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celaenasalvatore123's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was a miss for me. I thought I would like it and I liked some parts but most of it was boring. I don't think I will read the second book. I almost DNF'd this one.
cwritesu's review
- Okay, I picked this one up for its gorgeous cover, and because I have a weakness for Djinn tales.
- But, it wasn't for me. The writing felt slow and clunky and the characters didn't inspire any interest.
- I liked the overall concept and plot, but the writing itself didn't work for me. Sorry.
seshoptaw's review
3.75
3.75*
<i>“When the dust rises over the desert, the villagers know that Lo-Melkhiin is coming with his guards to choose another wife. He always takes one wife from each village, or each district within a city. And she always dies”</i>
When a novel starts out with the threat of certain death, it captures my attention. Usually, this means that we watch the main character fight, and learn, and grow throughout the novel and eventually, he/she <b>overcomes</b>. This is not exactly what happens in this book. Our character never changes, instead, staying the same throughout. She never chooses to be anything other than brave and good. She desires to live but is resigned to die.
This was a beautiful piece of literature that can be read by anyone from (probably) 10 to 100. I loved the author’s writing style and, even though it was slower than the fast-paced action-packed novels I’ve been reading lately, this by no means takes away from the novel. The author was poetic in her prose and the way she wrote the main character was perfect.
I found this book completely unique in that we never learn the main character’s name, or <i>any</i> woman’s name, for that matter. But this is so appropriate because it speaks of the nature of what history has been. The feats of men are what usually get recorded in history books and passed down from generation to generation; women are rarely thought of. This novel showcase’s <b> the forgotten</b>. It focuses on the women: the mothers, wives, and daughters. And sometimes, a <b>woman</b> is what saves the day.
<i>”Men prospered under Lo-Melkhiin’s rule, and if it cost them a daughter, it was no more than a hard winter might demand as payment for survival. The wives and mothers, though, grieved each loss…”</i>
It was a captivating read with a magical setting. It was magic and mystery; demons and heroes; the power of being good and how easy it is to fall. The main character is utterly dedicated to her family and her love, especially for her sister, is the most beautiful kind of love story – just maybe not the kind of love you’re usually looking for. And what’s more, her love feels <i>real</i>. She is willing to risk her own life so that her sister might live and she can keep Lo-Melkhiin from her. Her love for her sister is what gives her strength as she goes to bed each night wondering if it may be her last.
<i>“There is a fire in my sister,” I said to him, “and I did not want you to have it.”
“I still might,” he said. “You might die quickly, as you have said.” … “The fiery ones do not marry young. They wait for a fire to match their own.”
…“My sister finds the fire in others,” I said. “Her husband may be the quietest man at the market until he sees her. Then he will burn with a flame to match her own.”
…“My sister is no fool and she is not tender-hearted. My sister fights for her home, and takes what risks she must. That is why I put myself before her today—why I would not let you have her. My sister burns, and she does not burn for you.”</i>
Our main character is special because she was so clever and she wished to save her sister above all. Because of this, she has a power all her own. This novel is not a romance. Our heroine does not fall in love with the villain and our villain never becomes “good” or redeemable. If she catches his attention, it is because she doesn’t die and he wants to exploit and consume whatever power it is she possesses. He is destructive and takes pleasure in the destroying.
<i>She was not of my kind, yet there was some power to her that was not human, not quite. She did not die, and I wondered if I might at last have found a queen for whom I could set the desert on fire.”
… “Watch your world burn, light of my heart. Tomorrow we will find another one and burn that too.”</i>
My only complaint about this novel was the ending. Although the ending was not bad, I feel like there was so much more I wanted to learn about what happens next in the story. I didn’t want it to end. And yes, maybe I was looking for a <i>happier</i> ending (or beginning?). I think this may just be the mark of a good novel though, when it’s readers don’t want it to stop.
I would definitely recommend this one.
<i>“When the dust rises over the desert, the villagers know that Lo-Melkhiin is coming with his guards to choose another wife. He always takes one wife from each village, or each district within a city. And she always dies”</i>
When a novel starts out with the threat of certain death, it captures my attention. Usually, this means that we watch the main character fight, and learn, and grow throughout the novel and eventually, he/she <b>overcomes</b>. This is not exactly what happens in this book. Our character never changes, instead, staying the same throughout. She never chooses to be anything other than brave and good. She desires to live but is resigned to die.
This was a beautiful piece of literature that can be read by anyone from (probably) 10 to 100. I loved the author’s writing style and, even though it was slower than the fast-paced action-packed novels I’ve been reading lately, this by no means takes away from the novel. The author was poetic in her prose and the way she wrote the main character was perfect.
I found this book completely unique in that we never learn the main character’s name, or <i>any</i> woman’s name, for that matter. But this is so appropriate because it speaks of the nature of what history has been. The feats of men are what usually get recorded in history books and passed down from generation to generation; women are rarely thought of. This novel showcase’s <b> the forgotten</b>. It focuses on the women: the mothers, wives, and daughters. And sometimes, a <b>woman</b> is what saves the day.
<i>”Men prospered under Lo-Melkhiin’s rule, and if it cost them a daughter, it was no more than a hard winter might demand as payment for survival. The wives and mothers, though, grieved each loss…”</i>
It was a captivating read with a magical setting. It was magic and mystery; demons and heroes; the power of being good and how easy it is to fall. The main character is utterly dedicated to her family and her love, especially for her sister, is the most beautiful kind of love story – just maybe not the kind of love you’re usually looking for. And what’s more, her love feels <i>real</i>. She is willing to risk her own life so that her sister might live and she can keep Lo-Melkhiin from her. Her love for her sister is what gives her strength as she goes to bed each night wondering if it may be her last.
<i>“There is a fire in my sister,” I said to him, “and I did not want you to have it.”
“I still might,” he said. “You might die quickly, as you have said.” … “The fiery ones do not marry young. They wait for a fire to match their own.”
…“My sister finds the fire in others,” I said. “Her husband may be the quietest man at the market until he sees her. Then he will burn with a flame to match her own.”
…“My sister is no fool and she is not tender-hearted. My sister fights for her home, and takes what risks she must. That is why I put myself before her today—why I would not let you have her. My sister burns, and she does not burn for you.”</i>
Our main character is special because she was so clever and she wished to save her sister above all. Because of this, she has a power all her own. This novel is not a romance. Our heroine does not fall in love with the villain and our villain never becomes “good” or redeemable. If she catches his attention, it is because she doesn’t die and he wants to exploit and consume whatever power it is she possesses. He is destructive and takes pleasure in the destroying.
<i>She was not of my kind, yet there was some power to her that was not human, not quite. She did not die, and I wondered if I might at last have found a queen for whom I could set the desert on fire.”
… “Watch your world burn, light of my heart. Tomorrow we will find another one and burn that too.”</i>
My only complaint about this novel was the ending. Although the ending was not bad, I feel like there was so much more I wanted to learn about what happens next in the story. I didn’t want it to end. And yes, maybe I was looking for a <i>happier</i> ending (or beginning?). I think this may just be the mark of a good novel though, when it’s readers don’t want it to stop.
I would definitely recommend this one.
thebooklender's review
3.0
It took me a long time to get through this book - I felt it took a long time to get going. It was a slow-paced book (up until the end), when I was in the mood for a rip roaring read. I enjoyed the ending, but became impatient with everything leading up to it.
nyeran's review
2.0
“I do fear him. I fear him as I fear the desert sun and poisonous snakes. They are all part of the life I live. But the sun gives light, and snakes will feed a caravan if they are caught and cooked.”
Eh…
Che dire…
Sono stata indecisa su quante stelle dargli fino alla fine.
♠ Carino, niente di più. Sopratutto considerando che non succede nulla che sia anche vagamente interessante o eccitante. La scena clou alla fine dura si e no 30 righe e anche lì non si capisce ne cosa succeda ne cosa faccia di preciso la protagonista. Si sà solo che salva il principe. E che lei dopo decide di restare con lui. Ma quindi si è innamorata? E se è così quando è successo visto che fino a due pagine prima temeva di morire ogni volta che andava a dormire? Cos’è che l’ha fatta innamorare? Siamo d’accordo che ora non è più posseduto dal demone ed è cambiato e magari ora è un angioletto timido e coccoloso ma noi non lo vediamo. Non viene mai mostrato il cambiamento di personalità quindi boh. La protagonista tra l’altro per tutto il libro pensa alla sua casa e desidera tornare ma quando lui le dice che può farlo decide che no, ora resta. Perchè? visto che ora che il demone è scomparso il principe non ucciderà più le sue moglie e quindi le ragazze non sono più in pericolo? Non si capisce. O almeno, io non l’ho capito.
♠ La storia in sè sarebbe pure affascinante. Non è il tipico YA con la storia d’amore, i triangoli e la protagonista minorata. Il problema è che per 200 pagine su 211 non succede un emerita cippa. C’è lei che vaga per i giardini a ponderare sulla sua vita, sul deserto, sulla sua famiglia (sia chiaro che ho AMATO il rapporto genuino che ha con la sorella e le sue mamme) e non fà altro. La risoluzione finale finisce in si e no 40 righe e basta.
In questo mondo esiste la magia? Sembrerebbe di si visto che la protagonista ha delle visioni e i cammelli parlano (??) però non si capisce come mai. Non si sà se lei ha mai avuto visioni prima di sposarsi, non si sa da dove vengano i demoni ne come siano/cosa facciano/cosa vogliano. Nessuna delle persone menzionate in questo libro ha un nome, una personalità, dei tratti distintivi, nulla, ne lei ne la sorella, le madri, i fratelli, il padre, o il padre del padre del padre. Per tutto il libro non viene approfondito niente e nessuno tantè che davvero se fosse morto qualcuno non me ne sarebbe importato.
♠ Infine, troppe descrizioni. Non mi piace scriverlo ne pensarlo visto che generalmente mi lamento del contrario ma qui si esagera, pagine e pagine di descrizioni di giardini, di bagni, di vestiti e chi più ne ha più ne metta. La logica e le spiegazioni deficitano in questo libro ma di descrizioni – inutili- ce ne sono in abbondanza.
♠ Tra l’altro non ho capito perchè lei non muore. Perchè il demone la tiene in vita. Più tardi lui dice che la renderà la sua regina perchè con i suoi poteri i due si completano e bla bla bla però anche qui non si capisce come mai o come funzioni o a cosa serva realmente il trasferimeno di poteri tra i due. Ma sopratutto ripeto, perchè lui non la uccide?! Posso capire Sharazade che raccontava le sue storie e le terminava con un cliff-hanger e quindi il principe la teneva in vita per scoprire la fine. Ma qui? Lei gli racconta i cazzi di sua sorella e storie che hanno una fine, che poi non sono nemmeno storie ma più cose avvenute nel suo passato o nel passato della sua famiglia, poi vanno a dormire; lui non ha alcun motivo per essere curioso e volerne ascoltare altre. Quindi perchè lei vive? Non si sà.
Eh…
Che dire…
Sono stata indecisa su quante stelle dargli fino alla fine.
♠ Carino, niente di più. Sopratutto considerando che non succede nulla che sia anche vagamente interessante o eccitante. La scena clou alla fine dura si e no 30 righe e anche lì non si capisce ne cosa succeda ne cosa faccia di preciso la protagonista. Si sà solo che salva il principe. E che lei dopo decide di restare con lui. Ma quindi si è innamorata? E se è così quando è successo visto che fino a due pagine prima temeva di morire ogni volta che andava a dormire? Cos’è che l’ha fatta innamorare? Siamo d’accordo che ora non è più posseduto dal demone ed è cambiato e magari ora è un angioletto timido e coccoloso ma noi non lo vediamo. Non viene mai mostrato il cambiamento di personalità quindi boh. La protagonista tra l’altro per tutto il libro pensa alla sua casa e desidera tornare ma quando lui le dice che può farlo decide che no, ora resta. Perchè? visto che ora che il demone è scomparso il principe non ucciderà più le sue moglie e quindi le ragazze non sono più in pericolo? Non si capisce. O almeno, io non l’ho capito.
♠ La storia in sè sarebbe pure affascinante. Non è il tipico YA con la storia d’amore, i triangoli e la protagonista minorata. Il problema è che per 200 pagine su 211 non succede un emerita cippa. C’è lei che vaga per i giardini a ponderare sulla sua vita, sul deserto, sulla sua famiglia (sia chiaro che ho AMATO il rapporto genuino che ha con la sorella e le sue mamme) e non fà altro. La risoluzione finale finisce in si e no 40 righe e basta.
In questo mondo esiste la magia? Sembrerebbe di si visto che la protagonista ha delle visioni e i cammelli parlano (??) però non si capisce come mai. Non si sà se lei ha mai avuto visioni prima di sposarsi, non si sa da dove vengano i demoni ne come siano/cosa facciano/cosa vogliano. Nessuna delle persone menzionate in questo libro ha un nome, una personalità, dei tratti distintivi, nulla, ne lei ne la sorella, le madri, i fratelli, il padre, o il padre del padre del padre. Per tutto il libro non viene approfondito niente e nessuno tantè che davvero se fosse morto qualcuno non me ne sarebbe importato.
♠ Infine, troppe descrizioni. Non mi piace scriverlo ne pensarlo visto che generalmente mi lamento del contrario ma qui si esagera, pagine e pagine di descrizioni di giardini, di bagni, di vestiti e chi più ne ha più ne metta. La logica e le spiegazioni deficitano in questo libro ma di descrizioni – inutili- ce ne sono in abbondanza.
♠ Tra l’altro non ho capito perchè lei non muore. Perchè il demone la tiene in vita. Più tardi lui dice che la renderà la sua regina perchè con i suoi poteri i due si completano e bla bla bla però anche qui non si capisce come mai o come funzioni o a cosa serva realmente il trasferimeno di poteri tra i due. Ma sopratutto ripeto, perchè lui non la uccide?! Posso capire Sharazade che raccontava le sue storie e le terminava con un cliff-hanger e quindi il principe la teneva in vita per scoprire la fine. Ma qui? Lei gli racconta i cazzi di sua sorella e storie che hanno una fine, che poi non sono nemmeno storie ma più cose avvenute nel suo passato o nel passato della sua famiglia, poi vanno a dormire; lui non ha alcun motivo per essere curioso e volerne ascoltare altre. Quindi perchè lei vive? Non si sà.
joelle_7's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
dherzey's review
3.0
2.5 stars
A Thousand Nights sure have the beautiful prose and the enchanting world plus a compelling and smart heroine, but it lacks power in its plot, has a jagged pace and barely develop any character or at least, make me remember any of them.
There is little connection between the characters and the characters to the reader, and even though the female main character has the brains and the spine, she lack any personality aside from her monochromatic determination and will to do what is right. Not exactly the worst thing but not exactly as dynamic as I would have liked. The dialogue between characters are also stiff and the narration and flow of the events leave me unsatisfied as it lack proper imagery and impact. The last part is a disappointment. Just a complete downhill from the build-up leading to it.
Perhaps one of this book's theme is to pay acknowledgement to the unsung and unknown females in history, and I love how it gives no name to its female characters just to make a point. That was pretty creative. That and the pretty writing cover some of the book's fault but ultimately, I just think that all the other good parts is just not enough to live up to the book's expectation.
A Thousand Nights sure have the beautiful prose and the enchanting world plus a compelling and smart heroine, but it lacks power in its plot, has a jagged pace and barely develop any character or at least, make me remember any of them.
There is little connection between the characters and the characters to the reader, and even though the female main character has the brains and the spine, she lack any personality aside from her monochromatic determination and will to do what is right. Not exactly the worst thing but not exactly as dynamic as I would have liked. The dialogue between characters are also stiff and the narration and flow of the events leave me unsatisfied as it lack proper imagery and impact. The last part is a disappointment
Spoiler
I swear that battle is so short-livedPerhaps one of this book's theme is to pay acknowledgement to the unsung and unknown females in history, and I love how it gives no name to its female characters just to make a point. That was pretty creative. That and the pretty writing cover some of the book's fault but ultimately, I just think that all the other good parts is just not enough to live up to the book's expectation.
amanda_the_librarian's review
4.0
Even though the main character was not given a name I still enjoyed this retelling of 1001 nights. I liked that E.K. Johnston chose a strong female character that could stand on her own two feet.