Last year with The Storm Crow, I felt its theme of depression due to my own past. This year, re(3.5 ★’s)
“You only fail if you stop trying.”
[image]
Last year with The Storm Crow, I felt its theme of depression due to my own past. This year, reading the sequel, I feel it because I’m experiencing it this very moment.
Depression is a funny thing (pardon my insensitivity) because in every single person it haunts, it brings a different battle; an ocean of self-doubt, a blanket of exhaustion, a mist of loneliness, a well of pointlessness, suffocating, suffocating, always suffocating you. And it never, ever really leaves. You feel better, you feel worse. You win, but you feel it there every once in a while, poking its head in, luring you with bitter words.
“Some cracks couldn’t be mended; they only became a part of you instead, forever places that left you unsteady. “It feels impossible,” he said. “Like trying to reform shattered glass.”
And what I’m most thankful for when it comes to this duology, is Kalyn Josephson’s acknowledgement of this trickster and its tricky nature. So. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
[image] (there is a map now!)
This is an action-packed second installment (the opposite of its predecessor) peppered with moments of fresh air, bonding, friendship, self-discovery, unity, doubt, guilt, and forgiveness, with a gem named Ericen and only one true hero aka Res, my precious magical crow—no one can convince me otherwise.
I loved this sequel, and I wish, oh I wish I could give five winged stars to The Crow Rider, but sadly it could’ve done so much more, been so much more. I feel like this series could’ve easily been a trilogy and should’ve been a trilogy. It’s no secret that I prefer slow-paced to fast-paced, but I can love the latter too, as long as it doesn’t sacrifice its potential for in-depth development just to put you on the edge of your seat. Sadly, The Crow Rider does just that.
“Decisions take courage. It’s so much easier to just let things happen.”
There is so much happening in these 350 pages that certain parts start to feel rushed, underdeveloped, and out-of-the-blue. Namely three things which each took away half a star for me: the beginning, Caylus, and Ericen (I’ll talk about them separately).
[image]
Beginning: How About You Take A Breath?
Even your very heart is armed, Auma had said. It must have peace before you can expect to bring it to others. But I didn’t want peace right now. I wanted war.
The Crow Rider hits the ground running and does not slow down, and while that in itself is a good thing, it can also take away from the book if written in a rushed manner. It’s not that Kalyn isn’t good at action scenes (the ending battles were very well written and I loved the strategies and descriptions), it’s only that the beginning fights and chases were happening too fast, finished in a blink, the next one quickly dumped on you.
Starting the book, I was slightly put out, thinking I would not end up loving it. I am truly glad that it got better as the book progressed, and I hope the author works more on developing all scenes in her future novels (which I’m looking forward to).
[image]
Caylus: Where Did THAT Go?
“When they asked him whether he was lost, he said he was. When they offered to give him directions, he said he knew the way home. ‘Well then,’ the ship’s captain asked, ‘how can you be lost?’ And the man replied, ‘Because no matter where I am, it’s never where I should be.’
I’d said in my review of the previous book that Thia and Caylus’s romance felt more like a temporary reprieve and solace, confined to four walls, and I didn’t see it as solid enough to hold strong. So I completely understand why it took the path it took in the sequel BUT, it was barely explored and explained. I’d have especially loved more on the aromantic angle.
[image]
Ericen: What Are You Doing?
“Love doesn’t make you weak.” He looked at me, his piercing eyes pinning me to the spot. “It makes you stronger.”
By now everyone knows Red Queen is one of my favourite series and one of the reason that is so is because of the extraordinary and thoroughly developed character arcs; like Cal’s. And since Ericen’s circumstances and struggle constantly reminded me of that of Cal’s, I was hoping for a similar slow path—if not three books of doubt and and questioning your beliefs, then at least one! I don’t know, maybe Victoria Aveyard has raised my expectations of YA, but I was left extremely unsatisfied with the sudden shift in belief.
I believe The Crow Rider would’ve benefited much from being split in half into two books, then spending more time working on the twists and giving time for scenes to brew before moving past them. And to prevent a long drawn out plot in case of the split, more subplots could’ve done wonders, perhaps laying the groundwork for the ultimate reveal.
[image]
“You cannot be afraid to see what you see,” Auma replied. “If you are, you only end up lying to yourself.”
Criticisms aside, I still did love this novel.
I loved it for the even stronger female friendships. For Res the magical crow’s charm and bravery and naughtiness. I loved it, because of the bird and rider’s relationship. Ericen’s arrogance and teasing. And because of the way he pushed Res in all their similarities (and no wonder they are my faves, I do have a type it seems). I loved it for Kiva’s developed romance and her precious presence and support. And the cat ruining her intimating image. I loved the myths and stories sprinkled throughout. The easy LGBT+ representation. The light politics and strategic talk. I loved the banter and bonds and Elko’s fierceness. And I lovednd Thia’s growth and attempts to be a leader, making me feel like a proud parent.
Books in series: ➴ The Storm Crow (The Storm Crow, #1) ★★★★☆ ➴ The Crow Rider (The Storm Crow, #2) ★★★✯☆
Merged review:
(3.5 ★’s)
“You only fail if you stop trying.”
[image]
Last year with The Storm Crow, I felt its theme of depression due to my own past. This year, reading the sequel, I feel it because I’m experiencing it this very moment.
Depression is a funny thing (pardon my insensitivity) because in every single person it haunts, it brings a different battle; an ocean of self-doubt, a blanket of exhaustion, a mist of loneliness, a well of pointlessness, suffocating, suffocating, always suffocating you. And it never, ever really leaves. You feel better, you feel worse. You win, but you feel it there every once in a while, poking its head in, luring you with bitter words.
“Some cracks couldn’t be mended; they only became a part of you instead, forever places that left you unsteady. “It feels impossible,” he said. “Like trying to reform shattered glass.”
And what I’m most thankful for when it comes to this duology, is Kalyn Josephson’s acknowledgement of this trickster and its tricky nature. So. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
[image] (there is a map now!)
This is an action-packed second installment (the opposite of its predecessor) peppered with moments of fresh air, bonding, friendship, self-discovery, unity, doubt, guilt, and forgiveness, with a gem named Ericen and only one true hero aka Res, my precious magical crow—no one can convince me otherwise.
I loved this sequel, and I wish, oh I wish I could give five winged stars to The Crow Rider, but sadly it could’ve done so much more, been so much more. I feel like this series could’ve easily been a trilogy and should’ve been a trilogy. It’s no secret that I prefer slow-paced to fast-paced, but I can love the latter too, as long as it doesn’t sacrifice its potential for in-depth development just to put you on the edge of your seat. Sadly, The Crow Rider does just that.
“Decisions take courage. It’s so much easier to just let things happen.”
There is so much happening in these 350 pages that certain parts start to feel rushed, underdeveloped, and out-of-the-blue. Namely three things which each took away half a star for me: the beginning, Caylus, and Ericen (I’ll talk about them separately).
[image]
Beginning: How About You Take A Breath?
Even your very heart is armed, Auma had said. It must have peace before you can expect to bring it to others. But I didn’t want peace right now. I wanted war.
The Crow Rider hits the ground running and does not slow down, and while that in itself is a good thing, it can also take away from the book if written in a rushed manner. It’s not that Kalyn isn’t good at action scenes (the ending battles were very well written and I loved the strategies and descriptions), it’s only that the beginning fights and chases were happening too fast, finished in a blink, the next one quickly dumped on you.
Starting the book, I was slightly put out, thinking I would not end up loving it. I am truly glad that it got better as the book progressed, and I hope the author works more on developing all scenes in her future novels (which I’m looking forward to).
[image]
Caylus: Where Did THAT Go?
“When they asked him whether he was lost, he said he was. When they offered to give him directions, he said he knew the way home. ‘Well then,’ the ship’s captain asked, ‘how can you be lost?’ And the man replied, ‘Because no matter where I am, it’s never where I should be.’
I’d said in my review of the previous book that Thia and Caylus’s romance felt more like a temporary reprieve and solace, confined to four walls, and I didn’t see it as solid enough to hold strong. So I completely understand why it took the path it took in the sequel BUT, it was barely explored and explained. I’d have especially loved more on the aromantic angle.
[image]
Ericen: What Are You Doing?
“Love doesn’t make you weak.” He looked at me, his piercing eyes pinning me to the spot. “It makes you stronger.”
By now everyone knows Red Queen is one of my favourite series and one of the reason that is so is because of the extraordinary and thoroughly developed character arcs; like Cal’s. And since Ericen’s circumstances and struggle constantly reminded me of that of Cal’s, I was hoping for a similar slow path—if not three books of doubt and and questioning your beliefs, then at least one! I don’t know, maybe Victoria Aveyard has raised my expectations of YA, but I was left extremely unsatisfied with the sudden shift in belief.
I believe The Crow Rider would’ve benefited much from being split in half into two books, then spending more time working on the twists and giving time for scenes to brew before moving past them. And to prevent a long drawn out plot in case of the split, more subplots could’ve done wonders, perhaps laying the groundwork for the ultimate reveal.
[image]
“You cannot be afraid to see what you see,” Auma replied. “If you are, you only end up lying to yourself.”
Criticisms aside, I still did love this novel.
I loved it for the even stronger female friendships. For Res the magical crow’s charm and bravery and naughtiness. I loved it, because of the bird and rider’s relationship. Ericen’s arrogance and teasing. And because of the way he pushed Res in all their similarities (and no wonder they are my faves, I do have a type it seems). I loved it for Kiva’s developed romance and her precious presence and support. And the cat ruining her intimating image. I loved the myths and stories sprinkled throughout. The easy LGBT+ representation. The light politics and strategic talk. I loved the banter and bonds and Elko’s fierceness. And I lovednd Thia’s growth and attempts to be a leader, making me feel like a proud parent.
Fatima lives in the city of Noor, a thriving stop along the Silk Road. There the music of myriad languages fills the air, and people of all faiths weaFatima lives in the city of Noor, a thriving stop along the Silk Road. There the music of myriad languages fills the air, and people of all faiths weave their lives together.
A magical book set along the Silk Road based on Middle-Eastern myths? WOW. I LOVE how diverse fantasy books are becoming! Personally that's one of my fave things about the genre: how it can embrace and explore such different cultures and still keep true to their beauty and origins
However, the city bears scars of its recent past, when the chaotic tribe of Shayateen djinn slaughtered its entire population—except for Fatima and two other humans. Now ruled by a new maharajah, Noor is protected from the Shayateen by the Ifrit, djinn of order and reason, and by their commander, Zulfikar.
Also a book about scars and healing and destruction and rebuilding :)))
Nafiza Azad weaves an immersive tale of magic and the importance of names; fiercely independent women; and, perhaps most importantly, the work for harmony within a city of a thousand cultures and cadences.
This is the most important thing about it and what makes this a total MUST READ: names and identity are topics that deserve millions of books, women even more, and cooperation, acceptance, and unity even more than that!
So yes, I need this, and that's not even talking about the cover that had me senseless and lost
Such potential :) can't wait to see what tapestry the author has woven this artfully; join me in the wait!
Merged review:
Fatima lives in the city of Noor, a thriving stop along the Silk Road. There the music of myriad languages fills the air, and people of all faiths weave their lives together.
A magical book set along the Silk Road based on Middle-Eastern myths? WOW. I LOVE how diverse fantasy books are becoming! Personally that's one of my fave things about the genre: how it can embrace and explore such different cultures and still keep true to their beauty and origins
However, the city bears scars of its recent past, when the chaotic tribe of Shayateen djinn slaughtered its entire population—except for Fatima and two other humans. Now ruled by a new maharajah, Noor is protected from the Shayateen by the Ifrit, djinn of order and reason, and by their commander, Zulfikar.
Also a book about scars and healing and destruction and rebuilding :)))
Nafiza Azad weaves an immersive tale of magic and the importance of names; fiercely independent women; and, perhaps most importantly, the work for harmony within a city of a thousand cultures and cadences.
This is the most important thing about it and what makes this a total MUST READ: names and identity are topics that deserve millions of books, women even more, and cooperation, acceptance, and unity even more than that!
So yes, I need this, and that's not even talking about the cover that had me senseless and lost
Such potential :) can't wait to see what tapestry the author has woven this artfully; join me in the wait!...more
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