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asmrbookishnesserin's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
iam's review
DNF @ 42%
I'm pretty bummed out that I wasn't able to get into this. I've been looking forward to reading Sere From the Green for quite a while now, but pretty much nothing about it worked for me.
From the very start the writing was a bit awkward. Not that bad, but the dialogue was unnatural and stilted when you paid attention and characters frequently talked to themselves in that super weird way that is clearly only meant for the readers benefit or to give information.
What bothered me the most though was the way the POVs kept switching. I do not mind when a book has multiple POV characters, but here it was just.... such an unfortunate choice imo. The main character here is Isis, who is pulled into a world of shifters and guardians and magic and a prophecy, she obviously has no idea what is going on and is wary of it all. Yet instead of letting the reader find out about everything through her eyes, the POV switches to other characters who know everything already, who know all the big players and what's happening.
It took away any and all suspense or excitement for me.
Despite this, few things are actually explained. Each chapter new characters get introduced, new aspects of the plot get revealed, yet nobody's role or significance is ever mentioned so that for the most part I had no idea who all these people that appeared in the background were or why they were even there or which of it all was significant.
And even when it's Isis POV again where she learns about what's happening.... people give her a vague half-sentence before continuing on as if now everything was clear.
I want to say I liked that there was ace rep, even with two open and out characters on different ends of the spectrum, but aside from them mentioning their sexualities it's wasn't brough up in the part that I read. And tbh, the way it was intregrated in the conversations wasn't very smooth, though that might just be because of the above mentioned unnatural dialogue.
So... yeah, no, after spending a few days forcing myself to read as far as I got I have to admit I won't be reading on from here on. Great potential, but ultimately not for me.
I'm pretty bummed out that I wasn't able to get into this. I've been looking forward to reading Sere From the Green for quite a while now, but pretty much nothing about it worked for me.
From the very start the writing was a bit awkward. Not that bad, but the dialogue was unnatural and stilted when you paid attention and characters frequently talked to themselves in that super weird way that is clearly only meant for the readers benefit or to give information.
What bothered me the most though was the way the POVs kept switching. I do not mind when a book has multiple POV characters, but here it was just.... such an unfortunate choice imo. The main character here is Isis, who is pulled into a world of shifters and guardians and magic and a prophecy, she obviously has no idea what is going on and is wary of it all. Yet instead of letting the reader find out about everything through her eyes, the POV switches to other characters who know everything already, who know all the big players and what's happening.
It took away any and all suspense or excitement for me.
Despite this, few things are actually explained. Each chapter new characters get introduced, new aspects of the plot get revealed, yet nobody's role or significance is ever mentioned so that for the most part I had no idea who all these people that appeared in the background were or why they were even there or which of it all was significant.
And even when it's Isis POV again where she learns about what's happening.... people give her a vague half-sentence before continuing on as if now everything was clear.
I want to say I liked that there was ace rep, even with two open and out characters on different ends of the spectrum, but aside from them mentioning their sexualities it's wasn't brough up in the part that I read. And tbh, the way it was intregrated in the conversations wasn't very smooth, though that might just be because of the above mentioned unnatural dialogue.
So... yeah, no, after spending a few days forcing myself to read as far as I got I have to admit I won't be reading on from here on. Great potential, but ultimately not for me.
csamples's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I can definitely picture Lauren Cohen as Isis/Electra. Isis seems a little weak on her fighting skills (why not ever shape shift as you're being choked out?) but otherwise it's a pretty enjoyable book. I can also see Misha Collins playing Coop! More questions than answers develop which is probably meant to draw you into book 2. Seems more like a fan fiction piece to me, but I'll still probably read the next one.
ohmage_resistance's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
lady_valhella's review against another edition
3.0
I am interested in where this tale goes. I can tell you there is a young woman, a bit of a curmudgeon who has a way of annoying people but I don’t understand why. A cousin who is supposed to be the pretty face but she hasn’t really added much color to the tale nor has the protector wife. I think these may be sleeper creepers. There is the creepy guy who shows up everywhere with nothing much to say but requests tons of blind trust. I wished to have learned more about this fella. There is the mom who flits about being low key high drama if that make sense and the sister who is similar but does not piss people off.
Now on a queer note. We learn that asexuality is a spectrum but you may have to do some of your own research if you care to understand this spectrum and the terms used. There is a lesbian who acts a little too overly confident like “you may be asexual but you just haven’t found the right partner *eyebrow wiggle, wink, leer*.” At some point in the story that weirdness stops. And then at the end I think I caught a whiff of gay sexual tension.
Now on a queer note. We learn that asexuality is a spectrum but you may have to do some of your own research if you care to understand this spectrum and the terms used. There is a lesbian who acts a little too overly confident like “you may be asexual but you just haven’t found the right partner *eyebrow wiggle, wink, leer*.” At some point in the story that weirdness stops. And then at the end I think I caught a whiff of gay sexual tension.
melbsreads's review against another edition
3.0
Do you ever finish reading a book and just find yourself staring blankly into space thinking "what the eff did I just read?"?? If you have, you'll very much understand my experience of reading this book.
I picked this one up because it was on a list of ace spectrum Own Voices books, and HELL YES. Also, the blurb sounds pretty stinking great. But honestly? I think the best word to describe this book is "disjointed".
Like, yes, it starts out being a story about an ordinary girl taking photos of a murder that subsequently vanishes without a trace, and her being all "Um. WHUT". But it rapidly turns into "Guess what? You've got paranormal abilities! And you have a twin sister! And you need to learn to use your powers immediately because of reasons! And also your father was a pretty bad dude! Who may or may not be dead! And also now there are more vanishing murders! But we can't really do anything about those, so go break into this museum and steal a CD instead! Also, there's this mysterious guy following you but don't worry about him! Instead, worry about the assassin who's after you!"
Like. There was a LOT going on. And it didn't seem to happen in any particularly logical order? Especially because there were SO MANY CHARACTERS and it jumped between them constantly.
And perhaps disappointingly, while there are very VERY strong hints that Isis is aro/ace (just like the author!!), it was never explicitly stated. She just did a lot of "nope, not interested" and "I don't really like people"-ing.
So...I liked the premise. I liked a bunch of the characters. But there were too many perspectives and it jumped around FAR too much. End result? Confusion. Sigh.
I picked this one up because it was on a list of ace spectrum Own Voices books, and HELL YES. Also, the blurb sounds pretty stinking great. But honestly? I think the best word to describe this book is "disjointed".
Like, yes, it starts out being a story about an ordinary girl taking photos of a murder that subsequently vanishes without a trace, and her being all "Um. WHUT". But it rapidly turns into "Guess what? You've got paranormal abilities! And you have a twin sister! And you need to learn to use your powers immediately because of reasons! And also your father was a pretty bad dude! Who may or may not be dead! And also now there are more vanishing murders! But we can't really do anything about those, so go break into this museum and steal a CD instead! Also, there's this mysterious guy following you but don't worry about him! Instead, worry about the assassin who's after you!"
Like. There was a LOT going on. And it didn't seem to happen in any particularly logical order? Especially because there were SO MANY CHARACTERS and it jumped between them constantly.
And perhaps disappointingly, while there are very VERY strong hints that Isis is aro/ace (just like the author!!), it was never explicitly stated. She just did a lot of "nope, not interested" and "I don't really like people"-ing.
So...I liked the premise. I liked a bunch of the characters. But there were too many perspectives and it jumped around FAR too much. End result? Confusion. Sigh.
isisstormdragon's review
5.0
I had a lot of fun reading this one. Usually I have a hard time getting into novels of this genre despite finding it appealing, but this book really clicked with me and I could not put it down and even now that it's done I'm craving more.
I pretty much bonded with the main character immediately, and finished this book still adoring her. Maybe I'm biased because of her name, but goodness, she was just so much fun and exactly the type of character I like.
And I found the world itself pretty neat. Once again, supremely my jam.
So yeah, I really enjoyed this book and plan to read the next one soon.
I pretty much bonded with the main character immediately, and finished this book still adoring her. Maybe I'm biased because of her name, but goodness, she was just so much fun and exactly the type of character I like.
And I found the world itself pretty neat. Once again, supremely my jam.
So yeah, I really enjoyed this book and plan to read the next one soon.
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