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frenchlits's review against another edition
3.0
I received a copy of the book from the author.
I really wanted to love this book. I was sold on the idea when I read the blurb. Unfortunately, I think the execution fell short.
I think it would be worth it for an editor to look at the text again. There are some very clumsy sentences that slow down the pace of the story. There are also issues with pronouns that are not well defined. The difference between the sisters was striking. She was very thin... Which of the sisters is thin, who knows.
There are also many instances when adjectives were used instead of adverbs, my pet peeve, in this novel.
The change in POV without demarcation is quite dizzying. Somehow, being in both Dimitri's and Piper's head at the same time during the same embrace was very off-putting. And always trying to figure out who was thinking what also slowed down the story.
Although I can see why some things needed to happen for the storyline to evolve, I think some of the reasoning was quite weak. Why separate twins at birth? Because we don't want sisters fighting! What makes them think they will fight? They may have been incredibly close and strong together.
I think the world that was created by the author is fantastic and I am curious to see what more is in store for Chartile but I will be starting book 2 with much lower expectations.
I really wanted to love this book. I was sold on the idea when I read the blurb. Unfortunately, I think the execution fell short.
I think it would be worth it for an editor to look at the text again. There are some very clumsy sentences that slow down the pace of the story. There are also issues with pronouns that are not well defined. The difference between the sisters was striking. She was very thin... Which of the sisters is thin, who knows.
There are also many instances when adjectives were used instead of adverbs, my pet peeve, in this novel.
The change in POV without demarcation is quite dizzying. Somehow, being in both Dimitri's and Piper's head at the same time during the same embrace was very off-putting. And always trying to figure out who was thinking what also slowed down the story.
Although I can see why some things needed to happen for the storyline to evolve, I think some of the reasoning was quite weak. Why separate twins at birth? Because we don't want sisters fighting! What makes them think they will fight? They may have been incredibly close and strong together.
I think the world that was created by the author is fantastic and I am curious to see what more is in store for Chartile but I will be starting book 2 with much lower expectations.
booksintheirnaturalhabitat's review against another edition
4.0
Jack, Leo and Jayson have their own struggles at home but they can always get together to escape their problems and have fun... until they discover that they've somehow stumbled into a world far from their own. Little do they know that in this world, they are a prophecy, they are important, and they are no longer teenagers. Their words could make or break the world of Chartlie...
I would highly recommend this book to teens (or adults!) who love fantasy with a LOTR feel to it. I appreciated that although the Kings are teenagers, their thoughts were still highly considered... must as would be beneficial in the real world. There were constantly roadblocks, fights (cue the evil Queen), twists and turns (why do some characters have to die so soon?!) that held my attention all the way through. Looking forward to hearing more about the on-goings in Chartile!
**This book was provided to me. I have read and reviewed on my own accord and the opinions expressed are my own.
I would highly recommend this book to teens (or adults!) who love fantasy with a LOTR feel to it. I appreciated that although the Kings are teenagers, their thoughts were still highly considered... must as would be beneficial in the real world. There were constantly roadblocks, fights (cue the evil Queen), twists and turns (why do some characters have to die so soon?!) that held my attention all the way through. Looking forward to hearing more about the on-goings in Chartile!
**This book was provided to me. I have read and reviewed on my own accord and the opinions expressed are my own.
thehamsterreads's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really good read. Jack, Jayson, and Leo are transported to a magical world called Chartile one day. There they meet Piper, a girl who lives in the wild because she was banished from her town and she teaches them to live in this strange new world. They learn of a prophecy and that they may be the ones to fulfill it and release the land from the tyranny of Princess Taraniz.
There’s a lot of potential in this story. The world is well developed and I really enjoyed learning about it. I liked all the main characters. They are all flawed but very good people. This is a coming of age tale as they grow up and take their new roles in society. They each have their struggles but they learn that if they stick together, they can get through anything. It’s a story of friendship and good vs evil. It kind of reminded me of Chronicles of Narnia since the boys went to a magical world and lived there for a long time. I really liked some of the details in the world that made it different from a lot of other fantasy, such as the dwarves having a matriarchal society, and magic being virtually outlawed. The one downside to this story was that it’s pretty long and it dragged a bit in the middle for me. It picked up in pace again about 2/3 of the way through and kept it up until the end. Overall I really enjoyed the read. If you like young adult fantasy, I definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
There’s a lot of potential in this story. The world is well developed and I really enjoyed learning about it. I liked all the main characters. They are all flawed but very good people. This is a coming of age tale as they grow up and take their new roles in society. They each have their struggles but they learn that if they stick together, they can get through anything. It’s a story of friendship and good vs evil. It kind of reminded me of Chronicles of Narnia since the boys went to a magical world and lived there for a long time. I really liked some of the details in the world that made it different from a lot of other fantasy, such as the dwarves having a matriarchal society, and magic being virtually outlawed. The one downside to this story was that it’s pretty long and it dragged a bit in the middle for me. It picked up in pace again about 2/3 of the way through and kept it up until the end. Overall I really enjoyed the read. If you like young adult fantasy, I definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and I’m voluntarily leaving an honest review.
booksavvyreviews's review against another edition
4.0
This novel was entertaining from the beginning -- from the dialogue between the trio of friends to the fantastical adventure that they embark on.
I had been expecting a lighter read because at the beginning it seems light enough, even comical, but when presented with deeper issues such as gender equality [not in a way that you might think,] it had surprised me.
The characters morph throughout the story, growing with each task they are faced with and the pace of the overall story was steady-- it wasn't quick for me, but it was a solid read.
Definitely a fun, fantastical read for Young Adults.
I had been expecting a lighter read because at the beginning it seems light enough, even comical, but when presented with deeper issues such as gender equality [not in a way that you might think,] it had surprised me.
The characters morph throughout the story, growing with each task they are faced with and the pace of the overall story was steady-- it wasn't quick for me, but it was a solid read.
Definitely a fun, fantastical read for Young Adults.