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nyame002's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
keen23's review against another edition
SO there's a very specific "voice" in sci-fi/fantasy novels of the 1970's and 1980's, and this book has it in spades.
sashapasha's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars.
Earlyish feminist fantasy that has clearly inspired many other authors and series (Sarah J Maas’ Throne of Glass series borrows heavily from this book, for example). I liked it, but found the last quarter a bit of a slog and thought there were a few too many deus ex machina moments. Aerin also developed a Disney Princess-like ability to charm all wild creatures into wanting to follow her around and serve her, an ability that was never rationalized or explained so I assume was supposed to be attributed to her overall “specialness”. I wish her character had been a little more grounded in reality, but I guess she couldn’t have accomplished everything otherwise.
I think perhaps I would’ve been more forgiving and liked this book a lot more if I’d read it as a preteen when I was obsessed with Tamora Pierce and female knights.
Earlyish feminist fantasy that has clearly inspired many other authors and series (Sarah J Maas’ Throne of Glass series borrows heavily from this book, for example). I liked it, but found the last quarter a bit of a slog and thought there were a few too many deus ex machina moments. Aerin also developed a Disney Princess-like ability to charm all wild creatures into wanting to follow her around and serve her, an ability that was never rationalized or explained so I assume was supposed to be attributed to her overall “specialness”. I wish her character had been a little more grounded in reality, but I guess she couldn’t have accomplished everything otherwise.
I think perhaps I would’ve been more forgiving and liked this book a lot more if I’d read it as a preteen when I was obsessed with Tamora Pierce and female knights.
tregina's review against another edition
5.0
I've read this book so many times I'm pretty sure I know entire sections word for word. It's the only book I had taken with me on vacation when our house burnt down over twenty years ago, and thus is the oldest and maybe dearest book I own. I'm not going to say it's perfect, but it's so special to me (and, don't get me wrong, very good) that I can't give it anything but a five.
bewitchedandbewildered's review against another edition
3.0
I had to read this for school but Overall it's really enjoyable and I want to read the rest of the series.
sillyman2453's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
emberise's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Really strong character-driven plot in the first half, then descends into plot-driven characters in the second half. Disappointing ending.