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chefjones's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jlaney's review
4.0
Can we talk about the cover, because the covers of these books are beautiful. The cover of Canopy drew me in, but they all highlight the incredibly unique world of Titan's Forest, where trees grow so tall, the pale folk of Understorey (who use, along with bridges, spines implanted in their shins and forearms to navigate the bark of their world) live in dusk and never see real stars nor sky and the people of Floor live in darkness. The people of canopy bask in the sun, navigating wide highways made of magically sculpted branches, trade in slaves, and pay homage to gods and goddesses constantly reborn into mortal bodies and protected in their temples spanning entire canopies of trees.
I made the mistake of having read the first Titan's Forest book, Crossroads of Canopy, ages ago and not refreshing my memory of it before starting Echoes. (This is silly on my part since usually I get annoyed if a book gives way too many "previously..." type details just handed to you.) It took me a while to get back into the swing of things. The world feels very solid. There's a great deal of detail in both Understorey and Canopy's cultures and is complex with a lot of people and relationships and history, so that along with the shifted protagonist and my bad memory left me trying to remember who was who in the beginning.
Once I got going, I couldn't stop and read it in just a few nights. Though I had been hoping to pick up where the previous book left off, many years have passed. Still, Imeris is a fine narrator, and the pacing and prose are very enjoyable. There are many likable characters, and the family dynamic of three fathers and three mothers was really interesting. In place is what feels like just the right mix of action and conversation.
My real complaint, I suppose, is I didn't really get Imeris' relationship with as there honestly didn't seem to be that much of a connection happening (to be honest, I never really liked him much to begin with) and then suddenly so the ending fell a little flat for me. Still giving it a 4 since I just really love this setting. (I do like quite a bit though, and tbh was rooting for them to at least stay friends, so yay!)
(also I'm not entirely sure if it's because she's on a farm raising flowerfowl, some other personality traits, or what, but Unar now reminds me of a T. Kingfisher character.)
I made the mistake of having read the first Titan's Forest book, Crossroads of Canopy, ages ago and not refreshing my memory of it before starting Echoes. (This is silly on my part since usually I get annoyed if a book gives way too many "previously..." type details just handed to you.) It took me a while to get back into the swing of things. The world feels very solid. There's a great deal of detail in both Understorey and Canopy's cultures and is complex with a lot of people and relationships and history, so that along with the shifted protagonist and my bad memory left me trying to remember who was who in the beginning.
Once I got going, I couldn't stop and read it in just a few nights. Though I had been hoping to pick up where the previous book left off, many years have passed. Still, Imeris is a fine narrator, and the pacing and prose are very enjoyable. There are many likable characters, and the family dynamic of three fathers and three mothers was really interesting. In place is what feels like just the right mix of action and conversation.
My real complaint, I suppose, is I didn't really get Imeris' relationship with
Spoiler
AnahahSpoiler
she realised she loved himSpoiler
Daggad(also I'm not entirely sure if it's because she's on a farm raising flowerfowl, some other personality traits, or what, but Unar now reminds me of a T. Kingfisher character.)
amandathebookish's review
4.0
First of all, let me thank Netgalley and Tor for the chance to read and review this book: Echoes of Understorey pre-release. As always, these thoughts are my own. This review is spoiler-free and no main plot points are revealed.
I give this story 4 stars.
Synopsis:
Return to the mythical rainforest ruled by reincarnated gods in the quest fantasy Echoes of Understorey, the heart-pounding sequel to Thoraiya Dyer's Crossroads of Canopy.
Great deeds are expected of Imeris.
Raised by accomplished warriors and skilled healers, and being the sister to a goddess, Imeris always felt pressured to be the best fighter in Understorey. Yet during a mission to capture the body-snatching sorceress Kirrik, Imeris fails disastrously. With death on her conscience and in hiding from her peers, Imeris climbs up to the sun-kissed world of Canopy to learn new ways to defeat Kirrik. What she doesn’t expect is to be recruited in a Hunt for the Ages, against a terrifying divine monster that will take all of her skills to stop.
Full Disclosure:
The synopsis that I read from Netgalley either did not say 'return', or I totally missed it because I did not know this was the second book in a series. I was fully under the impression that it was a standalone book or at least the first book in a series. Because of that, I was pretty confused most of the story. So, for your sanity, please go read the first book first! Its title is Crossroads of Canopy. I fully realize that my review is skewed because of my failure to read book one.
Plot:
The story of Imerissiremi is a story of revenge, struggle, and forgiveness. It's deep, complex, and fascinating.
Prose:
Ms. Dyer's storytelling is unique, refreshing, and fully immersive. Her voice is so different from most other authors I've read. It's perhaps a little complex for the casual reader, so if you're not totally committed, this book is going to be difficult. Goodreads says the story is 384 pages but it feels a lot more like 784. There's a LOT that happens, a lot of characters, and a lot of times I felt totally lost. But then again, had I read book one, I doubt it would have been so difficult.
"I am majorly impressed. A unique, gorgeous, and dangerous world!"--Tamora Pierce
Character:
Imerissiremi is the main character. I liked how every bit of the story was from her perspective; there was no head hopping or perspective changes. She's intelligent and interesting enough that she works fine as the main character. I didn't understand her motivations, but she's believable and the culture is so different that I wasn't bothered by not being able to fully connect with her.
Worldbuilding:
Echoes of Understorey contains one of the deepest and most fully realized fantasy worlds I've read in a long time. The culture seems real and solid, hints of language seep through, and the religion is obviously a very complex concept. If you're looking for a deep, satisfying fantasy world, then this is it.
This book will be released to the public on February 13th, 2018!
I give this story 4 stars.
Synopsis:
Return to the mythical rainforest ruled by reincarnated gods in the quest fantasy Echoes of Understorey, the heart-pounding sequel to Thoraiya Dyer's Crossroads of Canopy.
Great deeds are expected of Imeris.
Raised by accomplished warriors and skilled healers, and being the sister to a goddess, Imeris always felt pressured to be the best fighter in Understorey. Yet during a mission to capture the body-snatching sorceress Kirrik, Imeris fails disastrously. With death on her conscience and in hiding from her peers, Imeris climbs up to the sun-kissed world of Canopy to learn new ways to defeat Kirrik. What she doesn’t expect is to be recruited in a Hunt for the Ages, against a terrifying divine monster that will take all of her skills to stop.
Full Disclosure:
The synopsis that I read from Netgalley either did not say 'return', or I totally missed it because I did not know this was the second book in a series. I was fully under the impression that it was a standalone book or at least the first book in a series. Because of that, I was pretty confused most of the story. So, for your sanity, please go read the first book first! Its title is Crossroads of Canopy. I fully realize that my review is skewed because of my failure to read book one.
Plot:
The story of Imerissiremi is a story of revenge, struggle, and forgiveness. It's deep, complex, and fascinating.
Prose:
Ms. Dyer's storytelling is unique, refreshing, and fully immersive. Her voice is so different from most other authors I've read. It's perhaps a little complex for the casual reader, so if you're not totally committed, this book is going to be difficult. Goodreads says the story is 384 pages but it feels a lot more like 784. There's a LOT that happens, a lot of characters, and a lot of times I felt totally lost. But then again, had I read book one, I doubt it would have been so difficult.
"I am majorly impressed. A unique, gorgeous, and dangerous world!"--Tamora Pierce
Character:
Imerissiremi is the main character. I liked how every bit of the story was from her perspective; there was no head hopping or perspective changes. She's intelligent and interesting enough that she works fine as the main character. I didn't understand her motivations, but she's believable and the culture is so different that I wasn't bothered by not being able to fully connect with her.
Worldbuilding:
Echoes of Understorey contains one of the deepest and most fully realized fantasy worlds I've read in a long time. The culture seems real and solid, hints of language seep through, and the religion is obviously a very complex concept. If you're looking for a deep, satisfying fantasy world, then this is it.
This book will be released to the public on February 13th, 2018!
rivqa's review against another edition
4.0
In the second of her Titan's Forest trilogy, Dyer adds layers of complexity to her lush rainforest setting as her characters move up and down the trunks of magical trees. If Unar of [b:Crossroads of Canopy|29939303|Crossroads of Canopy (Titan's Forest, #1)|Thoraiya Dyer|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1463597475s/29939303.jpg|50329904] was the asshole protagonist of my heart, Imeris is the torn and divided liminal hero of my soul. A rich, beautiful adventure.
Disclaimer: Thoraiya is one of my dearest friends, and this review is of an advance reading copy.
Disclaimer: Thoraiya is one of my dearest friends, and this review is of an advance reading copy.
jessgeekmom's review against another edition
4.0
This was a good middle book in a trilogy. I’m looking forward to learning about Floor in the third book.
corvarchist's review against another edition
4.0
I was a little unsure about how this book started off, because it gave the impression initially of not being as focused as Crossroads was (which I'd put down to the difference in personality between Imeris and Unar), but I ended up really enjoying it. Between the insight we get into both Understorey and Canopy as broader societies (rather than the more isolated locations where Unar spends her time), the tension between entrenched systems of power and cultural enmities and the people caught in the middle of both (and the lack of easy solutions to either!), and the little details that make an outsize impression on my personal happiness such as "Imeris very plausibly reads as aromantic" and "Anahah gives a giant middle finger to metaphysical cissexism" - yeah. Definitely a good story.
amandathebookish's review against another edition
4.0
First of all, let me thank Netgalley and Tor for the chance to read and review this book: Echoes of Understorey pre-release. As always, these thoughts are my own. This review is spoiler-free and no main plot points are revealed.
I give this story 4 stars.
Synopsis:
Return to the mythical rainforest ruled by reincarnated gods in the quest fantasy Echoes of Understorey, the heart-pounding sequel to Thoraiya Dyer's Crossroads of Canopy.
Great deeds are expected of Imeris.
Raised by accomplished warriors and skilled healers, and being the sister to a goddess, Imeris always felt pressured to be the best fighter in Understorey. Yet during a mission to capture the body-snatching sorceress Kirrik, Imeris fails disastrously. With death on her conscience and in hiding from her peers, Imeris climbs up to the sun-kissed world of Canopy to learn new ways to defeat Kirrik. What she doesn’t expect is to be recruited in a Hunt for the Ages, against a terrifying divine monster that will take all of her skills to stop.
Full Disclosure:
The synopsis that I read from Netgalley either did not say 'return', or I totally missed it because I did not know this was the second book in a series. I was fully under the impression that it was a standalone book or at least the first book in a series. Because of that, I was pretty confused most of the story. So, for your sanity, please go read the first book first! Its title is Crossroads of Canopy. I fully realize that my review is skewed because of my failure to read book one.
Plot:
The story of Imerissiremi is a story of revenge, struggle, and forgiveness. It's deep, complex, and fascinating.
Prose:
Ms. Dyer's storytelling is unique, refreshing, and fully immersive. Her voice is so different from most other authors I've read. It's perhaps a little complex for the casual reader, so if you're not totally committed, this book is going to be difficult. Goodreads says the story is 384 pages but it feels a lot more like 784. There's a LOT that happens, a lot of characters, and a lot of times I felt totally lost. But then again, had I read book one, I doubt it would have been so difficult.
"I am majorly impressed. A unique, gorgeous, and dangerous world!"--Tamora Pierce
Character:
Imerissiremi is the main character. I liked how every bit of the story was from her perspective; there was no head hopping or perspective changes. She's intelligent and interesting enough that she works fine as the main character. I didn't understand her motivations, but she's believable and the culture is so different that I wasn't bothered by not being able to fully connect with her.
Worldbuilding:
Echoes of Understorey contains one of the deepest and most fully realized fantasy worlds I've read in a long time. The culture seems real and solid, hints of language seep through, and the religion is obviously a very complex concept. If you're looking for a deep, satisfying fantasy world, then this is it.
This book will be released to the public on February 13th, 2018!
I give this story 4 stars.
Synopsis:
Return to the mythical rainforest ruled by reincarnated gods in the quest fantasy Echoes of Understorey, the heart-pounding sequel to Thoraiya Dyer's Crossroads of Canopy.
Great deeds are expected of Imeris.
Raised by accomplished warriors and skilled healers, and being the sister to a goddess, Imeris always felt pressured to be the best fighter in Understorey. Yet during a mission to capture the body-snatching sorceress Kirrik, Imeris fails disastrously. With death on her conscience and in hiding from her peers, Imeris climbs up to the sun-kissed world of Canopy to learn new ways to defeat Kirrik. What she doesn’t expect is to be recruited in a Hunt for the Ages, against a terrifying divine monster that will take all of her skills to stop.
Full Disclosure:
The synopsis that I read from Netgalley either did not say 'return', or I totally missed it because I did not know this was the second book in a series. I was fully under the impression that it was a standalone book or at least the first book in a series. Because of that, I was pretty confused most of the story. So, for your sanity, please go read the first book first! Its title is Crossroads of Canopy. I fully realize that my review is skewed because of my failure to read book one.
Plot:
The story of Imerissiremi is a story of revenge, struggle, and forgiveness. It's deep, complex, and fascinating.
Prose:
Ms. Dyer's storytelling is unique, refreshing, and fully immersive. Her voice is so different from most other authors I've read. It's perhaps a little complex for the casual reader, so if you're not totally committed, this book is going to be difficult. Goodreads says the story is 384 pages but it feels a lot more like 784. There's a LOT that happens, a lot of characters, and a lot of times I felt totally lost. But then again, had I read book one, I doubt it would have been so difficult.
"I am majorly impressed. A unique, gorgeous, and dangerous world!"--Tamora Pierce
Character:
Imerissiremi is the main character. I liked how every bit of the story was from her perspective; there was no head hopping or perspective changes. She's intelligent and interesting enough that she works fine as the main character. I didn't understand her motivations, but she's believable and the culture is so different that I wasn't bothered by not being able to fully connect with her.
Worldbuilding:
Echoes of Understorey contains one of the deepest and most fully realized fantasy worlds I've read in a long time. The culture seems real and solid, hints of language seep through, and the religion is obviously a very complex concept. If you're looking for a deep, satisfying fantasy world, then this is it.
This book will be released to the public on February 13th, 2018!
bluebec's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a lot of fun and the additional world building from the first book really worked. The characters were sympathetic and likeable, the pacing was perfect and the story was solid.
The blurb on the book is kinda close to the story, but don't rely on it.
The blurb on the book is kinda close to the story, but don't rely on it.
jackiijackii's review against another edition
5.0
A great sequel to Crossroads of Canopy, Echoes of Understorey follows one of the minor characters from the first book as she pursues her "Great Deed." She thinks she knows exactly what it's supposed to be, and her adventures take her to the heights, depths, and breadth of the forest, and back again. Just as intricate, surprising, and feminist as the first book. I cant wait to read the conclusion in book 3.
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