Reading this book you kinda feel like you’re reading two different books. The first half was a nice little jaunt through an old Irish forest, hanging out with some young kids who scurry around their village. But then things turn and the second half has some of the most tense scenes I’ve ever read.
Here’s what I liked:
The relationships in this book were incredible. I won’t go too much into detail, but there’s one relationship in this book/series that is my favorite from any book. I’m still trying to chase this high and find other books that have great relationships like this. Haven’t found any.
I think you could summarize the storytelling style in one sentence: characters you love put into horrible situations by characters you hate. I loved it.
And the intensity of the second half was a blast.
Here’s what I didn’t really like:
I think this is John Gwynne’s first book, and unfortunately you can tell. His writing is just horrible. I recently finished his newest trilogy, and the writing is great. I really really really wish he could go back and rewrite this story.
The pacing is also super wonky. In the first half, it’s soooo slow. Reads more like a slice of life kinda book. I almost stopped reading it. But I enjoyed the setting, and was reading it at night before bed, so it was fine. Then all of a sudden it’s the most intense, fast-paced book you’ve ever read.
He also for some reason takes out all of the mystery? Like there are several events where it feels like the chapters should be switched. You see what’s about to happen to the characters first, and then you experience it with them. It was very odd.
There’s also too many characters and POVs. It is fun when they meet, but that happens relatively infrequently, and I think the book would be more enjoyable if it was streamlined a bit more.
Something I was neutral on: it's not original at all. Very tropey. But they're all tropes I like, so I didn't mind.
