappoint!! I thought I flew through the first one, but it literally took me one night and one morning to read the second (I crashed during the night or I would have gladly stayed up super late to finish). I love Jaden's growth in this one so much. She has some serious choices to make in pretty much all aspects of her life, and they aren't easy. Though sometimes she gets overwhelmed, she faces them as best she can with so much strength and grace, showing how well she could be as a queen. Some scenes were so heartbreaking, but I thought Jaden handled everything so well. As for her and Ryder, I love how their relationship grows and changes as well. A lot has happened since Jaden left, and they have to find a way to deal with all that time. Though I got a little frustrated with them at times (in the best way), I think their journey is very realistic.
But once again, what blew my mind is the writing. It immerses you in the world of Domerica so thoroughly that you feel dazed trying to come back out of it. Between all the intense action going on around the characters are high levels of action going on inside them, and it makes the story nothing short of needing to be devoured.
5 Hearts!!
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/07/blog-tour-transcender-trilogy-by-vicky_26.html
But once again, what blew my mind is the writing. It immerses you in the world of Domerica so thoroughly that you feel dazed trying to come back out of it. Between all the intense action going on around the characters are high levels of action going on inside them, and it makes the story nothing short of needing to be devoured.
5 Hearts!!
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/07/blog-tour-transcender-trilogy-by-vicky_26.html
Short and Sweet:
I absolutely adored this! Bursting with beautiful writing and insanely lovable characters, Isabella Rockwell's War is perfect for anyone who enjoys historical middle grade! I desperately want to read more from this author.
To Elaborate...
When news of her beloved father's death reaches her, Isabella is determined to go find his missing body. Soon after she leaves, she gets more news that the kind woman who was like a mother to her died as well, and Isabella is sent from her home in India to London. There, she lives on the streets until she finds a gang of orphans who share a house. Soon, they become like family to her, but after saving the Princess's life, she will have to figure out where exactly her home is.
Incredible historical detail? Check.
Top notch character development that includes some serious heart-warming scenes? Check.
Really awesome and suspenseful plot line? Check and check.
Isabella is such a great protagonist, and I love, love, love her story. The grief she experiences, the trials she faces, and the home she misses make her into a wonderfully complex character who's just searching for a place to belong again. I love her interactions with Midge, Ruby, and the gang she meets in London and how close they all get. I admit, I was dying for some romance between her and Zach, but 3 or 4 years down the road (since they both are young and kind of have, ya know, a focus on surviving and whatnot) I could see their relationship really sparking.
I also really love the friendship between Alix and Isabella. Alix, who is surrounded by people who want to be her friend for royal benefits and a mother who just wants money, is in desperate need of a real friend. Likewise, Isabella can use someone just like Alix who is the opposite of her in many ways but shares a kind heart. The plot behind the danger Alix is in unfolded so well and was absolutely gripping. I bounced around with who I thought was behind it, but I never suspected the full story of what was really going on.
All in all, this is an excellent story to curl up with and get lost in. I really, really hope that there is more to come, whether it's a sequel to this story, or just another wonderful book from this amazing author.
5 Hearts!
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/07/throwback-thursday-review-isabella.html
I absolutely adored this! Bursting with beautiful writing and insanely lovable characters, Isabella Rockwell's War is perfect for anyone who enjoys historical middle grade! I desperately want to read more from this author.
To Elaborate...
When news of her beloved father's death reaches her, Isabella is determined to go find his missing body. Soon after she leaves, she gets more news that the kind woman who was like a mother to her died as well, and Isabella is sent from her home in India to London. There, she lives on the streets until she finds a gang of orphans who share a house. Soon, they become like family to her, but after saving the Princess's life, she will have to figure out where exactly her home is.
Incredible historical detail? Check.
Top notch character development that includes some serious heart-warming scenes? Check.
Really awesome and suspenseful plot line? Check and check.
Isabella is such a great protagonist, and I love, love, love her story. The grief she experiences, the trials she faces, and the home she misses make her into a wonderfully complex character who's just searching for a place to belong again. I love her interactions with Midge, Ruby, and the gang she meets in London and how close they all get. I admit, I was dying for some romance between her and Zach, but 3 or 4 years down the road (since they both are young and kind of have, ya know, a focus on surviving and whatnot) I could see their relationship really sparking.
I also really love the friendship between Alix and Isabella. Alix, who is surrounded by people who want to be her friend for royal benefits and a mother who just wants money, is in desperate need of a real friend. Likewise, Isabella can use someone just like Alix who is the opposite of her in many ways but shares a kind heart. The plot behind the danger Alix is in unfolded so well and was absolutely gripping. I bounced around with who I thought was behind it, but I never suspected the full story of what was really going on.
All in all, this is an excellent story to curl up with and get lost in. I really, really hope that there is more to come, whether it's a sequel to this story, or just another wonderful book from this amazing author.
5 Hearts!
Originally posted at I Heart YA Fiction: http://iheartyafiction.blogspot.com/2014/07/throwback-thursday-review-isabella.html