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farhanhidayah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lesleymathieson's review against another edition
4.0
A pleasant surprise. I picked this up from a Target of all places when I was looking for lighter fare than the book on homeless that I was currently reading, and was unable to reach a book store.
The back of the book wasn't tremendously compelling, but the online reviews were good so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm glad I did!
I can understand why the back of the book sounded dull. It is difficult to write an explanation of the book without sounding like trite fantasy. An average high school boy discovers that he is actually a magical warrior and part of a greater hidden society of magicians who use warriors to fight tournaments for them. Blah blah blah...
But it's actually a nicely done world, and it has that quality I really enjoy in a good book - where even if you figure out what is going to happen next, you're not sure where that will lead from there.
The back of the book wasn't tremendously compelling, but the online reviews were good so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm glad I did!
I can understand why the back of the book sounded dull. It is difficult to write an explanation of the book without sounding like trite fantasy. An average high school boy discovers that he is actually a magical warrior and part of a greater hidden society of magicians who use warriors to fight tournaments for them. Blah blah blah...
But it's actually a nicely done world, and it has that quality I really enjoy in a good book - where even if you figure out what is going to happen next, you're not sure where that will lead from there.
bm1894's review against another edition
2.0
I forgot I had purchased this book a few years back and found it when cleaning out my closet. I’m a huge fan of the Seven Realms Series so I figured I’d give her other series a try. But unfortunately this book just did not captivate me in any way. At no point in the book did I connect with MC Jack, and the rest of the characters also felt flat (I can’t even remember their names). It took a full month to finish this. Easy plot to follow but nothing that really excited me beyond wanting to get to the end of the book. Very close to a DNF but I was hoping things would pick up in the end. I won’t be continuing the series.
richterific's review against another edition
3.0
This was a better-than-expected YA fantasy novel. It took a while to pick up steam, and did so more clunkily than other books I've read (OK, more than the first "Harry Potter," at least). Still, Chima rewards the patient reader and the book turns out to be a fun yarn.
ajlf246's review against another edition
3.0
Overall this was a good YA fantasy/fiction kind of read for me- some fun young drama and magical action, healthy friendships, cagey antagonists, mysterious adults. I felt there was a little something missing, though I couldn’t put my finger on it. I called several of of the twists way ahead of time so was not too surprised by the storyline or ending twist. I think my biggest dislike was the length of the chapters- I am definitely a short chapter, long book kind of gal and these long drawn-out 30-50 page chapters aren’t my style of reading, definitely take away from the reading enjoyment for me! I’ve heard this is a series and may go on to read more- at this point am undecided if I loved it enough to keep going or I can call it good enough as a standalone right here.
rgalvsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This book is very well written.
It has action, a touch of romance, and a good ending, but it did not grab me the way other books have. I would continue reading the series, just not at this moment. The first book ended in a way that did not require me to continue to the second book.
There is one point that I can't deny, Cinda Williams Chima is a good writer and worth reading.
**** 4 stars, great book ****
It has action, a touch of romance, and a good ending, but it did not grab me the way other books have. I would continue reading the series, just not at this moment. The first book ended in a way that did not require me to continue to the second book.
There is one point that I can't deny, Cinda Williams Chima is a good writer and worth reading.
**** 4 stars, great book ****
justine_ao's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
This was quite good, and my kids enjoyed listening to the audiobook, but it didn't have nearly the complexity and depth of The Seven Realms series. That said, it was compelling enough that my kids and I are continuing the series.
This was quite good, and my kids enjoyed listening to the audiobook, but it didn't have nearly the complexity and depth of The Seven Realms series. That said, it was compelling enough that my kids and I are continuing the series.
the_loudlibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for this fantasy series starter. I had a lot of eighth grade boys read this last year, so when I had a hole in my TBR I gave it a try! It is about a kid who is born a wizard, but he is missing the stone in his heart that gives him that identity. His parents are Anaweir (non-magical), but his aunt is an enchantress who contacts a wizard doctor to save her nephew. The doctor, as an experiment, implants a warrior stone. Years later, Jake finds out a out his past and that as a warrior he is a rare commodity in the Weir world. He finds himself having to train for a fight to the death. I will definitely be book talking this one soon, and I think fans of the Ranger’s Apprentice series will love it.
immorallybookish's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0