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ammfoley's review against another edition
4.0
Hate Axis now. Why did he treat Faraday and Azhure like that. Unforgiveable. I'm so mad rn.
alistairstafford's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0
kanissa's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of those books that drives me crazy, because I really don't want to like it, but I end up enjoying it anyway.
My complaints are the same as with the first book in the series. Character development is basically non-existent. Characters are extremely willing to throw over their long-held beliefs just because of a prophecy. That doesn't strike me as realistic - even if it IS magical.
Also, Axis is apparently supposed to have anger management problems, but this isn't really ever well displayed. He just randomly snaps and acts like a psychopath. But 99% of the time he seems like a saint. So which is it?
I don't know. It doesn't seem like a particularly great book, but I still want to know what happens. Damn you, Sara Douglass, for making me read subpar fantasy novels!
My complaints are the same as with the first book in the series. Character development is basically non-existent. Characters are extremely willing to throw over their long-held beliefs just because of a prophecy. That doesn't strike me as realistic - even if it IS magical.
Also, Axis is apparently supposed to have anger management problems, but this isn't really ever well displayed. He just randomly snaps and acts like a psychopath. But 99% of the time he seems like a saint. So which is it?
I don't know. It doesn't seem like a particularly great book, but I still want to know what happens. Damn you, Sara Douglass, for making me read subpar fantasy novels!
donnaadouglas's review against another edition
3.0
I was surprised to find myself enjoying this book more than I had book 1 of the trilogy. Normally the second book in a trilogy is the weakest of the three, but I found that the story of Axis developed a lot more with this book, whilst moving at a quicker pace and introducing more interesting characters and plot twists.
Although I would consider this book to be highly readable, I wouldn't consider Douglass to be a writer of high skill. Undoubtedly she can contruct a story very well indeed, but she tends to limit herself to prose, failing to demonstrate much ability to create imagery, especially in the battle scenes, which read as inert past-tense narration - she doesn't paint the scene in a vivid way. She is, however, very skilled at holding the readers interest - giving a little away at a time. I couldn't put this book down.
Although I would consider this book to be highly readable, I wouldn't consider Douglass to be a writer of high skill. Undoubtedly she can contruct a story very well indeed, but she tends to limit herself to prose, failing to demonstrate much ability to create imagery, especially in the battle scenes, which read as inert past-tense narration - she doesn't paint the scene in a vivid way. She is, however, very skilled at holding the readers interest - giving a little away at a time. I couldn't put this book down.
novelheartbeat's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my gosh, I love this series so much!! Going through this story the second time was just as enjoyable as the first, except this time around I knew all of the secrets.
It was hard, though, to watch the downward spiral of some of the characters. I know the outcome, and even though I dreaded what would inevitably happen, I still wished it could be different. I was surprised by how much my stomach was in knots as the book pushed to the climax of the story.
Spoiler
I think the moment Faraday realizes the depth of Axis's betrayal is one of the most monumental scenes in this whole series, and one of the ones that had the biggest impact on me. I hated reading it again for the second time, waiting for the moment Faraday realized what was going on. I actually dreaded it!I loved watching Azhure's story unfold again. I love the secrecy that envelops her, and the history behind it. I think her character arc is probably my favorite, even though she's not my favorite character. I do believe that honor falls to Faraday. I don't know why, but I always leaned toward her side, always liked her better than Azhure. Perhaps because she was introduced first, and I became attached to her long before Azhure came into the story? Or maybe because I felt for her, for her suffering. Whatever it is, my heart bleeds for everything she goes through. Everything she was forced to endure for the Prophecy.
Spoiler
I always shipped Axis and Faraday :(Sara Douglass never ceases to amaze me with her intricate world building! There are so many layers to it! I love the races of Tencedor and their back stories. The dimension she adds to her world is impressive! Even now, in the second book of the first story arc, I can see where she's setting up for the second story arc. There are little snippets of vital information that I had no idea were vital the first time through! Also, I was surprised by the amount of foreshadowing that Sara gives us. That's another thing I never noticed the first time through. They were small, seemingly insignificant - characters' thoughts in passing. There were a couple times it actually gave me chills!
Spoiler
Especially when EvenSong says, "We are an archer force. What can attack us in the air?" CHILLS. Then there were Azhure's concerns that Faraday and Axis were meant for each other because they are in the Prophecy, and they will both live to be legends. That Azhure would fade into nothing, and was insignificant in Axis' life. LITTLE DO YOU KNOW, AZHURE. But holy wow, how did I not notice these things the first time through?!I kind of love that Faraday and Azhure are basically friends despite everything. Faraday is a much stronger person that I, to accept and forgive Azhure...
Also, I freaking LOVE this cover! I love all the covers in this series, but this one is my favorite because of the Icarii flying in the background. Loooove!!!
This review was originally posted on Novel Heartbeat. To see a breakdown of my assessment, please visit the full review here.
banditisafatcat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
knightofkush's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-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? No
4.5
heart_eater's review against another edition
3.0
Not long after picking up this second book, I knew I was going to be angry a lot... and damn, I was right. Sign.
Enchanter is one of those books that you really want to like- great writing, beautiful imagery, lots of lovable characters... However, it's also one of those books you find yourself drawn to hate due to the stupid names for everything and a few really horrible characters, the main one being Axis, who is nothing but a giant douche (that's right). It doesn't help that everything in this entire damn series has to revolve around him. In the first book, I was fooled into thinking that I would grow to love Axis, but I was so very wrong. My dislike grew more and more as the story progressed, and by the time I'd picked up Enchanter and Faraday had been wholly wronged by that bastard, it was full blown hate. How could I respect him after he'd tossed aside poor, beautiful Faraday like so much garbage? The whole bullshit love triangle even colored my opinion of Azhure at first, though I've since gotten over it. If it weren't for Axis, I would have loved this series. Why couldn't he have just died and let someone less awful take his place as the main male character? Oh well. I gave this 3 stars because of the story, the few characters that I loved and the wonderful writing style. I did love some of this.
Enchanter is one of those books that you really want to like- great writing, beautiful imagery, lots of lovable characters... However, it's also one of those books you find yourself drawn to hate due to the stupid names for everything and a few really horrible characters, the main one being Axis, who is nothing but a giant douche (that's right). It doesn't help that everything in this entire damn series has to revolve around him. In the first book, I was fooled into thinking that I would grow to love Axis, but I was so very wrong. My dislike grew more and more as the story progressed, and by the time I'd picked up Enchanter and Faraday had been wholly wronged by that bastard, it was full blown hate. How could I respect him after he'd tossed aside poor, beautiful Faraday like so much garbage? The whole bullshit love triangle even colored my opinion of Azhure at first, though I've since gotten over it. If it weren't for Axis, I would have loved this series. Why couldn't he have just died and let someone less awful take his place as the main male character? Oh well. I gave this 3 stars because of the story, the few characters that I loved and the wonderful writing style. I did love some of this.
artfuldanni's review against another edition
2.0
While I thoroughly enjoyed the first novel, this one left me sort of angry and annoyed. It's like Sara Douglass was like, 'Guess what all you people who like Faraday? I'm going to give her some legitimately neat plot points BUT I'm going to screw her over so badly you'll have no choice but to want to punch Axis and everyone else in the nose.' Azhure just sort of annoyed me, though her back story was exceptionally sad. And while I liked Axis well enough in the first novel, I find myself having no sympathy whatsoever for his plight now that he's become a whining self centered douche. If I could have high fived Faraday at the end of the book, I would have. I'll read the third book only because I've read this far and I dislike leaving things unfinished.
stefaniegiss's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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? No
4.75