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timinbc's review
3.0
Of course authors can do whatever they want, but darn it, each story should be the length it needs to be, and I think this one needs to be a novel. It's paced like a novel, and then it's gone just as we were getting into it.
The progress of learning what Ree is (as she learns it too) is slow enough that there could be ten novellas before we get there.
But I guess I have to see how it turns out so I'll read #3. Especially with almost everyone in this book being almost suspiciously nice. There be villains ahead, I'll wager.
The progress of learning what Ree is (as she learns it too) is slow enough that there could be ten novellas before we get there.
But I guess I have to see how it turns out so I'll read #3. Especially with almost everyone in this book being almost suspiciously nice. There be villains ahead, I'll wager.
aggressive_nostalgia's review
4.0
Okay, I’m gonna need a whole novel of this. This is the good stuff. Brennan’s typically inventive and immersive worldbuilding skills are brightly on display. Even in the short page count, she packs a fascinating punch delivered with a cast of distinct characters that compensates for the scant plot. There’s a definite Middle-Eastern (Turkish in particular) flavor to the setting that feels both fresh and long-established, and I really want to spend more time in it.
I’m not sure how I ended up accidentally reading this novella before the first in the series, but I didn’t have any trouble following the story; in fact, I might have actually enjoyed it more, since there’s a few twists that I suspect would not have been surprises had I read the first book. (Which I plan on going back and doing, ASAP.) What plot there is touches on concepts of identity and found-family – themes which I would always love to see explored further, and which are especially tantalizing here in light of the protagonist’s nonhuman nature.
Really – if Brennan ever decides to revisit this world and flesh it out into a full-length novel, I will lap it up like Vranatzin laps up the blood of her enemies.
I’m not sure how I ended up accidentally reading this novella before the first in the series, but I didn’t have any trouble following the story; in fact, I might have actually enjoyed it more, since there’s a few twists that I suspect would not have been surprises had I read the first book. (Which I plan on going back and doing, ASAP.) What plot there is touches on concepts of identity and found-family – themes which I would always love to see explored further, and which are especially tantalizing here in light of the protagonist’s nonhuman nature.
Really – if Brennan ever decides to revisit this world and flesh it out into a full-length novel, I will lap it up like Vranatzin laps up the blood of her enemies.
lsparrow's review
4.0
I find that I am so connected to the main character and her journey to find herself.
islandbookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
3.5
mateyy's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
liacooper's review
3.0
very standard secondary world fantasy fair. the ending is intriguing but there's nothing especially captivating about this seres tbh
rara2018's review
3.0
By itself, this was an exciting and enjoyable read, but compared to its predecessor, I couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed. Ree’s journey of self discovery felt less urgent here. I still love the world and felt it come alive from page to page, but I just wasn’t as invested. I am holding out hope, though, that there will be another installment after the ending we got.
blackmetalblackheart's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the expanding mythos of this world and the people. It felt less like an introduction and more of a story than the first installment. A fun, quick read that leaves you wanting more.
zannez's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0