Scant 2 stars at best, dammit. I’m disenchanted about this one. I have enough respect for certain pieces of it, and for other work I’ve read by this aScant 2 stars at best, dammit. I’m disenchanted about this one. I have enough respect for certain pieces of it, and for other work I’ve read by this author, that I’d like to write a constructive review. But I’m perturbed about it going so sideways for me.
The first quarter or so of the book was delightful... Fenn, the world building, the horse, the story setup. It all had so much personality and mystery; I was engaged and excited to see how it would play out.
But then it started to fall apart. And that was before it got worse.
In retrospect, I think the biggest issue affecting everything was the (lack of) character development. Morgrim was all over the board, and after 100k words I’m none the wiser about who tf he is. Not only was he inconsistent, but it seemed like his actions were based on whatever was convenient for the plot.
And because of this shortcoming, I didn’t feel any tension or chemistry between the MCs. I didn’t see what they saw in each other. Yeah I know, I was told, but I didn’t feel it. The next paragraph isn’t much of a spoiler, but it has to do with their sexual dynamic, so if you’re strictly spoiler-averse, leave it alone.
(view spoiler)[The sex was unappealing, to put it as politely as I can, and this is coming from someone who frequently seeks out kink stories. They're tricky to write. It's not as simple as putting in a bit of restraint or rough treatment or informing the reader that someone wants to be dominated. It has to make sense, has to be an organic development that you can understand the characters wanting. Otherwise it just feels weird and unsexy. (hide spoiler)]
Fenn’s character was one of the pieces that started strong for me, but instead of evolving and becoming more dimensional as the story progressed, it did the opposite. He became sort of a blue-collar stereotype. Even though his inner monologue at one point assured us that he had changed over the course of the story’s events, his words and actions became less nuanced. The “good ole boy” dialect wasn’t used judiciously; it was every time he opened his mouth, with repetitive phrasing that grated. He was increasingly portrayed as naive, unrealistic, and idealistic despite having lived a difficult life that was incongruent with these traits.
I have a particular dislike for conflicts wrapping up neatly, sweetly, and conveniently during the last stage of the book, and this one tapped into that but hard. With every new saccharine conclusion it got worse. That’s enough said about that, because to be fair there’s probably nothing the book could have done to rescue itself by that point anyway.
Merged review:
Scant 2 stars at best, dammit. I’m disenchanted about this one. I have enough respect for certain pieces of it, and for other work I’ve read by this author, that I’d like to write a constructive review. But I’m perturbed about it going so sideways for me.
The first quarter or so of the book was delightful... Fenn, the world building, the horse, the story setup. It all had so much personality and mystery; I was engaged and excited to see how it would play out.
But then it started to fall apart. And that was before it got worse.
In retrospect, I think the biggest issue affecting everything was the (lack of) character development. Morgrim was all over the board, and after 100k words I’m none the wiser about who tf he is. Not only was he inconsistent, but it seemed like his actions were based on whatever was convenient for the plot.
And because of this shortcoming, I didn’t feel any tension or chemistry between the MCs. I didn’t see what they saw in each other. Yeah I know, I was told, but I didn’t feel it. The next paragraph isn’t much of a spoiler, but it has to do with their sexual dynamic, so if you’re strictly spoiler-averse, leave it alone.
(view spoiler)[The sex was unappealing, to put it as politely as I can, and this is coming from someone who frequently seeks out kink stories. They're tricky to write. It's not as simple as putting in a bit of restraint or rough treatment or informing the reader that someone wants to be dominated. It has to make sense, has to be an organic development that you can understand the characters wanting. Otherwise it just feels weird and unsexy. (hide spoiler)]
Fenn’s character was one of the pieces that started strong for me, but instead of evolving and becoming more dimensional as the story progressed, it did the opposite. He became sort of a blue-collar stereotype. Even though his inner monologue at one point assured us that he had changed over the course of the story’s events, his words and actions became less nuanced. The “good ole boy” dialect wasn’t used judiciously; it was every time he opened his mouth, with repetitive phrasing that grated. He was increasingly portrayed as naive, unrealistic, and idealistic despite having lived a difficult life that was incongruent with these traits.
I have a particular dislike for conflicts wrapping up neatly, sweetly, and conveniently during the last stage of the book, and this one tapped into that but hard. With every new saccharine conclusion it got worse. That’s enough said about that, because to be fair there’s probably nothing the book could have done to rescue itself by that point anyway....more
Plot had potential, but it didn't quite land. Possibly, it was too short for the amount of content introduced — not enough words for development priorPlot had potential, but it didn't quite land. Possibly, it was too short for the amount of content introduced — not enough words for development prior to (ahem) payoff....more
I'm letting this go at 26%. All of my issues with the prose have overtaken any enjoyment I was getting from the series and making me not care what hapI'm letting this go at 26%. All of my issues with the prose have overtaken any enjoyment I was getting from the series and making me not care what happens in the rest of the story. And I can't take the mates element here, it's too OTT and growly. Considering how hard I had to fight the DNF in book 1, it's enough of a win that I made it this far. I regret nothing, because book 2 was worth it.
It's possible the story would rise to a 3-star experience for me, but considering that's the best case, stretch scenario for the next 500 pages... I yield....more
AngelFire, I owe you a fruit basket for this one. I never would've heard about it, much less prioritized it, without your championing.
I LOVED this stoAngelFire, I owe you a fruit basket for this one. I never would've heard about it, much less prioritized it, without your championing.
I LOVED this story and don't understand how it's so, so hidden. The author's evocative prose brought alllll the feelings. The world building was vivid and dimensional — it came alive in a way that made me wish it was the backdrop for a long series, not just <300 pages.
The last 20% or so had some room for improvement, didn't feel quite as tight as the rest, but nothing that detracted from my wholehearted enjoyment of it. I will reread this one for sure.
Thanks for the awesome buddy read, Ele and Rosa!
#TeamRakhadar but also really #TeamBebukul MY HEART
When it was good, it was so, so good. But real talk, its flaws were... persistent.
I have several spoilers marked below. Tbh most of them are barely spWhen it was good, it was so, so good. But real talk, its flaws were... persistent.
I have several spoilers marked below. Tbh most of them are barely spoilers, and sometimes only for book one. But I'm the most spoiler-averse person to ever refuse to read blurbs, so I am overly cautious on this point.
Midway through this book, I added it to my couples-hall-of-fame shelf — and since I've joined GR, they're the first straight couple I've put there. ...more
Warning: the below contains spoilers for the previous volume.
The second in The Bird and the Sword Chronicles duology, The Queen and the Cure picks up Warning: the below contains spoilers for the previous volume.
The second in The Bird and the Sword Chronicles duology, The Queen and the Cure picks up a few years after the first book, with different but related main characters. Overall, it had a few weakness that the first one didn't, and therefore didn't make me feel as much, but it was still entertaining. I wouldn't recommend this one as a standalone, but the first can definitely be treated that way.
His head ached dully and the tips of his fingers were numb from holding on to his temper.
From the beginning, my buddy reader and I decided that the most significant weakness here as compared to The Bird and the Sword was the narrative voice. Kjell, the male MC and the POV, never felt quite as he was described. He was supposed to be a gruff, guarded soldier, who we got to know well in the previous volume. We knew he had a fierce and loyal heart, as evidenced by his devotion to his brother, but coming into this book, one could argue that he would be even more gun shy about love... considering the last time didn't go so well.
But that's not how it went down. This was an insta situation, which rarely works to begin with, and here it especially didn't because it also flattened his characterization. His narrative was effusive, even if his communication was (slightly) less so. This meant very low tension, which is a shame because Harmon built great tension between Lark and Tiras, and there was potential for the same here.
I fell in love with you in pieces. Layer by layer, day by day, inch by inch.
The world was still enchanting, though not quite as tightly developed. You know how in fantasy, you want to feel that the characters exist within the world that's been created, rather than the world being created out of convenience for the characters' story? I got the former in Bird, but the additional details here occasionally made me feel the latter.
My last significant gripe was that the antagonist wasn't well developed. Ariel's arc did add elements to the adventure, but in the end I was never really afraid of her, and her motivation felt weak at best. Having said that, there were still times of apprehension in the story elsewhere, and those kept me interested.
“She is pleased with the grey in my hair.” “She is pleased with the hair on your arse, but don’t let that convince you it’s attractive.”
One element that was stronger in this one was the wit. Kjell had that long-suffering kind of humor even when he didn't mean to, and his banter with his troops (and brother) brought the lols. The book finished stronger than it started, with the last quarter or so being the only time I found it difficult to set down. So I didn't end up feeling too disappointed, but it had the potential to be a lot better....more
Magical not just because it's fantasy, but atmospherically as well. This was my first read from Amy Harmon and I found it easy to sink into the world,Magical not just because it's fantasy, but atmospherically as well. This was my first read from Amy Harmon and I found it easy to sink into the world, story, and chemistry between the characters. It was more about the plot than the characterization, but both were strong enough for me to stay absorbed the entire time. I had a great time with my evolving and often incorrect theories. ...more
Still captivated by this amazing story, and unfortunately now I have to waaaaait until the next one is out. I didn't plan this well.
Even better charaStill captivated by this amazing story, and unfortunately now I have to waaaaait until the next one is out. I didn't plan this well.
Even better character development than in the first volume, and Kristoff created some incredible, complex villains I loved to loathe. Furthermore, he's impressively adept at writing extensive battle scenes that make me hang on every word. My eyes have been known to glaze over with rapidity when encountering these things, but never here.
4.5 stars and I am thisclose to rounding up, but there were too many repeated words/phrases that could have been so easily edited out. ...more
Ah-mazing. The prose, plot, structure, characters, world. This is the kind of fantasy writing I love, where world building is never laid down flat andAh-mazing. The prose, plot, structure, characters, world. This is the kind of fantasy writing I love, where world building is never laid down flat and descriptive; rather, it's introduced as it's relevant, interwoven with the story in ways that feel organic and intuitive.
And tbh, the world building itself doesn't recreate the wheel. It borrows heavily from christianity... and just europe, in general. But I don't mind this, because it feels that much more accessible, leaving brain space for absorbing the unique and creative things that are specific to this story.
Such a rich tapestry, this one. Too many mysteries here by half. I'm completely absorbed in the plot, for sure, but my first love? The prose. I fell for it madly by the very first page. Kristoff has a gorgeous way with words, but at the same time doesn't take himself too seriously — the MC's bawdy sense of humor totally bankrolls the overall tone.
A couple of things kept this one from being perfect, but they were just niggles, not star-docking worthy. 4.75 stars but whatever, I'm starting book 2 today....more
Hi, how are you. Thanks everyone (else in the world), it's nice to be here. What a big party this is.
This series has been omnipresent in my feeds for Hi, how are you. Thanks everyone (else in the world), it's nice to be here. What a big party this is.
This series has been omnipresent in my feeds for years, obvs. But for most of those years I wasn't reading m/f, and timing is everything. Cupcake's review a couple of months ago came at the right time and finally pushed me over the edge.
For some reason I really got intent on making this work, and without that, I wouldn't have lasted past the first quarter. I made the mistake of starting via audiobook... and that, combined with the general weakness of the story early on, almost destroyed it for me. I have made a mental note stone carving never to try this narrator again. With a fiery passion, I hated Feyre as she interpreted her. At 39%, I gave up and continued via ebook after a couple weeks' break.
It started to get better when I finally was able to slough off that voice. I can't say I love Feyre yet, but she definitely has things I appreciate, especially her flaws. The burden of a pov character is that she accumulates the sideye for suboptimal writing choices. Plot conveniences and illogical decisions — of which there are several — get attributed to her characterization. So if/as Maas's choices get stronger, so will my connection to Feyre. And from what I hear, the next book is muuuuch stronger.
While it stayed relatively tropey and didn't recreate the story wheel, I couldn't put it down in the last 30-35%. So it's a solid 3.5 stars, with the additional endorsement of "I'm proceeding directly to book 2," for what that's worth.
Thanks to Gabi for the handholding and great discussion!...more
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