S. Moore

all the worst clichés

Reviewed: 02-02-23

Everyone in this book is unlikable. The authors took a fun premise and totally ruined it with characters who have nothing to offer except being inexplicably attracted to terrible people. Garbage.

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1 person found this helpful

Interesting premise, flawed execution

Reviewed: 07-01-19

I really wanted to like this much more than I did. I liked the premise- a version of Detroit where magic has become a factor and the city itself is a god. Unfortunately, I was too frustrated with the main character to really enjoy it. She can't stand herself and is always talking about how stupid she is. I'd like to argue with her, but she really doesn't make good choices- so when she wasn't yelling at herself, I kind of wanted to. I will say that the narration didn't help her seem more competent or likable. Half the time she sounds like she's about to burst into uncontrollable sobs, and the other half of the time, she's full of false bravado that she'll be crying about in the next sentence. I might have liked this better with a less emotionally fraught interpretation.

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4 people found this helpful

First and last Goodkind

Reviewed: 05-21-15

I'm pretty disappointed in this book. I have seen Mr. Goodkind's books around for so long, I sort of expected to read it and come away understanding the appeal- but I couldn't even finish it. This is perhaps the most repetitive book I've read since Dr.Suess, and that doesn't even get into all the exposition. Mr. Goodkind has no faith whatsoever in his readers. There is no subtlety, no complexity to the characters, and if you can say something 5 different ways, might as well say it a few more times for good measure. In case the reader didn't quite grasp it the first 5 times you explained the obvious.

Yes, very disappointed.

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Surprisingly Good

Reviewed: 04-07-15

I could not stop listening- excellent story, fascinating characters, very nicely paced and thought provoking. A very well assembled tale that is well told and well performed. Highly recommend.

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Love this series, love this narrator!

Reviewed: 11-14-14

Any additional comments?

I've read Maggie Stiefvater's other series, the Shiver trilogy, and it was passable. The Raven Cycle, in comparison, is brilliant. The characters are all complex and relatable, unpredictable and imperfect, but likable. I love Blue, who is one of the few young adult female protagonists who is not defined by her love life or her insecurities. The story is so much bigger than her romantic prospects, and it is frankly a relief to read a book where they are not constantly distracted by how gorgeous they all happen to be. There is an adventure to be had and there are friendships to maintain, and those two things are what drive the story. I love these people and the world they inhabit.

I don't know how much Will Patton's narration contributes to my love affair with The Raven Cycle, but he is amazing. He 'gets' this book and these characters, and I feel like he loves them as much as I do. I have started to look for other books narrated by him.

If you want insipid teen romance where the insecure heroine is either wondering if someone who is mean to her will kiss her or is jealous because she thinks he might want to kiss someone else, this is not the series for you. If you want an adventure with unpredictable outcomes, characters who actually grow, and beautiful writing about fantastic things, this series will hit the spot. I want more. More!!

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