Scan barcode
warmkaa's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.5
swaye's review
5.0
I went into this book determined to love it but I honestly believed that it was going to be an uphill battle. Well, I couldn't have been more wrong. My love for this book was effortless, from the first page to the very last. In my opinion, Falling Kingdoms is flawless for it's genre. There is literally nothing I could find fault with. Every page was a pleasure for me to read. In fact, it's been a while since I found myself so utterly immersed in a world of fantasy.
Now, is this book chock full of mind-numbingly beautiful prose? No. Rhodes' writing style is simple but effective. It was refreshing to read high fantasy that wasn't overly convoluted and up its own ass.
I don't understand what it is about this book that so many people don't like. I've read many a review saying that it was cliche but Falling Kingdoms didn't feel cliche to me at all. Was it sappy and romantic in parts? Sure. But I didn't find it overwrought or cringeworthy in the least. This wasn't your run of the mill YA romance for the sake of romance. All of the interactions between the characters felt real and natural. Nothing felt forced.
And while I'm on the subject of characters, I'd like to, very eloquently I might add, just say, WOW WOWITY WOW WOW. Rhodes has a real gift for creating some pretty phenomenal characters, I'd say on par with, Our Sacred and Holy Lady of Characters, Leigh Bardugo. However, when it comes to "bad boys" Rhodes' Magnus Damora is so much more than any Kaz Brekker or *GROOOAAN* Darkling. Magnus is a character with real depth. I could actually resonate with his reasons behind some of the more questionable decisions he makes or impulses he chooses to act on. And while he does hide behind a mask out of self-preservation he doesn't become so completely lost behind a persona that we lose sight of the human being beneath. He is not jaded and tortured beyond all hope. I genuinely care for Magnus and I'm looking forward to watching his character evolve throughout the series. I admire his tenacity, his strength and above all, that he retains his honour despite how much simpler life would be for him if he would just become the evil bastard his father wishes he would become. I relate so much to the way he expresses his anger and soul-crushing disappointments, I love him! I really do.
And no, I don't want to marry him. It's not like that, besides he's taken, ladies and gentlemen, I am here to officially announce that Magnus Lukas Damora is the 100% Super Official Fictional Bae of the one and only, Princess of the Creampuff Kingdom, Lia Bonnibel! I realize that this may come as a shock to some of you but he is officially off the market. They will be having a June wedding and you are all invited. Bring tissues, y'all. It's going to be cute as heck! I'll be there with my hot date, the absolutely gorgeous, Lucia Damora, pronounced LooCHIA, obviously. Duh. 😍😘
Now, is this book chock full of mind-numbingly beautiful prose? No. Rhodes' writing style is simple but effective. It was refreshing to read high fantasy that wasn't overly convoluted and up its own ass.
I don't understand what it is about this book that so many people don't like. I've read many a review saying that it was cliche but Falling Kingdoms didn't feel cliche to me at all. Was it sappy and romantic in parts? Sure. But I didn't find it overwrought or cringeworthy in the least. This wasn't your run of the mill YA romance for the sake of romance. All of the interactions between the characters felt real and natural. Nothing felt forced.
And while I'm on the subject of characters, I'd like to, very eloquently I might add, just say, WOW WOWITY WOW WOW. Rhodes has a real gift for creating some pretty phenomenal characters, I'd say on par with, Our Sacred and Holy Lady of Characters, Leigh Bardugo. However, when it comes to "bad boys" Rhodes' Magnus Damora is so much more than any Kaz Brekker or *GROOOAAN* Darkling. Magnus is a character with real depth. I could actually resonate with his reasons behind some of the more questionable decisions he makes or impulses he chooses to act on. And while he does hide behind a mask out of self-preservation he doesn't become so completely lost behind a persona that we lose sight of the human being beneath. He is not jaded and tortured beyond all hope. I genuinely care for Magnus and I'm looking forward to watching his character evolve throughout the series. I admire his tenacity, his strength and above all, that he retains his honour despite how much simpler life would be for him if he would just become the evil bastard his father wishes he would become. I relate so much to the way he expresses his anger and soul-crushing disappointments, I love him! I really do.
And no, I don't want to marry him. It's not like that, besides he's taken, ladies and gentlemen, I am here to officially announce that Magnus Lukas Damora is the 100% Super Official Fictional Bae of the one and only, Princess of the Creampuff Kingdom, Lia Bonnibel! I realize that this may come as a shock to some of you but he is officially off the market. They will be having a June wedding and you are all invited. Bring tissues, y'all. It's going to be cute as heck! I'll be there with my hot date, the absolutely gorgeous, Lucia Damora, pronounced LooCHIA, obviously. Duh. 😍😘
judeandolin's review against another edition
1.0
I'm traumatized over how bad this was. Let's see: horrible insta-love, painfully cheesy and stilted dialogue, more telling than showing, weird incestuous romance, god-awful pacing, and characters so bland they made my eyelids droop... I honestly cannot comprehend how this book has been so raved about.
almenm635's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
eesh25's review against another edition
3.0
This book had a very interesting premise and a beautiful cover. Kingdoms, magic, war, high stakes, badassery... What more do you need?
Unfortunately, the writing was a let-down. It wasn't terrible or anything. Just not that good. It lacked emotion and it was a whole lot of telling and almost no showing.
Like if we find out A hates B, it's not because of something we notice in the behaviour of A, it's because there's a line in the book that specifically tells us so. There were no hints and no subtlety; it was all laid out right there. So, I didn't really feel much for anyone.
Another thing was, motivations were weak. It felt like the author decided where she wanted the characters in the beginning and ending of the novel and what things she wanted done. And it was how those things got done that didn't work.
Example: She wanted a conflict to trigger a war. That's good. But the conflict was when a guy with no skill, who was drunk off his ass, managed to stab and kill another who was skilled. It's not very believable, is it? And the book is full of stuff like this. Much worse stuff.
The characters were okay. I liked the growth we saw in Jonas and I'm anticipating growth with Lucia. I didn't like Cleo. She was bad mix of self-righteousness, I-do-what-I-want and I-get-what-I-want coated in a so-naive-she's-stupid gravy. Not good. I can't wait for her to grow up.
Magnus was my favourite. He seems to be the one with the most brain and I have high hopes for him. I think he'll bring the team together.
Speaking of teams, I want mine!
The only reason I read this book (other than the hype and the cover) was because this seemed like the kind of book where a bunch of very different people are united by a common goal. Then they form a team and kick ass. I want that! Now!
Overall, I liked the book but the writing needs practice and the book had a set-up vibe. The fact that I'm interested and that there wasn't much angst is why I'm giving it three stars.
I think the series will get better.
evnhttn's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
illusie's review against another edition
2.0
This book had parts I liked, but also parts I hated. Most characters feel flat and were unlikeable. Overall there were more parts I disliked, so decided to stop with the series.
erikajay's review against another edition
3.0
This was a pretty good beginning to a series. Clearly this book is setting up the world and characters for many more books and I'm interested in seeing where it goes.
Events in this book moved too quickly. I think part of that is because we switch between different characters, but I would've liked things to be fleshed out a little more. The characters are interesting but I'm most curious to see how Magnus's story turns out.
Events in this book moved too quickly. I think part of that is because we switch between different characters, but I would've liked things to be fleshed out a little more. The characters are interesting but I'm most curious to see how Magnus's story turns out.