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alexvb's review
I got this as an ARC in exchange for an honest review about a decade ago and sadly, as suspected , I am DNF-ing it at 22%. This is a short book clocking in at 325ish pages, yet almost 25% in and I could not tell you much of the plot (I know the main plot as it's been mention 1000 times per chapter already), what's currently happening (that's interesting), nor tell you much about the characters.
It's far too fast paced (I like spending time getting to know my characters first in stead of, pick up character A here, pick up character B here, now we're gunna meet character C within a few chapters), info dumps a lot (and very obviously), the writing doesn't flow/read well, and the story has a lot of the characters explaining the same info every other chapter yet the motives, threats, mystery, and character development is clearly lacking. Alwen and Madoc seem to be the only characters with personality or some descriptions about them that stand out so far.
I feel this could've been better with far less fancy flownsy writing, less info dumping, and had spent much more time on realistic dialogue (Madoc speaks like a high wizard in riddles the entire time), and slowing down the pace of the plot so we can develope the characters and their relationships better.
I did like how it is easy to tell right away by people's and places' names that it's some sort of scottish-based historical fantasy though. And I also liked how it appears to be four grown women who are at the center of the plot and maybe even the main characters rather than this prince.
It's far too fast paced (I like spending time getting to know my characters first in stead of, pick up character A here, pick up character B here, now we're gunna meet character C within a few chapters), info dumps a lot (and very obviously), the writing doesn't flow/read well, and the story has a lot of the characters explaining the same info every other chapter yet the motives, threats, mystery, and character development is clearly lacking. Alwen and Madoc seem to be the only characters with personality or some descriptions about them that stand out so far.
I feel this could've been better with far less fancy flownsy writing, less info dumping, and had spent much more time on realistic dialogue (Madoc speaks like a high wizard in riddles the entire time), and slowing down the pace of the plot so we can develope the characters and their relationships better.
I did like how it is easy to tell right away by people's and places' names that it's some sort of scottish-based historical fantasy though. And I also liked how it appears to be four grown women who are at the center of the plot and maybe even the main characters rather than this prince.
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
3.0
An okay fantasy that I picked up for the Endeavour Award. A new author, a new series and there is some potential here. I liked some of the minor character who may be major characters later. But I didn't believe in the view point character and I've been tired of fantasy for awhile and tired of Arthurians for even longer. It just didn't feel like it broke new ground, and it didn't cover old ground especially well.
libbica's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
1.5
bookclaire4eva's review against another edition
4.0
I heard about The Well of Tears in a NetGalley email promoting the sequel, The Keys to the Realms. While I'm still waiting for approval to read that book, The Well of Tears was available to read immediately.
I'll admit that the start was a bit slow. I was tempted to walk away, but I didn't want to leave a NetGalley book unread, so I persevered. I am so glad I did. After a couple of chapters I fell in love with Alwen, one of the Mistresses of the Realms. She's strong and powerful, yet humble and kind, which just makes her awesome. The story was still a bit slow until Alwen arrived at the Fane Gramarye (magical headquarters), but it picked up once she walked in the doors, and is still (I hope) galloping forward at a breakneck pace in The Keys to the Realms.
As in any good book, but especially an epic series (think Outlander, Game of Thrones, and Sword of Truth), it's extremely important to draw the reader in emotionally, and preferably to more than one main character. I care about pretty much everyone except Machreth and Cerrigwen (but they're the bad guys, so who cares, right?). I almost cried in a couple places when bad things happened to the good guys. I hate how bad things happen to good characters, but it they didn't there wouldn't be a story (doesn't make it easier, though).
The action is well-written and easy to picture. I'm not terribly visual when I read a book, so when a writer can get at least a fuzzy picture in my head, she's doing a good job (yay, Roberta!). In my mind Madoc looks like Dumbledore, and Alwen reminds me of Catelyn Stark, but whatever works, right?
There are a lot of characters and complex relationships, which were actually pretty easy to follow. When I got to the end, I saw there was a helpful summary of the characters, relationships, and hierarchy within the Stewardry, but my understanding of the story didn't suffer from my not having been aware of it. A map, however, would have been helpful (of the Fane Gramayre and the routes Alwen and Bledig took on there way there). Some pronunciation help in the appendix would also have been nice (as it was I just went with a phonetic interpretation, strange as it sounded).
Well done, Roberta. Well done. Now hurry up and get the publisher to approve my request for The Keys to the Realms. Please.
Take It
I'll admit that the start was a bit slow. I was tempted to walk away, but I didn't want to leave a NetGalley book unread, so I persevered. I am so glad I did. After a couple of chapters I fell in love with Alwen, one of the Mistresses of the Realms. She's strong and powerful, yet humble and kind, which just makes her awesome. The story was still a bit slow until Alwen arrived at the Fane Gramarye (magical headquarters), but it picked up once she walked in the doors, and is still (I hope) galloping forward at a breakneck pace in The Keys to the Realms.
As in any good book, but especially an epic series (think Outlander, Game of Thrones, and Sword of Truth), it's extremely important to draw the reader in emotionally, and preferably to more than one main character. I care about pretty much everyone except Machreth and Cerrigwen (but they're the bad guys, so who cares, right?). I almost cried in a couple places when bad things happened to the good guys. I hate how bad things happen to good characters, but it they didn't there wouldn't be a story (doesn't make it easier, though).
The action is well-written and easy to picture. I'm not terribly visual when I read a book, so when a writer can get at least a fuzzy picture in my head, she's doing a good job (yay, Roberta!). In my mind Madoc looks like Dumbledore, and Alwen reminds me of Catelyn Stark, but whatever works, right?
There are a lot of characters and complex relationships, which were actually pretty easy to follow. When I got to the end, I saw there was a helpful summary of the characters, relationships, and hierarchy within the Stewardry, but my understanding of the story didn't suffer from my not having been aware of it. A map, however, would have been helpful (of the Fane Gramayre and the routes Alwen and Bledig took on there way there). Some pronunciation help in the appendix would also have been nice (as it was I just went with a phonetic interpretation, strange as it sounded).
Well done, Roberta. Well done. Now hurry up and get the publisher to approve my request for The Keys to the Realms. Please.
Take It
ravencrantz's review against another edition
2.0
What did I think? Boring. The beginning went great. It was nicely paced, the characters seemed interesting, all was well. Until they got to the stronghold. We are told early on who the antagonists are, but no one does anything about it. One goes right up to the head honcho and flat out says he's going to overthrow the guy and nothing is done. Then everyone is surprised when it all goes down. It's not even foreshadowing. It's just flat out said between characters. Nothing is done. I don't even remember the characters names. I just didn't care. I won book two from Goodreads and it was coming in the mail for me to review and honestly that was the only thing keeping me going. I wanted to drop this book so badly. It just kept dragging on and on and I really didn't care about anyone. I still don't. I don't care that people died. Good riddance to them.
Really though. I don't care about anyone in this book. The Wolf King seems cool, but we don't get enough of him. I do like that the main sorcerers are all middle aged women, rather than old men, or teenagers. These are people who have had time to refine their skills and are not just good because they're some chosen one. Meeting and learning about the others of the circle is the only thing keeping me interested in the next book.
Really though. I don't care about anyone in this book. The Wolf King seems cool, but we don't get enough of him. I do like that the main sorcerers are all middle aged women, rather than old men, or teenagers. These are people who have had time to refine their skills and are not just good because they're some chosen one. Meeting and learning about the others of the circle is the only thing keeping me interested in the next book.
abookishtype's review against another edition
2.0
The Wales of Roberta Trahan's The Well of Tears has real magic. An ancient prophecy guides the actions of the Stewards, who have been preparing for a thousand years to guide Hywel to his rightful place as high king. They have sent four of their number abroad to await the right time. Twenty years later, it's time for them to come home.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review consideration.
Read the rest of my review at A Bookish Type. I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley for review consideration.
prpltrtl946's review against another edition
4.0
Good, bad, magic and intrigue
The ins and outs of political ploys as well as bare bones betrayal mixed with magic and a bit of romance.
The ins and outs of political ploys as well as bare bones betrayal mixed with magic and a bit of romance.
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