Roo
Rating: 4.5 stars
I really liked this book.
This book is an atmospheric tale of stormsingers, ghosts and pirates, that mixes just that right amount of gothic into its bones to make it creepy when it needs to be, and a seafaring adventure when it needs to be. To me, it was a fun ride, and I loved exploring the world (or worlds, really) as it was laid out before me, filled with ghistlings, snow, ice and storms called on the sound of a voice.
The only note I can truly make of it is the romance aspect of it feels a little thin as a connection. For the most part, the two who are involved are not in the same room together for the vast majority of the plot. In fact, they're more a tale of intersecting points, dropping in and out of each other's lives as the plot pushes them both towards the same goal, but not necessarily towards each other. It's interesting to me, because I enjoying learning about both characters independently of one another, and it helped to make it feel like they both were real characters, rather than one a lead and one a love interest, but at the same point in time, it did affect my enjoyment of the romance as it happened, because it seemed to build so quickly from so few moments. It just made me have to suspend my disbelief a little consciously, rather than just buying into it as I otherwise might have.
But ultimately? I love the world. I love the concept. Story threads are still left open to continuation for following books, while also keeping this first novel relatively contained enough that you feel satisfied with the ending. The main character is no passive damsel and has get up and go to her, but is also motivated by love for her family. Is it the highest of brow literature? No, this won't make you rethink your take on piracy. But it is fun and swashbuckling, with a creepy little mix of Gothic thrown in that makes me think so much of the first Pirates of the Caribbean film. The ocean is dark and deep, and if there's any world that I'd want to explore that fierce and cruel mistress, it would be in the world of the Winter Sea.
Rating: 4.5 stars
I really liked this book.
This book is an atmospheric tale of stormsingers, ghosts and pirates, that mixes just that right amount of gothic into its bones to make it creepy when it needs to be, and a seafaring adventure when it needs to be. To me, it was a fun ride, and I loved exploring the world (or worlds, really) as it was laid out before me, filled with ghistlings, snow, ice and storms called on the sound of a voice.
The only note I can truly make of it is the romance aspect of it feels a little thin as a connection. For the most part, the two who are involved are not in the same room together for the vast majority of the plot. In fact, they're more a tale of intersecting points, dropping in and out of each other's lives as the plot pushes them both towards the same goal, but not necessarily towards each other. It's interesting to me, because I enjoying learning about both characters independently of one another, and it helped to make it feel like they both were real characters, rather than one a lead and one a love interest, but at the same point in time, it did affect my enjoyment of the romance as it happened, because it seemed to build so quickly from so few moments. It just made me have to suspend my disbelief a little consciously, rather than just buying into it as I otherwise might have.
But ultimately? I love the world. I love the concept. Story threads are still left open to continuation for following books, while also keeping this first novel relatively contained enough that you feel satisfied with the ending. The main character is no passive damsel and has get up and go to her, but is also motivated by love for her family. Is it the highest of brow literature? No, this won't make you rethink your take on piracy. But it is fun and swashbuckling, with a creepy little mix of Gothic thrown in that makes me think so much of the first Pirates of the Caribbean film. The ocean is dark and deep, and if there's any world that I'd want to explore that fierce and cruel mistress, it would be in the world of the Winter Sea.
