claragweny's reviews
188 reviews

Hot take: this book is bad.

This is a really great example of an extremely simplistic novel meant for romance readers who want a really easy fantasy book to read. There is essentially no depth to this story whatsoever. If you have ever read a genuinely great fantasy novel, it is so hard to get through this drivel. There is real genuine potential in the magic system, but it is not explained at all. The focus is entirely on these two characters which I don’t really care about because through the entire book they’re fighting their feelings for each other, not being honest, and saying “there she is” or “there he is”, which is so unbearably annoying. I’m almost tempted to go through this book and count how many times the phrases “there she is” or “there he is” are written. I mean, could Broadbent not come up for another way to say “I see you beneath this façade you’re hiding behind”? 

This entire book just felt like the level of reading that I was doing in middle school and early high school. No shame to anyone who is still at that level! I still enjoy reading Percy Jackson and books of that caliber. I love Holly Black novels! However, my issue is with authors who do not try to make a story more complex on purpose and that seems like what Broadbent has been trying to do. To assume your audience cannot keep up with more complex language or storytelling does a disservice to them and to the story. I think with more work these stories could have been really great. But as they are now they are not for me, and I will not be continuing with the series.  

Tress of the Emerald Sea was my first Brandon Sanderson book. It did not disappoint. It had similar vibes to the Princess Bride and Stardust (an absolute fav). It was funny while also being a little grotesque and twisted at times. I found my heart aching for some of the characters and rooting for their happy endings in a way I haven’t in quite a while. 

This book could have gone the route of the typical “chosen girl” trope but I’m really glad we got a story about self discovery and empowerment instead. Really, I think this entire story is about finding your strengths, inner powers, accepting and accommodating your disabilities, and finding a community (a found family) to call your own. 

Oh, and Huck. I love you, you little scoundrel. 🐀🏴‍☠️

Beautiful, poetic, dark, sexy, and vengeful. 5/5 would absolutely recommend. 🐺🌲🩸

Picked this up without knowing what it was about and only off of a recommendation from someone online. Now I want more of this story! Ugh!

Favorite quotes: 

This is my favorite holiday story I’ve read this year. I love epistolaries so this was directly up my alley. Resting Scrooge Face was funny, sweet, and heartwarming. It was everything a Christmas romance novella ought to be. 🥰🎄☕️🍪💕

Badass, violent chosen one FMC who has unknown powers. Secretive, powerful, and ~handsome~ MMC who’s ALSO a chosen one - oh and he has wings. 😐 

Pretty much as formulaic as you can get with fantasy but not written well enough to be compelling. You could splice this story together with bits and pieces from the Sarah J Mass universe, From Blood and Ash, Twlight, and basically any other fae or vampire romantasy.

Everything I predicted about this book came true which isn’t something I want out of fantasy stories. I want to be surprised, challenged, or proven wrong. Obviously, that is not true for everyone given how much this book is raved about online. To each their own. When I want my trope-y, predictable, easygoing stories I will read a romance or contemporary fic novel instead. 

That being said, it’s not bad enough that I didn’t enjoy reading it. It’s not guilty pleasure level enjoyment, not good enough that I’d genuinely recommend it. If someone asked me “hey should I read this?” I’d shrug and respond “eh, if you’ve got nothing else on your TBR right now.” 🤷‍♀️

I cannot wait for the next one!!!

I don't know if I like this modern Earth-like fantasy style. There's just so much going on but so much explaining instead of showing.