Morgan Perryman

I really struggled to rate this book. There are a lot of parts to love, but it just didn't hit my 3-star mark.

First, the story takes a while to get started. There is some background and lore at the beginning that reads a little like an into...but is too long for that. I almost gave up about 20 pages in, but I'm glad I didn't because when you get into it, the story is really cool. I love the idea of Quid and who she is, as well as the other supernatural factors mixed in. And I want my very own Fen, please!

I liked the characters, although I didn't really connect with anyone, I liked their differences and complexities.

The plot was a little slow, but there was a lot of world building and explanations that were needed so that the reader understood, at least a little about what was going on. I think that it was a little too much tell not show to really resonate with me.

There were only a couple things that didn't work for me.

The biggest is that the story is in third person. That in itself isn't what I didn't like, but for this story, I didn't really form any deep feelings for anyone. I didn't always understand their motives or what they were thinking...it made the story kind of flat. For example, the relationship between Quid and Vernie... we're told how Quid feels, but not how Vernie feels...and we're left to believe that any discourse is based on one event, but it doesn't feel right. It feels like there is a lot going on under the surface, but there is never any in-depth digging in or explanations. And the characters don't really communicate with each other too much...most of the book is in narrative form (or at least it felt that way).

The other thing I struggled with were the rules of this world. In the beginning there is some background and it is carried throughout...but it makes everyone seem human without explaining the supernatural aspects that some of them have. It was a little confusing as the book progressed and more things started happening.

Overall, although it only rated a 2 for me, I am curious to see what happens next and if the next book flows better for me.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.… (plus d'informations)