WendigoLove
Spoilers and TW
So. Much. Plot Armor. And unbelievable heroine. Zero emotional reaction to dog being killed. Repeatedly makes stupid and emotional decisions. But the rebellion 200+ years in the making chooses her. But it works because the suspicious tyrant doesn't check the women for weapons, doesn't change security during the 1 hour the walls are down, or do anything smart either. Finished book mostly because snorting during each miracle of avoiding being caught in spite of no attempts at stealth. And the absolute worst person you'd want leading your rebellion. Her Thought Out Major Plan was to knee the tyrant and steal his weapon. Yep.
I read this one first, and still found the people and story detail immersive and fun. Off to read the first one!
Many fantasy series don't include real consequences or real reactions- this book defies that with the consequences of the 1st. And it still feels organic in how the plot and characters react to everything. I rarely get surprised by how characters change and this book did...
This is the original version with an extra chapter at the end that was not included in the American version and thus not include in the Kubrick movie.
A book exploring teenage thugs and human rights. Is it a human right to have the choice to kill and maim others? Is it a right to exact revenge on another human? Counter conditioning to render a person to be unable to enact harm on another- a perfect rehabilitation or does it take away free will? This book is told in the slang laced and droll voice of the young author as he enjoys life through violence. Many of the scenes are squirm inducing but the narrator voice stays engaging.
The additional chapter changes the whole story even though it is relative short. The character becomes bored with violence and starts to grow up.
DNF. After every brief plot advancement expect pages of technical descriptions that don't really add to the story. I actually liked the characters, but just couldn't do it.
I got this book through generous donation to Worldbuilders Fundraiser. It is a simple romp and I found characters frustrating. Murdering a guy, deciding he loved his sister(!) based on a photo. (Who cares about anything else?) And of course she falls into bed. With brother's murderer. Who only wants to get as far as he can before she finds out. Wanted to like it after winning it.
A new take on magic with cute and fun characters. Streamlined in a good way (so many books seem to follow the trend that overly complicated and ponderous equals good). Looking forward to the next book in the series.
Didn't like nearly as much Main characters are selfish. Friends are more interesting. And so so many times things would have been solved by the dragons being dragons and using fire. Endless chase scenes or landing scenes when a nice blast would have finished problem. Author uses friends to address selfish and toxic main characters so Yarros hopefully has a plan.
Most sequels claim to show consequences of the actions of the first but feel very contrived or silly. This actually felt like a real progression of characters aging (Boys!) and their reactions to each other's changes. I really enjoyed the book plot AND characters (usually one or the other) and can't wait to read the resolution.
I sat in the parking lot several times just to listen more to this book. I can't describe it better than the blurb....it was very good at making me picture a scene vividly and interestingly. (I often skip the lengthy descriptions most books need).
Would recommend it.
The audible book was the best way to really experience all the different voices of the characters the narrator comes across. A wonderful book covering several Black Stories by use of frame stories combined with gorgeous prose and symbolism. Gripping.
A different kind of hero and more realistic hero. I found the audio book really difficult to keep track of names.
Couldn't finish it. Not what genre I was in the mood for though I really liked the characters voices. And then the dog scene (trigger warning).
My first Ursula Le Guin book and a nice one to start with. The story and characters are believable and takes place between 2 revolutions. It can be difficult to deftly describe past events without being dull and without flashbacks while still showing how they influence current events in the book. This seemed to flow very smoothly and I really enjoyed it.
Very satisfying conclusion to the series. One of my favorite re-telling of Fairy Tales to date!
Overall continues a great use of fairy tales in a science fiction type setting. A few frustrating points where people (Cinder especially) act completely out of character just to solve a plot need. Still enjoying the series and looking forward to the next book.
I am a bit burned out on Teenager In Dystopia novels, but this was still pretty fun! There were a few points that threw me out of the story where all of the ‘rules' of this society were ignored to move plot points along.
Potential Spoiler
Throughout the beginning of the book it was stressed that Factions come before Blood (family) and there was no mingling. It was also stressed that the Transfers could only see their family once on the visiting day and there are no stories of anyone visiting another Faction- even if becoming Factionless. Yet, Tris just walks into the other faction, visits her brother, and heads home and there are no Faction related consequences- just related to running into the Bad Guys.
Frustrating, but not enough to ruin the enjoyment of the book. I liked the idea of trying to live up to ideals and really liked the character of Tris. Very different than the other novels where the girls start passive and learn to be more assertive.
Planning to read the next in the series soon!
I came to this book after many other fantasy books and later than many people discover them. The ‘reveal' about the source of the colonies was not as fresh to me, but the story was still a novel incorporation of a coming of age story with dragon riding. Planning to read other novels in the series and the world of Pern.