Take a photo of a barcode or cover
2.39k reviews by:
thecaptainsquarters
Ahoy there me mates!
A lovely book. A desert girl has been raised her whole life to be a vessel for a god. On the day of her death, the god does not come. But what happens after? This story was fabulous.
The female protagonist, Liyana, is strong, intelligent, and all things you would want in a girl character. Not that I would expect less from this particular author. The secondary characters were just as great and uniquely drawn and a crucial part of the storytelling.
Intertwined throughout the narrative were stories and traditions and myths of the tribes that enriched the telling and made me smile. These stories had the feel of Native American and African myths, among others, and drew me further into the story. The reading went by quickly and when I was finished, I wished there was more, even though the ending needed no changing. A strong recommendation from a wonderful author.
If you liked this review, see me others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
A lovely book. A desert girl has been raised her whole life to be a vessel for a god. On the day of her death, the god does not come. But what happens after? This story was fabulous.
The female protagonist, Liyana, is strong, intelligent, and all things you would want in a girl character. Not that I would expect less from this particular author. The secondary characters were just as great and uniquely drawn and a crucial part of the storytelling.
Intertwined throughout the narrative were stories and traditions and myths of the tribes that enriched the telling and made me smile. These stories had the feel of Native American and African myths, among others, and drew me further into the story. The reading went by quickly and when I was finished, I wished there was more, even though the ending needed no changing. A strong recommendation from a wonderful author.
If you liked this review, see me others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Ahoy there me mateys!
This book was lyrical and confusing and a good read. I am not sure where I learned about this book. The story centers around the murder of two fifteen-year-olds. The book switches points of view between two people: 1) Violet, an 18 year old ballet dancer; and 2) Amber, a prisoner in Aurora Hills juvenile detention center. Both points of view discuss among other things, a girl named Orianna.
The book is confusing because the plot does not follow a straight timeline and the two girls’ perspectives also contradict each other. I had no real idea of what the premise of the book was and so for most of my read I was trying to figure out what the point was. I mean, I had figured out who dunnit pretty early on. But why we were in the heads of these two particular characters was a little more difficult.
That said, I found Amber’s story of juvi prison life and her own reasons for being in there to be extremely interesting. Her perspective gives us a look at life inside the center. I loved everything around the center’s library. Her viewpoint of the other girls at the center is fascinating. The other girls at the center seemed both unique and real. It is quite a complex little microcosm.
Violet’s sections seem to be about the relationship that she and Ori had and what that meant to her. While she was not a nice person, her voice was engaging. Having worked with ballerinas before, the dance portion of this book felt very real if overdramatized for the purposes of the novel.
This book was not a quick read for me. I had a hard time convincing myself to go forward because of the structuring of the narrative. But the voice of Amber in particular kept drawing me back in. The writing was beautiful in many ways. I wanted to know how everything would tie together. When I eventually got to the ending, it surprised me. I am not sure if I liked it. I am not sure that I didn’t. I am however glad that I finished it. I can’t guarantee that everyone will like this novel. But if you read it, I would love to hear your take on it . . .
If you liked this review, see me others on https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
This book was lyrical and confusing and a good read. I am not sure where I learned about this book. The story centers around the murder of two fifteen-year-olds. The book switches points of view between two people: 1) Violet, an 18 year old ballet dancer; and 2) Amber, a prisoner in Aurora Hills juvenile detention center. Both points of view discuss among other things, a girl named Orianna.
The book is confusing because the plot does not follow a straight timeline and the two girls’ perspectives also contradict each other. I had no real idea of what the premise of the book was and so for most of my read I was trying to figure out what the point was. I mean, I had figured out who dunnit pretty early on. But why we were in the heads of these two particular characters was a little more difficult.
That said, I found Amber’s story of juvi prison life and her own reasons for being in there to be extremely interesting. Her perspective gives us a look at life inside the center. I loved everything around the center’s library. Her viewpoint of the other girls at the center is fascinating. The other girls at the center seemed both unique and real. It is quite a complex little microcosm.
Violet’s sections seem to be about the relationship that she and Ori had and what that meant to her. While she was not a nice person, her voice was engaging. Having worked with ballerinas before, the dance portion of this book felt very real if overdramatized for the purposes of the novel.
This book was not a quick read for me. I had a hard time convincing myself to go forward because of the structuring of the narrative. But the voice of Amber in particular kept drawing me back in. The writing was beautiful in many ways. I wanted to know how everything would tie together. When I eventually got to the ending, it surprised me. I am not sure if I liked it. I am not sure that I didn’t. I am however glad that I finished it. I can’t guarantee that everyone will like this novel. But if you read it, I would love to hear your take on it . . .
If you liked this review, see me others on https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Ahoy there me mateys!
Just finished book one of this trilogy series. It is the second book I have read by this British novelist. I am not sure where I heard about it but I do remember the person claiming this was one of the best modern fantasy trilogies. Well the beginning was fun.
So, overall I love the main character, Vaelin Al Sorna. The book is mostly told from his point of view. He and his mates seem to be the heart of this story, and as I liked those characters that is a good thing. I really liked the characters of Sollis, Dentos, and Frenis. Unfortunately there are not enough women in this series. I mean, the Order that Vaelin belongs in doesn’t allow for marriage or women so I get that on some level there is a reason for the absence. One of the few women that do exist is Princess Lyrna, and I kinda hated her and had a hard time finding any compassion for her. Two other women, Sherrin and Sella, are much better.
I also love most of the world building that was there but I wanted way more details. The politics of the Orders are a little strange and the history of the world seems spotty, but the book did have plenty of plot twists so maybe we are just not meant to know yet.
The pace of the book was fairly good at the beginning and end but had a several low points in the middle, like where there is a skirmish in the woods that went on for too long, and I could have done without. Also, the segments of the story told from the historian’s point of view were also not that interesting though I understood why they were there.
Could have probably been a shorter book overall in places with no major harm done. My copy was 575 pages. When I went to pick up the second novel I realized that I have no real interest in continuing the story. I don’t need to know what happens next. Perhaps this series will work better for ye . . . but I am done.
If ye like this review see others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Just finished book one of this trilogy series. It is the second book I have read by this British novelist. I am not sure where I heard about it but I do remember the person claiming this was one of the best modern fantasy trilogies. Well the beginning was fun.
So, overall I love the main character, Vaelin Al Sorna. The book is mostly told from his point of view. He and his mates seem to be the heart of this story, and as I liked those characters that is a good thing. I really liked the characters of Sollis, Dentos, and Frenis. Unfortunately there are not enough women in this series. I mean, the Order that Vaelin belongs in doesn’t allow for marriage or women so I get that on some level there is a reason for the absence. One of the few women that do exist is Princess Lyrna, and I kinda hated her and had a hard time finding any compassion for her. Two other women, Sherrin and Sella, are much better.
I also love most of the world building that was there but I wanted way more details. The politics of the Orders are a little strange and the history of the world seems spotty, but the book did have plenty of plot twists so maybe we are just not meant to know yet.
The pace of the book was fairly good at the beginning and end but had a several low points in the middle, like where there is a skirmish in the woods that went on for too long, and I could have done without. Also, the segments of the story told from the historian’s point of view were also not that interesting though I understood why they were there.
Could have probably been a shorter book overall in places with no major harm done. My copy was 575 pages. When I went to pick up the second novel I realized that I have no real interest in continuing the story. I don’t need to know what happens next. Perhaps this series will work better for ye . . . but I am done.
If ye like this review see others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Ahoy there me mateys!
This novel was apparently written as a gift for a friend. This book has a rather simple feel to it but was entertaining. I think my major problem with it was that the two main characters are supposed to save the world. And of course they do, but the overall manner in which it happens did not do justice to the magic set up in the world itself or to the characters’ strengths and talents. Also there was not enough explanation of how the magic really worked at all though the concept was rather interesting. I would say the entertainment value is worth a read and it is definitely a good book in that it seems to have been written for that one friend in mind. A good first try and I will certainly try one of her next novels.
If ye like this review then see others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
This novel was apparently written as a gift for a friend. This book has a rather simple feel to it but was entertaining. I think my major problem with it was that the two main characters are supposed to save the world. And of course they do, but the overall manner in which it happens did not do justice to the magic set up in the world itself or to the characters’ strengths and talents. Also there was not enough explanation of how the magic really worked at all though the concept was rather interesting. I would say the entertainment value is worth a read and it is definitely a good book in that it seems to have been written for that one friend in mind. A good first try and I will certainly try one of her next novels.
If ye like this review then see others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
Ahoy there mateys!
I love retellings of fairytales. This was a good one. It is the story of what happens when Aladdin finds the lamp. Well, actually, better yet: it is the story of what happens to the jinni when Aladdin gets the lamp because it is from her point of view. Cool huh? Has the jinni ever been a woman before in a retelling? I don’t know because the version of Aladdin I know best is from Disney.
The jinni, Zahra, has been trapped in the lamp for thousands of years. One of the things I liked most about this novel was that it weaves the stories of Zahra’s previous friendship with the human Roshana with the events that are happening with Aladdin. As for Aladdin, as weird as this may sound, he is almost a caricature of a person. But it didn’t really bother me because Zahra believed he was good so he was. If that makes any sense.
I thought the other jinni were fun in an evil-for-the-sake-of-being-evil way. I loved the Watchmaidens in this story. Kick ass women who defy the cultural stereotypes. Wish they could have had an even bigger role. Oh and there is no infighting of women in this book. How awesome is that? The ending was also super fun. Though the book seems to be a standalone, I would like if the author would write about another of Aladdin and Zahra’s adventures. But if not, at least I will be able to read the author’s other series!
If ye liked this review then see me others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/
I love retellings of fairytales. This was a good one. It is the story of what happens when Aladdin finds the lamp. Well, actually, better yet: it is the story of what happens to the jinni when Aladdin gets the lamp because it is from her point of view. Cool huh? Has the jinni ever been a woman before in a retelling? I don’t know because the version of Aladdin I know best is from Disney.
The jinni, Zahra, has been trapped in the lamp for thousands of years. One of the things I liked most about this novel was that it weaves the stories of Zahra’s previous friendship with the human Roshana with the events that are happening with Aladdin. As for Aladdin, as weird as this may sound, he is almost a caricature of a person. But it didn’t really bother me because Zahra believed he was good so he was. If that makes any sense.
I thought the other jinni were fun in an evil-for-the-sake-of-being-evil way. I loved the Watchmaidens in this story. Kick ass women who defy the cultural stereotypes. Wish they could have had an even bigger role. Oh and there is no infighting of women in this book. How awesome is that? The ending was also super fun. Though the book seems to be a standalone, I would like if the author would write about another of Aladdin and Zahra’s adventures. But if not, at least I will be able to read the author’s other series!
If ye liked this review then see me others at https://thecaptainsquartersblog.wordpress.com/