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aliceboule's review against another edition
3.0
The Rebel Prince takes up after Wynter, Razi, Christopher and the Meron group decide to meet up with Albernon. From then on its court and military politics wrapped with side dishes of tragic pasts and a small serving of romance.
This book is not so different from its previous ones, and so nothing changes. All the changes I had hoped for were non-existent. Only towards the end does Wynter start having a real role, but even then damaged Razi easily takes over- how does that work?
My hoped for fulfilmment of Christopher and Wynter's love did not come. At all. Nothing. nada. zilch. rien. I was very dissapointed I understand that this series is for young adults or old children, but honestly a little honhon wouldn't have hurt anyone. Even Alanna by Tamora Pierce had a little under the sheets action, doesn't need to be explicit, but a litttle something just to keep us going would have been nice.
I am a bit on the fence about this series. Although I blew through the books at an astonishing speed which would suggest utter enrapture with the books, i really was not. The politics (which i normally adore, were a bit dry) + the romance (blah) + the frienships (okay i guess) + heros (men were good, Wynter was despicable)= a blah book/series.
This is not to sat I did not enjoy reading it but it was mainly a divertissement from all the homework I have to do over Spring Break.
This book is not so different from its previous ones, and so nothing changes. All the changes I had hoped for were non-existent. Only towards the end does Wynter start having a real role, but even then damaged Razi easily takes over- how does that work?
My hoped for fulfilmment of Christopher and Wynter's love did not come. At all. Nothing. nada. zilch. rien. I was very dissapointed I understand that this series is for young adults or old children, but honestly a little honhon wouldn't have hurt anyone. Even Alanna by Tamora Pierce had a little under the sheets action, doesn't need to be explicit, but a litttle something just to keep us going would have been nice.
I am a bit on the fence about this series. Although I blew through the books at an astonishing speed which would suggest utter enrapture with the books, i really was not. The politics (which i normally adore, were a bit dry) + the romance (blah) + the frienships (okay i guess) + heros (men were good, Wynter was despicable)= a blah book/series.
This is not to sat I did not enjoy reading it but it was mainly a divertissement from all the homework I have to do over Spring Break.
sparksofember's review against another edition
3.0
Wynter, her friends, and the Merron tribe arrive at Alberon’s camp and reality slams back around our trio, reminding them of their social and political divisions. I hate diplomatic, political speak and it’s frustrating at first, watching Razi and Wynter dance around the issues with Alberon. But whether it’s a result of their close relationship or the long journey away from court, it doesn’t take too long to cut to the chase and lay it all on the table. Finally, we get the answers that have been sought since the trilogy began. But not all at once – we get bits and pieces slowly building to a whole. And a whole ‘nother side to the story as we finally get to meet Alberon and learn his side of everything that has been happening.
And it’s a mess. A huge, jumbly, messy mess of wrongs and rights and do the ends justify the means and how to save a kingdom and it’s people and alliances made with those you hate for the sake of a purpose and how far should a leader have to sacrifice or compromise for his duty and responsibilities. The division between Alberon & his father is chasmic and I honestly thought war was inevitable. I just couldn’t see how Wynter and Razi would be able to mediate or resolve the differences of opinion (and approach) between the king and his disowned son.
Wynter also has to make her own choices and decide where to stand on her own convictions; political and social expectations, and the relationship she has established with Christopher, a social inferior so far as the court is concerned. In the second book, Christopher made his stance clear when introducing Wynter to his people and protecting her from the Loups-Garous. Wynter has the same opportunity here and you can’t help but love Christopher all the more more for his patience and lack of pressure while she wrestles with the decision.
You’ve heard the cliche about a crisis balancing on the edge of a knife? Well, it’s quite literal in The Rebel Prince. And not everything gets wrapped up in a pretty bow once the fog clears and the weapons are laid down. But it feels like it does. After a long series of drawing out every detail and explaining every action, the story stops in the middle of a huge tumult and then is wrapped up in a sugary-sweet epilogue. If you felt cheated by The Hobbit (and Lord of the Rings) employ of “The eagles are coming” then you’ll likely feel a bit excluded from the resolutory action here.
Oh, but you finally get an answer for the whole wolves question. Frankly, while the ghosts served a narrative purpose in the first and second book (albeit small purposes), the talking cats were fun but felt like a bit of an unnecessary contrivance. And then you get “wolves” right in the latter third of this last volume and it felt out of left field. Going back & rereading, I can see where Kiernan sprinkled little hints along the way. But I think there has to be some basis to foreshadowing. Explaining what I mean through a different popular series – in Twilight, the hints that are laid regarding Edward being a vampire only work because the reader knows about the concept of vampires in the first place. The semi-fantasy/semi-reality world Wynter lives in never hints at the existence of anything outside of ghosts and talking cats (both of which are mentioned almost immediately in the first chapter of the first volume) so “wolves” being anything besides a solely canine-type animal felt like a sudden lurch in the established world-building.
All that being said, I enjoyed this series and it is difficult to browse through a volume looking for a particular passage as I find myself an hour later, happily rereading the entire thing.
And it’s a mess. A huge, jumbly, messy mess of wrongs and rights and do the ends justify the means and how to save a kingdom and it’s people and alliances made with those you hate for the sake of a purpose and how far should a leader have to sacrifice or compromise for his duty and responsibilities. The division between Alberon & his father is chasmic and I honestly thought war was inevitable. I just couldn’t see how Wynter and Razi would be able to mediate or resolve the differences of opinion (and approach) between the king and his disowned son.
Wynter also has to make her own choices and decide where to stand on her own convictions; political and social expectations, and the relationship she has established with Christopher, a social inferior so far as the court is concerned. In the second book, Christopher made his stance clear when introducing Wynter to his people and protecting her from the Loups-Garous. Wynter has the same opportunity here and you can’t help but love Christopher all the more more for his patience and lack of pressure while she wrestles with the decision.
You’ve heard the cliche about a crisis balancing on the edge of a knife? Well, it’s quite literal in The Rebel Prince. And not everything gets wrapped up in a pretty bow once the fog clears and the weapons are laid down. But it feels like it does. After a long series of drawing out every detail and explaining every action, the story stops in the middle of a huge tumult and then is wrapped up in a sugary-sweet epilogue. If you felt cheated by The Hobbit (and Lord of the Rings) employ of “The eagles are coming” then you’ll likely feel a bit excluded from the resolutory action here.
Oh, but you finally get an answer for the whole wolves question. Frankly, while the ghosts served a narrative purpose in the first and second book (albeit small purposes), the talking cats were fun but felt like a bit of an unnecessary contrivance. And then you get “wolves” right in the latter third of this last volume and it felt out of left field. Going back & rereading, I can see where Kiernan sprinkled little hints along the way. But I think there has to be some basis to foreshadowing. Explaining what I mean through a different popular series – in Twilight, the hints that are laid regarding Edward being a vampire only work because the reader knows about the concept of vampires in the first place. The semi-fantasy/semi-reality world Wynter lives in never hints at the existence of anything outside of ghosts and talking cats (both of which are mentioned almost immediately in the first chapter of the first volume) so “wolves” being anything besides a solely canine-type animal felt like a sudden lurch in the established world-building.
All that being said, I enjoyed this series and it is difficult to browse through a volume looking for a particular passage as I find myself an hour later, happily rereading the entire thing.
mellhay's review against another edition
5.0
This is the third and final book of the trilogy, some spoilers for the previous books could be present.
Wynter, Razi, and Christopher are traveling with the Merron warriors, who are on their diplomatic mission to find the Rebel prince. They have all started to come to terms with the happenings of The Crowded Shadows. In trying to find the Rebel Prince they try different rendezvous points with no avail. Finally, they come across Alberon's military men and make it to camp. After some quick work with words Razi and Wynter make it to see Alberon. What they learn of his plans surprise and astound them. Could they work? Would they even want them to work? With everything that has happened between Prince Alberon and his father King Jonathan, could they repair the damage done to the kingdom? Razi and Wynter have the fate of the kingdom laying in their hands.
This was a wonderful read for me. One I barreled quickly through, not wanting to put the book down. I have enjoyed these characters and the world here since the first book. This was a wonderful end to an amazing trilogy. I'm still a little sad to see it end, but in this book all the remaining questions are answered and wraps up gracefully. And yes, we learn about the Bloody Machine talked about in the first book. We also get to see more of the Merron ways, which I grew to love in The Crowded Shadows.
The characters have grown in strength through these books. Especially Wynter. Wynter has grown into a wise and brave young woman. Not that she wasn't brave in the beginning, but she has learned much on her path and accepted a lot. She has found love and hate in these woods and how to express both. We get to meet one of Wyn's old friends here, one of the talking cats she had taken care of when at the castle before her and her father went North. And we learn more of Christopher and his hidden secret, and how Wyn deals with it. Razi is the constant rock and voice of reason, as always, but there is something that will shake his world as well. Then, we finally get to meet the Rebel Prince Alberon.
Hmmm, yes. Alberon. I have to say when we first meet Alberon I had wondered of his state of mind. He seemed as he could be a little off from all the war and bloodshed he has seen at such a young age. But as the book went on I learned of why the Prince is the way he is and that he is aware of it. But, he has to be strong and almost cold as he is the heir to the throne... or so he believes.
The story starts right in the thick of the woods with trouble all around. We get the feel of the danger in the woods still. Even when in the camp there is always danger lurking around. And even the different agents from different kingdoms and areas of this world there is friction between them.
I also enjoyed the different degrees and angles in which we see danger coming at the main characters. All the characters are tested to their limits. We even get to see at the end, the characters that survive, a close future to see what has come of them.
Lovely ending to a wonderful trilogy. I'm proud to say this is one that will stay on the shelves for years to come and I will revisit again and again. I will be keeping my eye out for any future work by Celine Kiernan.
Wynter, Razi, and Christopher are traveling with the Merron warriors, who are on their diplomatic mission to find the Rebel prince. They have all started to come to terms with the happenings of The Crowded Shadows. In trying to find the Rebel Prince they try different rendezvous points with no avail. Finally, they come across Alberon's military men and make it to camp. After some quick work with words Razi and Wynter make it to see Alberon. What they learn of his plans surprise and astound them. Could they work? Would they even want them to work? With everything that has happened between Prince Alberon and his father King Jonathan, could they repair the damage done to the kingdom? Razi and Wynter have the fate of the kingdom laying in their hands.
This was a wonderful read for me. One I barreled quickly through, not wanting to put the book down. I have enjoyed these characters and the world here since the first book. This was a wonderful end to an amazing trilogy. I'm still a little sad to see it end, but in this book all the remaining questions are answered and wraps up gracefully. And yes, we learn about the Bloody Machine talked about in the first book. We also get to see more of the Merron ways, which I grew to love in The Crowded Shadows.
The characters have grown in strength through these books. Especially Wynter. Wynter has grown into a wise and brave young woman. Not that she wasn't brave in the beginning, but she has learned much on her path and accepted a lot. She has found love and hate in these woods and how to express both. We get to meet one of Wyn's old friends here, one of the talking cats she had taken care of when at the castle before her and her father went North. And we learn more of Christopher and his hidden secret, and how Wyn deals with it. Razi is the constant rock and voice of reason, as always, but there is something that will shake his world as well. Then, we finally get to meet the Rebel Prince Alberon.
Hmmm, yes. Alberon. I have to say when we first meet Alberon I had wondered of his state of mind. He seemed as he could be a little off from all the war and bloodshed he has seen at such a young age. But as the book went on I learned of why the Prince is the way he is and that he is aware of it. But, he has to be strong and almost cold as he is the heir to the throne... or so he believes.
The story starts right in the thick of the woods with trouble all around. We get the feel of the danger in the woods still. Even when in the camp there is always danger lurking around. And even the different agents from different kingdoms and areas of this world there is friction between them.
I also enjoyed the different degrees and angles in which we see danger coming at the main characters. All the characters are tested to their limits. We even get to see at the end, the characters that survive, a close future to see what has come of them.
Lovely ending to a wonderful trilogy. I'm proud to say this is one that will stay on the shelves for years to come and I will revisit again and again. I will be keeping my eye out for any future work by Celine Kiernan.
delucia's review against another edition
4.0
took me nearly a month to finish, and honestly not surprised. although i did go on vacation halfway through reading this for two weeks (thus two weeks of not reading) i was kind of glad. the first half was so slow and then it made it feel like the end was rushed. i would have liked a longer epilogue and a longer travelling-back part as well, rather then just them at the camp for 2/3 of the book. i also want to know how razi and stuff is 5 years after the incident, which could have been included if the epilogue was longer. it still gets four stars though because i did enjoy reading most of it, but it still could have been better.
nikolson's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
iphigenias's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Reread. Something about this book will always feel a little rushed and unfinished to me. BUT epilogue of my heart
novel_nomad's review against another edition
5.0
I simply adore this book. There are truly no words to describe how deeply I adore this book. Celine has concluded her beautifully realistic trilogy with great heart and emotion, making 'The Moorehawke Trilogy' one of the best series I have ever read.
I was so deeply engrossed in the story that at every twist and turn I fretted over the outcomes and reactions. Even when I was pried away from the book for sleep, meals and university lectures, I was constantly thinking about the latest plot development. Celine has managed to keep the secrets developed with the first two books teasing upon the edges of the story until they are suddenly brought forth and the truth exposed. I shall not divulge any plot spoilers, because ‘The Rebel Prince’ needs to be read whilst your hairs are standing on end and your gut is churning at all the possible endings to this magnificent trilogy.
I was so deeply engrossed in the story that at every twist and turn I fretted over the outcomes and reactions. Even when I was pried away from the book for sleep, meals and university lectures, I was constantly thinking about the latest plot development. Celine has managed to keep the secrets developed with the first two books teasing upon the edges of the story until they are suddenly brought forth and the truth exposed. I shall not divulge any plot spoilers, because ‘The Rebel Prince’ needs to be read whilst your hairs are standing on end and your gut is churning at all the possible endings to this magnificent trilogy.
novel_nomad's review against another edition
5.0
Another re-read for this year, and I am not sure why but I find myself hopelessly drawn back to the Moorehawke world and the central trio. I suppose it is the combination of strong unique characters and wonderful writing that has me pulling these books from the shelf.
drey72's review against another edition
3.0
The Rebel Prince is the third and last book in Celine Kiernan's Moorehawke trilogy, where Wynter Moorehawke has gone from daughter of the King's best friend to orphan on the run with the King's bastard and his best friend, looking for the Prince who's gathering all the Kingdom's enemies in the shadow of the woods...
Wynter, Razi, and Christopher travel with the Merron and finally find Alberon's camp, where she's stunned when she finds out what he's planning to do. Good intentions aside, politics rears its ugly head and tempers are fraying. The tension rises when they realize that the King probably knows their whereabouts and an ambush or attack is forthcoming.
Character: I still like Wynter, Christopher, and Razi, but out of all three, Wynter developed the most in the series. Alberon is finally introduced in this book, and it seems like he totally got the short shrift here, because he should have more than this opportunity to share what his reasons are for what he did and why he went about it the way he did...
Pace & Plot: Celine Kiernan has you on tenterhooks as you turn the pages to find out what happens to Wynter and her friends. The scenes are pretty realistic as the situation gets more dire, and you can feel Wynter's frustration with her friends as they try to navigate their way to safety.
This series is worth reading if you're a fan of YA fantasy.
Wynter, Razi, and Christopher travel with the Merron and finally find Alberon's camp, where she's stunned when she finds out what he's planning to do. Good intentions aside, politics rears its ugly head and tempers are fraying. The tension rises when they realize that the King probably knows their whereabouts and an ambush or attack is forthcoming.
Character: I still like Wynter, Christopher, and Razi, but out of all three, Wynter developed the most in the series. Alberon is finally introduced in this book, and it seems like he totally got the short shrift here, because he should have more than this opportunity to share what his reasons are for what he did and why he went about it the way he did...
Pace & Plot: Celine Kiernan has you on tenterhooks as you turn the pages to find out what happens to Wynter and her friends. The scenes are pretty realistic as the situation gets more dire, and you can feel Wynter's frustration with her friends as they try to navigate their way to safety.
This series is worth reading if you're a fan of YA fantasy.