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snowblu3's review against another edition
2.0
7% in, I realized I didn't care. The story of a mortal in the court of Queen Mab seems to be overdone considering I just read it in The Iron Fey. I feel like I should be connecting with the main character and I'm not at all. Meh.
backsong's review against another edition
4.0
This book was surprisingly good. I didn't expect much, as I received this book for free from Amazon. One thing I do have to say about it is that while you spend the entire story confused and asking for more, it is wonderfully done. Mildly frustrating and yet intriguing.
A full review to follow.
A full review to follow.
skelleybean's review against another edition
2.0
In Pale Queen Rising , Claire, a mortal who has spent most of her life in the world of Faerie, is an assassin for the Queen of Winter. She has one job-- torture and kill anyone that stands in the way of Mab getting all of the Dream she needs to run her kingdom. when a simple hit on a leak in Dream turns into a search for a new Faerie power on the rise, Claire must quickly turn from assassin to detective if Mab's kingdom is to survive. With the help of Eli, a demon from another astral plane, Claire makes several stops, both in the world of Faerie and the mortal world, as she follows the trail to find out who is assisting this new Pale Queen.
This book was... fine. Is it a great piece of literature? No. Is it a good example of an urban fantasy novel? Not really. Was it entertaining? It must have been if I actually finished it.
The world of this book is probably the most interesting part about it. In this story, there is a world known as Faerie, divided by two Kingdoms-- Winter, which is run by Mab, and Summer, which is run by a king named Oberon (who you never actually meet). This world exist next to the mortal world, and the two can interact in different ways. The main reason the two world need to interact at all is because of Dream. Whenever a human experiences something entertaining-- like a play, or a concert, or a circus-- they release Dream, which representative from each Kingdom gather and return to either side. This is not only the life force, but also the currency of their world.
Other than that, the rest of the book was... lacking. All of the characters were cardboard cutouts, lacking depth and drive. Claire is by far the worst of these-- she's a true assassin stereotype, not allowed to feel any kind of emotion... except the desire to have sex with any attractive person. The only description really any character gets is whether they're HOT or not-- if they are, Claire interacts with them. If they aren't, they aren't really important to her. I also have a problem with the way that Claire describes herself (therefore, the way the author describes her). Near the beginning she describes herself as a "bombshell in a leather jacket," and I don't know why that rubbed me the wrong way, but it did. I think part of it is because this is a male author writing about a female character that only ever amounts to brooding sexpot. The way she is written also feels very juvenile-- she feels like what a fourteen-year-old thinks a sexy character should be like.
In fact, when I first started reading this book, I actually thought this was a young adult novel-- the tone and writing style felt juvenile and young (not youthful, which is different-- this felt like a young person trying to create a mature world and failing because they've never been part of the mature world). At first I was like "Ok cool, I'm down for some young adult urban fantasy...." Until I got to a part where she starts describing her sex live and sexual encounters, and I was like "Wait... is this actually a YA novel? It's not, but I was still confused throughout because the tone was just off.
Overall, this was not some great piece of literature or even a good example of urban fantasy. I want to know more about the world but not about these particular characters.
This book was... fine. Is it a great piece of literature? No. Is it a good example of an urban fantasy novel? Not really. Was it entertaining? It must have been if I actually finished it.
The world of this book is probably the most interesting part about it. In this story, there is a world known as Faerie, divided by two Kingdoms-- Winter, which is run by Mab, and Summer, which is run by a king named Oberon (who you never actually meet). This world exist next to the mortal world, and the two can interact in different ways. The main reason the two world need to interact at all is because of Dream. Whenever a human experiences something entertaining-- like a play, or a concert, or a circus-- they release Dream, which representative from each Kingdom gather and return to either side. This is not only the life force, but also the currency of their world.
Other than that, the rest of the book was... lacking. All of the characters were cardboard cutouts, lacking depth and drive. Claire is by far the worst of these-- she's a true assassin stereotype, not allowed to feel any kind of emotion... except the desire to have sex with any attractive person. The only description really any character gets is whether they're HOT or not-- if they are, Claire interacts with them. If they aren't, they aren't really important to her. I also have a problem with the way that Claire describes herself (therefore, the way the author describes her). Near the beginning she describes herself as a "bombshell in a leather jacket," and I don't know why that rubbed me the wrong way, but it did. I think part of it is because this is a male author writing about a female character that only ever amounts to brooding sexpot. The way she is written also feels very juvenile-- she feels like what a fourteen-year-old thinks a sexy character should be like.
In fact, when I first started reading this book, I actually thought this was a young adult novel-- the tone and writing style felt juvenile and young (not youthful, which is different-- this felt like a young person trying to create a mature world and failing because they've never been part of the mature world). At first I was like "Ok cool, I'm down for some young adult urban fantasy...." Until I got to a part where she starts describing her sex live and sexual encounters, and I was like "Wait... is this actually a YA novel? It's not, but I was still confused throughout because the tone was just off.
Overall, this was not some great piece of literature or even a good example of urban fantasy. I want to know more about the world but not about these particular characters.
sendusia's review against another edition
3.0
Let me start off by stating that I have not read anything by A.R. Kahler nor have I heard of him before. I went into Pale Queen Rising with no knowledge of his previous related work, [b:The Immortal Circus: Act One|17398829|The Immortal Circus Act One (Cirque des Immortels, #1)|A.R. Kahler|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1361844831s/17398829.jpg|21947749].
I have a soft spot for YA targeted books about faeries, magic and "things mortals are too, well mortal, to see." So this book was right up my alley. I got it as a monthly freebie for being an Amazon Prime member, though I would have probably picked it up to read sometime in the future.
I really found myself enjoying the story and the many characters that are constantly being introduced. I wanted to know about Claire's past probably more than she did. I wanted the author to go into more detail about the Winter Palace and Mab. It did take me a while to get into the story but once the author introduced the mysterious "Immortal Circus," I was hooked.
The book is a quick weekend read. The story is basic and predictable but it has enough plot twists to keep you interested. It pulls you in enough to warrant a sequel. The characters are as complex as they're trying to be and most of them seem to come off as dicks. But I liked them all the same.
I loved Claire. Sure, she can get annoying with her kill and sex attitude but she grows on you. Claire's main objective in life is doing the bidding of the Winter Faerie Queen, which usually consists of killing... seeing as Claire is an assassin. When she is ordered to find and kill whoever is stealing the dreams of humans (the food of the Faeries), Claire begins to reveal more of herself as a mortal and uncover the secrets of her past. She starts to grow and becomes more "human" and likable. It's a daily struggle for her being human and living in a world where humans are considered nothing more than playthings (and food).
There are still questions I have as to what dreams are, the mortal world, and the Oracle, but I'm waiting for the next books before I start feeling frustrated about it.
Would I recommend it? Most definitely. It's short, quick and sweet.
Was it unique and amazing? No, but [a:A.R. Kahler|5393419|A.R. Kahler|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1351915608p2/5393419.jpg] is quite talented in creating a captivating and descriptive world.
This is not everyone's type of book. Honestly, if you like supernatural stories with faeries, do yourself a favor and read it.
If not, then skip it.
It's as simple as that.
I have a soft spot for YA targeted books about faeries, magic and "things mortals are too, well mortal, to see." So this book was right up my alley. I got it as a monthly freebie for being an Amazon Prime member, though I would have probably picked it up to read sometime in the future.
I really found myself enjoying the story and the many characters that are constantly being introduced. I wanted to know about Claire's past probably more than she did. I wanted the author to go into more detail about the Winter Palace and Mab. It did take me a while to get into the story but once the author introduced the mysterious "Immortal Circus," I was hooked.
The book is a quick weekend read. The story is basic and predictable but it has enough plot twists to keep you interested. It pulls you in enough to warrant a sequel. The characters are as complex as they're trying to be and most of them seem to come off as dicks. But I liked them all the same.
I loved Claire. Sure, she can get annoying with her kill and sex attitude but she grows on you. Claire's main objective in life is doing the bidding of the Winter Faerie Queen, which usually consists of killing... seeing as Claire is an assassin. When she is ordered to find and kill whoever is stealing the dreams of humans (the food of the Faeries), Claire begins to reveal more of herself as a mortal and uncover the secrets of her past. She starts to grow and becomes more "human" and likable. It's a daily struggle for her being human and living in a world where humans are considered nothing more than playthings (and food).
There are still questions I have as to what dreams are, the mortal world, and the Oracle, but I'm waiting for the next books before I start feeling frustrated about it.
Would I recommend it? Most definitely. It's short, quick and sweet.
Was it unique and amazing? No, but [a:A.R. Kahler|5393419|A.R. Kahler|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1351915608p2/5393419.jpg] is quite talented in creating a captivating and descriptive world.
This is not everyone's type of book. Honestly, if you like supernatural stories with faeries, do yourself a favor and read it.
If not, then skip it.
It's as simple as that.
pidgevorg's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't like this one much, but I have to give credit where credit is due--first person present tense POV is hard to write well, and this book nails it. Every piece of information given makes sense as part of the narrator's thought process at that moment. And her personality was level-headed enough to be able to describe bloody/scary scenes in detail without sounding out of character, so she was perfect for this POV. She also doesn't know herself very well, which makes it fun to read between the lines to figure out her real character.
Other than that, we have a heroine of middling intelligence and no powers or skills other than those given to her by the faerie queen, but with a lot of attitude and an overactive libido. She's an assassin, and is used to simple killing missions, but this time she has to solve a mystery, so she's out of her depth. Which I guess explains why she goes about it like a toddler--just telling everyone and their uncle's dog what the problem is, and hoping that someone nice might clue her in. Not surprisingly, all her attempts are too little too late. But luckily for the future of her world, her boss the faerie queen seems to know more than she lets on. It's obvious that no one is actually expecting our heroine to be successful, that she is in fact a pawn in some bigger game. (Let me guess, she has some hidden "speshul powers" which have to do with her mysterious origin? Is it just me, or have I heard that one 50 times already??) But what that game is, and who is playing... well, you'll have to wait until the next book to find out. Which is all great, but doesn't make for a very interesting story in this book. In the meantime, enjoy watching as our cold-blooded assassin drools over every cute guy or girl in a 10 mile vicinity, and takes lots of bubble baths.
Other than that, we have a heroine of middling intelligence and no powers or skills other than those given to her by the faerie queen, but with a lot of attitude and an overactive libido. She's an assassin, and is used to simple killing missions, but this time she has to solve a mystery, so she's out of her depth. Which I guess explains why she goes about it like a toddler--just telling everyone and their uncle's dog what the problem is, and hoping that someone nice might clue her in. Not surprisingly, all her attempts are too little too late. But luckily for the future of her world, her boss the faerie queen seems to know more than she lets on. It's obvious that no one is actually expecting our heroine to be successful, that she is in fact a pawn in some bigger game. (Let me guess, she has some hidden "speshul powers" which have to do with her mysterious origin? Is it just me, or have I heard that one 50 times already??) But what that game is, and who is playing... well, you'll have to wait until the next book to find out. Which is all great, but doesn't make for a very interesting story in this book. In the meantime, enjoy watching as our cold-blooded assassin drools over every cute guy or girl in a 10 mile vicinity, and takes lots of bubble baths.
disconightwing's review against another edition
3.0
I got this as a kindle first book forever ago, but decided to read the immortal circus series first (by accident, but I'm glad I did since this book goes with that, kind of) and this one just didn't capture my attention like the first series. It was still good, just not what I expected after the first series.
emmarj's review
2.0
Two solid mehs.
The story was decent but characters were cardboard. The main character in particular was bad. She was very Mary Suey and contrived. Her crush on a damsel in distress felt juvenile and tumblrina and edgy for the sake of being edgy. Meh! Her toughness felt much the same. The only truly tasty tidbit was Kingston and he's a bit character.
This is on the far juvenile end of young adult, yet the language and sex make it rather inaccessible to the very young, in my opinion. I'm not sure where the author was trying to go with this but I think they've missed the mark by a wide margin.
The story was decent but characters were cardboard. The main character in particular was bad. She was very Mary Suey and contrived. Her crush on a damsel in distress felt juvenile and tumblrina and edgy for the sake of being edgy. Meh! Her toughness felt much the same. The only truly tasty tidbit was Kingston and he's a bit character.
This is on the far juvenile end of young adult, yet the language and sex make it rather inaccessible to the very young, in my opinion. I'm not sure where the author was trying to go with this but I think they've missed the mark by a wide margin.
rose_dreamer_'s review against another edition
4.0
Pale Queen Rising, a Kindle First book.
I really enjoyed this book. I'll definitely be reading the next. Can't wait to see what happens! I would have purchased it immediately but have to wait until it's released in May.
I really enjoyed this book. I'll definitely be reading the next. Can't wait to see what happens! I would have purchased it immediately but have to wait until it's released in May.
texile's review
3.0
The plot has promise but the characters are painfully wooden. The protagonist in particular has about 3 character traits total.