I believe I have read this K/S fanfiction three times! I am not a big fan of AU K/S fanfictions in general but this one is one of my favorites. HighlyI believe I have read this K/S fanfiction three times! I am not a big fan of AU K/S fanfictions in general but this one is one of my favorites. Highly recommended!...more
*4.5 stars rounded to 5* Are there any flaws? Yes, there are plot holes, and also plot lines that are dropped or wrapped up too quickly. Do I care about*4.5 stars rounded to 5* Are there any flaws? Yes, there are plot holes, and also plot lines that are dropped or wrapped up too quickly. Do I care about these flaws? Hell, no! Loved this book! *Full review to come*...more
This story is one unexpected and amazing journey! This fandom has the best authors ever and this is one of those fictions that definitely deserves to This story is one unexpected and amazing journey! This fandom has the best authors ever and this is one of those fictions that definitely deserves to turn into a movie or a TV episode!
It is such a captivating story that I never forgot about it after the first time I read it. Coming back to it after a few years, I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. Even the original character is memorable and one of my all time favorites!
Buddy read with my dear friend, Roya! You can read her wonderful review here.
As a fan of High fantasy and dragons, I really enjoyed reading this book.Buddy read with my dear friend, Roya! You can read her wonderful review here.
As a fan of High fantasy and dragons, I really enjoyed reading this book. Like most High fantasy books, the beginning is rather slow but it’s well executed and didn’t drag or bore me to death. The setting of this medieval world is well-developed and interesting. Both humans and dragons have their own histories and way of thinking.
[image]
I love dragons and Hartman’s version of dragons as a species capable of shifting into human form is quite well-thought and original. They are highly intelligent and are rather similar to “Vulcan” species from “Star Trek”, especially when it comes to their way of thinking, their social interactions or their internal emotional conflicts. They love science, especially math, and follow logic. They find emotions destructive and have trouble understanding it. They believe in a concept called “Ard”, an ethical and physical rightness imposed on the chaos of the world, which they use to organize their memories and thoughts or even lock away emotions. Once they used to hoard gold, but after their truce with humans, many of them have come to hoard books, which is their way of hoarding science. Adorable!
[image]
Most of the story takes place in the human city of Goredd. Goredd is governed by monarchy, queens in particular, and people are quite religious. Hartman has actually developed a religion for her story, with quite a number of saints that are assigned to infants as patrons, some of which have very entertaining or creepy descriptions. I found it quite curious that humans in this book were so afraid of oddities or anything they might find abnormal and yet, they worshiped such bizarre saints. I can't help but wonder if there is something behind the whole thing.
I found Seraphina's character peculiar and adorable. She is grumpy and reclusive, avoiding contact with others as much as possible and preferring her own isolated space. There is a reason for this and her true character, hidden under the insecurities, is revealed as the story develops. She is also geeky, in love with science, music, math and intellectual pursuit. She is constantly facing internal conflict, a conflict that sometimes takes a magical form or hits her in the form of visions. Hartman uses imagery to describe both complex emotions and music, and in my opinion, captures the essence of both successfully.
As a female character, she was actually strong and smart, loyal and brave. She didn’t annoy me and did not make me think of different ways of murdering her, which is really something. Many female characters manage to awaken my dark side and the desire to off them in painful ways. I think this book actually succeeds in portraying strong female characters, something that many authors try to achieve but fail spectacularly.
The romance was perfect for me. I don’t like instant love. Seraphina’s relationship with her love interest develops gradually and in a meaningful way, with very good chemistry between them. The story did not focus on him at the beginning, and he was not described in details, making it obvious that he is indeed The One.
The relationship develops as the characters are forced to interact, forced since Seraphina tries to socialize as little as possible. The two of them have much in common and actually spend time discovering each other, pulling out the layers one by one. HE is eccentric, open-minded, insightful, and just as geeky as Seraphina, with his own adorable peculiarities.
Most of the other characters of the book were also well-developed and memorable, with depth, background and unique personalities of their own. They acted realistic and I wasn’t rolling my eyes through most of the story, wondering why the stupid characters didn’t see what was right in front of them.
Orma, Seraphina’s uncle, was specially my favorite and I found him very entertaining and adorable. He has his own inner conflicts and his transformation from a cold and insensitive uncle to a loving, caring and protective one was quite beautiful and lovely.
[image]
The plot was quite engaging and well-thought. But I think this book is not merely about a mystery that surrounds a certain death and finding the murderer. It is actually about coming to terms with one’s identity and embracing it. It is about facing an unfair world, cruelty of your own people, prejudice and racism. It’s about standing up for yourself, finding a purpose for your life and trying to change the world around you for the better. It's about finding freedom and love.
I am not saying this book is perfect. There were some changes of heart that felt a little rushed. There were also a few things that were left unexplained, probably to explore in the second book. This book does not end in a cliffhanger but the story is clearly unfinished. The ending is realistic and bittersweet, leaving the reader with hope for a better future.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I think Seraphina is a fantastic, thought-provoking fantasy. I believe I actually gained more than entertainment by reading this book and that it managed to affect me in a positive way.
“We were all monsters and bastards, and we were all beautiful.”
Another incredible journey comes to an end. What an emotional roller coaster! I cried my eyes out reading this series. I am not a fan of traged [image]
Another incredible journey comes to an end. What an emotional roller coaster! I cried my eyes out reading this series. I am not a fan of tragedy or character death, yet I do not regret reading this series. "Morning Star" was a strong, deep, meaningful and well-thought ending to an amazing, unique and wonderful journey. I just wish this book had more private intimate moments between characters. But considering I got the happy ending that I was longing for, I won't complain. "Red Rising" has officially become an all-time-favorite series of mine. Darrow did not disappoint.
[image]
He and his friends drilled their ways into my heart and I enjoyed every moment of this epic story. Strongly recommended!
What a book! What an amazing journey! Such an epic ending!*Takes calming breaths* I loved this book even more than the first one in the series!
[image]What a book! What an amazing journey! Such an epic ending!*Takes calming breaths* I loved this book even more than the first one in the series!
[image]
“The Great hunt” begins exactly where “The Eye of the World” left off. So much happens in this second book! I was locked in suspense for the entirety of this novel, especially at the end.
New forces with monstrous creatures and terrible weapons emerge out of seemingly nowhere and shake the foundation of nations.
[image]
New threats are added to the old ones. The Darkfriends are everywhere, from nobles of many different nations to Children of the Light and even the Aes Sedai!
[image]
Aielmen finally make an appearance!
[image]
We get to learn more about the Ogier race, their steddings and their traditions.
[image]
Daes dae'mar, the Great Game, played by the noble houses of Cairhien is introduced.
[image]
And much more!
This is one amazing Epic fantasy. A journey into a well-thought universe with a very complex and intriguing magic system and compelling characters that come from many different nations and races. A must-read for fantasy fans! The length of these books no longer intimidate me. I can’t wait to read the next book.
![Heaven Official’s Blessing [天官赐福]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1551802602l/44283411._SX50_.jpg)
![War Prisoner [俘虏]](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1421586927l/24560758._SX50_.jpg)
Loading...
