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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
This was a lovely, sweet YA fantasy about green magic and undead things stalking the woods and questing and human-fox hybrids and gardener’s daughters who leave their comfort zone and achieve greatness. It had everything I love in a fantasy — magic that makes sense (the gardener’s daughter uses her wood-cursed magic to make things grow, for heaven’s sake) and courageous girls and not-so-courageous boys — but it didn’t quite hold my attention through all the middle bits. I really liked how this book asked whose history we should believe, and the conflict being human vs. woods, and the ending was absolutely stellar — I read the last 30% in probably the same amount of time it took me to read the first 70%. This is a perfect YA book for actual real young adults or teens — I’d have no qualms letting my middle schooler read this.
When it takes 25% of the book for anything to happen, there’s something wrong. So much filler/fluff.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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
An enjoyable YA fantasy, that's actually YA in theme and content.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-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:
No
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
While I don't consider Among the Beasts & Briars the top book in my library, I have surprised myself by how often I think of it after finishing it. It's really tightly written with good pacing, enjoyable characters and scenarios. I'd love a sequel to this with the ending suggesting a possible route for one. As a standalone book though it's still a great read for those dark autumnal nights.