It's been a week since I read this book and I'm still not completely sure how I felt about it. It's definitely a compelling read. The writing is beautIt's been a week since I read this book and I'm still not completely sure how I felt about it. It's definitely a compelling read. The writing is beautiful, the characters and their relationships intriguing and, even though it's slow-paced, I was invested in the story for the most part.
I think that my main issue was that, (view spoiler)[in the last 20% or so, the story took a direction I didn't anticipate. The competition is such an important plot point in the story, but in the end it didn't really lead anywhere. I guess what happens in the last part makes sense for the time period, but I didn't expect it and I didn't enjoy it.
I also expected the magic system to be explained, especially the whole competition thing. I found it disappointing that it was kept vague, since I wanted to know more about Luzia's magic. It's what the plot revolved around.
I liked Luzia and Santangel as characters, but I wasn't convinced of their romance. The time they spend together preparing for the competition is often off-page, so we don't see it develop. It's just suddenly there.
One thing I liked about this story is how each character got their POV, so, even though the ending felt rushed and wrapped up quickly, it seemed fitting. (hide spoiler)]
5 stars for the audiobook and the book cover....more
This is a quote from the book and it pretty much sums up how I felt about it. It wasn't what 1.5 stars
"Was there any meaning to be found?"
This is a quote from the book and it pretty much sums up how I felt about it. It wasn't what I expected from a story based on The Nutcracker. It was much darker, and the author made some odd choices, (view spoiler)[like both girls sleeping with boys at the age of 16, one of them getting pregnant and the other sister killing both her and her unborn baby. It turns out that the other sister is still alive in some form, but that doesn't change what happened. (hide spoiler)]
The only thing I found interesting was the first third of the book that somewhat followed the story of the Nutcracker. But then the book turned into something else and only the names of the characters remained. I feel the author tried to include too many ideas, as well as the actual historical events, but they just felt random, messy and all over the place.
The audiobook narrator, Grace Gray, is fantastic, but even her narration couldn't make this story more enjoyable for me. I didn't find it magical or Christmassy at all. It was just bizarre....more
What I liked: The characters. I wouldn't put Emily and Wendell in the 'love' category, but they were interesting characters to read about. I did reallyWhat I liked: The characters. I wouldn't put Emily and Wendell in the 'love' category, but they were interesting characters to read about. I did really like the townsfolk, Emily's dog Shadow and Poe.
The setting. Everything about the village of Hrafnsvik and the little cottage felt cozy and whimsical. Great atmosphere.
What didn't entirely work for me: The pacing. While I don't mind slower paced stories, this one dragged and I was a bit bored at times.
The plot. For the most part I enjoyed it, but I didn't like the direction the story took in the last 100 pages or so. I didn't see the reasoning behind certain decisions. Everything that happened felt nonsensical and 'unrealistic', including the resolution.
The romance. There wasn't much of it here and I didn't expect it to be, but I don't get why the author (view spoiler)[thought it would be a good idea for Wendell to sleep with every girl in the village, in the same cottage he shared with Emily, and then propose to her later on, literally out of nowhere. (hide spoiler)]....more
I've been meaning to read something by this author for a while, and this short story seemed like a good place to start.
It has an interesting storylinI've been meaning to read something by this author for a while, and this short story seemed like a good place to start.
It has an interesting storyline and characters, Toadling being my favourite. It has both dark and sweet elements. The resolution felt a bit abrupt, but I enjoyed it overall....more
I've seen some reviews mention that this book relies heavily on tropes and clichés, and I agree with them. It reminded me of many (YA) fantasy books II've seen some reviews mention that this book relies heavily on tropes and clichés, and I agree with them. It reminded me of many (YA) fantasy books I’ve read before, such as (view spoiler)[Hunger Games, Divergent, Fallen, Twilight, HP, GoT, to name just a few (hide spoiler)]. I did find that distracting for the first 100 pages or so, until it started to feel more like its own story.
I have nothing against tropes and clichés – what’s important is that I’m completely consumed by the story and the characters. It didn’t entirely happen here, though I have to say that some parts of the story had me fully invested. I found certain things about Violet’s character interesting. Xaden is perfect, not that I expected anything less, and there some great side characters and dragons.
The romance part didn’t blow me away, but it had the potential to do so. Some scenes were super cute and some made me cringe.
I wasn’t completely sold on the writing style. The world building feels underdeveloped, there’s some lack of logic, and the way the characters talk sounds too contemporary. The story feels very YA. I feel the author made Violet 20 only so she could insert s*x scenes. Her character, and the other students as well, could have easily been 15 or 17.
There is one thing that made me angry and that I can’t forgive - (view spoiler)[Liam! (hide spoiler)]. I loved the ending, though. I knew it, but it doesn’t matter. I’m just happy that I was right.
I wasn’t a fan of the audiobook. The RS’s voices for the characters weren’t distinct enough and she made Xaden sound constantly angry - shouting and talking through clenched teeth. It was ruining the experience for me. Also she sounded like she had a cold and needed to blow her nose. I could hear her making weird pauses and swallowing, especially in the first part of the book. It got better later on. Sadly, Teddy Hamilton narrates only the last chapter. He is great and I wish he’d given his voice to Xaden throughout the whole book.
Edit: I forgot to mention it when I was writing the review, but I'm curious why the author named the kingdom Navarre. It's way too similar to Nevarro from Mandalorian. Coincidence?...more
This was such a cute, cosy and heartwarming story about found family and new beginnings.
The characters are so unique and endearing. Thimble is probabThis was such a cute, cosy and heartwarming story about found family and new beginnings.
The characters are so unique and endearing. Thimble is probably my favourite, but I honestly loved them all and their friendships are simply wonderful.
Reading about coffee shops and bakeries always feels so comforting to me and this one was no different. A true feel-good read. ...more
I really enjoyed this. The plot might not be the most original and it's pretty straightforward, but I thought it was a fun read. It's fast-paced, it hI really enjoyed this. The plot might not be the most original and it's pretty straightforward, but I thought it was a fun read. It's fast-paced, it has a great set of characters and, despite some violence, it feels lighter than what I'm used to in a fantasy book.
This was my first Graphic Audio production and it was such a great listening experience. The sound effects and the music add so much to the story, it feels like watching a movie. There is a full cast of narrators and I can honestly say that I loved all of them....more
I don't read a lot of children's fantasy, but this was a gift from a friend and I felt I had to finish it. I did struggle with it a bit and it took soI don't read a lot of children's fantasy, but this was a gift from a friend and I felt I had to finish it. I did struggle with it a bit and it took some time for the story to pull me in, though my interest wavered throughout the entire book.
That being said, there were a few things I really enjoyed about it. The thing I liked the most was how the author handled the idea of the Chosen One. I can't go into any details to avoid spoilers, but it was a pleasant surprise for me.
There were also some interesting side characters and the world the author created was very imaginative and whimsical. I liked all the made up words and names and the illustrations throughout the book were really great.
I switched to the audiobook a few times and I really liked the narration. It helped me get through the story more easily. ...more
I expected this one to be equally funny and entertaining as the previous two books, but what I didn't expect was how sweet and adorable it wo4.5 stars
I expected this one to be equally funny and entertaining as the previous two books, but what I didn't expect was how sweet and adorable it would be. I couldn't stop smiling the whole time.
I adored the characters, especially Dave, Simon and Pie and all the other dragons. Dave is one of the sweetest and most endearing characters I've read about. I loved his innocence and kindness. Dave and Simon were so cute together and the fact that both of them (view spoiler)[are asexual (hide spoiler)] was very refreshing.
The storyline is quite simple, but I enjoyed it a lot. It takes place at the same time as the previous book, but in a different setting, and there are some overlapping events, which I think was pretty great.
I would definitely recommend listening to the audiobooks for this series. Nick J. Russo brings so much life to the characters and his different and unique voices for each character are amazing. It felt like watching a movie. I only listened to books 2 and 3 on audio and I'm sure that his narration made me enjoy them even more than book 1. ...more
I loved the first book, the second book was disappointing for me, and this one is somewhere in between.
I still liked the world-building, the magic syI loved the first book, the second book was disappointing for me, and this one is somewhere in between.
I still liked the world-building, the magic system and some plot twists. Some parts of the story were very engaging, and some other parts were a bit slow and repetitive.
As with book 2, I didn't feel much connection to the characters. I think I liked Spook the most here. He is the only character that stood out for me. I also liked getting to know more about other species.
Not sure how I feel about the ending. I guess it's fitting, but I can't say that I'm happy about it. There's also one little detail that remained unsolved, that I wish I'd learned more about. ...more
This was just as ridiculous and entertaining as the first book. It was exactly the type of light and fun read I was in the mood for and there are manyThis was just as ridiculous and entertaining as the first book. It was exactly the type of light and fun read I was in the mood for and there are many things about this story that I really enjoyed:
- the characters - the humor - the storyline - the beautiful alpine village of Tournel - quirky citizens of Tournel - another silly quest
I absolutely adored Benji in this one. He is hilarious. The relationship between Benji, Calarian and Lars was kind of sweet. The romantic part of the story is quite simplistic and most of it happens off page, but I was actually more than happy with that.
5 stars for the audiobook. Nick J. Russo is one of my favourite narrators and I think he did a fantastic job bringing the characters and the humor to life. Mountain trolls included. ...more
This is definitely a very intriguing story. It's slow-paced, atmospheric and beautifully written. I was drawn into it right from the start an3.5 stars
This is definitely a very intriguing story. It's slow-paced, atmospheric and beautifully written. I was drawn into it right from the start and I was very interested to see how it would end.
However, I have to say that I never related to Addie nor any of the other characters. I can't say why. And, personally, I didn't feel any chemistry between them. I was still invested in their story, just not as emotionally as I would have liked.
I listened to the audiobook for this one and I think Julia Whelan did a wonderful job narrating it. She really brought the characters to life - I loved Addie's French accent, and her narration added to the overall atmosphere of the book. ...more
I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as the first book. It was quite different.
The pacing was almost non-existent, except for the last 1002.5 stars
I didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as the first book. It was quite different.
The pacing was almost non-existent, except for the last 100 pages or less when the story wrapped up too quickly, and there was too much politics for my liking. Despite all the discussions and plotting, I got the impression that none of the characters knew what they were doing and some of the plot twists didn't make sense to me.
Vin was annoying with her teenage drama – not something I'd expect in adult fantasy. I found Zane and OreSeur much more interesting as characters, though Kelsier is still my favourite....more
This was my first dragon shifter story and overall I enjoyed it. Mostly because of Zephyr, he is the cutest and deserves all the stars.
I lik3.5 stars
This was my first dragon shifter story and overall I enjoyed it. Mostly because of Zephyr, he is the cutest and deserves all the stars.
I liked him and Gawain together, although the insta-love felt more believable coming from Zephyr than Gawain. The one thing I personally didn’t enjoy and found a bit cringy were the sex scenes. Mainly because Zephyr seems so innocent to me and in my mind he is a dragon, no matter what shape he’s taken.
The audiobook was really good. It was actually the first book narrated by Joel Leslie that I managed to listen to. I liked his voice in this story and the accents he did were great. ...more
Such a lovely, heart-warming story with a wonderful group of characters. I loved Linus and Arthur, but I think I loved the children even more. They arSuch a lovely, heart-warming story with a wonderful group of characters. I loved Linus and Arthur, but I think I loved the children even more. They are all so endearing, funny and clever, I couldn't pick a favourite even if I wanted to.
I really liked the world the author created, the diversity of characters, and most importantly the message this story sends.
The audiobook was fantastic. The writing was already beautiful but the narration by Daniel Henning really brought the story to life and made it even more magical. I loved that he gave each character a unique voice and a distinct personality....more
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