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hebberelle's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. The climactic battle was super rushed and too easy, and then the actual ending was oddly drawn out.
cala_p's review against another edition
4.0
Reviewed voluntarily and objectively
I have a love-hate relationship with this book. I love the whole unicorn, princess, magic thing. It’s a YA fantasy through and through. With unicorns! This book sets up a very interesting plot and kept me entertained throughout. It has a great cast of characters.
On the flip side, it took quite a few chapters for me to remember which character is which. We get perspectives from two very different princesses and two prince brothers, so yes, it takes a moment. I found that there was a lot of development within the book, but for a bit, I wasn’t following along. Suddenly things were happening. In the midst of the plot, Cora and Teryn get close but I found their relationship could have been better developed. Maybe a few more scenes of just them. I suppose fantasy books do not put a lot of stock into such scenes, so maybe it’s a genre thing.
All in all, it’s a good book and after that great ending, I look forward to seeing where the story goes next
I have a love-hate relationship with this book. I love the whole unicorn, princess, magic thing. It’s a YA fantasy through and through. With unicorns! This book sets up a very interesting plot and kept me entertained throughout. It has a great cast of characters.
On the flip side, it took quite a few chapters for me to remember which character is which. We get perspectives from two very different princesses and two prince brothers, so yes, it takes a moment. I found that there was a lot of development within the book, but for a bit, I wasn’t following along. Suddenly things were happening. In the midst of the plot, Cora and Teryn get close but I found their relationship could have been better developed. Maybe a few more scenes of just them. I suppose fantasy books do not put a lot of stock into such scenes, so maybe it’s a genre thing.
All in all, it’s a good book and after that great ending, I look forward to seeing where the story goes next
sea_caummisar's review against another edition
4.0
I'm reading these reviews about the audio version, and I don't think it was bad at all. Most reviews are saying the male voice wasn't good. Either I disagree, or this story has been re-recorded since those reviews.
It's nice to escape to a fairy tale land from time to time. Men hunt for mythical unicorns for a chance to marry royalty. It's fun to read (listen) to something different than my usual genres.
It's nice to escape to a fairy tale land from time to time. Men hunt for mythical unicorns for a chance to marry royalty. It's fun to read (listen) to something different than my usual genres.
evermoreliterary's review
3.0
Something about this book feels like an older fantasy I would have read as a kid in the early 2000's. That's neither good nor bad, but just the feeling I had while listening to this on audio! A pleasant read, with no major complaints. But I was left feeling like something was missing as far as worldbuilding goes and character development. I wanted to feel more for the characters than I did. The villain of the story was lackluster and didn't really introduce much risk for our main characters. Very little sense of urgency, it was mostly just confusion. The world could have used more time to be fleshed out and really delved into. It could have been any old kingdom, any old forest, and just sprinkle in some unicorns and that was essentially all the worldbuilding we got.
lacestow7's review
5.0
I am changing my rating to 5 stars because since I read this book, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it.
I read this book for a read-along with one of my Facebook groups, and I enjoyed it so much. Definitely more than I was expecting. This book drew me in from the first chapter, and kept my interest. Our four main protagonists are all relatable in some way or another. Cora is fiercely loyal to her family, and will do anything to protect the people she cares about. This loyalty and her inner strength are her greatest qualities. Maraleau is cold and stubborn. At first, she seems like a spoiled brat, but there is much more to her when you break through her tough exterior. Teryn is the strong brother and seems to know exactly what he wants, but a run-in with another protagonist changes things. Larylis is considered the weaker brother. He was the 'runt' when he was younger, but he is no longer that weak little boy. Larylis is willing to give up the only thing he has ever truly wanted for his brother, and the better of the kingdom. Lex is an excellent side character that is a big teddy bear. I love the characters that the author has created and the depth to each one.
One thing that surprised me is how early one of the main plots was resolved, but it just makes me more intrigued to see what direction the future books will take.
If you like unicorns, magic, complex characters, and romance, then this book is for you.
I read this book for a read-along with one of my Facebook groups, and I enjoyed it so much. Definitely more than I was expecting. This book drew me in from the first chapter, and kept my interest. Our four main protagonists are all relatable in some way or another. Cora is fiercely loyal to her family, and will do anything to protect the people she cares about. This loyalty and her inner strength are her greatest qualities. Maraleau is cold and stubborn. At first, she seems like a spoiled brat, but there is much more to her when you break through her tough exterior. Teryn is the strong brother and seems to know exactly what he wants, but a run-in with another protagonist changes things. Larylis is considered the weaker brother. He was the 'runt' when he was younger, but he is no longer that weak little boy. Larylis is willing to give up the only thing he has ever truly wanted for his brother, and the better of the kingdom. Lex is an excellent side character that is a big teddy bear. I love the characters that the author has created and the depth to each one.
One thing that surprised me is how early one of the main plots was resolved, but it just makes me more intrigued to see what direction the future books will take.
If you like unicorns, magic, complex characters, and romance, then this book is for you.
hobbitfanatic's review
4.0
This took so many turns I did not expect, but I enjoyed each one. Rich detailed storytelling made me immediately grab the second book upon finishing this one.
mnakka9's review against another edition
4.0
A good start for a series. looking forward for the love between Cora and Teryn!
womanon's review against another edition
4.0
This was SO insanely good! The story gripped me, and though the multiple pov was a little hard at the beginning, I soon was used to it, and completely immersed. I enjoyed the characters and the romance, and the ending made me insanely excited to read the next book!
jenjuxtapose's review
3.0
3.5 stars really, but I can't do halves.
The whole review can be read on my blog
Disclaimer: I usually try not to get too spoilery in my reviews, and I don't want to pick apart the novel, but beware there are some spoilers ahead!
Right off the bat, this book gave me Graceling and Red Queen vibes. It's a high fantasy novel without the pretentiousness that can sometimes come with it. The book also deals with royal families and the complicated relations between them. Tessonja Odette has created a vast fantastical land full of ancient magic, lost lore, and many kingdoms.
The world building has been done really well. I found the part describing the Ancient Ones quite interesting and I would've loved to delve into the lore even more. I also would've loved more scenery descriptions. As a reader, I've been given this wide new world, and sometimes I felt like I couldn't see where I was. Cora and Teryn are journeying across the land, but I wanted more descriptions of how the landscape changed as they moved into the different kingdoms. I wanted to be fully immersed.
Also, a map at the beginning of the book would've been a huge bonus! They're always helpful when reading a fantasy with many different locations.
The whole review can be read on my blog
Disclaimer: I usually try not to get too spoilery in my reviews, and I don't want to pick apart the novel, but beware there are some spoilers ahead!
Right off the bat, this book gave me Graceling and Red Queen vibes. It's a high fantasy novel without the pretentiousness that can sometimes come with it. The book also deals with royal families and the complicated relations between them. Tessonja Odette has created a vast fantastical land full of ancient magic, lost lore, and many kingdoms.
The world building has been done really well. I found the part describing the Ancient Ones quite interesting and I would've loved to delve into the lore even more. I also would've loved more scenery descriptions. As a reader, I've been given this wide new world, and sometimes I felt like I couldn't see where I was. Cora and Teryn are journeying across the land, but I wanted more descriptions of how the landscape changed as they moved into the different kingdoms. I wanted to be fully immersed.
Also, a map at the beginning of the book would've been a huge bonus! They're always helpful when reading a fantasy with many different locations.
sunny_care's review
4.0
I can't remember the last time I read a book with a unicorn in it. Such an underappreciated magical creature.
Cora is a princess, exiled because she spoke the truth about her brother the king's magical advisor. She leads a simple life in the forests until she come across hunters, but not just any kind of hunters, unicorn hunters.
In a different kingdom, three crown princes set out on a quest in order to win the hand of the crown princess. Their quest, find three unicorns.
When their paths collide the fate of the whole land of Lela hangs in the balance.
Good for people who like high fantasy, magic, and the timeless struggle of good vs evil.
Cora is a princess, exiled because she spoke the truth about her brother the king's magical advisor. She leads a simple life in the forests until she come across hunters, but not just any kind of hunters, unicorn hunters.
In a different kingdom, three crown princes set out on a quest in order to win the hand of the crown princess. Their quest, find three unicorns.
When their paths collide the fate of the whole land of Lela hangs in the balance.
Good for people who like high fantasy, magic, and the timeless struggle of good vs evil.