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A review by betwixt_the_pages
Fallen Shadows by Raven More
3.0
Rating: 2.75/5 Penguins (rounded up)
Quick Reasons: instalove; the "chosen" one; interesting world; flat though intriguing characters and fast paced story building; some confusing scenes
HUGE thanks to Raven More and Defy the Dark Publishing for the title! My review is voluntarily written and in no way impacted or altered by this gesture.
Varek and I stand rooted, a novel scent tickling my senses, crisp and unfamiliar. A guttural snark rips through my concentration. "There's a stir within this sea of gold," I murmur, more to myself than to him.
I struggled to review this one, Penguins. Let's start with the good things. I REALLY feel like the ideas of the world, the magics, the society, the monsters, etc that the author plays with in this book are unique and intriguing. I WANTED to fall deeply into this story. I wanted to be pulled away, to learn all the nooks and crannies and secrets that lurk beneath these pages. The characters were interesting, the "star crossed romance" could have REALLY brought this journey to life. The prose was bordering on purple and plain, a delicate mix that worked well for this story especially when woven between the dual point of views. I wanted SO BADLY for this book to sweep me up and spit me out a changed reader.
Unfortunately, I struggled to suspend my disbelief and really be drawn into the world of this novel. I feel as if this book started page one, more like in act 25. The characters' don't so much leap off the page as TUMBLE from them, seeming more 2 dimensional than really fleshed out. Their romance feels like it's stuck somewhere on the fifth act, instead of as a "just beginning" feeling (honestly, it feels like where WE start this book, should be more like the MIDDLE of the read than the beginning). While the magic is unique (for the bits and pieces we get) I had more questions than I ended with answers. A lot of this story was left to be desired, and I ended up more frustrated than fulfilled at the end.
There is no one for me to confide in. No person of worth wants a warrior for a friend because we die too young to matter and I'll never be fully accepted by the male warriors. I don't care; the only person I want to be with I almost killed to earn a title. But I cannot--will not kill him. If the Elder demanded a death, I would have surrendered and fallen on Varek's blade.
STILL, while this book wasn't the read for me, I would recommend to lovers of steampunk fantasy, unique magic systems, and worlds that seem to leap off the page at you as you read. The characters are intriguing, the monsters are terrifying, and just because this book didn't work for ME doesn't mean that YOU won't love it. The shadows are falling, Penguins...are YOU ready to see what hides beneath them?
Quick Reasons: instalove; the "chosen" one; interesting world; flat though intriguing characters and fast paced story building; some confusing scenes
HUGE thanks to Raven More and Defy the Dark Publishing for the title! My review is voluntarily written and in no way impacted or altered by this gesture.
Varek and I stand rooted, a novel scent tickling my senses, crisp and unfamiliar. A guttural snark rips through my concentration. "There's a stir within this sea of gold," I murmur, more to myself than to him.
I struggled to review this one, Penguins. Let's start with the good things. I REALLY feel like the ideas of the world, the magics, the society, the monsters, etc that the author plays with in this book are unique and intriguing. I WANTED to fall deeply into this story. I wanted to be pulled away, to learn all the nooks and crannies and secrets that lurk beneath these pages. The characters were interesting, the "star crossed romance" could have REALLY brought this journey to life. The prose was bordering on purple and plain, a delicate mix that worked well for this story especially when woven between the dual point of views. I wanted SO BADLY for this book to sweep me up and spit me out a changed reader.
Unfortunately, I struggled to suspend my disbelief and really be drawn into the world of this novel. I feel as if this book started page one, more like in act 25. The characters' don't so much leap off the page as TUMBLE from them, seeming more 2 dimensional than really fleshed out. Their romance feels like it's stuck somewhere on the fifth act, instead of as a "just beginning" feeling (honestly, it feels like where WE start this book, should be more like the MIDDLE of the read than the beginning). While the magic is unique (for the bits and pieces we get) I had more questions than I ended with answers. A lot of this story was left to be desired, and I ended up more frustrated than fulfilled at the end.
There is no one for me to confide in. No person of worth wants a warrior for a friend because we die too young to matter and I'll never be fully accepted by the male warriors. I don't care; the only person I want to be with I almost killed to earn a title. But I cannot--will not kill him. If the Elder demanded a death, I would have surrendered and fallen on Varek's blade.
STILL, while this book wasn't the read for me, I would recommend to lovers of steampunk fantasy, unique magic systems, and worlds that seem to leap off the page at you as you read. The characters are intriguing, the monsters are terrifying, and just because this book didn't work for ME doesn't mean that YOU won't love it. The shadows are falling, Penguins...are YOU ready to see what hides beneath them?