This is one of those books that while I enjoyed and actually finished, I ended up either sitting on the fence about.
Did I enjoy it? Did I understand it? Do I care to continue with it?
Firstly: did I enjoy it?
I did, actually. I liked Michael. I enjoy characters who fall in neither the good or bad category. Michael was certainly one of those. People were annoyed with him. I could totally, 100% get that vibe of annoyance. I personally enjoy characters that are little shits and aren't afraid of being known for a little shit. It makes their personal growth - if they do wish to take it - much more interesting.
I enjoyed the characters and how they all had different personalities. I would say I came away with enjoying Dark and the Crown Prince the most. Dark because he has this very mysterious, dark vibe to him. The Crown Prince because I just hated him (truly wicked, cruel and his dialogue was snappy).
Secondly: did I understand it?
I didn't? Yep. I was confused by what the world was a parallel or a mirror representation of? There were guns, there were carriages, there was beheading, and there was magic I just couldn't visualize what I was seeing clearly, and I think it is because there was not a lot of outer-world-building (meaning, landscape, city structure, etc). There was a lot of backstory on the city itself and its hardships but nothing about the geography. There is a moon that keeps falling piece by piece and while that was interesting, I didn't really get the point of it?
I also found the main plot (the mystery/betrayal/lost memories) bit confusing and at times what hurt the book was the lack of a clear guideline of who is who, who is related to who, who serves what, what family is this. I think that would have been nice to have so I could easily reference it at times when I was confused.
The mystery when it was resolved was something I didn't see coming, but I also blame the fact that I couldn't follow along with the above issues that the pay-off was not that enjoyable for me.
- Do I care to continue with it?
Again, I didn't dislike the book. It is a first submission into the literary world. It is possible that now the story is going into another direction with another new mystery or plot element to figure out that the plot will be a bit more streamlined and or easy to follow. I will watch its debut with great interest and make my decisions in time.
Overall, three stars is what I can give it because while it did entertain the visualization was difficult for me and the plot was a little messy. Others may have a trial with it and others may ride with it without any issues. These were mine and so the review reflects my personal, unbiased feelings.
Did I enjoy it? Did I understand it? Do I care to continue with it?
Firstly: did I enjoy it?
I did, actually. I liked Michael. I enjoy characters who fall in neither the good or bad category. Michael was certainly one of those. People were annoyed with him. I could totally, 100% get that vibe of annoyance. I personally enjoy characters that are little shits and aren't afraid of being known for a little shit. It makes their personal growth - if they do wish to take it - much more interesting.
I enjoyed the characters and how they all had different personalities. I would say I came away with enjoying Dark and the Crown Prince the most. Dark because he has this very mysterious, dark vibe to him. The Crown Prince because I just hated him (truly wicked, cruel and his dialogue was snappy).
Secondly: did I understand it?
I didn't? Yep. I was confused by what the world was a parallel or a mirror representation of? There were guns, there were carriages, there was beheading, and there was magic I just couldn't visualize what I was seeing clearly, and I think it is because there was not a lot of outer-world-building (meaning, landscape, city structure, etc). There was a lot of backstory on the city itself and its hardships but nothing about the geography. There is a moon that keeps falling piece by piece and while that was interesting, I didn't really get the point of it?
I also found the main plot (the mystery/betrayal/lost memories) bit confusing and at times what hurt the book was the lack of a clear guideline of who is who, who is related to who, who serves what, what family is this. I think that would have been nice to have so I could easily reference it at times when I was confused.
The mystery when it was resolved was something I didn't see coming, but I also blame the fact that I couldn't follow along with the above issues that the pay-off was not that enjoyable for me.
- Do I care to continue with it?
Again, I didn't dislike the book. It is a first submission into the literary world. It is possible that now the story is going into another direction with another new mystery or plot element to figure out that the plot will be a bit more streamlined and or easy to follow. I will watch its debut with great interest and make my decisions in time.
Overall, three stars is what I can give it because while it did entertain the visualization was difficult for me and the plot was a little messy. Others may have a trial with it and others may ride with it without any issues. These were mine and so the review reflects my personal, unbiased feelings.