I really wanted to love this book but unfortunately something just fell flat for me, but the worst part is I can't exactly pinpoint what that is. I couldn't think of anything technically wrong with the book. The characters are wonderful (especially Annie! Reading from her perspective and seeing her actions and character evolve throughout the story was one of the highlights for me), the plot is engaging, the worldbuilding and fantasy elements were great. I also really loved the political intrigue and narrative, how many of the characters draw from political concepts that are familiar in our own world.
And yet something still just didn't land with me on this one. The only recognizable weak spot of the book that I can pinpoint this on is the dragons themselves. They're illustrated to the audience in a very cool way and their place in society is also very interesting, but I suppose I'm used to reading about dragons that have a real integrity to their character. There's a dragon on the cover and yet you can't really tell one dragon character from the other; they follow their masters and behave in similar ways but other than that, they're merely tools and weapons for the dragonriders to manipulate, which falls flat for me. I would have liked to see them fleshed out a bit more, especially when the story is so reliant on them.
Other than that I enjoyed the book. It's not a bad book but it's tough when I hold high expectations for a story that ends up falling short. I would still recommend it, but go in with a blank slate!
And yet something still just didn't land with me on this one. The only recognizable weak spot of the book that I can pinpoint this on is the dragons themselves. They're illustrated to the audience in a very cool way and their place in society is also very interesting, but I suppose I'm used to reading about dragons that have a real integrity to their character. There's a dragon on the cover and yet you can't really tell one dragon character from the other; they follow their masters and behave in similar ways but other than that, they're merely tools and weapons for the dragonriders to manipulate, which falls flat for me. I would have liked to see them fleshed out a bit more, especially when the story is so reliant on them.
Other than that I enjoyed the book. It's not a bad book but it's tough when I hold high expectations for a story that ends up falling short. I would still recommend it, but go in with a blank slate!