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Ahoy there me mateys! This was another audiobook that I picked up because it takes place at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina and because of the wonderful cover.
I loved the setting of the book. I visited the Biltmore Estate as a younger human and had so much fun there. Both the house and the grounds are exciting. The house has 250 rooms, 3 kitchens, 43 bathrooms, an indoor pool, and was wired for electricity. The grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same guy who designed Central Park in NYC. Though part of the house is a museum, it is still a privately owned residence with some of the Biltmore descendants living there. I thought that it was clever to set a mystery story in an historic house with so many possibilities.
Unfortunately, I seem to be in the minority with this book and am rather disappointed in it. To be fair, I thought the setup and introduction to Serafina was exciting. Serafina herself is a fun character. Yes she has four toes on each foot and her bones are not formed in a typical fashion but she is clever, feisty, smart, and curious. I loved the mystery surrounding her. She was abandoned in the woods and raised by the maintenance man for the Estate. She and her adopted father have been living in the house basement for over a decade and yet no one knows of her existence. But then Serafina discovers something that changes her life forever.
Ye see in this book, children are being stolen from the Biltmore estate. Serafina is the only one who knows the man in the black cloak took them. But who is the man in the black cloak? And can Serafina overcome her fears to help stop him?
While I did love watching Serafina's self-discovery, I did not love the plot, the other characters, or the conclusion to the mystery. Once the bad man is introduced, the plot came to a halt. Serafina does a lot of waffling. The tone of her internal monologues kept changing in style and diction. The story does a lot of meandering to no purpose. The other characters are extremely one dimensional. The Vanderbilts, George and Edith, were actual historical figures but came across as benign cardboard cutouts. I was also annoyed that the author made up Serafina's friend, Braeden Vanderbilt and gave him a tragic backstory so Serafina and he could bond. And the differences in their social classes were handled in such a lazy and unrealistic fashion.
And then ye have a child growing up in a house of wonders for the time and those specific traits of the Biltmore house were not used enough. Electricity does play a significant role in the story. But what hidden child wouldn't want to use the indoor pool or bowling alley? Cool features like these weren't even mentioned. Serafina's secret forays into the upstairs of the house also felt unrealistic and confusing. Seriously she should have been caught at some point!
The ending was abrupt and lackluster. The mystery of the cloaked man was not really that interesting after all. The final duel was laughable. And the explanation of what happened to the mystery children and the consequences of their disappearance made no sense. Even the answer to Serafina's mystery was convenient and rather boring.
The book should have been a better tribute to a terrific protagonist. It fell flat. But it does seem beloved and was on the NY Times bestseller list for 45 weeks. Perhaps ye will like it. I just don't get the hype. For me this one walks the plank! Arrrr!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
I loved the setting of the book. I visited the Biltmore Estate as a younger human and had so much fun there. Both the house and the grounds are exciting. The house has 250 rooms, 3 kitchens, 43 bathrooms, an indoor pool, and was wired for electricity. The grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same guy who designed Central Park in NYC. Though part of the house is a museum, it is still a privately owned residence with some of the Biltmore descendants living there. I thought that it was clever to set a mystery story in an historic house with so many possibilities.
Unfortunately, I seem to be in the minority with this book and am rather disappointed in it. To be fair, I thought the setup and introduction to Serafina was exciting. Serafina herself is a fun character. Yes she has four toes on each foot and her bones are not formed in a typical fashion but she is clever, feisty, smart, and curious. I loved the mystery surrounding her. She was abandoned in the woods and raised by the maintenance man for the Estate. She and her adopted father have been living in the house basement for over a decade and yet no one knows of her existence. But then Serafina discovers something that changes her life forever.
Ye see in this book, children are being stolen from the Biltmore estate. Serafina is the only one who knows the man in the black cloak took them. But who is the man in the black cloak? And can Serafina overcome her fears to help stop him?
While I did love watching Serafina's self-discovery, I did not love the plot, the other characters, or the conclusion to the mystery. Once the bad man is introduced, the plot came to a halt. Serafina does a lot of waffling. The tone of her internal monologues kept changing in style and diction. The story does a lot of meandering to no purpose. The other characters are extremely one dimensional. The Vanderbilts, George and Edith, were actual historical figures but came across as benign cardboard cutouts. I was also annoyed that the author made up Serafina's friend, Braeden Vanderbilt and gave him a tragic backstory so Serafina and he could bond. And the differences in their social classes were handled in such a lazy and unrealistic fashion.
And then ye have a child growing up in a house of wonders for the time and those specific traits of the Biltmore house were not used enough. Electricity does play a significant role in the story. But what hidden child wouldn't want to use the indoor pool or bowling alley? Cool features like these weren't even mentioned. Serafina's secret forays into the upstairs of the house also felt unrealistic and confusing. Seriously she should have been caught at some point!
The ending was abrupt and lackluster. The mystery of the cloaked man was not really that interesting after all. The final duel was laughable. And the explanation of what happened to the mystery children and the consequences of their disappearance made no sense. Even the answer to Serafina's mystery was convenient and rather boring.
The book should have been a better tribute to a terrific protagonist. It fell flat. But it does seem beloved and was on the NY Times bestseller list for 45 weeks. Perhaps ye will like it. I just don't get the hype. For me this one walks the plank! Arrrr!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Ahoy there me mateys! I can’t decide if the problem was me or the book. I borrowed this one from a local library in hardback form and tried multiple times to read it without much success. So it was returned. Fast forward and a local library had an audio copy that was available. I was in the mood for a young adult novel and so thought I would give it another try.
And to be fair, I was highly engrossed in the beginning of the book and especially enjoyed the narration by Nancy Wu. This was despite the romance that was evident within the first couple of pages. I shrugged and decided to go with the flow. I loved the characters and story all the way up through the first warcross match in the book. And then it began to unravel.
I can’t get into too many specifics without spoilers but three things eventually bogged down the story. The romance set-up was fine overall and the banter before the couple gets together was okay. But the declaration of feelings section just felt so juvenile and silly and I quickly wished the romance was out of the book altogether.
Then there be the main character, Emika. I really did like her a lot but had trouble with how she was “one of the best ever hackers” and yet continued to make novice mistakes that seemingly existed only to move the plot forward. She also seemed to always be rushing into things with nary a thought. I don’t mind some impulsiveness but would rather have seen her think her way through problems.
After the first match, the plot began to bore and never brought back the feeling of excitement. I wanted more warcross matches, more time in the game underworld, more showing instead of telling, more development of the team members, and more use of Emika’s actual skills. I wanted less of Emika second guessing everything, way less insta-lust/romance, less angst, and less dropped plot points. The hacking “rules” and lack of game rules in particular left much to be desired. Oh and the plot twist at the end made me grit me teeth in frustration. It used a trope that needs to walk the plank.
So basically I am not excited for the set-up for book two and think I may be abandoning the series and perhaps this author’s work as well. This be the second series of hers that I am disinclined to finish. I think her world-building and characters be very interesting indeed but her plots fail to float me boat. But I be in the minority of this one so bear that in mind. Arrr!
And to be fair, I was highly engrossed in the beginning of the book and especially enjoyed the narration by Nancy Wu. This was despite the romance that was evident within the first couple of pages. I shrugged and decided to go with the flow. I loved the characters and story all the way up through the first warcross match in the book. And then it began to unravel.
I can’t get into too many specifics without spoilers but three things eventually bogged down the story. The romance set-up was fine overall and the banter before the couple gets together was okay. But the declaration of feelings section just felt so juvenile and silly and I quickly wished the romance was out of the book altogether.
Then there be the main character, Emika. I really did like her a lot but had trouble with how she was “one of the best ever hackers” and yet continued to make novice mistakes that seemingly existed only to move the plot forward. She also seemed to always be rushing into things with nary a thought. I don’t mind some impulsiveness but would rather have seen her think her way through problems.
After the first match, the plot began to bore and never brought back the feeling of excitement. I wanted more warcross matches, more time in the game underworld, more showing instead of telling, more development of the team members, and more use of Emika’s actual skills. I wanted less of Emika second guessing everything, way less insta-lust/romance, less angst, and less dropped plot points. The hacking “rules” and lack of game rules in particular left much to be desired. Oh and the plot twist at the end made me grit me teeth in frustration. It used a trope that needs to walk the plank.
So basically I am not excited for the set-up for book two and think I may be abandoning the series and perhaps this author’s work as well. This be the second series of hers that I am disinclined to finish. I think her world-building and characters be very interesting indeed but her plots fail to float me boat. But I be in the minority of this one so bear that in mind. Arrr!
Ahoy me mateys! Sadly, it is time to abandon another ship . . .
Okay so I give up. While I am capable of fighting to the bitter end, I just couldn’t do it. This novel was so darn slow to read. I made it to page 366 out of 648. Now mind you I like a lot of the characters especially: 1) the title character, the Red Knight; 2) the queen, Desiderata; and 3) Mag the Seamstress among others. The chapters in this book are told from multiple character points of view.
But this story takes place in a siege. And oh how sieges drag on. Lots of skirmishes. Clashes in the woods. Building up defenses. Facing bitter odds. But it was just so long and had so many sections where nothing major happens. I do believe 200 pages could have been edited out and the story would have been improved. Oh and typos, poor word choice, and repetitive clauses . . . could have benefited from better editing in general really.
Plus the book tagline on the cover says “Slaying Dragons is a Bloody Business.” What dragons might I ask? That tagline seems to suggest tons of dragon slaying. In the novel I believe they are what the author calls qwethnethogs. But they didn’t seem like any dragons I have ever met, and that was not a good thing. There wasn’t even a decent description of what these qwethnethogs looked like. Or, frankly of what many of the bad creatures looked like. I am supposing it was to add to their mystery but blah. How can dragons be boring?
The main bad guy, Thorn, is a magician who is barely human and is also kind of pointless. The “I need all the power at all costs” just for the sake of power thing. And he keeps pondering his brilliance and then of course makes stupid mistakes that the Red Knight takes advantage of and uses to survive. Extremely two-dimensional. I actually started getting annoyed anytime he tried to mastermind anything.
Now, I did enjoy the odd magics held by the Red Knight and the nuns and some others. I also enjoyed the medieval fighting style of the knights. Full armor, getting tired from it, using the horses as weapons, etc. Some of the creatures of the Wild, like the bears in particular, were awesome. And I do think the worldbuilding itself was fun. I just didn’t love how that worldbuilding was used. Oh, yeah, and the romance was flat.
I can see how some readers of epic fantasy would like this work. However, not only did I abandon this book but shall abandon the rest of the series too.
If you would like to read my other reviews visit https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Okay so I give up. While I am capable of fighting to the bitter end, I just couldn’t do it. This novel was so darn slow to read. I made it to page 366 out of 648. Now mind you I like a lot of the characters especially: 1) the title character, the Red Knight; 2) the queen, Desiderata; and 3) Mag the Seamstress among others. The chapters in this book are told from multiple character points of view.
But this story takes place in a siege. And oh how sieges drag on. Lots of skirmishes. Clashes in the woods. Building up defenses. Facing bitter odds. But it was just so long and had so many sections where nothing major happens. I do believe 200 pages could have been edited out and the story would have been improved. Oh and typos, poor word choice, and repetitive clauses . . . could have benefited from better editing in general really.
Plus the book tagline on the cover says “Slaying Dragons is a Bloody Business.” What dragons might I ask? That tagline seems to suggest tons of dragon slaying. In the novel I believe they are what the author calls qwethnethogs. But they didn’t seem like any dragons I have ever met, and that was not a good thing. There wasn’t even a decent description of what these qwethnethogs looked like. Or, frankly of what many of the bad creatures looked like. I am supposing it was to add to their mystery but blah. How can dragons be boring?
The main bad guy, Thorn, is a magician who is barely human and is also kind of pointless. The “I need all the power at all costs” just for the sake of power thing. And he keeps pondering his brilliance and then of course makes stupid mistakes that the Red Knight takes advantage of and uses to survive. Extremely two-dimensional. I actually started getting annoyed anytime he tried to mastermind anything.
Now, I did enjoy the odd magics held by the Red Knight and the nuns and some others. I also enjoyed the medieval fighting style of the knights. Full armor, getting tired from it, using the horses as weapons, etc. Some of the creatures of the Wild, like the bears in particular, were awesome. And I do think the worldbuilding itself was fun. I just didn’t love how that worldbuilding was used. Oh, yeah, and the romance was flat.
I can see how some readers of epic fantasy would like this work. However, not only did I abandon this book but shall abandon the rest of the series too.
If you would like to read my other reviews visit https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Ahoy me mateys. It is time for this book to walk the plank . . .
“But Cap’n!,” me crew beseeches. “Why? Why must ye toss our beloved book overboard? Does it not have a wonderful title? Cover? Blurb? Please don’t send Monty overboard. We ship him and Percy! Please no!”
“Bah!” Says I. “It was all yer caterwauling about this novel with its shiny cover, rascally good title, and tantalizing bits of plot that led me to not only pick up yer recommendation but not abandon Monty at the first sight of him.”
“Aye, Cap’n! But aren’t ye glad to have met Monty and his crew? Monty is a sarcastic degenerate with a sense for fashion and fun. Doesn’t he bring joy and happiness to the crew?”
“Bah! The only happiness that ye should be carin’ about be me and mine good will. Monty may be fun to ye slobbering scallywags but to me he be impetuous, self-serving, annoyin’, whiny, unmotivated, and useless in times of crisis. Which he always seems to be the cause of. That Percy of his seems to be a jolly dependable sort and that sister of his be worth ten of each of ye rotten flee infested reprobates. But Monty. He ruins everything!”
“But won’t ye at least let them plead their case? I mean don’t ye think Percy and Monty deserve to be together forever? Aren’t they the perfect ship?”
“Bah! The only important ship be me own. Monty is goin’ to walk. Percy is a lost cause due to his infatuation with that useless guttersnipe. Their whole relationship be one bad trope. Percy could do so much better. And while I am sure that Felicity will survive and thrive, she goes where that despicable brother of her does. And as to her further adventures, I just don’t care.”
“But Cap’n! Won’t ye reconsider?”
“No.” :: splash splash splash::: Arrrr!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
“But Cap’n!,” me crew beseeches. “Why? Why must ye toss our beloved book overboard? Does it not have a wonderful title? Cover? Blurb? Please don’t send Monty overboard. We ship him and Percy! Please no!”
“Bah!” Says I. “It was all yer caterwauling about this novel with its shiny cover, rascally good title, and tantalizing bits of plot that led me to not only pick up yer recommendation but not abandon Monty at the first sight of him.”
“Aye, Cap’n! But aren’t ye glad to have met Monty and his crew? Monty is a sarcastic degenerate with a sense for fashion and fun. Doesn’t he bring joy and happiness to the crew?”
“Bah! The only happiness that ye should be carin’ about be me and mine good will. Monty may be fun to ye slobbering scallywags but to me he be impetuous, self-serving, annoyin’, whiny, unmotivated, and useless in times of crisis. Which he always seems to be the cause of. That Percy of his seems to be a jolly dependable sort and that sister of his be worth ten of each of ye rotten flee infested reprobates. But Monty. He ruins everything!”
“But won’t ye at least let them plead their case? I mean don’t ye think Percy and Monty deserve to be together forever? Aren’t they the perfect ship?”
“Bah! The only important ship be me own. Monty is goin’ to walk. Percy is a lost cause due to his infatuation with that useless guttersnipe. Their whole relationship be one bad trope. Percy could do so much better. And while I am sure that Felicity will survive and thrive, she goes where that despicable brother of her does. And as to her further adventures, I just don’t care.”
“But Cap’n! Won’t ye reconsider?”
“No.” :: splash splash splash::: Arrrr!
Check out me other reviews at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
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