Thank you to Simon Teen for sending me a free copy!
Update: Almost 2 months later and the magic system has really stayed with me. Not that the system iThank you to Simon Teen for sending me a free copy!
Update: Almost 2 months later and the magic system has really stayed with me. Not that the system itself is complex is unique, but just the way it was described as the magic user only being able to manipulate objects in nature with their permission.
3.5 stars for this YA book. This wasn't on my radar, but for some reason I was drawn in by the description of the book being Polish folklore. It delivered on the darkly atmospheric setting I was hoping for, and I really liked the way magic was described here. Plus, Liska was a great main character: smart and strong and selfless. I liked the way the book ended, though I can see some people not enjoying it....more
This book just did everything right. It's a story of friendship, family, acceptance, and healing. I enjoyed it from the very beginning to the very endThis book just did everything right. It's a story of friendship, family, acceptance, and healing. I enjoyed it from the very beginning to the very end. A queer fantasy romance with plenty of action, a bit of mystery, and a really sweet romance.
The characters in this book are really what stand out here. We have Velarin, the third son of a noble house who was contracted to marry a princess of the neighboring kingdom. Once his preference for men is outed, the terms change so that he marries the brother of the princess instead, Caethari. It would have been easy to make this your typical enemies-to-lover sort of story, but I'm very pleased that Meadows chose not to go that route. Instead, we get two mature, reasonable adult men who understand their roles and responsibilities and accept their marriage with little fuss. As a result, we get to see a solid friendship built first, which makes it very satisfying when the romance finally does happen. Another strong friendship found in this book is between Velarin and his friend/servant Markel. They are fiercely loyal to each other, and their friendship was very heartwarming. Plus, Markel was a mute and he and Vel communicated via sign language, which was a really cool thing to see in a fantasy setting!
The worldbuilding is done well, and proves that you don't need a series of books in order to tell a good story set in a fantasy world. The way Meadows interweaves tiny details about the cultures and the lands is done in a subtle, sophisticated way that never feels like info-dumping. There was never any point where I felt like I had to wade though pages of clumsy exposition. It was all very neat and tidy, and really added good bones to the story. There was a magic system, but it was pretty simple and straightforward. It wasn't made to be unnecessarily complicated like a lot of books might try to do. Another thing that was effortlessly woven into the worldbuilding was the inclusion of characters and people who fall into the nonbinary gender category. It didn't feel heavy-handed or preachy at all. It was just presented as another aspect of that world, which made it come across as a natural, normal part of that society. It was refreshing to see that.
The pacing of the book was very well done, and I really enjoyed the way it was split up. It was told in dual POV, but not in the typical way that might switch every other chapter. Instead, the book is split into 6 or 8 bigger chunks, which the sections alternating between Cae and Vel. This gave me plenty of time with each character and allowed me to read multiple chapters from one POV before it switched to the other POV. It felt like it kept the momentum going and made the book flow more easily. This book is chonky to be sure, but I never felt like it was dragging at any time. I was consistently engaged and reading never once felt like a chore.
The most impressive thing about the book, however, is how it handles sexual assault and the mental trauma that results from such an act. Vel often finds himself going about his day normally, and suddenly being triggered by something that throws him right back to his assault. It doesn't render him useless or incapable of living his daily life. He just has to learn to adapt to his triggers and work through his trauma. We get to see his struggle and his eventual healing. The book does a great job at showing that sexual assault survivors are more than the trauma they've endured. It also sets a great example for how you should act when your partner has been triggered. Cae's response to Vel and his willingness to do anything to make him more comfortable was really nice to see.
Overall, I loved this book. I did have to get used to the writing style at the beginning of the book, as the language was more flowery and formal than what I was expecting. But once I got used to that, I found it to be charming and clever, and very pleasing to read. I will say that it is important to note that this is a fantasy foremost, and a romance second. If you go into this expecting a fun little MM romantasy, you will not find it. It's a fantasy that deals with some heavy issues, with some romance as a secondary story. But still, I highly recommend this one!...more
First of all, thank you to Del Rey for sending me an ARC!
Sword Catcher was by far one of my most anticipated reads of 2023, so it is much to my disappFirst of all, thank you to Del Rey for sending me an ARC!
Sword Catcher was by far one of my most anticipated reads of 2023, so it is much to my disappointment that I did not love this. It was hard to rate, too, but I ended up giving it a 2.5 stars.
First, the most important thing. Did this actually feel like an adult fantasy, or was it more like a slightly elevated YA? Honestly to me, this did in fact feel adult in tone, and not in the “technically this is adult fantasy because of all the sex” type of way. Some successful YA authors tend to struggle with transitioning to adult, but I think Clare did a great job with it. If I had to pick books to compare to Sword Catcher, I would say A Strange and Stubborn Endurance and A Taste of Gold and Iron . It’s on that level of worldbuilding, technical writing, and overall vibe, but I liked those better than Sword Catcher.
The story itself started out strong, and I found myself wanting to continue reading for the first half of it. It felt like things were always just about to really take off, but then…it never did. Something would happen and I would say “Ok, here we go” and then, well, it didn’t go, so I just kept waiting and waiting. I felt like I waited the entire book for the story to really take off, and then the book was over and I was still waiting.
Character wise, I really liked Lin. I wanted to like Kel more, but he ended up being a bit bland. And maybe that’s due to the nature of his position at court where he’s meant to mirror Conor, but I was expecting an overly charming, charismatic person. He was capable and smart, but not particularly special. I look forward to seeing how he grows in the next book and if he will start to become more of his own person. Conor was fine. He was there to do just enough stupid things to cause some problems. But overall, the characters were fine, but they weren’t particularly compelling. There is a tiny bit of romance in this book, and I do mean tiny. Even with that, I didn’t really feel the connection between the characters, so if you’re reading this book for romance, you need to look elsewhere. The book even states “Forbidden Romance” as something you’ll find in this book, and I think that’s a stretch.
I found the general plot to be vague and tenuous for such a long book. The story is slow to unravel, and when it does it feels like loose threads only tangentially connected. I kept waiting for them all to weave together in a satisfying way, but again, it never really did. A few plot points were so disconnected that I kept forgetting about them until they were brought up later, and I would wonder how it all fit together. I think part of the reason for that is that Clare was so intent on making sure this book felt adult that she sometimes went too far and added too many elements that didn’t quite work together. For example, I think including both the Ragpicker King and Prosper Beck made things unnecessarily convoluted. I was mainly left questioning why we needed two criminal masterminds in the city, and why even with two of them it felt like the stakes weren’t actually that high. There was no thrill, and no sense of danger or urgency.
The worldbuilding was fine, but I really could have used a world map. It’s hard for me to really get a sense of the world an author is trying to build if I can’t physically see the places being talked about. That’s not really the ARC’s fault, though. If there is a map, I’m sure it’ll be included in the finished copy. If there are no plans for a world map (not a city map, I know for sure Clare posted a photo of that), then that’s a real shame.
I can’t say the pacing of this book was off because there wasn’t much to pace. There wasn’t much going on to really move the plot forward. Halfway through the book, I started feeling like I wanted things to wrap up so I could finish reading, which isn’t a fun way to feel while reading a book, especially one I was so excited about!
Reading back this review it looks like I didn’t like the book at all. That’s not true. I liked it OK in parts, and the writing itself was fine. There was nothing offensively bad. There was just a lot that could have been improved. And in its defense, I did jump directly from Dark Age to Sword Catcher, so that was incredibly jarring in terms of action and plot progression. It would be hard for anything to follow Dark Age, so perhaps I should have waited a while before reading this. My overall feelings toward it might have been different.
To sum up, Clare successfully transitions to adult fantasy, but her need to separate herself from YA caused her to overdo some things and as a result, the story suffered. I’m sure I will continue the series, but this first installment isn’t as strong as I had hoped it would be.
Oh, and I’m not sure when the accusations of plagiarism to A Darker Shade of Magic started, but it was nothing at all like that series. I haven’t read ADSOM in years, so it wasn’t fresh on my mind, but nothing about Sword Catcher made me think of that series. If you’re here to rate this book a 1 star because of rumors, just move on. I think people just wanted this to be a rip off so they could criticize Cassandra Clare again, but I truly didn't think they were similar, aside from the name "Kel."...more
In "Under the Whispering Tree" we meet Wallace Price, a less-than-good man who focused on the wrong things in life. Much to his consternation, one dayIn "Under the Whispering Tree" we meet Wallace Price, a less-than-good man who focused on the wrong things in life. Much to his consternation, one day Wallace finds himself dead. After meeting his Reaper, Mei, he is taken to Hugo Freeman, a man whose job it is to ferry souls from the immediate aftermath of death to the great unknown. While Wallace is at Hugo's house in the woods, he is forced to grapple with the way he lived his life and the person he ended up being. With Hugo's help, along with Mei, an ornery old ghost named Norman, and a goofy ghost dog named Apollo, Wallace begins to learn about everything he missed out on life.
Simply put, this book is incredible. I wouldn't call it light-hearted, but it is a heartfelt and thought provoking book about the meaning of life. Though the overall theme is death, grief, and missed opportunities, Under the Whispering Door is also full of hope, happiness, and finding a family in the most unexpected place. I alternately cried and laughed, sometimes from one sentence to the next. Klune did a masterful job of balancing the sadness with levity, and the result is a charming and compelling book that is so unique and wonderful that I can't say I've ever read anything quite like it. It moved me like no other book ever has, and it has taken up residence in my heart and makes me want to protect it at all costs. ...more
This book almost got 3 stars from me, but I just couldn't do it. The last 10% forced me to only give it a two star rI received my copy from NetGalley.
This book almost got 3 stars from me, but I just couldn't do it. The last 10% forced me to only give it a two star rating. I'll try to explain my reasons.
This book is basically a rip-off of 3 very popular YA series: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, and The Grisha Trilogy by Leigh Bardugo. I was even willing to overlook this, because I was honestly quite enjoying the book itself. Yes, it very obviously borrowed things from these series, but I was still interested in the story and I was entertained by it. What sort of similarities, you might ask? Let me tell you.
1) Characters. The characters were nearly exact copies of the characters from the aforementioned series:
*Echo = Clary (TMI) or Karou (DoSaB). The protagonist who is obviously more than she seems to be.
*Caius = Jace (TMI) or Akiva (DoSaB). The male love interest who inexplicably feels connected to Echo.
*Dorian = Alec (TMI). The prickly male sidekick of Caius, who has pined for him for years.
*Jasper = Magnus Bane (TMI). The funky drifter who gets pulled into their scheme, despite reluctance. Also fancies the male sidekick.
The characters were SO SIMILAR it was impossible for them to stand on their own. I was distracted the whole time by how they were basically copies of established fan favorites.
2). Plot
*An ancient war between two races, the Avicen and the Drakharin = an ancient war between two races, the Seraphim and the Chimaera (DoSaB)
*Star crossed lovers, Caius (Drakharin) and Rose (Avicen) = Star crossed lovers, Akiva (Seraphim) and Karou (Chimaera) (DoSaB)
*A hunt for a mythical, powerful relic that can turn the tide of war (the Firebird) = A hunt for a mythical, powerful relic that can turn the tide of war (the Firebird) (Grish Trilogy).
*DoSaB spoiler: (view spoiler)[Echo is a sort of reincarnation of Rose, Caius's true love = Karou is a sort of reincarnation of Madrigal, Akiva's true love (DoSaB) (hide spoiler)]
The similarities are so bountiful and obvious that I can hardly take this book seriously, even though I was really enjoying it! Have you ever tried generic, store-brand Oreos? They SORT OF taste like Oreos, but nothing can compare to the real thing. That's what this book is. The generic version of Daughter of Smoke and Bone,The Mortal Instruments, and The Grisha Trilogy. I thought I could overlook the similarities, until I had about 10% left, when a major theme/event occurred that was so undeniably borrowed from "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" that I was actually offended. I was offended, I say!
The book is marketed for "readers of Cassandra Clare's City of Bones and Leigh Bardugo's Shadow and Bone." Yeah, I'll say. If you want to read a combination of the three series I've discussed, go for this book. You'll love it. But if you're like me and you don't appreciate the heavy "borrowing" of material, don't bother with this one. It'll probably just make you mad. ...more
Joe Abercrombie does it again with "Half the World." I've read his Fantasy, but I honestly prefer this YA series to anything else he's written. I likeJoe Abercrombie does it again with "Half the World." I've read his Fantasy, but I honestly prefer this YA series to anything else he's written. I liked Thorn a lot, and I really appreciated him giving us a female protagonist in this book. She was a total badass, but he also accurately displayed how stupid every teenager is about the opposite sex. The book has the perfect balance of political intrigue, action, and romance, and this will surely make it appealing to a wide range of readers. ...more
This just became the gold standard to which I compare all YA books I read from now on. It's bloodydamn amazEDIT: Still just as good on the 2nd reread.
This just became the gold standard to which I compare all YA books I read from now on. It's bloodydamn amazing.
Red Rising was undoubtedly one of the stand-out books of 2014, so it was only natural to worry whether Pierce Brown, the 2014 winner of Goodreads debut author of the year, would fall victim to the second-book slump. Could Golden Son live up its predecessor and deliver a great follow-up? Personally, I was a bit wary. Unlike most people, I wasn’t hooked on Red Rising immediately. It actually took me quite a while to really get into it. The writing was great, and the premise was really interesting, but it just didn’t hook me like I thought it would. It wasn't until the last quarter of the book that it grabbed hold of me and wouldn’t let go. I couldn’t put it down, and the last part of the book had so many satisfying moments, I just got lost in the story. Suddenly all the hype surrounding the book was justified, and it left me dying for the second book.
So many authors don’t get it right when they publish a follow-up book to an extremely popular debut. The possibility of a second-book slump, combined with the fact that Red Rising didn’t hook me immediately, made me lower my expectations for Golden Son a little bit. I went in predicting that it would be much the same as Red Rising: a little slow to start, but ending with a solid finish. So did Golden Son exceed my expectations? The short answer is YES. OH MY GOD YES.
Pierce Brown rode the momentum of Red Rising and turned it up to 11. Golden Son started with a bang and it never once let up. My prediction of a slow start went right out the window, along with my guarded reservations. There was so much action and story development that I actually couldn’t believe we were getting so much plot movement. Never once did Brown let the story stagnate. He absolutely destroyed the idea that a second book can’t exceed the debut. I mean, he absolutely ANNIHILATED it. I actually felt like a bit of fool for doubting him.
Golden Son exceeded Red Rising in so many ways. The book starts a couple years after Red Rising, so Darrow has had plenty of time to live in Golden society and experience the perks. He struggles with reconciling his mission with the the love he feels for his Golden friends and the undeniable attraction he feels for the power he wields. Combine this with the isolation he feels from the Sons of Ares, the loneliness of being away from his family, and the heartache he still feels over losing Eo, and you see a young man struggling to hold it together and remember his mission to help his people.
In Golden Son, we get to know the secondary characters a little better. Sevro, Mustang, Roque, Fitchner, the Jackal, and others all return. In addition to familiar faces, we are also introduced to several new characters. Whereas Red Rising was very much all about Darrow, Golden Son widens the circle of central characters, resulting in a much richer experience.
In addition to character development and story, I think it’s important to mention one aspect of the book/series that doesn’t get enough attention: the really cool STUFF. Grav boots, spaceships, exoskeleton suits, razors, and all manner of just really cool things. Brown easily manages to combine a compelling story with the essential “Oh, cool!” aspect of science fiction. And most importantly, Brown incorporates these awesome elements without it coming across as too hokey. For instance, the series takes place in our solar system, not in another galaxy or across space. Ships still take months to travel places, rather than taking a short amount of time by using lightspeed. The setting is an interesting in-between time that you really don’t see too often. When setting out to write a science fiction book, It’s easy to automatically jump to hyperdrives and lightspeed and inter-galactic travel. Brown proves that you can still create a futuristic sci-fi thriller without going over the top with all of the scientific advancement. That being said, there is still an abundance of crazy cool things that would be really awesome to have.
I’ve been trying to think about what I didn’t like about Golden Son, and I honestly cannot think of a thing. I guess my only complaint was I became much too engrossed and read the book too fast, which just means I have to wait that much longer for book 3. I recommend the Red Rising trilogy for anyone, not just those interested in science fiction. It’s technically a Young Adult series, but I think this is one of those series that transcends genre. I especially recommend Golden Son for the readers who didn’t enjoy Red Rising as much as others. If you were disappointed in or unimpressed by the first book, don’t let that keep you from reading Golden Son. I can almost guarantee that you will love it.
Overall, Pierce Brown knocked it out of the park with Golden Son, and I can’t recommend it enough. I’ve been singing its praises to anyone who will listen, and I’m ready for more people to join the choir....more
I didn't think it would be possible to improve upon the second book, but I was wrong. After an agonizing year-long wait, I devoured this book in aboutI didn't think it would be possible to improve upon the second book, but I was wrong. After an agonizing year-long wait, I devoured this book in about a day. Maas introduced new places, continuing her ever-impressive talent for worldbuilding. In addition to new places, we also get new characters who made me wonder how I made it through the first two books without them! Seriously, Manon and Rowan? Amazing, complex characters that you can't help but love.
While Maas treats us to brand new people and places, we're also introduced to some classic fantasy tropes: witches and wyverns. Though witches are hardly an original idea, Maas has managed to make the Ironteeth Witches into a unique group of badass women, and I can't wait to see more of them. They're the perfect blend of evil and cool.
One thing this series does exceptionally well is draw from conflict that ISN'T directly related to a love interest. Sure, there is some of that, but Celaena has lived through more than her share of hardships, and you can't help but feel your own heart break as you watch her try to become the person she needs to be. In this book, we get to see so much of Celaena's backstory, and it only makes her story even more heart-wrenching.
What most impresses me about this series is that you can just tell that Maas knows what she's doing. She knows where this story is going, and how it will end, and what needs to happen between here and there. So many young adult series fall apart and become major disappointments because the author tries too hard or just makes it up as they go along. Maas refuses to let that happen to her, and you can tell. Rather than letting herself slip up with lazy writing, she seems to double her efforts in order to prevent that from happening. Each book continues to be better than the previous one, and I truly hope this pattern continues.
"Heir of Fire" more than lives up to the hype surrounding it, and it is definitely a worthy addition to the "Throne of Glass" series. I have complete trust that Sarah J. Maas will continue to deliver an amazing story, and I can't wait to watch it play out....more