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2.75 stars! This review is spoiler free!
*This book was sent to me by the author in exchange for an honest review*
Synopsis:
16 y/o Aurora is an orphan and loved by her adoptive parents, but when they die, she's placed in the care of her adoptive aunt and uncle who mistreat her with a cousin who bullies her. She thinks her life is hard already, but doesn't realize how easy she has it in this world until she's kidnapped and dragged into Avalonia. Avalonia is a land of magic, fae, and a selfish queen ready to have Aurora's head. It's Aurora who takes on the task of adjusting to this new world and coming into a vast amount of magic that she never knew she had at her fingertips.
Initial thoughts:
The first half of the book was really slow and really info-dumpy... But after I got to about half way, that’s when I couldn’t put this book down! Now, the main character is merely annoying at best. But I loved the Robin Hood aspect of the love interest. So I was there sort of for the cheesy romance. No shame. The world is VAST. The magic is INTRICATE. The plot started to really build in the end and then we’re left with this cliffhanger! I kind of want to continue onto the last book in the duology, but I won’t pushpushpush myself to finish it like I did with this book.
Plot:
The first half of the book was such a struggle to muddle through, but after I got to ~240 pages in, that’s when things spiced up. So I shall discuss this book in two parts for now! Everything that I actually liked will be BLUE.
The first 50%:
- I know that harsh, irritating, down right MEAN families are sometimes a necessary plot device in shaping a certain type of protagonist... BUT that doesn't mean I have to enjoy it while I'm reading it. Cornelia and her ghastly mother need some humbling.
- There was a hint of Narnia vibing in this book with how Aurora came through the tapestry.
- The writing was incredibly simplistic. For example: There’s a scene where the MC sees people run and scream "the shadow guard.” Then when she's running away too, she knows she running away from the shadow guard. But then she has to look behind herself and say "then I saw the reason for the screaming and confusion: the shadow guard." It almost ridiculous the repetitiveness sometimes. This continued throughout the book every now and then.
- Another example of repetitiveness was how often Aurora was “entranced” or “mesmerized” when she got to Avalonia. Literally like every 5 pages, she would say so.
- There was a hint of PJO vibing when we realized Aurora could talk to Pegasi.
- I was so glad to read that the adults in Avalonia are aware of the “other world” (aka our world), so her story was believable. She wasn’t dismissed for her legit, out of this world, story.
- Then we find out how OP (“over powered”) the main character is. Like we didn’t know that would happen. Predictable.
- Also predictable was the romance. Of course she would fall for the mysterious, extremely handsome Robin Hood. Not that I mind, I love me a handsome male savior. However… it was SO instalovey. Especially in the beginning. Towards the end, it came together a little more nicely.
- Lastly… my biggest pet peeve with the first half of this book… THE INFODUMPING. Aurora kept asking nonstop questions. I mean questions make sense, she doesn’t know where she is. BUT seriously every single moment, every single detail? I felt like I was dragging my feet for over 100 pages. Every conversation is "who is what? what is that? where is that?" and whomever she's talking to delves into this longwinded response to answer her question. Goodness…
Eventually we finally get to the second half, which was so so so much more interesting.
The last 50 %:
- Finally, Aurora starts to realize her worth. But here we go again with the repetition. I don’t need her to declare and vow that she will “be queen” and “fight Morgana” and “take responsibility” like once every chapter. Still it is refreshing when the heroine in the novel knows she’s important and knows her role.
- There’s an exciting suspense the builds and builds and builds due to the secrecy and stuff that’s going on in this half.
- Unfortunately, a majority of the events in the second half of the book are also predictable.
- There were a few things I didn’t suspect though! And when those events came to fruition, my mind was like “WOAH hold up, what an unexpected turn?!”
- I still hate that Aurora continues to degrade and belittle herself… Like girl, you’ve got to know by now that you will be QUEEN. Act like it. Please.
- My favorite part of the second half is the romance! Maybe it’s my inner lame romantic, but no matter how cheesy it is, I’ll love the romantic subplot. (unless it’s creepy, but this one is def not).
- Rafe is so adorable. Like you forget how young he is until he’s vulnerable.
- Cliffhanger ending alert!
Characters:
AURORA is a bit of a child. She falls in love too fast. She has no idea how to navigate this world and makes unbelievably naïve decisions because of it. BUT, she’s powerful. Crazy powerful. And I can see her becoming such a badass once she gets that backbone in place and becomes the queen she has the potential to be.
DUKE GABRIEL is a great father figure. He doesn’t let what shouldn’t slide. I also appreciate how family is present in this book a good amount of the time despite the fact that the kids are in boarding school. Aunt Serena, Gabriel’s daughter, is also present and kind of like a mother figure for now.
ERIEN I can picture becoming nearly a brother, though a cousin is also good, to Aurora. He’s able and knowledgeable. Thank gods for a smart noble. And one that isn’t stuck up.
RAFE is basically Robin Hood packaged into a 19 y/o body with a handsome face and grey eyes. Yummy. Not to mention he’s got quite the amount of titles… Black Wolf... and more. I just want him to be happy. Is that so much to ask?
VIVIENNE is such a good friend. A+ for female/female friendships by the way. I love this in YA.
DAMIEN, dear gods, I hope he gets what’s coming to him because he is a jack*ss!
Overall:
Will I continue on? I think so. When will that be? I'm not sure. Though that ending left me pretty intrigued. However, I don't think that if the second book is as longwinded as book one, that I will push myself to finish it. It's going to have to grasp be by the first 100 pages tops, or I'll dnf it and spoil myself for the ending.
Thank you's!
The first two books were sent to me actually. They came in this super nice bookish box. So I wanted to say thank you so much to the author for being gracious enough to send me both The Last of the Firedrakes and The Rise of the Dawnstar along with some awesome bookish goodies (bookmarks for both books, a wooden dagger bookmark, buttons, chapstick, and related jewelry)! I truly appreciate it and always love meeting and working with new authors.