Scan barcode
emhildeb's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It's okay. The magic is interesting but I was a bit bored by the slow paced plot. The world building and characters are also just okay. I like the storytelling though.
readandtellstories's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-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
3.5
I liked this book, for the most part. I felt like the first 2/3 of the book were veryyyy slow with a lot of exposition and world-building that it took me a long time to feel like I was hooked. From the very beginning, though, I enjoyed the writing style immensely and felt intrigued in the story. The writing was very poetic and descriptive, which really helped me paint the picture in my head. The story was unique and had me curious. The last maybe 100 pages were really when things got good and the plot twists were ones I really didn’t see coming! Overall, I enjoyed this book and this concept and I’m really excited to pick up book two to see where this story goes.
faeriesparks's review against another edition
DNF @ 16%
I just can't get into this. Nothing is gripping me and I don't really like the writing. Depending on my mood I might pick it back up in the future.
I just can't get into this. Nothing is gripping me and I don't really like the writing. Depending on my mood I might pick it back up in the future.
tatyanavogt's review against another edition
3.5
The cover is misleading. This is the story of a young woman who finds out she is a bone witch and is sent off to train under another famous bone witch in the city. The Training customs is very similar to Japanese Geisha training, with elaborate robes, entertainment skills like preforming, music work and spending time with clients in tea houses. Among other things.
(its not Geisha culture tho, as all of the terms are different and someone pointed out that japan colonized a bunch of different areas so their traditions probably influenced the traditions of other cultures which is ACTUALLY what this is inspired by, but as someone who personally has more knowledge of the Geisha customs thats what I was constituently reminded of which is why I mention it. But its NOT Geisha or Japanese culture in this book.)
All of this traditional training is important for the magic users of this fantastical world so we do get a little fantasy sprinkled in as all of this is happening. This book is mostly in a very civilized traditional city location so the feral looking girl on a cliff side in the cover is VERY confusing. Its true that we're following two timelines one of which is out in the middle of no where as our main character is preparing for something big that we slowly learn over the course of the three books. The second timeline is her past and everything leading up to this moment which she is telling to a bard who is with her in the now timeline. I hope this is making sense. lol.
I did like the story and hope to re-read it in the future as I feel like a lot was going on and plenty of things were missed during my first read. I also will say that you should expect to read the full trilogy together as they are all one big story and I didn't really feel like they were separated in a satisfying way. It was a little bit of a disappointment cause I was hoping to like it way more than I did, BUT it was still a good time in the grand scheme of things.
I'm hoping the rating will go up during my future second read since I know what to expect now.
(its not Geisha culture tho, as all of the terms are different and someone pointed out that japan colonized a bunch of different areas so their traditions probably influenced the traditions of other cultures which is ACTUALLY what this is inspired by, but as someone who personally has more knowledge of the Geisha customs thats what I was constituently reminded of which is why I mention it. But its NOT Geisha or Japanese culture in this book.)
All of this traditional training is important for the magic users of this fantastical world so we do get a little fantasy sprinkled in as all of this is happening. This book is mostly in a very civilized traditional city location so the feral looking girl on a cliff side in the cover is VERY confusing. Its true that we're following two timelines one of which is out in the middle of no where as our main character is preparing for something big that we slowly learn over the course of the three books. The second timeline is her past and everything leading up to this moment which she is telling to a bard who is with her in the now timeline. I hope this is making sense. lol.
I did like the story and hope to re-read it in the future as I feel like a lot was going on and plenty of things were missed during my first read. I also will say that you should expect to read the full trilogy together as they are all one big story and I didn't really feel like they were separated in a satisfying way. It was a little bit of a disappointment cause I was hoping to like it way more than I did, BUT it was still a good time in the grand scheme of things.
I'm hoping the rating will go up during my future second read since I know what to expect now.
lucyperry's review against another edition
Despite my intrigue of necromancy, this book just bored me to tears and I have no more desire to read it. The very thought makes me feel like I'm going to get in a reading slump.
finalgirlreads's review
I'm having t ouble getting immersed in the story. It's hard to stick with and it doesn't seem as flagged or as I'm used to with my fantasies
majabwds's review against another edition
3.0
This is a YA fantasy with a lot of tropes: overpowered main character, a start of a love triangle, the main character fighting the system.
Cool world and monsters, though. I am intrigued enough to continue on but not with audiobooks, the narrator was a bit too over dramatic for my taste.
Cool world and monsters, though. I am intrigued enough to continue on but not with audiobooks, the narrator was a bit too over dramatic for my taste.