Well this is gonna be a mini review, because as I mentioned in my last post, I’m currently away.
Now let’s start with what I did like: the cover is exquisite, the writing is quite nice, and the setting is lovely. That’s a good list, but it’s rather short I’m afraid. Because I wasn’t overly impressed with this one.
It wasn’t a bad book, but all the main storylines didn’t involve the main character directly, so it felt like looking in from the outside, which detached the reader from the action. The story… was pretty much non-existent.
On top of that the characterisation is really poor. Characters are constantly having people tell the main character what she is- but there is no evidence to back that up by her actions. It’s a classic case of “show don’t tell”- except the people doing the telling are other characters. While this is slightly different, it has the same effect- and it’s no better.
I really didn’t get where all the hype came from (I suspect it was cos the cover was pretty)
Rating: 2½/5 bananas
Sorry for my teeny weeny scattering of puns- couldn’t come up with a bigger ones! 😉
That’s too bad – I was looking forward to this book! Still probably read it eventually…
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Yeah it was a shame- so was I! Ahh well it was worth it for the pretty cover!
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I’ve been wondering whether I should read this one. Guess it will have to wait a little longer!
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Well it’s decent but it’s not brilliant I’m afraid
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I’ll trust you on this one!
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Bummer. This one sounded interesting, and the cover is beautiful.
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It did
ahh well, at least the cover was beautiful as you said
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If I don’t get a weekly dose of puns, I go into a boredom-induced coma. Thanks for filling my quota! 😉
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Hahaha you’re very welcome!
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By the way, since it looks like you’re closer to being back – and I know you’ve missed stuff (no worries!) – I wanted to let you know you won part of the drawing I held on my site. It’s a copy of my short story collection, in PDF format or the printed booklet (for free). Which would you like? 😉
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Yes, I’m back (sort of- I’m home at least!) Really looking forward to catching up on your blog! Ooh I won? That’s so exciting!! PDF version would be best- thanks so much!! 🙂
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Just let me know an email address where you’d like it sent – you can drop me a line at daley.downing@gmail.com.
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Aww thank you!!! I will do!! 🙂
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And thank you so much!!!
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Agree with you completely on this. I didn’t get the hype. Although I re-read the prologue after reading the book, and that was strikingly beautiful
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Thank you!! Yeah- I really didn’t get the hype either!! I totally agree- it started off so well and the prologue was beautiful- but by the end I was just left feeling a little dissatisfied
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I agree with yer review matey. I thought the story started out promising, the miniatures were interesting, and the setting was lovely. I also liked the writing overall. But the mystery resolution was odd. The subplots involving Marin were unusual too. Altogether not what I was expecting and I could have done without.
x The Captain
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Yeah definitely agree- especially about the writing- but it wasn’t quite what I expected or wanted either x
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Oooh. Too bad you didnt enjoy the book much. I liked the read. But the climax was a damper for me.
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Yeah I found most of it okay, but as you said, the climax wasn’t great
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The setting (Dutch, d’oh) sounded like this was a book I wanted to read. And the freaking cover <3. But then I read the reviews and decided to pass on it. Which seems like a good idea if I read your review here now 😉
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yeah I felt the same way. I did see quite a few similar reviews before I read it, but I was still wooed by that cover! haha definitely!
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Welcome back 😉
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Thank you!! 🙂
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The only reason why I’d buy this book is because of that cover. 😀
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haha well that’s a good reason! Because it is lovely!!
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Oh nooooo. I have this book and was super excited to read it. Sigh. Oh well. Wonderful review!
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Ah yes it was a real shame- I just wasn’t blown away by it. Thank you!
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