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Palindrome3D

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Floating through to the finish line

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
4 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-01-25

It's an OK story. The characters don't really engage or capture me, I don't really care what happens to them. This story is missing something, maybe true character development. It is a story about failing, about insecurities and about addiction. I'm almost through the 2nd book in this omnibus and I can't wait to move on to another story. The strongest antagonist is self sabatage, I have no one to root for, no one to hate. Alot of this story is just rinse and repeat the same ideas. Honestly I'm bored. And the main character just doesn't grow or learn or get better. She's not even an underdog. When after you going to do sometime smart or useful I keep wondering.

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3rd book miss step

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-27-24

Spoilers - I don't know the order these trilogies were written in. I started with the keeper origins which I loved. The writing felt stronger and the story flowed better imo. Chronicles was more like 3 separate books depicting 3 different keepers and it all coalesced into the finale. My beef is... Wtf happened to Wills SISTER? all book 2 he worked to free her, he does and then she's Never mentioned again. She's not even at his wedding at the end. Like thy author just completely forgot about her. Not that she's vital to the story but neither is Evangeline - Alericks wife. Yet she still exists. Weird.

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A good trilogy

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-07-24

I'm not a fan of "coming of age" stories where the characters are all dumb kids learning to talk to the opposite sex for the first time. I'm not a fan of stories that center around sex and characters lusting for each other at the most inappropriate moments. I am not a fan of stories that drive plot by playing up the drama for dramas sake, usually with misunderstandings, assumptions and not talking to each other. It the "in mad at you" ploy at every deep of the hat. Now that I've got that off my chest let's discuss the keeper origins. Thankfully it doesn't do any of the things I'm not a fan of. It does have some cliche fantasy world elements and plot drivers but that doesn't bother me. The world expands over the course of the trilogy, theres adventure, laughter, good character development. I enjoyed the menagerie of characters and there interactions with each other. (spoilers ahead). I liked that the main character has a special gift/skill that she doesn't realize is actually linked to her unknown ability to control and move vital. It's a good while before she even learns what it is and when she does, it's the entire 3 books of her uncovering her own inner strength and learning to use it. Her natural skill is something rare though she doesn't think of it as anything special. She's a flawed, realistic and relatable character with the desire to do good and live in peace and protect her family. But she finds herself wrapped up in something bigger. Like fate pulling its strings to ensure the right people are in the right place at the right time. I'm half way through the final book and still enjoying it. I could do with a bit more description on characters looks. I know Sable has messy hair in the morning because of how often she's razzed for it, but I couldnt tell you what color it is, or how long. To the guy in reddit who blasted this book in a rage review. He complained about this being a soppy YA novel "how many times can people huff and pout"... I didnt notice an over use of this, but in reality - Alot actually. Body language, facial expression and breath exhilation happen constantly in communication and it expresses feelings with out spreaking. Peoples brains process the information quickly in real life. The book is describing for you the picture of the character's body language and that doesn't bother this reader one bit. I also would not categorize this book as a YA novel at all. Is this the best fantasy series out there? No but it's a good story with characters I care about it and kept me engaged through 3 books straight. I'm glad I picked this one up, and didn't listen to the YA complainer on reddit. That guy doesnt know what a YA novel is. (p.s.I'm also a big fan of Kate Reading)

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Four books in and I'm still here

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 05-02-24

The writing has much improved since book one. I'm not shy about abandoning books if they don't hit, but I stuck with this series despite my initial frustrations on book 1. Looking forward to book 5 when ever that happens. Hopefully I don't forget.

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I liked it enough to seek the sequel

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
1 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 04-08-24

I find the writing to be a bit overly drawn out and unnecessarily descriptive. Descriptive in a way that doesn't matter for the story. He wrote on a piece of scrap paper from his school pamphlet he doesn't care about.. OK? Is that going to have relevance later? No, it didn't. The author put a lot of work into the magic system, which I enjoy boy less enjoyable is the constant lecturing. I'm not the one in class and I think other books do a betelter job of giving the reader necessary information with out the long drawn out monologs/inner monologs. Plenty of times I the reader responded "I only that, you told me that, & hey on with it"

I knew exactly who the mysterious book entity was almost right away, dang my ability to figure out plots ahead of time. Blame the adhd. As for the narrative, I'm mixed. I was OK with this narrative in the king killer chronicles, but forbwhat ever reason he made the majority of the characters, especially females all sound like sarcasricndrag queens. Then some of the guys sound like big dumb himbos. The voices were my least favorite part of this listen. All in all I'm compelled to get book 2, as the character in most interested in didn't show up until the end.

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Love and frustration

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-23-24

I picked up the omnibus and am on the 3rd book in the series. I am enjoying the vast character ensemble, the intrigue and locations. I appreciate the realism of repeat names, complicated relationships, and that the main girl isn't just some horny teenager like so many books these days. I am getting frustrated with the growing use of "misunderstandings, assumptions, acting upon wrong conclusions before seeking truth as a plot driving vehicle. It is getting to be a bit much and has gone on far too long. I've been ready for some for quite a while for some sort of resolutions in these matters but nope.. Still going and I'm tired of the trope. If you don't resolve these things in a timely manner it just gets annoying in a rinse and repeat fashion. I'm ready for the story to get on with it. I've spent 3 whole novels building that frustration. I'm sensitive to this type of plot propelling device so I'm losing my patience with the novel. Where at first I was not able to put it down, I'm now less willing to pick it up because I know it's going to leave me irritated. Side note, the narrative is fantastic imo. And if you aren't overly bothered by this style of writing plot mechanic then Def give this a read.

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Sarah J Mass fans will love this

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-11-24

Dont get me wrong, I enjoy the SJM series and I even liked this book I'm just tired of this recipe for a cliche "Girl's Hero Story".

I like the storm magic system this world has and I was interested enough in the story to finish it.
18 year old Princess of power meets hot boi, gets all swoony over him him instantly because she lived a closeted life and basically has the emotional and hormonal fortitude of a 13 year old. He of course is a D-bag and has red flags written all over him. Her illusion is broken immediately and now she's damaged goods, As if she was in the worst, most horribly, manipulative and abusive relationship where he led her on for months on end instead of in actuality, a single night... *eye roll*. She's an 18 yr old with zero life experience, so i get it, she knows nothing, she would react like a little girl, but for me, it's a coming of age trope i've seen far too often and tired of seeing it in the romance novels about "adults" doing adult things.

She goes off to "train/learn/become a person" with a handsome, experienced, and worldly man. They of course argue and fight constantly, This recipe of story thinks relationships are always better when built on struggle, strife, misunderstandings, disillusionment, self sabotage, lack of communication, denial, and forceful inappropriate behavior. Basically everything that annoys me about a person/character. I do not understand why this romantic lead in is the go-to for so many current writers in this genre.,.. SJM anyone? I would love a fantasy adventure where the romance itself isn't the overarching, side-plot antagonist. Instead a story where the romationship and bond is built on mutual respect, building trust and friendship. I need to find a book about adults, not young adults.

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More of what we love

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-29-24

The story continues, with more allies in tow. Kaz is learning, his team is growing and Duke is still best Boi. I still think these characters are just different versions of who we're already familiar with (Joe & Skippy) but I'm here for it. My only real critique is how often Joe.. I mean Kaz repeats himself. I often talk back to the book "You said that already." sometimes Kaz repeats the same details to the same supporting character.
So, If this is for the readers benefit i promise I'm paying attention and am not an ignorant monkey.

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Review in progress, Enjoying it thusfar

Overall
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
4 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-18-24

I'm not too far in yet but so far i've had many moments of "you said that already". It's a little repetitive when the exact same details are rehashed within the same paragraph pretty much, but seems to have abated for now. I love RC Bray, but when the characters are written in a style similar to a couple other characters we know and love then voiced by the same narrator we basically have magic Joe and his side kick wizard dog Skippy. :D

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I'm waiting for the characters to catch up to me

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 10-07-23

*spoilers* I figured it all out and frustration rises as the characters Take forever to do the same. Also, Royce has completely forgotten what Gwen told him on the bridge and it's annoying me. He's mentioned a few times now that she said he had to save Hadrian and since that hasn't happened she must be wrong or that he still has to.... Gwen told him she was sorry, she was wrong, she thought he had to save Hadrian but it was her, her death was his great loss that might make him choose darkness. I want to correct him so badly.

I thought I finally was at the chapter where people got smart but they were not... So frustrated. Not a single character putting the pieces together, not a single one has an inkling? Like picking the wrong answer on every multiple choice *throttles everyone

The fact they can't think through their own clues is maddening. -ei: they think Royce must be able to control and speak to the Gilarbrywn because he's part elf. - they learn Novron was an elf ( logically heir is part elf) Gaunt doesn't protest even though he like most men don't like elves and wouldn't want to be associated with them or accept that info upon first hearing of it. That felt out of character for Gaunt, I was expecting him to get mad about it. But worse still is the Party still thinks the Gaunt, is heir,.. Yet he couldn't control the Gilarabrywn, which but their previous reasoning is only controllable by elven blooded person. Even if you don't come to thy conclusion it's Royce, a smart person would at least realize it's not Gaunt. (by the rules of their reasoning)

I think readers need comradery. They need a character that can share in their own understanding, a character right there with the reader the whole way. I love these books and characters I just get frustrated when not a single one is in the readers corner. I'm just witnessing these fools be foolish. And feel like there's no hope of resolution. I'm going to be so peeved if the "revelations" aren't resolved until the last 5 minutes.

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