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natasha_saidikowski's review against another edition
4.0
I find this story so charming. The writing is very exposition-heavy, and much of the book feels like just the musings of the main character, Mirasol. But that might be part of why I like it - the reader spends the journey in Mirasol’s head, experiencing things and musing on things as she does. And I love the bees - they’re a character unto themselves, and I like the way they’re portrayed. This story makes me appreciate bees and nature.
erinstillreads's review against another edition
I just can never really get into this one. It's so much internal monologue and so little substance.
mimsey's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing. It was just so severely lacking. Like the framework of a house, potential but very much not a house.
hebberelle's review against another edition
4.0
Occasionally I wish that Robin would write in a time-linear fashion. These novels would be so much easier to read if they didn't always hop around from now to past to now again. I wish this one had also been longer.
wonder_jenn's review against another edition
DNF 14%
I can't read anymore of this book or it's going to drive me crazy.
The premise was interesting but the writing style was BAD and chaotic. I've read 34-35 pages and there was almost no dialogues, only Mirasol's thoughts and her third-person narrative that were thrown together without distinction. She also repeats the same words before forming a whole sentence... It made everything laborious.
Even when the Master is introduced, my interest wasn't piqued. There were too many paragraphs/pages between each line of dialogue. You have the time to forget what one said before the other finally replies. It felt like I was dealing with simpletons.
The world-building and the magic were not explained either. What's the lore? What's the political dynamic? We should have had some glimpses in order to understand why the Circle is so important.
Even the characters were invisible. The author had the opportunity to give us more background when she shared bits about the characters' past but she didn't go deeper than this. Maybe she does it later but who cares?
Let's just say that there was nothing appealing.
I can't read anymore of this book or it's going to drive me crazy.
The premise was interesting but the writing style was BAD and chaotic. I've read 34-35 pages and there was almost no dialogues, only Mirasol's thoughts and her third-person narrative that were thrown together without distinction. She also repeats the same words before forming a whole sentence... It made everything laborious.
Even when the Master is introduced, my interest wasn't piqued. There were too many paragraphs/pages between each line of dialogue. You have the time to forget what one said before the other finally replies. It felt like I was dealing with simpletons.
The world-building and the magic were not explained either. What's the lore? What's the political dynamic? We should have had some glimpses in order to understand why the Circle is so important.
Even the characters were invisible. The author had the opportunity to give us more background when she shared bits about the characters' past but she didn't go deeper than this. Maybe she does it later but who cares?
Let's just say that there was nothing appealing.
k_noodlesoup's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
This was such a fun read. I'm in love with the prose.
kurumipanda's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death, Animal death, and Body horror
timna_wyckoff's review against another edition
4.0
I basically like everything she writes :) I LOVED "Sunshine", her only adult novel. This is back to being more juvenile fiction, like her previous books. I didn't think it was on par with The Hero and the Crown, but I still thought it was a solid, well written, enjoyable fantasy story with a strong heroine. And, cool stuff with bees...... :)
lyrangalia's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Slow moving but not ponderous, Chalice reveals its plot like honey falling from a spoon: in slow dribbles and sweet dollops. This is a novel about small folks caught up in big changes and the ways in which small actions can bind a land together.
Chalice’s pleasure is in its unfolding. Chapters pass where you muddle through titles and uncertain roles but so is Marisol. The clarity of the world reveals itself in small bites and the reveal of its climax is heady and sweet.
Chalice’s pleasure is in its unfolding. Chapters pass where you muddle through titles and uncertain roles but so is Marisol. The clarity of the world reveals itself in small bites and the reveal of its climax is heady and sweet.