**spoiler alert** I'm actually still reading this book but want to write down some thoughts > It's interesting to have a cursed main character who is r**spoiler alert** I'm actually still reading this book but want to write down some thoughts > It's interesting to have a cursed main character who is reluctant to let go of their curse > tbh if i could wield elements and turn into a winged wolf cat beast monster, I don't think i'd want to be a human girl either > Jamie is the Worst but not in a bad way? He's a good foil to Rozlyn - He's such an ass but somehow it's not frustrating. I guess because he's played off as ridiculous/suave? idk but I like him - Rozlyn is also a good character but I have to say, her pov gets really repetitive (I'm sad, I'm alone, I'm angry, I'm vengeful, I love Jamie, I hate Jamie, I love being a monster, I hate being a monster, I will not let go of this power, people think I'm weak but they don't know how strong I am, rinse and repeat) - The first half of the book was interesting but the second half is also getting repetitive. I think it could have been cut short by several chapters... like we already know the story of Etain and Midir, so I don't know why we have to hear their folk tale and then relive it in part 2. - the Jamie/Rozlyn storyline in part 2 is also really repetitive. Literally Jamie leaves her alone for a minute to hunt/pee/whatever and Rozlyn encounters some whacky fantasy creature that insults and/or harasses her, and she goes beast mode and makes them regret it - The further along I get in this book, the less I'm enjoying it :\ - The dialogue is also very corny at times (e.g. Jamie asking if she's on her period when she gets mad and Rozlyn being like "uh EXCUSE YOU just because i'm MAD etc. etc."/Rozlyn being pissy w Jamie who is like "ahh women are so weak and tender" to a bunch of villagers to cover for her awkwardness) I have this Chip on my Shoulder w/ this sort of dialogue. It feels very Internet Feminism and takes away from the severity of the issue. Especially in a book like this, which at its core is about a young, oppressed woman developing a monstrous power that grants her some modicum of agency. It's also exasperating to see frequently used social media talking points from the 21st century being used to flavor the story. It feels odd and anachronistic, like there are so many specific situations such as the ones referenced above which, independently, would not raise my eyebrows. But when they happen in succession like they do in the story... it's just so evident that the author is pulling points from 2010s feminism discourse and adding them to her novel for whatever reason. It's not very compelling? It's like lazy lite, since the situations are so contrived? And it reeks of Corporate Girl Boss "Eyeliner So Sharp it Could Cut a Man" behavior - was interested in the Etain/witch dynamic since Midir is engaged to Ms. Witch Lady and Etain rightfully is like wtf?? also he's been sleeping with the witch. Their dynamic is very different from etain/king, which is pointedly abusive, while both midir and the witch seem to be equals even if they don't seem to like each other much. Anyways, Etain pulls this whole "you were engaged to someone else but you're romancing me!! that's morally bankrupt!!" stuff and then just immediately drops it and marries midir? - Rozlyn also does not face much conflict in the second half of this story. Every monster she goes up against topples immediately. - I cannot figure out the size of this dragon that was summoned. It rose out of the pits of hell and dragged witch down, but also it seems to have only destroyed the kitchen floor of Jamie's ancestral home? I'm imagining a dragon the size of a horse?
Overall... it had such a strong start. I'm pretty disappointed by where the story ended up going. The ending was fair, and it felt like it was earned, but the biggest problem I have with this story is how repetitive it is. It should have been shaved down a lot....more
**spoiler alert** Man... I wanted to like this book. It has the elements of everything I would probably enjoy: fantasy Turkey, comprehensive magic sys**spoiler alert** Man... I wanted to like this book. It has the elements of everything I would probably enjoy: fantasy Turkey, comprehensive magic systems, political intrigue, "multidimensional" characters... but it was so boring. The plot moves at a snail's pace. This is one of the very few stories I've read that has a plot that goes from A -> B -> C -> D. Everything just sort of goes according to plan, or slightly diverts course and can be reoriented to the main plotline. Nothing kept me on my toes or made me want to keep reading. Naime and Makram are both very dignified and thoughtful people. This is great for the two of them but it is kind of dull for me as a reader. Neither of them have any moderate or significant character flaws. Naime starts out the book as a very strong and quiet leader. And that's how she ends the book. Her only conflict is that she likes Makram. And Makram is "impulsive" but he can back up all his impulses (e.g. he can take on a whole palace of Tamaran soldiers with just his contingency of like 8 men after challenging the Viziers) and he is "reckless" but he doesn't actually seem to commit any reckless behaviors, other than relentlessly flirting with Naime. He's very conscientious about his powers. He's able to command a scuffle efficiently because he's a soldier. He defers to Naime whenever the situation calls for it. He's kinda perfect. So is she. It is so droll. They don't really go through any significant character growth because they start as great characters and they end as great characters. If anything, their personal confidence is boosted. I guess Naime is a little impulsive in falling for Makram and committing to that romance but also like... they don't really face any backlash for it? At least not significant backlash that would make it unreasonable for them to be together. Makram's king brother and his relationship with him is interesting but not very present for most of the book. There's also not really a sense of urgency. Naime and Makram are both panicking because of some baddy foreigners called the Republic coming after their magical cities but also the Republic doesn't really show up in any meaningful way. They have enough time to go through this whole "capture the castle" game to convince Naime's high council to negotiate with Makram's crew. Naime and Makram have enough time to longingly stare at each other over several chapters. I was just bored, and then Naime and Makram got together, and I didn't care because they didn't really have any reason not to be together. So then I was more bored. I don't know. I guess I was expecting more from this story....more
Loading...
