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Razorland #4
Vanguard
The Razorland saga continues. Since the war ended, Tegan has dreamed of an epic journey, so when she has the opportunity to sign on as ship's doctor, she can't wait. It's past time to chart her course. Millie Faraday, the kindest girl in the free territories, also yearns to outrun her reputation, and warrior-poet James Morrow would follow Tegan to the ends of the earth.
Their company seems set, but fate brings one more to their number. Tegan will battle incredible odds while aiding Szarok, the Uroch vanguard, who has ventured forth to save his people. Szarok is strange and beautiful, like a flower that blooms only in the dark. She shouldn't allow him close, as such a relationship is both alien and forbidden. But through stormy seas and strange lands, she will become stronger than she ever knew.
Adventures almost never go according to plan, and when she understands what her heart truly wants, it might change her life forever.
Their company seems set, but fate brings one more to their number. Tegan will battle incredible odds while aiding Szarok, the Uroch vanguard, who has ventured forth to save his people. Szarok is strange and beautiful, like a flower that blooms only in the dark. She shouldn't allow him close, as such a relationship is both alien and forbidden. But through stormy seas and strange lands, she will become stronger than she ever knew.
Adventures almost never go according to plan, and when she understands what her heart truly wants, it might change her life forever.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 25, 2017
114 people are currently reading
5903 people want to read
About the author
Ann Aguirre
82 books7,074 followersNew York Times and USA Today bestselling author Ann Aguirre has been a clown, a clerk, a savior of stray kittens, and a voice actress, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in Mexico with her family. She writes all kinds of genre fiction, but she has an eternal soft spot for a happily ever after.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 268 reviews
September 24, 2020
fulfilling my 2020 goal to read (at least) one book each month that i bought in hardcover and put off reading long enough that it is now in paperback. this one is even more of a karenfail because of how WOUNDED i apparently was back in 2017, five months before its pub date, feeling like everyone already knew about this book but me. i swear i haven't been sulking this whole time.
i waited so long to read this book that i forgot A LOT of what happened in Horde, the book i thought was the conclusion of the razorland series. this matters because, although i remember plenty about the horribly-named deuce, around whom those first three books revolved, i remembered far less about tegan, who takes center stage here, and even less about morrow and millie and szarok, who grab plenty of spotlight for themselves.
five years is ages in YA-book-memory time, and my old brain cannot be expected to remember the details of secondary characters in some zombie* trilogy i thought was already in my rearview.
thankfully aguirre planted enough gentle reminder-nudges along the way that i managed to blunder through, and i think i 89% got what i ought to've out of it; connecting most of the dots i would have if i'd read the books closer together like a winner.
this fourth book takes place well after the events of the original trilogy and the world is very different—different threats, different opportunities, and the sheer amount of physical ground (or water) the characters cover here is exponentially bigger than in any of the previous installments.
aaaand, like the others, there's a lot of love story bluck to wade through in order to get to the sea monsters and desert island survivally bits, but at least this time, ONE of the love stories is unusual enough to get me over the hump of my typical resistance to teen fiction humpin' and even though i don't remember szarok from a hole in the ground, and i remember only the barest facts about tegan, this is such a fine-mesh story about their experiences and feelings; two people who both feel like outsiders to the ordinary experiences of their respective people finding in each other a kindred spirit and yadda. if there has to be a love story (and by now i know that there does), this is at least the best kind, and i appreciated their devotion to their respective responsibilities taking priority to smoochin'. smoochin' is for closers.
anyway, tl;dr unexpected tentacles
* ish
************************************
2/18/17 - oh my god. i feel like i'm always the last to know when awesome things happen. this, this is going to be an awesome thing.
come to my blog!
i waited so long to read this book that i forgot A LOT of what happened in Horde, the book i thought was the conclusion of the razorland series. this matters because, although i remember plenty about the horribly-named deuce, around whom those first three books revolved, i remembered far less about tegan, who takes center stage here, and even less about morrow and millie and szarok, who grab plenty of spotlight for themselves.
five years is ages in YA-book-memory time, and my old brain cannot be expected to remember the details of secondary characters in some zombie* trilogy i thought was already in my rearview.
thankfully aguirre planted enough gentle reminder-nudges along the way that i managed to blunder through, and i think i 89% got what i ought to've out of it; connecting most of the dots i would have if i'd read the books closer together like a winner.
this fourth book takes place well after the events of the original trilogy and the world is very different—different threats, different opportunities, and the sheer amount of physical ground (or water) the characters cover here is exponentially bigger than in any of the previous installments.
aaaand, like the others, there's a lot of love story bluck to wade through in order to get to the sea monsters and desert island survivally bits, but at least this time, ONE of the love stories is unusual enough to get me over the hump of my typical resistance to teen fiction humpin' and even though i don't remember szarok from a hole in the ground, and i remember only the barest facts about tegan, this is such a fine-mesh story about their experiences and feelings; two people who both feel like outsiders to the ordinary experiences of their respective people finding in each other a kindred spirit and yadda. if there has to be a love story (and by now i know that there does), this is at least the best kind, and i appreciated their devotion to their respective responsibilities taking priority to smoochin'. smoochin' is for closers.
anyway, tl;dr unexpected tentacles
* ish
************************************
2/18/17 - oh my god. i feel like i'm always the last to know when awesome things happen. this, this is going to be an awesome thing.
come to my blog!
July 29, 2017
I loved the Razorland series, so I was definitely going to read this book and I didn't even read the synopsis first.
I love love loved Tegan and Szarok. They're both so strong and so different that it was interesting to see them learn from each other. The story rounded out with an additional POV from James and I enjoyed seeing his story unfold. Oh, and seeing Deuce and Fade was so so so delightful, especially since we got to see them at the very end as well.
Plot wise, I was captivated from the start. The action came in a different form and I really liked seeing the internal struggle instead of actual battles. There were so many emotions while reading. I was giggling and swooning and hoping and at times, my heart was breaking.
Overall, I wanted to devour the story and make it last. I wanted to hug the book and throw it. Regardless, I know this will be book I come back to because I just can't get enough of these characters.
**Huge thanks to Feiwel and Friends for providing the arc free of charge**
I love love loved Tegan and Szarok. They're both so strong and so different that it was interesting to see them learn from each other. The story rounded out with an additional POV from James and I enjoyed seeing his story unfold. Oh, and seeing Deuce and Fade was so so so delightful, especially since we got to see them at the very end as well.
Plot wise, I was captivated from the start. The action came in a different form and I really liked seeing the internal struggle instead of actual battles. There were so many emotions while reading. I was giggling and swooning and hoping and at times, my heart was breaking.
Overall, I wanted to devour the story and make it last. I wanted to hug the book and throw it. Regardless, I know this will be book I come back to because I just can't get enough of these characters.
**Huge thanks to Feiwel and Friends for providing the arc free of charge**
August 7, 2017
This was a great wrap up to the Razorland series. I adored this series right away from book one. The world is outrageously good and the characters are likeable but have a lot of depth. If you haven't read this series, go mend that! They are quick reads and entertaining.
July 26, 2017
The Razorland saga continues with Tegan and Morrow's adventures after the war. Tegan wants to see the world and use her skills as a doctor. When she and her companion Millie meet Szarok, the Uroch vanguard, on the road to Rosemere they start a relationship both forbidden and beautiful. James Morrow has been waiting for Tegan to return and now that she has he won't let her go to sea without him!
I didn't expect anything going into this except to revisit characters that I wanted to see again. Settling into the book I realized that this was set AFTER a war... there is still lawlessness and a need for some fights and survival but it isn't the same as during times of a beating war drum. i didn't mind this... I wanted to see where the characters took themselves. If you are expecting the SAME type of none-stop action as in the trilogy then this book will disappoint you.
Later you can tell that A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT went into Tegan. A LOT! It's not readily apparent from the first but you can see she isn't quite what you thought she was reading from Deuce's POV. I really appreciated this! We rarely see others exactly as they are as our perceptions warp the truth so I really felt like I was walking in the REAL Tegan's shoes. She's quite the modern girl and she has gone through some tough female centered trials. This also means that when she starts having feelings for the opposite sex for the first time in her life she acts on it... nothing is forbidden to her nor will she allow convention to hold her back from what she wants.
I LOVED Szarok! His POV was a little less than Tegan's page number wise but that was okay! His viewpoint packed quite a punch... I was so enthralled! I loved his initial perceptions of Tegan and how her being willing to consider what he wanted slowly brought him around. The specific way his feelings were described made me giggle as I found it quite delightful for the romance to be built upon respect rather than appearances!!
The development of their romantic relationship was really the sum total of the plot. There is a small, short story worth of plot about Szarok's people and finding them a place they can live with the proper food sources around to live a healthy life but it's really in service of the love between Tegan and Szarok! The answers were a little pat and people were a touch too easy going about it all but the message was nice and you really wanted to concentrate on the couple! The forbidden romance was SOOO well developed! From their first interactions you really wanted to root for them... as they progressed into friendship you were swept away by the respect they showed one another and as they determined to transition to the next level of their romance it was quite beautiful how their interactions came together. Ohhhhh the FEEEEEELLLLLSSSS!!!!!
James Morrow, the Storyteller is quite smitten with Tegan and has been patiently waiting for her to come around. She refuses to be blunt with him and so he chases her. Along the way he gets closer to Millie who he doesn't realize he has met before. James and Millie's romance was quite typical but in that bumbling clueless way that men have sometimes. It was sweet and uncomplicated. When we switched to Morrow's POV I wasn't upset but I knew that it was to keep tension high concerning Tegan. It's Tegan and Szarok I wanted to get back to...
Deuce and Fade are met briefly but they are settling down to regular village life. After revealing some of her past to Szarok Tegan opens up to Deuce and how her reactions to how Tegan acted really hurt her feelings. It was a beautiful chat... I'm not sure that it was realistic at all, lol, but I WANT it to be... its a great conversation dealing with friendship for girls to read about!
The end was not the most satisfying for me. I didn't mind that a forbidden romance was contrasted by a clueless one, but I do mind when an unexpectedly charming story suddenly turns into this contrived romantic pit. Szarok did not return home with a plan or a desire or anything! He just pretended that Tegan never happened like any shamefaced human male would who was in the wrong!! It was tied up nicely in the end but I can't help thinking that a more unexpected but equally happy ending could have been found!
BOTTOM LINE: Forbidden romance set in the Razorland Saga world!
Enclave: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Outpost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Horde: ⭐⭐⭐
Thanks to Rockstar Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my special perspective at the bottom of my reviews under the typewriter...
I didn't expect anything going into this except to revisit characters that I wanted to see again. Settling into the book I realized that this was set AFTER a war... there is still lawlessness and a need for some fights and survival but it isn't the same as during times of a beating war drum. i didn't mind this... I wanted to see where the characters took themselves. If you are expecting the SAME type of none-stop action as in the trilogy then this book will disappoint you.
Later you can tell that A LOT OF DEVELOPMENT went into Tegan. A LOT! It's not readily apparent from the first but you can see she isn't quite what you thought she was reading from Deuce's POV. I really appreciated this! We rarely see others exactly as they are as our perceptions warp the truth so I really felt like I was walking in the REAL Tegan's shoes. She's quite the modern girl and she has gone through some tough female centered trials. This also means that when she starts having feelings for the opposite sex for the first time in her life she acts on it... nothing is forbidden to her nor will she allow convention to hold her back from what she wants.
I LOVED Szarok! His POV was a little less than Tegan's page number wise but that was okay! His viewpoint packed quite a punch... I was so enthralled! I loved his initial perceptions of Tegan and how her being willing to consider what he wanted slowly brought him around. The specific way his feelings were described made me giggle as I found it quite delightful for the romance to be built upon respect rather than appearances!!
The development of their romantic relationship was really the sum total of the plot. There is a small, short story worth of plot about Szarok's people and finding them a place they can live with the proper food sources around to live a healthy life but it's really in service of the love between Tegan and Szarok! The answers were a little pat and people were a touch too easy going about it all but the message was nice and you really wanted to concentrate on the couple! The forbidden romance was SOOO well developed! From their first interactions you really wanted to root for them... as they progressed into friendship you were swept away by the respect they showed one another and as they determined to transition to the next level of their romance it was quite beautiful how their interactions came together. Ohhhhh the FEEEEEELLLLLSSSS!!!!!
James Morrow, the Storyteller is quite smitten with Tegan and has been patiently waiting for her to come around. She refuses to be blunt with him and so he chases her. Along the way he gets closer to Millie who he doesn't realize he has met before. James and Millie's romance was quite typical but in that bumbling clueless way that men have sometimes. It was sweet and uncomplicated. When we switched to Morrow's POV I wasn't upset but I knew that it was to keep tension high concerning Tegan. It's Tegan and Szarok I wanted to get back to...
Deuce and Fade are met briefly but they are settling down to regular village life. After revealing some of her past to Szarok Tegan opens up to Deuce and how her reactions to how Tegan acted really hurt her feelings. It was a beautiful chat... I'm not sure that it was realistic at all, lol, but I WANT it to be... its a great conversation dealing with friendship for girls to read about!
The end was not the most satisfying for me. I didn't mind that a forbidden romance was contrasted by a clueless one, but I do mind when an unexpectedly charming story suddenly turns into this contrived romantic pit. Szarok did not return home with a plan or a desire or anything! He just pretended that Tegan never happened like any shamefaced human male would who was in the wrong!! It was tied up nicely in the end but I can't help thinking that a more unexpected but equally happy ending could have been found!
BOTTOM LINE: Forbidden romance set in the Razorland Saga world!
Enclave: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Outpost: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Horde: ⭐⭐⭐
Thanks to Rockstar Book Tours and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
______________________
You can find this review and many others on my book blog @ Perspective of a Writer. See my special perspective at the bottom of my reviews under the typewriter...
January 4, 2018
I was really looking forward to reading Tegan's story but I have to admit I was a little wary when I realised it was going to involve a romance between her and the Uroch vanguard Szarok. I'd been rooting for her and James in the earlier books so I was disappointed to see my ship sinking and to be honest I just couldn't see how I'd be able to get on board with a relationship between a human and one of the uroch, it wasn't something I could quite get my head around! I'm very happy to say that Ann Aguirre totally proved me wrong with Vanguard though and I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Tegan has saw the worst of what humanity has to offer before she was rescued by Deuce and Fade and although her life has changed dramatically since then and her training as a healer has brought her a great amount of respect she's still wary of people in general and men in particular which is completely understandable. She has a great sense of right and wrong though and in spite of everything she's been through she's incredibly compassionate and caring so it shouldn't be much of a surprise when she automatically connects with Szarok after seeing him being ostracised by the people around her. She understands exactly what the uroch risked when they chose to help humanity and she's angry for the way he is treated now that they are asking for help in return. I don't want to go into too much detail but I loved the slow build of their relationship, the way they gradually let their guards down around each other and learn to trust and the slowly growing friendship that blossoms into a very unlikely attraction. They were so sweet together and it didn't take long for me to start rooting for the pair of them.
I also found it incredibly interesting to see how the world was being put back together after the big battle. We get a chance to catch up with a lot of the previous characters which was nice but it was definitely Tegan and Szarok who were the stars of this book. James has a story of his own which I enjoyed but I have to admit I wasn't as invested what was happening with him even though I liked Millie too. This was a fitting end to the series, it tied up a lot of loose ends and gave us a good idea about what life would be like for humanity and the uroch in the future and I'm very glad we got this chance to revisit the world Ann Aguirre has created.
Tegan has saw the worst of what humanity has to offer before she was rescued by Deuce and Fade and although her life has changed dramatically since then and her training as a healer has brought her a great amount of respect she's still wary of people in general and men in particular which is completely understandable. She has a great sense of right and wrong though and in spite of everything she's been through she's incredibly compassionate and caring so it shouldn't be much of a surprise when she automatically connects with Szarok after seeing him being ostracised by the people around her. She understands exactly what the uroch risked when they chose to help humanity and she's angry for the way he is treated now that they are asking for help in return. I don't want to go into too much detail but I loved the slow build of their relationship, the way they gradually let their guards down around each other and learn to trust and the slowly growing friendship that blossoms into a very unlikely attraction. They were so sweet together and it didn't take long for me to start rooting for the pair of them.
I also found it incredibly interesting to see how the world was being put back together after the big battle. We get a chance to catch up with a lot of the previous characters which was nice but it was definitely Tegan and Szarok who were the stars of this book. James has a story of his own which I enjoyed but I have to admit I wasn't as invested what was happening with him even though I liked Millie too. This was a fitting end to the series, it tied up a lot of loose ends and gave us a good idea about what life would be like for humanity and the uroch in the future and I'm very glad we got this chance to revisit the world Ann Aguirre has created.
August 8, 2017
Do you hear that? If you listen you can hear the sound of my heart shattering into a million pieces for what this book could have been. What a massive disappointment.
I felt nothing for this book, this story, or these characters. Not a thing. I didn't care what was going on nor did I feel vested at all. It proves that my love for this series stays with Deuce and Fade.
FRTC.
I felt nothing for this book, this story, or these characters. Not a thing. I didn't care what was going on nor did I feel vested at all. It proves that my love for this series stays with Deuce and Fade.
FRTC.
August 2, 2017
3.5 stars.
I admit that Tegan wasn't really a character that I found intriguing so I was shocked that she got a whole book. I did like her growth, maturity and the developing relationship with the Uroch. Tegan's story was post war where the various groups were still coming to grips with the world as it is now. It was entertaining but not as gripping as the books with Fade & Deuce.
I admit that Tegan wasn't really a character that I found intriguing so I was shocked that she got a whole book. I did like her growth, maturity and the developing relationship with the Uroch. Tegan's story was post war where the various groups were still coming to grips with the world as it is now. It was entertaining but not as gripping as the books with Fade & Deuce.
July 6, 2017
4.5*
Advanced copy received via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
So, I was quite fortunate that I had come to the original trilogy only recently and so the majority of the story was still fresh in my mind. It was not the romance I expected going in but I was definitely on board that ship from the very start. That said, my heart did ache enormously for one particular character, which I’m not going into because spoilers. But just let it be known, I know how it feels!
I thought the original trilogy ended in a very predictable cliché and sickly sweet way. But this, this was the real conclusion I was wanting all along. Vanguard tied up all the loose ends left over from Horde with Tegan, Morrow and the Uroch finally getting their own satisfying ending. Admittedly the plot was very romance heavy, slightly more so than the first three, but it did have some action and adventure along the way which really helped to keep those pages turning.
One of the major pluses (in my opinion) was how the old main characters Deuce and Fade were extremely minor in this instalment. Whilst it was nice to get a brief glimpse of how their life had taken shape, it was also nice that the storyline didn’t linger on them at all. A little pet peeve of mine is revisiting old characters after the event, once they’ve settled. They often change beyond recognition into a cheesy ball of happiness, but this never feels real and actually really grates on me because life is just not like that. But like I said, it was great the story didn’t loiter in their direction at all and Tegan and co took all the glory.
As you can see from my rating, overall I really enjoyed it. Definitely recommended to everyone who has already read the original trilogy because this is the real conclusion you wanted, even if you didn’t know you wanted it, but also generally just to anyone who enjoys a classic YA read.
Advanced copy received via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.
So, I was quite fortunate that I had come to the original trilogy only recently and so the majority of the story was still fresh in my mind. It was not the romance I expected going in but I was definitely on board that ship from the very start. That said, my heart did ache enormously for one particular character, which I’m not going into because spoilers. But just let it be known, I know how it feels!
I thought the original trilogy ended in a very predictable cliché and sickly sweet way. But this, this was the real conclusion I was wanting all along. Vanguard tied up all the loose ends left over from Horde with Tegan, Morrow and the Uroch finally getting their own satisfying ending. Admittedly the plot was very romance heavy, slightly more so than the first three, but it did have some action and adventure along the way which really helped to keep those pages turning.
One of the major pluses (in my opinion) was how the old main characters Deuce and Fade were extremely minor in this instalment. Whilst it was nice to get a brief glimpse of how their life had taken shape, it was also nice that the storyline didn’t linger on them at all. A little pet peeve of mine is revisiting old characters after the event, once they’ve settled. They often change beyond recognition into a cheesy ball of happiness, but this never feels real and actually really grates on me because life is just not like that. But like I said, it was great the story didn’t loiter in their direction at all and Tegan and co took all the glory.
As you can see from my rating, overall I really enjoyed it. Definitely recommended to everyone who has already read the original trilogy because this is the real conclusion you wanted, even if you didn’t know you wanted it, but also generally just to anyone who enjoys a classic YA read.
January 8, 2018
4.5/5
“But love didn’t always grow at the same pace. For some, the feeling shot up like a determined vine after a hard rain; for others, it sprouted by increments so tiny, you wouldn’t notice at all until the minuscule green shoots finally broke through into the light. “
My Thoughts:
This story is about love and self-discovery. And it is damn beautiful.
Initially I rated this book 4 stars. 4 stars because it is, at times, too perfect – a little too convenient. I am bumping it up to 5 stars though because I just need to. I think that part of my decision rides on the fact that I experienced some intense nostalgia while reading. I was brought back to the emotions I experienced when reading the initial 3 books. After finishing the first 3, I thought that that was definitely it. No more books. When I heard that there was a 4th on the horizon I was a little skeptical. I always kind of am when I hear that another book is in the works because I’m nervous that the author will screw up a good thing. That, in my opinion, is not the case in this circumstance.
The main love story is slow building and sweet. It is unconventional, yet conventional at the same time. I love how they get to know each other, build upon one another’s personality, and learn together. This is a YA book, but the love does not scream “YA”.
Besides the love, this book is also about growth and self-discovery. There are at least 4 characters in the book that undergo a substantial change in character/thought. That seems like a large number, but the change(s) they undergo do not seem false. Due to what the characters have been through in the past, the changes seem necessary. What I appreciate about the changes is that they are not instantaneous. Rather, the changes happen over time, and some are painstakingly fought for.
I need to mention that this author has a distinct way with words. I highlighted numerous lines and passages, and I struggled to decide which quotes I wanted to include in this review. I find her writing to be captivating and encompassing, and I found myself brought to tears on several occasions.
Overall: After reading this book, I am left wanting more. At the end of the 3rd book, I was okay with the story being closed, but now with this 4th book, I feel like there could definitely be more. Please let there be more.
“It’s nothing that needs an apology. Though others may not understand, I have chosen you.”
“But love didn’t always grow at the same pace. For some, the feeling shot up like a determined vine after a hard rain; for others, it sprouted by increments so tiny, you wouldn’t notice at all until the minuscule green shoots finally broke through into the light. “
My Thoughts:
This story is about love and self-discovery. And it is damn beautiful.
Initially I rated this book 4 stars. 4 stars because it is, at times, too perfect – a little too convenient. I am bumping it up to 5 stars though because I just need to. I think that part of my decision rides on the fact that I experienced some intense nostalgia while reading. I was brought back to the emotions I experienced when reading the initial 3 books. After finishing the first 3, I thought that that was definitely it. No more books. When I heard that there was a 4th on the horizon I was a little skeptical. I always kind of am when I hear that another book is in the works because I’m nervous that the author will screw up a good thing. That, in my opinion, is not the case in this circumstance.
The main love story is slow building and sweet. It is unconventional, yet conventional at the same time. I love how they get to know each other, build upon one another’s personality, and learn together. This is a YA book, but the love does not scream “YA”.
Besides the love, this book is also about growth and self-discovery. There are at least 4 characters in the book that undergo a substantial change in character/thought. That seems like a large number, but the change(s) they undergo do not seem false. Due to what the characters have been through in the past, the changes seem necessary. What I appreciate about the changes is that they are not instantaneous. Rather, the changes happen over time, and some are painstakingly fought for.
I need to mention that this author has a distinct way with words. I highlighted numerous lines and passages, and I struggled to decide which quotes I wanted to include in this review. I find her writing to be captivating and encompassing, and I found myself brought to tears on several occasions.
Overall: After reading this book, I am left wanting more. At the end of the 3rd book, I was okay with the story being closed, but now with this 4th book, I feel like there could definitely be more. Please let there be more.
“It’s nothing that needs an apology. Though others may not understand, I have chosen you.”
October 10, 2019
I am so glad I read this! I wasn't sure at first, since it didn't feature Deuce and Fade and seemed like an odd addition to the original trilogy, but it was really good. The plot was so different from the other books, it didn't have much action or fighting and was instead about love and finding your place in the world. Tegan and Szarok were a great couple, from different worlds, but fit well together. They taught each other about their cultures and helped the other grow and love. I was glad James met Millie, since he was so lovesick over Tegan at the beginning and she clearly didn't reciprocate. Millie tempered James and gave him the affection he craved and he fell totally in love with her.
The story moved along pretty well and I didn't feel bored. The narrator for the audiobook had a nice voice and did a good job with the four main characters. Definitely recommend reading this to get the full ending to the series!
The story moved along pretty well and I didn't feel bored. The narrator for the audiobook had a nice voice and did a good job with the four main characters. Definitely recommend reading this to get the full ending to the series!
March 17, 2017
Okay, I'm not really sure how to feel about this book. I'm a big fan of the Razorland Saga, so it goes without saying that I was ecstatic when I heard that Tegan is finally going to have her own story. I waited three years for this. THREE YEARS.
I wasn't really expecting anything when I started reading this. The love interest was a big surprise . I was excited to see how that would work, but then it didn't take long for me to realize that I'm not connecting with the characters. There were plenty of moments--mushy, angsty, heart-pounding action--but they didn't pull me in. Even when Deuce and Fade made an appearance, I didn't feel much excitement.
There were plenty of revelations about Tegan, which I liked because it made me know her more. They made me see her in a different light. However, in this book she seemed so vulnerable. I didn't see the Tegan I came to know from Deuce's point of view. I didn't see the strength I came to admire. It just felt like she's a bundle of sadness and self-pity.
I also didn't like the progress of the plot because it was quickly buried under romantic angst. I was expecting adventures and more action, but all I got was 75-or-so per cent of budding romantic emotions and suppressed desire. Tegan's mission at the start of the book got lost somewhere in the sea. I really don't like it when the romance overshadows the plot.
Maybe there are plenty of interesting things here--Ann Aguirre did show us more of the world after the War--but this book is just not for me.
*I won an ARC from Ann Aguirre's newsletter giveaway
I wasn't really expecting anything when I started reading this. The love interest was a big surprise . I was excited to see how that would work, but then it didn't take long for me to realize that I'm not connecting with the characters. There were plenty of moments--mushy, angsty, heart-pounding action--but they didn't pull me in. Even when Deuce and Fade made an appearance, I didn't feel much excitement.
There were plenty of revelations about Tegan, which I liked because it made me know her more. They made me see her in a different light. However, in this book she seemed so vulnerable. I didn't see the Tegan I came to know from Deuce's point of view. I didn't see the strength I came to admire. It just felt like she's a bundle of sadness and self-pity.
I also didn't like the progress of the plot because it was quickly buried under romantic angst. I was expecting adventures and more action, but all I got was 75-or-so per cent of budding romantic emotions and suppressed desire. Tegan's mission at the start of the book got lost somewhere in the sea. I really don't like it when the romance overshadows the plot.
Maybe there are plenty of interesting things here--Ann Aguirre did show us more of the world after the War--but this book is just not for me.
*I won an ARC from Ann Aguirre's newsletter giveaway
Read
September 2, 2017I loved stepping back into the Razorland world. I didn't know how much I missed it. Love these characters and the romance. Excellent addition to the series!
July 24, 2017
*Source* Publisher
*Genre* Young Adult / Apocalyptic & Post-Apocalyptic
*Rating* 3.0
*MY Thoughts*
Vanguard is being called the companion fourth installment in author Ann Aguirre's Razorland series. Vanguard picks up approximately ten months after the end of the War of the River between humans and the Horde. This story focuses on four characters; Tegan, Millie Faraday, Szarok (the Vanguard of the Uroch), and James Morrow, aka the storyteller. Three of the four characters have settled into peaceful lives. Tegen, who still suffers from what happened to her over the course of the previous 3 installments, lives in Rosemere where she is Dr. Wilson's apprentice
*Full Review @ Gizmo's Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
*Genre* Young Adult / Apocalyptic & Post-Apocalyptic
*Rating* 3.0
*MY Thoughts*
Vanguard is being called the companion fourth installment in author Ann Aguirre's Razorland series. Vanguard picks up approximately ten months after the end of the War of the River between humans and the Horde. This story focuses on four characters; Tegan, Millie Faraday, Szarok (the Vanguard of the Uroch), and James Morrow, aka the storyteller. Three of the four characters have settled into peaceful lives. Tegen, who still suffers from what happened to her over the course of the previous 3 installments, lives in Rosemere where she is Dr. Wilson's apprentice
*Full Review @ Gizmo's Reviews*
http://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/201...
February 24, 2020
RESEÑA EN EL BLOG ➜ http://bit.ly/2Tar3KF
La guerra contra los engendros por fin ha finalizado y ahora los humanos sobrevivientes tendrán que descubrir como prosperar si quieren regresar a ser la sociedad que en antaño eran. Es por ello que Tegan decide dejar a sus amigos para convertirse en la aprendiz de Will, un doctor que conoce la historia y los métodos del mundo antiguo. Pero tras algunos años de aprendizaje, el doctor fallece y Tegan regresa con sus pocos amigos sólo para descubrir un barco capaz de llevarla a tierras lejanas donde los engendros jamás llegaron. Tierras donde la espera nuevo conocimientos.
Szarok es la Vanguardia de la nueva generación de engendros, de aquellos que pelearon contra su gente al lado de los humanos para la supervivencia de ambas especies. Pero ahora los Uroch necesitan un nuevo lugar donde asentarse, donde puedan comenzar desde cero para poder prosperar y Szarok es el indicado para buscar dicho lugar. Pero los humanos aún temen a los Uroch y no permitirán que estos cohabiten el mismo espacio que ellos, razón por la cual Szarok termina en el mismo barco que Tegan donde descubrirá que no todos los humanos son malos.
Los humanos son a menudo los peores monstruos de todos,
Voy a comenzar esta reseña contándoles que he estado dándole muchas vueltas a cómo debería abordar esta historia. Una parte de mi quiere sólo centrarse en lo que le gustó del libro para no darles spoilers de los libros anteriores pero otra parte de mi es consiente que es necesario que sepan al menos el contexto de la historia para poder entenderme. Así que después de consultarlo con la almohada he decidido que en esta reseña va haber SPOILERS. Así que si no han leído los libros anteriores pues… hasta la vista baby (luego lean los libros y regresen, ¿eh?).
Los primeros tres libros de esta serie se centran en Trébol, Van, Stalter y Tegan tratando de sobrevivir en un mundo plagado por engendros, seres que fueron mutando poco a poco y que pasaron de ser meros animales a seres pensantes. En el tercer libro, Horda es cuando todo llega a su final. Es donde Trébol seguida por un ejército y con la ayuda de los Uroch y Szarok derrota a los engendros. A partir de aquí los Uroch harán un pacto con los humanos para vivir en paz, sin más guerra ni asesinatos de parte de ninguno de los bandos. Es justo después de unos años que comienza Vanguardia. Trébol y Van han dejado su vida guerrera y ahora se satisfacen con una vida tranquila en una pequeña cabaña donde pueden vivir en la armonía que en su juventud no pudieron disfrutar (si quieren saber más de la historia pueden leer mis dizque "reseñas" de los libros anteriores).
Así que como ya se habrán dado cuenta la gran protagonista de este libro es Tegan, aquella joven que en su niñez fue secuestra por los Lobos para usarla de criadora. Voy a ser honesta con ustedes y les diré que en los dos primeros libros Tegan no era precisamente mi personaje favorito, fue hasta el tercero cuando la chica logró conquistarme y en este cuarto libro al fin le entrego un cachito de mi corazón negro libremente. Y es que en los libros anteriores apenas y podemos vislumbrar un pedacito de lo que tuvo que padecer, se nos dijo muy por encima lo que era de su vida, pero ahora al tenerla de narradora principal la cosa ha cambiado pues llegamos a conocerla de todo. Desde sus primeros años de vida hasta las cosas terribles que se vio obligada hacer mientras estuvo en el poder de los Lobos.
Realmente creo que Tegan ha sido la que más ha evolucionado a lo largo de los libros y al final no puedo estar más que orgullosa de ella.
Pero en este cuatro libro las cosas cambian un poco y no tenemos a una única narradora. Sino que tenemos a cuatro. Tegan (obviamente), James, Millie y Szarok.
Con James y Millie descubriremos más de estas nuevas tierras y lo que la gente tuvo que hacer para mantener a los engendros alejados. Su narración no es precisamente adictiva pero sí que disfruté conocer nuevos asentamientos y las diferencias que hay entre ellos.
Szarok por su parte ha sido mi gran favorito. Y es que desde el segundo libro moría de ganas de saber más de la evolución de los engendros y es gracias a él que después de muchos, muchos años por fin obtengo respuestas. Además como personaje me ha encantado. Al inicio es un ser desconfiado ante todo (por obvias razones) pero conforme se va abriendo vamos viendo que en realidad no es muy diferente a un humano que ha sido maltratado y bueno, ya sabemos que mi negro corazón no se resiste a un personaje torturado así que le cogí mucho cariño y mientras más iba descubriendo de él más fascinada estaba.
Seré un hogar y un refugio para ti. Seria una isla donde el agua no golpeé con furia.
Para ser completamente honesta con ustedes creo que el factor nostalgia me afecta al hablarles de este libro, porque si, definitivamente disfruté viendo aunque un poco de esos personajes que tanto me gustaron y esa misma nostalgia no me permite ser totalmente imparcial porque si me lo preguntan, les diré que el libro es perfecto, pero al mismo tiempo soy consciente de que se queda un poco rezagado si lo comparamos con los libros anteriores. Quiero decir, este libro sirvió para que Ann Aguirre nos respondiera algunos de los hilos que quedaron sueltos de su historia pero en realidad no siento que sea un libro que era necesario. Me parece más que es un libro que la autora simplemente quiso escribir como para quitarse la espinita, e insisto que es bastante diferente a los libros anteriores y para muestra está el amor. En los otros tres libros si bien tenemos romance no es algo que sea de vital importancia mientras que en este libro si lo es.
Así que cada que mi corazón lata y el tuyo palpite, nuestra canción estará completa.
Si me lo preguntan este libro fue escrito pensando en los que ya son fan de la serie pues es un cierre donde finalmente hay felicidad después de todo lo que se vivió en los libros anteriores. Un cierre que como buena fan que soy acepto y amaré por el resto de los siglos.
November 1, 2019
The Razorland series has been a favorite of mine for years now. I’ve read Enclave probably six times yet for some reason it took years for me to pick this one up. Tegan was never a favorite of mine so I was never in a rush to read her story. But unlike Deuce whose story ends in Horse, Texans has barely begun. Tegan suffered in ways unimaginable to most. Unlike Deuce Tegan suffered more at the hand stop of fellow humans than she did the Freaks and this helped shape her. On the surface there is a lot of racism between the Uroch (The Awakened Ones) and the humans but rebuilding after war I still never easy. I unfortunately don’t know if I have enough belief in our species to accept that we would coexist with them. But the two sides did come together for a common cause. If neither wants war the only option is peace. Peace will probably be years to come for them and I know Tegan and Szarok will still face hardship neither of their stories truly began, at least the parts that mattered until they met up in the woods. I really enjoyed the book and it was very fun and exciting. Perhaps not as thrilling as it’s predecessors but still a good read.
September 3, 2017
ICYMI - Vanguard has been my most anticipated book of this year since it was announced. I am an avid fan of the Razorland series and was so excited that Ann came back to the world so many years later. I was NOT disappointed!
Vanguard is very much about Tegan, a character fans will recognize from the original series. She's living in a world where humans and Uroch are navigating how to co-exist, which felt very real. We saw the war and now we are seeing society repair itself. The tension between the once warring parties still very much exists and it becomes near and dear to Tegan to help correct this in her own way.
Tegan has been through some stuff. Life was not easy before she was added to our rag-tag gang and I appreciate her sense of strength and ability to push through. She has some triggering moments, which are acknowledged. She's not 100% healed and that is totally ok. We also get a look into the Uroch and their world, which has its own rules, language, and culture.
Ann is a romance writer at heart, something I loved about the original books in the series and something I loved in Vanguard, too. Her writing makes the story un-put-downable!
As a bonus, you get glimpses into how Fade and Deuce are doing. Not unexpected but I loved those parts!
I had the opportunity to listen to this on audio and highly recommend this route. I felt very immersed in the story throughout!
Vanguard is very much about Tegan, a character fans will recognize from the original series. She's living in a world where humans and Uroch are navigating how to co-exist, which felt very real. We saw the war and now we are seeing society repair itself. The tension between the once warring parties still very much exists and it becomes near and dear to Tegan to help correct this in her own way.
Tegan has been through some stuff. Life was not easy before she was added to our rag-tag gang and I appreciate her sense of strength and ability to push through. She has some triggering moments, which are acknowledged. She's not 100% healed and that is totally ok. We also get a look into the Uroch and their world, which has its own rules, language, and culture.
Ann is a romance writer at heart, something I loved about the original books in the series and something I loved in Vanguard, too. Her writing makes the story un-put-downable!
As a bonus, you get glimpses into how Fade and Deuce are doing. Not unexpected but I loved those parts!
I had the opportunity to listen to this on audio and highly recommend this route. I felt very immersed in the story throughout!
October 2, 2017
This spin-off novel in the Razorland series was quite different from the previous three books. But it also wasn't. The original series had Deuce and friends facing near-death situations and would-be zombies at every turn. But Vanguard takes place after the War of the River, where peace between humans and the Uroch was reached. The beginning of this book was a little slow, and I'm not afraid to admit that I almost put it down, never to be picked up again. But after re-reading the original series earlier this year, I knew I couldn't leave it like that. And it was worth sticking with. Just because Tegan and friends aren't facing muties/freaks anymore, doesn't mean they don't encounter more than they bargained for when they leave the relative safety of the homes they've come to know in the year since the war. And I ended up really enjoying their adventures. I've tried reading Aguirre's other novels, but nothing compares to the writing in this series. It's just so compelling.
January 15, 2018
This book moved me in so many ways.
And had a Firefly reference.
Thank you Ann Aguirre.
And had a Firefly reference.
Thank you Ann Aguirre.
September 26, 2021
I decided to reread the Razorland series this month to celebrate LatinX Heritage with one of my fave books of all time, Enclave. After finishing the trilogy, I FINALLY picked up Vanguard, which has been sitting on my TBR for 4 years.
I have been really wanting to know how Teagan’s story continues/ends. After everything her character went through, she deserves a happy ending. And this book does end the series, tying it all up in a nice little bow, which I honestly always enjoy.
Not only do we get new characters, an epic trip on the high seas, and a Romeo & Juliet style love story, but we get cameos from all of our fave characters (still living) from the original trilogy. That definitely made everything worthwhile!
I have been really wanting to know how Teagan’s story continues/ends. After everything her character went through, she deserves a happy ending. And this book does end the series, tying it all up in a nice little bow, which I honestly always enjoy.
Not only do we get new characters, an epic trip on the high seas, and a Romeo & Juliet style love story, but we get cameos from all of our fave characters (still living) from the original trilogy. That definitely made everything worthwhile!
September 14, 2024
This novel shifts to Tegan as the MC and only has a few small appearances of Deuce. I like Tegan, so this was fine with me, and I loved getting to know Szarok and learning more about the Uroch.
This is a great book for those who want to know more about what's going on in other parts of the landscape and meet some of the other characters.
This one was still dystopian, but it was heavier on the taboo romance that was building.
4 Stars
This is a great book for those who want to know more about what's going on in other parts of the landscape and meet some of the other characters.
This one was still dystopian, but it was heavier on the taboo romance that was building.
4 Stars
August 23, 2021
I am so glad I continued with this series! It took me nearly 10 years to complete it, but I think that worked to my advantage. I liked the first two books, but I really started to suffer from YA dystopian/sci-fi burnout at that time. Horde ended up being much better than I was expecting, and now this one is probably my favorite of the lot.
Vanguard has a very different feel from the prior three books. It is more of a continuation companion novel, as the main storyline was wrapped up in Horde. It is told in third person; although Deuce appears in this book, she is a much more minor character. We get three POVs- Tegan, Morrow, and Szarok on their travels. It is much more romance-focused than the original trilogy as well. I was initially a bit skeptical about the premise, but I think it all really worked. I was very happy with the conclusion! 4.5ish stars, if I am being more accurate.
Vanguard has a very different feel from the prior three books. It is more of a continuation companion novel, as the main storyline was wrapped up in Horde. It is told in third person; although Deuce appears in this book, she is a much more minor character. We get three POVs- Tegan, Morrow, and Szarok on their travels. It is much more romance-focused than the original trilogy as well. I was initially a bit skeptical about the premise, but I think it all really worked. I was very happy with the conclusion! 4.5ish stars, if I am being more accurate.
October 23, 2017
*sighs happily*
For fans of the Razorland trilogy, like me, this book will be a complete joy to read. It's been a year after the war and we get to see our old favorite characters living out their lives. Much to everyone's joy I'm sure, we get to see Deuce and Fade basically living out their domestic blissful life. They're legendary heroes to people who've heard of them but to their friends, they're the same old people they've grown to love.
Now this book wraps up with the extra characters who were in the trilogy. Tegan and Szarok mainly, but there's also James Morrow and Millie. I didn't care for James and Millie, I was too busy rooting for Tegan and Szarok. If you remember, Tegan was the girl they rescued from the Wolf gang who trained to be a doctor~
I was definitely surprised that the story didn't go as I expected- based on the blurb description for this book, I thought this would be an adventure at sea. Instead, almost as soon as Tegan and Szarok get on a ship, they're thrown off in a storm and stranded on a deserted island for a time o_o Before going through same mishaps and adventures to finally get to where they've been wanting to go. It's a long journey, but the blooming love between them was just so sweet I didn't want it to end.
Needless to say, everyone gets their happily ever afters and it's so satisfying; especially considering that this seemed unlikely considering the post-apocalyptic terror they've endured until now. Immensely satisfying, I thoroughly recommend it to those who've read the Razorland trilogy. It's a conclusive end that everyone would want to read. If I may go so far as to say, NEED to read!!!
Applause to Ann Aguirre, she gave my heart a good dose of love!! xD I'll definitely miss this world, but I'd reread it in the future!
Before Reading:
It seems like a lot of my fave authors are adding surprise 4th books to their "trilogies". Not complaining, kinda thrilled to jump back into the worlds I so loved.
For fans of the Razorland trilogy, like me, this book will be a complete joy to read. It's been a year after the war and we get to see our old favorite characters living out their lives. Much to everyone's joy I'm sure, we get to see Deuce and Fade basically living out their domestic blissful life. They're legendary heroes to people who've heard of them but to their friends, they're the same old people they've grown to love.
Now this book wraps up with the extra characters who were in the trilogy. Tegan and Szarok mainly, but there's also James Morrow and Millie. I didn't care for James and Millie, I was too busy rooting for Tegan and Szarok. If you remember, Tegan was the girl they rescued from the Wolf gang who trained to be a doctor~
I was definitely surprised that the story didn't go as I expected- based on the blurb description for this book, I thought this would be an adventure at sea. Instead, almost as soon as Tegan and Szarok get on a ship, they're thrown off in a storm and stranded on a deserted island for a time o_o Before going through same mishaps and adventures to finally get to where they've been wanting to go. It's a long journey, but the blooming love between them was just so sweet I didn't want it to end.
Needless to say, everyone gets their happily ever afters and it's so satisfying; especially considering that this seemed unlikely considering the post-apocalyptic terror they've endured until now. Immensely satisfying, I thoroughly recommend it to those who've read the Razorland trilogy. It's a conclusive end that everyone would want to read. If I may go so far as to say, NEED to read!!!
Applause to Ann Aguirre, she gave my heart a good dose of love!! xD I'll definitely miss this world, but I'd reread it in the future!
Before Reading:
It seems like a lot of my fave authors are adding surprise 4th books to their "trilogies". Not complaining, kinda thrilled to jump back into the worlds I so loved.
August 23, 2017
------ Quick Review after Reading: -------
I was expecting it to be a novella. Didn't realize it was an entire novel until halfway through. I was like, this is too long for a short story. Whoopsie! Lol.
This might sound a little mean and discriminating but it was weird for me to imagine the romance with the Uroch, I keep imagining them as the undead (imagine walkers from The Walking Dead) rather than mutants even with the author's description of them. When I thought of them more fey-like that eased up my discomfort.
Some lines where slightly cheesy for me but otherwise a beautifully written book!
------- Review from my IG feed:---------
I love Tegan's story. It's not what I expected, especially in terms of love interest. It was a bit uneasy for me to wrap my head around a relationship between a human and an Uroch. All the time I was reading the Razorland series, I imagine them as zombies. Walking Dead walker-like images where up in my head, just with no torn or decaying flesh. The description in Vanguard changed that into a more fae-like image for these evolved creatures.
I admired Tegan's vulnerability. She has always been the quiet, fierce secondary character in the first three books. I knew she had it bad, I never imagined she had way worse than I thought. Here she's bared of all secrets and dark pasts. The one thing I admired most about Tegan was her resiliency. That no matter how dire her situation was, she always got through. Man, was she tough!
So if you think you've hit rock bottom, remember this quote: "I always get up again. That's what you learn from falling."
*Quote has been taken from an ARC from Netgalley. Changes or iterations might have been made upon publication of the book.
I was expecting it to be a novella. Didn't realize it was an entire novel until halfway through. I was like, this is too long for a short story. Whoopsie! Lol.
This might sound a little mean and discriminating but it was weird for me to imagine the romance with the Uroch, I keep imagining them as the undead (imagine walkers from The Walking Dead) rather than mutants even with the author's description of them. When I thought of them more fey-like that eased up my discomfort.
Some lines where slightly cheesy for me but otherwise a beautifully written book!
------- Review from my IG feed:---------
I love Tegan's story. It's not what I expected, especially in terms of love interest. It was a bit uneasy for me to wrap my head around a relationship between a human and an Uroch. All the time I was reading the Razorland series, I imagine them as zombies. Walking Dead walker-like images where up in my head, just with no torn or decaying flesh. The description in Vanguard changed that into a more fae-like image for these evolved creatures.
I admired Tegan's vulnerability. She has always been the quiet, fierce secondary character in the first three books. I knew she had it bad, I never imagined she had way worse than I thought. Here she's bared of all secrets and dark pasts. The one thing I admired most about Tegan was her resiliency. That no matter how dire her situation was, she always got through. Man, was she tough!
So if you think you've hit rock bottom, remember this quote: "I always get up again. That's what you learn from falling."
*Quote has been taken from an ARC from Netgalley. Changes or iterations might have been made upon publication of the book.
September 13, 2017
I love the Razorland Saga. It's one of my favorite Post Apocalyptic series. So of course I pre-ordered Vanguard and was impatiently waiting for release day.
Imagine how happy I was when I got an ARC from Ann Aguirre when I was at the Love Letter Convention in Berlin!
I can tell you I immediately started on it and finished the book before my train took me back home.
This story is so beautiful!!
Where the original trilogy is focused on survival and on the battle between humans and the flesh eating mutants, Vanguard is about the aftermath of that war.
What happens once the fighting is over? How do two different races find peace and a way to make a better life for all?
I loved seeing Tegan come into her own. I've always liked her and hoped to see her find happiness after all she has endured. This book does her quiet strength justice. I rooted for Tegan to find a place to belong and to blossom, and seeing her friendship with Szarok grow was beautiful.
Szarok is a really intriguing character as well. I loved learning more about the Uroch through his eyes. Szarok has a great sense of duty and the ties to his clan are strong. I will say I was worried if he would be able to find a path that would bring both him and his clan happiness.
Next to Tegan and Szarok's story this book also tells the stories of Millie and James. Although their stories were cool to read as well, for me they were overshadowed by Tegan and Szarok. Still I was also invested in what happened to them.
All in all this is an amazing read and a great addition to the Razorland Saga. I'm tempted to do a full reread one of these days I will confess.
Imagine how happy I was when I got an ARC from Ann Aguirre when I was at the Love Letter Convention in Berlin!
I can tell you I immediately started on it and finished the book before my train took me back home.
This story is so beautiful!!
Where the original trilogy is focused on survival and on the battle between humans and the flesh eating mutants, Vanguard is about the aftermath of that war.
What happens once the fighting is over? How do two different races find peace and a way to make a better life for all?
I loved seeing Tegan come into her own. I've always liked her and hoped to see her find happiness after all she has endured. This book does her quiet strength justice. I rooted for Tegan to find a place to belong and to blossom, and seeing her friendship with Szarok grow was beautiful.
Szarok is a really intriguing character as well. I loved learning more about the Uroch through his eyes. Szarok has a great sense of duty and the ties to his clan are strong. I will say I was worried if he would be able to find a path that would bring both him and his clan happiness.
Next to Tegan and Szarok's story this book also tells the stories of Millie and James. Although their stories were cool to read as well, for me they were overshadowed by Tegan and Szarok. Still I was also invested in what happened to them.
All in all this is an amazing read and a great addition to the Razorland Saga. I'm tempted to do a full reread one of these days I will confess.
February 10, 2018
Featuring Teegan, everyone’s fourth favorite character from the Razorland/Enclave series, comes Vanguard, the final book in a series you though all ready ended. Vanguard gives you all the closure you really didn’t need or care about.
July 25, 2017
This review was originally posted at Vampire Book Club.
It’s been several years since I read the original Razorland trilogy, but still when someone brings up Enclave I can’t wait to talk about the fascinating worldbuilding and character arcs Ann Aguirre crafted in this YA post-apocalyptic series. So it’s probably not a shock that I was thrilled to see another book in the same world. While you’ll see Vanguard listed as Razorland #4, it’s truly a companion novel. While reading the trilogy first will enhance your enjoyment of this one, it isn’t really necessary. Aguirre hits the details of the past to catch you up, but keeps her focus on her main characters and their journeys.
Those character journeys are what make Vanguard sing. Tegan was a secondary character in the original series. Now time has passed, and she’s been apprenticing as a healer. The Uroch and the remaining humans are coexisting, but it isn’t a smooth relationship. Szarok acts as the go-between for the Uroch and the humans. He’s on a mission to find a place his people can call home, but the human settlements still aren’t welcoming. The Freaks of the earlier Razorland books look like the Uroch. They were the Uroch until they were awakened. They helped defeat the horde and save everyone, but the divide is still strong. Szarok’s people hate the humans and are continually tempted to go to war to claim back what was theirs. The humans see the faces of people who killed so many of their kind.
If you want to know where this is going, I’ve got you: enemies to lovers.
For those not in the know, enemies to lovers is my absolute favorite romance trope. It’s delightful to see it blossom set against a recovering dystopia. Tegan has zero issues with the Uroch, and is welcoming when Szarok unwittingly becomes a travel companion. He, on the other hand, is constantly concerned that people will treat him poorly and cast judgment when they see him. He avoids speaking his native language, he wears a cloak to cover his head. Tegan doesn’t see the big deal. Over time, Szarok starts to see her bravery and sincerity as something real.
The more time the two spend together, the more clear it is that they are alike. …and the more they try to avoid admitting it. When they finally cave, it’s glorious. First kiss scenes are heady affairs when done correctly, all tension and restraint and, eventually, explosions. You know what makes that even better? When the heroine has to teach the hero the concept of kissing as well as the act. This added layer of “is this right” and “does he/she like this” takes the scene to a whole other level.
I’d say more, but I try to avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say, if you like a hero’s journey tale with a dash of enemies to lovers and kissing scenes that will curl your toes, Vanguard is for you.
It’s been several years since I read the original Razorland trilogy, but still when someone brings up Enclave I can’t wait to talk about the fascinating worldbuilding and character arcs Ann Aguirre crafted in this YA post-apocalyptic series. So it’s probably not a shock that I was thrilled to see another book in the same world. While you’ll see Vanguard listed as Razorland #4, it’s truly a companion novel. While reading the trilogy first will enhance your enjoyment of this one, it isn’t really necessary. Aguirre hits the details of the past to catch you up, but keeps her focus on her main characters and their journeys.
Those character journeys are what make Vanguard sing. Tegan was a secondary character in the original series. Now time has passed, and she’s been apprenticing as a healer. The Uroch and the remaining humans are coexisting, but it isn’t a smooth relationship. Szarok acts as the go-between for the Uroch and the humans. He’s on a mission to find a place his people can call home, but the human settlements still aren’t welcoming. The Freaks of the earlier Razorland books look like the Uroch. They were the Uroch until they were awakened. They helped defeat the horde and save everyone, but the divide is still strong. Szarok’s people hate the humans and are continually tempted to go to war to claim back what was theirs. The humans see the faces of people who killed so many of their kind.
If you want to know where this is going, I’ve got you: enemies to lovers.
For those not in the know, enemies to lovers is my absolute favorite romance trope. It’s delightful to see it blossom set against a recovering dystopia. Tegan has zero issues with the Uroch, and is welcoming when Szarok unwittingly becomes a travel companion. He, on the other hand, is constantly concerned that people will treat him poorly and cast judgment when they see him. He avoids speaking his native language, he wears a cloak to cover his head. Tegan doesn’t see the big deal. Over time, Szarok starts to see her bravery and sincerity as something real.
The more time the two spend together, the more clear it is that they are alike. …and the more they try to avoid admitting it. When they finally cave, it’s glorious. First kiss scenes are heady affairs when done correctly, all tension and restraint and, eventually, explosions. You know what makes that even better? When the heroine has to teach the hero the concept of kissing as well as the act. This added layer of “is this right” and “does he/she like this” takes the scene to a whole other level.
I’d say more, but I try to avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say, if you like a hero’s journey tale with a dash of enemies to lovers and kissing scenes that will curl your toes, Vanguard is for you.
July 25, 2017
I read the first 3 Razorland books a couple of years ago and absolutely loved them! So, I was super excited to see that the author wrote another book in the series! As soon as I learned another book would be released, I searched NetGalley to try to get an ARC and lucked out! I had my doubts, since it was scheduled to be released in a couple of weeks.
This book starts out 10 months after The War of the River, and it incorporates all the major-ish payers that have now become legends throughout the territories.
I ♥ ♥ ♥ the characters in this book and how it shifts from different POVs! I especially liked reading from Szarok's POV.
I had almost forgot how much I loved the Razorland series, and I definitely had no idea that I would get the chance to read about what happened in the aftermath of Horde from someone else's POV. I am SO glad I got to read this book!
This book was AWESOME! Since I ♥ed the other Razorland books so much, I definitely has SUPER HIGH expectations for this book, and it exceeded them! I was hooked immediately and couldn't wait to see what happened next, throughout the whole book!
This book was so great! It was like nothing I've ever read, and there was absolutely nothing that I did not love about it!
As always, the author kept up the great writing and world building that was in the other three Razorland book.
When I finished The Great Library series, I was so upset that I would have to wait to read the rest of the books int he series.
I want to say more about this book, but I cant say more about the things that I ♥ed withouth giving away some big spoilers... So, I'll just stick with saying that I ♥ed EVERYTHING about this book!
If you haven't read the Razorland series, I definitely encourage you to start! The first three books are absolutely amazing, and this book was no exception!
I received a copy of this book for free from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Check out this and many other book reviews on my blog: Meet Your New Favorite Book
This book starts out 10 months after The War of the River, and it incorporates all the major-ish payers that have now become legends throughout the territories.
I ♥ ♥ ♥ the characters in this book and how it shifts from different POVs! I especially liked reading from Szarok's POV.
I had almost forgot how much I loved the Razorland series, and I definitely had no idea that I would get the chance to read about what happened in the aftermath of Horde from someone else's POV. I am SO glad I got to read this book!
This book was AWESOME! Since I ♥ed the other Razorland books so much, I definitely has SUPER HIGH expectations for this book, and it exceeded them! I was hooked immediately and couldn't wait to see what happened next, throughout the whole book!
This book was so great! It was like nothing I've ever read, and there was absolutely nothing that I did not love about it!
As always, the author kept up the great writing and world building that was in the other three Razorland book.
When I finished The Great Library series, I was so upset that I would have to wait to read the rest of the books int he series.
I want to say more about this book, but I cant say more about the things that I ♥ed withouth giving away some big spoilers... So, I'll just stick with saying that I ♥ed EVERYTHING about this book!
If you haven't read the Razorland series, I definitely encourage you to start! The first three books are absolutely amazing, and this book was no exception!
I received a copy of this book for free from the publishers, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Check out this and many other book reviews on my blog: Meet Your New Favorite Book
June 1, 2020
3.5 stars. Tegan decides to sail as a ship's doctor. Millie Farraday, the girl whose kindness brought the Uroch support to win the war wants to see the world and tags along with Tegan. James Morrow, the warrior storyteller, still infatuated with Tegan decides to sail and give himself more time to attempt to win Tegan's heart. Szarok, the Uroch vanguard, is tasked to find a location for the Uroch to settle providing land, game, tolerant neighbors and accessible.
Though Tegan does her share of saving, she also puts herself in positions where she needs saving. Totally different story from romance to lacking action-packed war battles than previous books. Not standalone, but not really part of the trilogy, more of a bonus book about one of the characters.
With-reservations:
prejudice, violence, death, attempted murder, references to rape, childbirth & eating humans, stealing, alcoholism, co-sleeping, sexual situations
Though Tegan does her share of saving, she also puts herself in positions where she needs saving. Totally different story from romance to lacking action-packed war battles than previous books. Not standalone, but not really part of the trilogy, more of a bonus book about one of the characters.
With-reservations:
prejudice, violence, death, attempted murder, references to rape, childbirth & eating humans, stealing, alcoholism, co-sleeping, sexual situations
July 27, 2017
*dreamy sigh*
This was legit the best way to conclude the series. (I think this is the end? I wouldn't say no to more though...) I mean, I was content enough at the conclusion of the original trilogy, but this brought a happy ending to some of the secondary characters previously left behind. They needed this, and so did I.
I always felt like Tegan got the short end of the stick. She had clearly suffered more than anyone has a right to. She seemed to largely be at peace with her past in the final book of the trilogy, but her story was hardly a fairy tale with a happily ever after. She deserved more. This brings me to the best part of this book: getting a glimpse into what was going on inside her head that whole time. I came to understand that just because Tegan always seemed so nice, it didn't mean she wasn't battling her own demons.
By the end of the book, Tegan had grown so much, she was practically unrecognizable from her previous incarnation. She wasn't the only one to change and adapt, but her transformation was clearly the highlight of Vanguard for me.
With the return of Szarok, the Uroch vanguard (and the origin of the book's title, so he could be kinda important to the story...), the reader is given a whole new perspective into the Uroch community. Though he has been trained in human customs, he struggles with being around them. Szarok is there to learn, but he ends up teaching more than he could have expected.
Can I also give Ann Aguirre a shout out for incorporating so many same-sex couples. It adds to the overall message of universal love, and I embraced it fully. <3
A copy of this book was provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was legit the best way to conclude the series. (I think this is the end? I wouldn't say no to more though...) I mean, I was content enough at the conclusion of the original trilogy, but this brought a happy ending to some of the secondary characters previously left behind. They needed this, and so did I.
I always felt like Tegan got the short end of the stick. She had clearly suffered more than anyone has a right to. She seemed to largely be at peace with her past in the final book of the trilogy, but her story was hardly a fairy tale with a happily ever after. She deserved more. This brings me to the best part of this book: getting a glimpse into what was going on inside her head that whole time. I came to understand that just because Tegan always seemed so nice, it didn't mean she wasn't battling her own demons.
By the end of the book, Tegan had grown so much, she was practically unrecognizable from her previous incarnation. She wasn't the only one to change and adapt, but her transformation was clearly the highlight of Vanguard for me.
With the return of Szarok, the Uroch vanguard (and the origin of the book's title, so he could be kinda important to the story...), the reader is given a whole new perspective into the Uroch community. Though he has been trained in human customs, he struggles with being around them. Szarok is there to learn, but he ends up teaching more than he could have expected.
Can I also give Ann Aguirre a shout out for incorporating so many same-sex couples. It adds to the overall message of universal love, and I embraced it fully. <3
A copy of this book was provided through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 17, 2017
I love the Razorland trilogy
As I was reading this I was thinking, "what happened?"
First of all, I didn't like any of the characters. Especially Tegan, the MC. FOR EXAMPLE. At one point, Duece (who is now extremely pregnant), kneels down to beg for her forgiveness for things Tegan never told her offended her. But now, Tegan has decided to unburden herself and so everyone must listen and plead for forgiveness, since there is no possible way Tegan is in the wrong. That maybe she shouldn't have gotten offended in the first place. That maybe blurting out, "I don't think of you as a sister because you said all these things," is not the right thing to do. Especially since her water breaks on her way up to a standing position. Holy crapola.
Not to mention how Tegan treats James (teases him and then rejects him). James, whose entire character does the same thing in the whole book--pine for Tegan. And when James finds someone else, that someone turns out to be a manipulative, easy-virtue girl, he experiences insta-love.
It was a bit of an effort to finish this book. The two romances took center stage and while I love a good romance, there was nothing substantial about the relationships. It was all insta-love and physical attraction and lots of "I love you so much." Gag.
Content Warning: Teen, premarital sex, not recommended
As I was reading this I was thinking, "what happened?"
First of all, I didn't like any of the characters. Especially Tegan, the MC. FOR EXAMPLE. At one point, Duece (who is now extremely pregnant), kneels down to beg for her forgiveness for things Tegan never told her offended her. But now, Tegan has decided to unburden herself and so everyone must listen and plead for forgiveness, since there is no possible way Tegan is in the wrong. That maybe she shouldn't have gotten offended in the first place. That maybe blurting out, "I don't think of you as a sister because you said all these things," is not the right thing to do. Especially since her water breaks on her way up to a standing position. Holy crapola.
Not to mention how Tegan treats James (teases him and then rejects him). James, whose entire character does the same thing in the whole book--pine for Tegan. And when James finds someone else, that someone turns out to be a manipulative, easy-virtue girl, he experiences insta-love.
It was a bit of an effort to finish this book. The two romances took center stage and while I love a good romance, there was nothing substantial about the relationships. It was all insta-love and physical attraction and lots of "I love you so much." Gag.
Content Warning: Teen, premarital sex, not recommended
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