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jessdone's review
3.0
I didn't get very far into this book before putting it down. This series has transformed in a way I don't care for.
Because I LOVE "Tree of Ages" and recommend everyone read those first books, I've given this book a respectful 3, but unfortunately I won't finish this book or be able to travel with Finn anymore. I miss the style from the older stories. It felt less forced and I had a lot more empathy with those characters than I do with these versions of them.
Anyway, I wish this series and its fans the best and I think it's cool if you still like the series, it just no longer appeals to me.
Because I LOVE "Tree of Ages" and recommend everyone read those first books, I've given this book a respectful 3, but unfortunately I won't finish this book or be able to travel with Finn anymore. I miss the style from the older stories. It felt less forced and I had a lot more empathy with those characters than I do with these versions of them.
Anyway, I wish this series and its fans the best and I think it's cool if you still like the series, it just no longer appeals to me.
jessdone's review against another edition
4.0
It was too short! There are some elements lacking in Roethle’s latest book (including the ability to pick this series up on a cold read, don’t bother reading this if you aren’t familiar with “Tree of Ages”). I can think of about half a dozen elements I could pull apart.
But, my first desire: more story, please. End of the day, I am invested in these characters; the story entertains and has enough moving parts I want to keep reading.
This is a rocky start for the new series. The character voices feel muddled. Some of then jumped ahead into new emotional arcs (which makes sense given it’s four years later but it takes the reader a moment to catch up) and others regressed back to how they felt in book two or three. I want new arcs, not to relive old ones.
My biggest concern is that love/romance/friendship between characters becomes stilted in these books. I love Roethle’s style. She lets her characters relate to each other as complete beings with a wide spectrum of emotions instead of minimizing emotional impacts to hormone filled will they/won’t they side plots. However, her usual style isn’t working here. There are three pairings where I should read more affection. It’s been four years and they are still together. I don’t care how hard-boiled one character is; I don’t care how conflicted a character is, four years of life saving adventure in a war-torn land would build more affectionate moments. Hidden jokes, long looks, flash backs, give me something on this relationship!
The characters themselves seem like they’ve been overly indulged in the last four years, which doesn’t match the “strife” this returning magic brings. I get strong spoiled vibes off of all of them.
There’s some spoiler-like elements that do not line up with the lore from the first series, but that’s always an issue when authors continue a beloved series beyond their planned ending. Have to shoehorn extra magic rules or strifes for our characters to fight against.
Overall, the plot is the strongest part of this first book. The stakes are well defined and engaging. It makes sense that characters would “risk everything” because if they do nothing they will perish. The plot’s pacing is a little choppy, especially in the back third where we push through a lot of revelation that readers deserved more pages to run through.
Grudgingly, I have to admit, there are warning signs in this book that make me worry for the series but none of it stops me from wanting more. I’m excited to read Book 2. All the issues I have in this current book can be corrected/explained over the course of a series.
But, my first desire: more story, please. End of the day, I am invested in these characters; the story entertains and has enough moving parts I want to keep reading.
This is a rocky start for the new series. The character voices feel muddled. Some of then jumped ahead into new emotional arcs (which makes sense given it’s four years later but it takes the reader a moment to catch up) and others regressed back to how they felt in book two or three. I want new arcs, not to relive old ones.
My biggest concern is that love/romance/friendship between characters becomes stilted in these books. I love Roethle’s style. She lets her characters relate to each other as complete beings with a wide spectrum of emotions instead of minimizing emotional impacts to hormone filled will they/won’t they side plots. However, her usual style isn’t working here. There are three pairings where I should read more affection. It’s been four years and they are still together. I don’t care how hard-boiled one character is; I don’t care how conflicted a character is, four years of life saving adventure in a war-torn land would build more affectionate moments. Hidden jokes, long looks, flash backs, give me something on this relationship!
The characters themselves seem like they’ve been overly indulged in the last four years, which doesn’t match the “strife” this returning magic brings. I get strong spoiled vibes off of all of them.
There’s some spoiler-like elements that do not line up with the lore from the first series, but that’s always an issue when authors continue a beloved series beyond their planned ending. Have to shoehorn extra magic rules or strifes for our characters to fight against.
Overall, the plot is the strongest part of this first book. The stakes are well defined and engaging. It makes sense that characters would “risk everything” because if they do nothing they will perish. The plot’s pacing is a little choppy, especially in the back third where we push through a lot of revelation that readers deserved more pages to run through.
Grudgingly, I have to admit, there are warning signs in this book that make me worry for the series but none of it stops me from wanting more. I’m excited to read Book 2. All the issues I have in this current book can be corrected/explained over the course of a series.
wolfhearted_lenore's review against another edition
5.0
Such a surprise
I follow Sarah on amazon so when a new book is released I receive an email. My favorite series of her is Tree of Ages. When I received the email this book was published I was so happy! And I was not disappointed! This book was a great addition to the series, and full of surprises too! I was disappointed with how short it was, but the author’s note at the end is promising! Read this book you will not be disappointed!
I follow Sarah on amazon so when a new book is released I receive an email. My favorite series of her is Tree of Ages. When I received the email this book was published I was so happy! And I was not disappointed! This book was a great addition to the series, and full of surprises too! I was disappointed with how short it was, but the author’s note at the end is promising! Read this book you will not be disappointed!
readbyashleyd's review against another edition
2.0
I was hesitant to read this because I was so happy with how the series ended and I didn’t see how a new book could possibly add anything. And I was right. It’s not absolutely terrible but it just wasn’t necessary and I wish I never read it because it kind of spoiled the ending of the series to go beyond it and see what happened after. The ending was incredibly satisfying and it should have been left at that. I’m just going to pretend I never read this and purge it from my brain to salvage the series.
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