Scan barcode
tiff43081's review against another edition
The dialogue between male and female lead was boring, tedious, and their relationship felt rushed, fake. Even though I was intrigued about the plot, I could not finish the book bc I had no interest in the lives of the two main characters.
cosmicrusalka's review against another edition
4.0
It wasn't exactly what I had expected, but it was still good. I'm not normally into romances, but this one was very sweet and actually made me cry a little.
beastreader's review against another edition
1.0
This is another book that is supposed to be one of the most hyped about books of 2014. So I again had to check this one out. Ok, let me just say that all the talk in the world can not help a book if it can not stand up to the hype. I really wanted to like this book because it sounded intriguing, however I got to chapter four and put it down. It took me several days to come back to this book. Then when I did pick it back up, I was only semi interested. I skimmed chapter five and it was then that I made up my mind that I could not read this book any further. Maybe some day down the road I might pick this book up again and try to finish it. There was way too much dialect and not enough fantasy. Which is what I thought I was getting when I picked up this book. In fact after stopping this book, I still did not have a clue what was so special about the dragons and why Corin needed to free them.
booksong's review against another edition
2.0
After finishing Moth and Spark and looking back at the whole thing, I think its huge, overarching issue was that it didn't know what kind of book it was trying to be. Had the author focused on any one of the story's aspects individually, I think my rating would have been at least one star higher. As it was, it tried to do everything and ended up not being very good at any of it.
The basic plot is more or less completely explained on the summary flap; Corin is a prince who was chosen by dragons when he was young and charged with freeing them from an evil king. The knowledge then becomes hidden in his subconscious, and only when the tides of war shift and Corin meets a fiery commoner woman named Tam with powers of her own does he begin to remember the dragons.
This summary of the plot, however, is both everything that the story is and a bit misleading at the same time. First, do not come into this book expecting a dragon story, or if you are a huge fan of dragon stories (like I am). Despite the summary hinting at their active interaction with the characters, the dragons in Moth and Spark exist almost completely as plot devices, and with the same on-page involvement as unusually psychic animals. They have a vaguely sketched history and powers, but everything about their habits, culture, mannerisms, and even relationship with their riders is threadbare thin. Honestly I'm not even sure why an author would bother including dragons as a major feature in a book at all if they were hardly addressed beyond being ancient, untouchable beings with a completely amoral agenda.
The book also tried to be a romance and a political intrigue type story as well. I did, for the most part, enjoy Corin and Tam's relationship, despite its insta-love; they had decent chemistry and some nice exchanges. Tam was definitely my favorite character. But their courting and negotiation of their powers and duties took up a very large chunk of the book, leaving only about the last fourth to the actual addressing and resolution of the plot. That unfortunate pacing made nearly everything toward the end of the book feel rushed, anticlimactic, and inadequately explained. The political intrigue has a lot of hanging threads that go nowhere; concepts and countries are introduced to move the plot along but then are wrapped up too neatly, and are never explored beyond their names and one or two shallow characteristics. It made it very difficult to care about the outcomes, or anyone involved in them.
Woven in among that are tiny little complaints, the kind of things that just bother you a little as you read. The writing is choppy and oddly edited at some points, and it doesn't do very well at communicating emotion or personality. Some ideas have a lot of potential (the wizard valley, the dragons' history, the mad king) but are poorly introduced and fleshed out, which always makes me genuinely sad.
The book wasn't unenjoyable, and in fact there's some places where the writing is very pretty (I especially liked the visions and mythical-type stuff) and some interesting concepts are touched on. I think it just tried to do too much to begin with, and then got indecisive about where it was going. If it was the first book in a series this would be more understandable, but as a stand alone novel it just didn't do any of its ideas or characters full justice.
The basic plot is more or less completely explained on the summary flap; Corin is a prince who was chosen by dragons when he was young and charged with freeing them from an evil king. The knowledge then becomes hidden in his subconscious, and only when the tides of war shift and Corin meets a fiery commoner woman named Tam with powers of her own does he begin to remember the dragons.
This summary of the plot, however, is both everything that the story is and a bit misleading at the same time. First, do not come into this book expecting a dragon story, or if you are a huge fan of dragon stories (like I am). Despite the summary hinting at their active interaction with the characters, the dragons in Moth and Spark exist almost completely as plot devices, and with the same on-page involvement as unusually psychic animals. They have a vaguely sketched history and powers, but everything about their habits, culture, mannerisms, and even relationship with their riders is threadbare thin. Honestly I'm not even sure why an author would bother including dragons as a major feature in a book at all if they were hardly addressed beyond being ancient, untouchable beings with a completely amoral agenda.
The book also tried to be a romance and a political intrigue type story as well. I did, for the most part, enjoy Corin and Tam's relationship, despite its insta-love; they had decent chemistry and some nice exchanges. Tam was definitely my favorite character. But their courting and negotiation of their powers and duties took up a very large chunk of the book, leaving only about the last fourth to the actual addressing and resolution of the plot. That unfortunate pacing made nearly everything toward the end of the book feel rushed, anticlimactic, and inadequately explained. The political intrigue has a lot of hanging threads that go nowhere; concepts and countries are introduced to move the plot along but then are wrapped up too neatly, and are never explored beyond their names and one or two shallow characteristics. It made it very difficult to care about the outcomes, or anyone involved in them.
Woven in among that are tiny little complaints, the kind of things that just bother you a little as you read. The writing is choppy and oddly edited at some points, and it doesn't do very well at communicating emotion or personality. Some ideas have a lot of potential (the wizard valley, the dragons' history, the mad king) but are poorly introduced and fleshed out, which always makes me genuinely sad.
The book wasn't unenjoyable, and in fact there's some places where the writing is very pretty (I especially liked the visions and mythical-type stuff) and some interesting concepts are touched on. I think it just tried to do too much to begin with, and then got indecisive about where it was going. If it was the first book in a series this would be more understandable, but as a stand alone novel it just didn't do any of its ideas or characters full justice.
mxsallybend's review against another edition
3.0
Although my taste generally runs more towards epic fantasy door-stoppers, with massive world-building and bloated casts of characters, Moth and Spark was an enjoyable diversion. I could have done with less romance and more dragons, and would have preferred to see the middle act shortened in favor of expanding the final act, but that's simply a matter of personal preference, and not a criticism of the book - which delivers on exactly what it promises.
Anne Leonard's writing style fluctuates a bit here, with the opening chapters actually coming across as stronger and more polished than the heart of the novel, but overall the entire book is solid. Corin is nicely established in the opening chapters as a capable leader, a young man with a good heart, who happens to be laboring under a compulsion. Tam is similarly established as a strong young woman, not just smart but clever, who aspires to rise above her caste. Both characters are a bit too perfect, a bit too pure, but while that might otherwise be a flaw, their romance works precisely because of it.
As for that romance, I thought it was very well played out, even if it was rushed. Their dialogue was natural - amusing at times, tender at others - and their relationship progressed very well. The fact that they complement each other so well, with Tam's newly revealed visions conveniently serving Corin's role in fulfilling the prophecy, was not surprising. What was surprising was the fact that, while the connection provided them with purpose, it was not relied on as the primary connection between them. I've seen that done before (I'm looking at you, Terry Goodkind), especially in stories where insta-love is necessary to the plot, and it always feels artificial.
The court intrigue and military drama surrounding them, however, wasn't nearly as strong or as detailed. There were glimpses here and there of a solid high-fantasy core, but Leonard always seemed to pull back just as I was getting into things. To be fair, that element clearly is not the focus here, but it did have an impact on how I read the story. As for the final act, make no mistake, there is some fantastic action and adventure in the closing pages. It approaches silliness at times, and there were a few plot/tactical holes that made me groan, but it was a heck of a lot of fun. The final chapters move along at a great pace, with some genuine moments of dramatic tension, and the ultimate climax more than pays off on the promise of the opening prophecy.
For those readers in the mood for a light, romantic fantasy, then Moth and Spark is a great pick. For those readers who come for the romance, but who walk away wanting more of the epic fantasy elements then it may just be the perfect gateway novel as well.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
Anne Leonard's writing style fluctuates a bit here, with the opening chapters actually coming across as stronger and more polished than the heart of the novel, but overall the entire book is solid. Corin is nicely established in the opening chapters as a capable leader, a young man with a good heart, who happens to be laboring under a compulsion. Tam is similarly established as a strong young woman, not just smart but clever, who aspires to rise above her caste. Both characters are a bit too perfect, a bit too pure, but while that might otherwise be a flaw, their romance works precisely because of it.
As for that romance, I thought it was very well played out, even if it was rushed. Their dialogue was natural - amusing at times, tender at others - and their relationship progressed very well. The fact that they complement each other so well, with Tam's newly revealed visions conveniently serving Corin's role in fulfilling the prophecy, was not surprising. What was surprising was the fact that, while the connection provided them with purpose, it was not relied on as the primary connection between them. I've seen that done before (I'm looking at you, Terry Goodkind), especially in stories where insta-love is necessary to the plot, and it always feels artificial.
The court intrigue and military drama surrounding them, however, wasn't nearly as strong or as detailed. There were glimpses here and there of a solid high-fantasy core, but Leonard always seemed to pull back just as I was getting into things. To be fair, that element clearly is not the focus here, but it did have an impact on how I read the story. As for the final act, make no mistake, there is some fantastic action and adventure in the closing pages. It approaches silliness at times, and there were a few plot/tactical holes that made me groan, but it was a heck of a lot of fun. The final chapters move along at a great pace, with some genuine moments of dramatic tension, and the ultimate climax more than pays off on the promise of the opening prophecy.
For those readers in the mood for a light, romantic fantasy, then Moth and Spark is a great pick. For those readers who come for the romance, but who walk away wanting more of the epic fantasy elements then it may just be the perfect gateway novel as well.
Originally reviewed at Beauty in Ruins
kristid's review against another edition
3.0
started out strong, but then fell a little flat for me.
katyb24's review against another edition
3.0
Reading the "blurb" of "Moth and Spark," I was so excited - dragons, magic, and a little romance? Sounds perfect. Ms. Leonard's use of descriptive language was wonderful. She truly drew me into Tam and Corin's world. As to the characters themselves, I very much enjoyed reading about and getting to know Tam and Corin...until they got together (hopefully that's not a spoiler). Once they got together, each of their characters went from being rational and complex (and interesting!) to head-over-heels silly in love (without much else in the way of substance). I know that the idea of the sacrifices each had to make were meant to add depth, but it all felt trite and overly mawkish.
Regarding the plot, I felt more and more disappointed as I kept reading. Maybe it was just me, but the pacing was awful. In my experience, the "blurb" takes you roughly 1/4- to 1/2-way through a book, and the rest of the plot is more or less unknown to you. With this book's blurb, I had the impression that Tam and Corin would meet in the palace at Summer Court and sort of hit it off, and then be thrown together in an unexpected way (due to the war/dragons/etc) and then have to work together with the other characters described ("rogue dragonrider and village of wizards") to save the kingdom. But with this book, the way that events are described in the blurb is almost directly proportional to the amount of time the text spends there (if that makes sense). That is, Tam and Corin's individual stories and then courtship take up about 75% of the blurb (and the book). The "saving the kingdom" takes up *maybe* 25% of blurb and book. The longer they stayed in the palace running around and being ridiculously in love (almost nauseatingly, in fact. And I love a good romance!), the more disappointed I was in the book's pacing/plot.
Bottom line: If you are like me and dislike purchasing books that you do not really really enjoy, this might be a good book to get from the library first. The first half or so is wonderful, but then peters off into a tale filled with over-sentiment and vague description.
Regarding the plot, I felt more and more disappointed as I kept reading. Maybe it was just me, but the pacing was awful. In my experience, the "blurb" takes you roughly 1/4- to 1/2-way through a book, and the rest of the plot is more or less unknown to you. With this book's blurb, I had the impression that Tam and Corin would meet in the palace at Summer Court and sort of hit it off, and then be thrown together in an unexpected way (due to the war/dragons/etc) and then have to work together with the other characters described ("rogue dragonrider and village of wizards") to save the kingdom. But with this book, the way that events are described in the blurb is almost directly proportional to the amount of time the text spends there (if that makes sense). That is, Tam and Corin's individual stories and then courtship take up about 75% of the blurb (and the book). The "saving the kingdom" takes up *maybe* 25% of blurb and book. The longer they stayed in the palace running around and being ridiculously in love (almost nauseatingly, in fact. And I love a good romance!), the more disappointed I was in the book's pacing/plot.
Bottom line: If you are like me and dislike purchasing books that you do not really really enjoy, this might be a good book to get from the library first. The first half or so is wonderful, but then peters off into a tale filled with over-sentiment and vague description.
beetree's review against another edition
1.0
My reaction to this can only be termed as horrified disbelief and fascination, and that was really the only reason I finished it. The cover tempted me which is why I took it out of the library, but I can't remember the last time I read a book where the writing was so clunky and clumsy.
It bills itself as a fantasy book, but really it's romance with sprinklings of "magic" and "dragons" that pretty much goes nowhere and a plot that makes no sense. And it's really, really bad romance, guys. Seriously, really bad. I didn't think there was a way to make kissing and sex sound so, so...just...I don't know. Click below to read it.
Also, this...
Tam: Oh noes! I'm getting involved with someone I can't possibly marry!
Corin: I can't marry you because rules *mumble*...
Tam: I will be your mistress and we will have teh sex, k?
Corin: Wait, actually, let's get married.
King: Oh are you guys in love! I shall marry you immediately!
Me: .....
It bills itself as a fantasy book, but really it's romance with sprinklings of "magic" and "dragons" that pretty much goes nowhere and a plot that makes no sense. And it's really, really bad romance, guys. Seriously, really bad. I didn't think there was a way to make kissing and sex sound so, so...just...I don't know. Click below to read it.
Spoiler
Tam had been kissed before, if infrequently, and she thought she knew what to expect. But this was entirely different, not the nervous, chaste press of lips together or the urgent wet fumbling that had been its predecessors. She thought, Experience is worth a great deal after all. Then she stopped thinking and just felt. Her whole body was responding to the sensation of her upper lip between his two, the brush of his tongue against her teeth. She pressed closer against him, brought her hands around his back. It was the most intimate thing she had ever done.
Also, this...
Spoiler
Tam: Oh noes! I'm getting involved with someone I can't possibly marry!
Corin: I can't marry you because rules *mumble*...
Tam: I will be your mistress and we will have teh sex, k?
Corin: Wait, actually, let's get married.
King: Oh are you guys in love! I shall marry you immediately!
Me: .....
giulia1000's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
i thought it was fantasy, and then it turned into mediocre, steamy romance that came on wayyyy too quickly. kind fun because it’s medieval, but the worldbuilding is either frustratingly vague or uselessly detailed. still enjoyed reading it though, so who can say.