What do you think?
Rate this book
The Redwood Rebel
In the aftermath of civil war, the people of Ffion starve. Trade has dwindled, harvests have failed, and only the cruel and corrupt thrive. The few who could have fled the forest continent for other lands, but most remain, trapped by poverty and love for their homeland.
Far beneath Chloris Castle, the rebel Naomi has been incarcerated since the tyrannical Princess Adrienne stole the Redwood Throne. Starved of light and warmth for the past four years, only Naomi’s rage and determination have kept her going, as she both fears and yearns for death’s release.
In a violent sweep of fate, she is dragged back into the light once more. The Princess and her Councillor hope to use her as a pawn against the powerful Dragon King of Koren. Faced with an almost impossible choice, Naomi strikes a deal with her captors that will set her free at last.
Unfortunately, she soon finds she has taken on much more than she bargained for.
Far beneath Chloris Castle, the rebel Naomi has been incarcerated since the tyrannical Princess Adrienne stole the Redwood Throne. Starved of light and warmth for the past four years, only Naomi’s rage and determination have kept her going, as she both fears and yearns for death’s release.
In a violent sweep of fate, she is dragged back into the light once more. The Princess and her Councillor hope to use her as a pawn against the powerful Dragon King of Koren. Faced with an almost impossible choice, Naomi strikes a deal with her captors that will set her free at last.
Unfortunately, she soon finds she has taken on much more than she bargained for.
362 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2015
3 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Lorna George
1 book26 followersLorna George lives in a crooked little house in Norfolk with her husband, her dog, and a lot of books.
She spends an inordinate amount of time dreaming up magic, adventure, and lands that are far, far away, and has decided to try and make some sort of career of it by writing them all down. She hopes this will give her a reasonable excuse when caught staring wistfully out of windows when she should be paying attention to the not-so-mystical "Real World".
She spends an inordinate amount of time dreaming up magic, adventure, and lands that are far, far away, and has decided to try and make some sort of career of it by writing them all down. She hopes this will give her a reasonable excuse when caught staring wistfully out of windows when she should be paying attention to the not-so-mystical "Real World".
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
January 18, 2016
I've really struggled to write this review, and don't get me wrong, that's not a bad thing. I waited over a month after its release to read this book even though I bought it on release day. I've so been looking forward to reading it that I waited until I had the time to read it within a few days and with little interruption. It was well worth the wait. Female heroes are in the fantasy minority, I know, but this story shows us exactly what happens when they step forward. I loved Naomi, her brashness and never quit attitude were a large part of her charm. After years of torture and mistreatment, she quickly ends up with even bigger problems after her release, and still she struggles on. The writing was tight and with very few typos, of which I barely noticed because of the stories demand to keep me there. I can't wait to see what's next and to learn more about this magical world Mrs. George has created. I can easily see future books being 5 star reads as she comes into her own as a incredible fantasy author and the world she created expands. Highly recommended.
December 30, 2015
Redwood Rebel is a fantasy novel that's the first book in a planned series. (So write faster, author!) Naomi is the main character, first seen in a dank hole in prison where she'd been kept for the last four years. From there, you'd think things could only get better, but getting out of the hell hole she's been stuck in is only the start of the troubles she will face.
My favorite character had to be Naomi, with another coming in second (another that I cannot mention, so as not to spoil anything.) I thought Naomi's emotional state and her decisions made sense based on her deftly hinted at backstory. I saw another review that dismissed Naomi as not likeable, but I think that misses the mark of who she is and dismisses her trauma. People just don't bounce back after four years of total isolation (though fictional characters often skip over the 'dealing with trauma' part) and I think it's refreshing that the author wrote a character who is struggling with it, rather than brushing it off and skipping merrily on her way.
There's a lot of good stuff going on in here, consent-wise too. It's way-to-common in romance books to see a hero 'stealing a kiss' and watching the heroine refuse then give in with a sigh. (For all those in the know, that's icky) When that sort of thing happens in this book, it's pointed out as bad, as it should be. At one point Naomi is angry that all she's thought of is a womb, when she has years of training as a soldier that is summarily dismissed because of who she is and what her role in life is 'supposed' to be. And she has a right to be angry. I enjoyed the way the author has set up the world of the Redwood Rebel for change and that she's created a character who seems very capable of creating that change. There are good discussions about gender roles and societal norms (all wrapped up in the story, not laid out in over-the-top lectures) and it would be a great book for young women and men to read to see how ridiculous a lot of our notions about gender really are.
I loved Naomi's confidence, her struggles to deal with her trauma, and her consistent desire to be independent.
Aside from some punctuation/grammar issues, I thought the book was fantastic and I can't wait for the next book in the series so I can find out what happens. (Here's hoping Naomi rules the world as an independant leader...that's all I can say without spoilering.)
My favorite character had to be Naomi, with another coming in second (another that I cannot mention, so as not to spoil anything.) I thought Naomi's emotional state and her decisions made sense based on her deftly hinted at backstory. I saw another review that dismissed Naomi as not likeable, but I think that misses the mark of who she is and dismisses her trauma. People just don't bounce back after four years of total isolation (though fictional characters often skip over the 'dealing with trauma' part) and I think it's refreshing that the author wrote a character who is struggling with it, rather than brushing it off and skipping merrily on her way.
There's a lot of good stuff going on in here, consent-wise too. It's way-to-common in romance books to see a hero 'stealing a kiss' and watching the heroine refuse then give in with a sigh. (For all those in the know, that's icky) When that sort of thing happens in this book, it's pointed out as bad, as it should be. At one point Naomi is angry that all she's thought of is a womb, when she has years of training as a soldier that is summarily dismissed because of who she is and what her role in life is 'supposed' to be. And she has a right to be angry. I enjoyed the way the author has set up the world of the Redwood Rebel for change and that she's created a character who seems very capable of creating that change. There are good discussions about gender roles and societal norms (all wrapped up in the story, not laid out in over-the-top lectures) and it would be a great book for young women and men to read to see how ridiculous a lot of our notions about gender really are.
I loved Naomi's confidence, her struggles to deal with her trauma, and her consistent desire to be independent.
Aside from some punctuation/grammar issues, I thought the book was fantastic and I can't wait for the next book in the series so I can find out what happens. (Here's hoping Naomi rules the world as an independant leader...that's all I can say without spoilering.)
October 12, 2015
This book is a phenomenal grilled cheese lunch plate. That's high praise.
No, really, it is. Stick with me here. First it's important to understand the joy of comfort foods. They are the humble meals made without pretension or wild ambitions. They are reliable, they're familiar, and they don't demand much from your palate or your pocketbook. Even a grilled cheese sandwich made with bland "cheese food" or gooey, tasteless bread will fill that particular hole in my life that craves fatty, salty, crunchy, melty goodness.
When comfort foods transcend their humble origins and low expectations, it's an occasion worth celebrating. Get out the party hats and noisemakers, folks. Lorna George shakes up all the classic tropes (this princess prefers to rescue herself, thank you very much!) and keeps the plotting lively with a light hand on the action and a great ear for dialogue.
Redwood Rebel is a great twist on the standard take-back-the-kingdom adventure tale. The main characters have to navigate their way through a forest full of dangers natural and unnatural, all the while dealing with awkward forced alliances, major cultural differences, and personality clashes.
This was truly a satisfying read for me: a filling, tasty treat I finished much faster than I intended.I want another one, right now, but I can be patient. The book wraps up with the clear expectation of sequels.
No, really, it is. Stick with me here. First it's important to understand the joy of comfort foods. They are the humble meals made without pretension or wild ambitions. They are reliable, they're familiar, and they don't demand much from your palate or your pocketbook. Even a grilled cheese sandwich made with bland "cheese food" or gooey, tasteless bread will fill that particular hole in my life that craves fatty, salty, crunchy, melty goodness.
When comfort foods transcend their humble origins and low expectations, it's an occasion worth celebrating. Get out the party hats and noisemakers, folks. Lorna George shakes up all the classic tropes (this princess prefers to rescue herself, thank you very much!) and keeps the plotting lively with a light hand on the action and a great ear for dialogue.
Redwood Rebel is a great twist on the standard take-back-the-kingdom adventure tale. The main characters have to navigate their way through a forest full of dangers natural and unnatural, all the while dealing with awkward forced alliances, major cultural differences, and personality clashes.
This was truly a satisfying read for me: a filling, tasty treat I finished much faster than I intended.I want another one, right now, but I can be patient. The book wraps up with the clear expectation of sequels.
April 29, 2017
A fairly standard fantasy-rebellion plot that gets upstaged by the FANTASTIC culture-clash romantic subplot. Seriously, most of the time when the romantic leads come from different fantasy-lands, one culture is "good/educated" and the other is "evil/savage," or sometimes, even, they're portrayed as civilized/backwards on the sole axis of modern feminist ideals.
Don't get me wrong, I want women to be empowered, but if you want to make a culture "bad" just by making it not-feminist, that's a lazy way out. Dig deeper, or at least work out the full implications of how your "bad" society would effectively govern and function, please.
Anyway, I'll step down from my soapbox now.
Here, some standard fantasy tropes are subverted, especially regarding virginity, both male and female (yay!)--and neither Naomi's nor Arun's cultural biases are wrong, they're just different. I feel like I've been waiting to see a romance like this one FOREVER, and they're not even really together yet! (More, please. I want to see how these two stubborn babies reconcile their differences.)
The one major flaw I saw in this work was the weak villains. Adrienne's only two character traits are being spoiled and stupid, and Cygnus is an underdeveloped behind-the-scenes manipulator type who uses her to gain power. There's a lot of potential there, but they never feel as authentic as Naomi or Arun.
That being said, I still had a hell of a good time reading this.
Don't get me wrong, I want women to be empowered, but if you want to make a culture "bad" just by making it not-feminist, that's a lazy way out. Dig deeper, or at least work out the full implications of how your "bad" society would effectively govern and function, please.
Anyway, I'll step down from my soapbox now.
Here, some standard fantasy tropes are subverted, especially regarding virginity, both male and female (yay!)--and neither Naomi's nor Arun's cultural biases are wrong, they're just different. I feel like I've been waiting to see a romance like this one FOREVER, and they're not even really together yet! (More, please. I want to see how these two stubborn babies reconcile their differences.)
The one major flaw I saw in this work was the weak villains. Adrienne's only two character traits are being spoiled and stupid, and Cygnus is an underdeveloped behind-the-scenes manipulator type who uses her to gain power. There's a lot of potential there, but they never feel as authentic as Naomi or Arun.
That being said, I still had a hell of a good time reading this.
September 10, 2016
1.5 stars.
5 stars for a really great interrogation of the patriarchy. That part was awesome. There were some pretty good monsters, too.
1/2 a star for the basic premise, lack of story editing, lack of line-editing, the gaping plot-holes, the weak-sauce prose, structure, characterization, elisions, pacing, gross redundancies, nonsensical naming conventions, and the unforgivable sin of making the central plot the unwanted romance rather than Naomi's own action plot. Doing so puts the central drive of Naomi's story into the grabby hands of the man she's trying to escape and further robs her of agency in her own story: we never see HER hopes and dreams, only what Arun wants.
There are a handful of easy ways in which she could gain some allies to protect her. Or she could simply fail to prevent the copious deadly creatures of the forest from killing the guy who forced marriage on her. A simple and elegant solution! Why wouldn't she? She's happy enough to kill other humans. It's entirely within her power to kill him directly and then use her magic to disappear forever. She's a warrior; she trained from age 5 in killing. So, again, why wouldn't she? A good story editor would have asked that, and the text would have given us a decent answer.
Also, it bugs me that none of the characters involved seems to realize the rape that opens the book is a multiple level crime. Naomi is coerced into consenting, which nulls the consent. Arun is drugged into believing he's consummating a marriage rite to another person entirely, and which sex magic results in a life-long soul bond (though he hasn't told anyone that and is thus perpetrating non-con soul bonding). Point being that drugged consent is not consent, and also Arun getting sexually exploited by Swan-guy doesn't exculpate Arun for the non-con soul bonding. And, last, god only knows what Adrienne went through for five years at the hands of the dastardly villain, the deliberate callback (because monsters from Greek myth) to Leda and the Swan, aka the most celebrated rape myth ever. We know she's allegedly "crazy", but Swan-guy could be poisoning Adrienne with crazy-making wine, evil magic, etc., etc., etc. There's no unbiased narrator there to say otherwise. All we know for sure is Cygnus is a dick.
Which begs the question: why is the premise of this book so fucking rapey? It didn't need to be THIS rapey to get across that these characters are stuck in a quagmire of toxic masculinity that wants to destroy them all.
Although, honestly, why on earth would Swan-guy have let Naomi leave the kingdom alive? That implies he has a basic sense of morality that the rest of the book totally disproves. A dude that murders an entire royal family doesn't just let the (literal! *facepalm*) "magical starving orphan trauma-survivor princess" simply walk away after keeping her alone in an underground cell for five entire years. Honestly, wtf? Swan-guy WOULDN'T, per his characterization. And also, narratively, this is Naomi's book: girl's gotta establish her skills. That means sneak or fight her way out, not just execute two slightly inconvenient guards on the road to prove she can fire a crossbow. Hello, way to fail your protagonist, narrative.
Oh, also. Queer-interest tag for a trans-woman supporting character and a brother coded as something other than 100% het. So, 5 stars for the feminist and LGBTQ politics...while the rest could have been fixed by even a minimally demanding editor.
5 stars for a really great interrogation of the patriarchy. That part was awesome. There were some pretty good monsters, too.
1/2 a star for the basic premise, lack of story editing, lack of line-editing, the gaping plot-holes, the weak-sauce prose, structure, characterization, elisions, pacing, gross redundancies, nonsensical naming conventions, and the unforgivable sin of making the central plot the unwanted romance rather than Naomi's own action plot. Doing so puts the central drive of Naomi's story into the grabby hands of the man she's trying to escape and further robs her of agency in her own story: we never see HER hopes and dreams, only what Arun wants.
There are a handful of easy ways in which she could gain some allies to protect her. Or she could simply fail to prevent the copious deadly creatures of the forest from killing the guy who forced marriage on her. A simple and elegant solution! Why wouldn't she? She's happy enough to kill other humans. It's entirely within her power to kill him directly and then use her magic to disappear forever. She's a warrior; she trained from age 5 in killing. So, again, why wouldn't she? A good story editor would have asked that, and the text would have given us a decent answer.
Also, it bugs me that none of the characters involved seems to realize the rape that opens the book is a multiple level crime. Naomi is coerced into consenting, which nulls the consent. Arun is drugged into believing he's consummating a marriage rite to another person entirely, and which sex magic results in a life-long soul bond (though he hasn't told anyone that and is thus perpetrating non-con soul bonding). Point being that drugged consent is not consent, and also Arun getting sexually exploited by Swan-guy doesn't exculpate Arun for the non-con soul bonding. And, last, god only knows what Adrienne went through for five years at the hands of the dastardly villain, the deliberate callback (because monsters from Greek myth) to Leda and the Swan, aka the most celebrated rape myth ever. We know she's allegedly "crazy", but Swan-guy could be poisoning Adrienne with crazy-making wine, evil magic, etc., etc., etc. There's no unbiased narrator there to say otherwise. All we know for sure is Cygnus is a dick.
Which begs the question: why is the premise of this book so fucking rapey? It didn't need to be THIS rapey to get across that these characters are stuck in a quagmire of toxic masculinity that wants to destroy them all.
Although, honestly, why on earth would Swan-guy have let Naomi leave the kingdom alive? That implies he has a basic sense of morality that the rest of the book totally disproves. A dude that murders an entire royal family doesn't just let the (literal! *facepalm*) "magical starving orphan trauma-survivor princess" simply walk away after keeping her alone in an underground cell for five entire years. Honestly, wtf? Swan-guy WOULDN'T, per his characterization. And also, narratively, this is Naomi's book: girl's gotta establish her skills. That means sneak or fight her way out, not just execute two slightly inconvenient guards on the road to prove she can fire a crossbow. Hello, way to fail your protagonist, narrative.
Oh, also. Queer-interest tag for a trans-woman supporting character and a brother coded as something other than 100% het. So, 5 stars for the feminist and LGBTQ politics...while the rest could have been fixed by even a minimally demanding editor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 20, 2015
Lorna George takes all of the perhaps expected elements of the fantasy genre (dragons, harpies, kings, princesses) and turns them on their head. The princess kicks butt, the king is pretty much out of his element, and the dragon—well you'll have to read it and see. For me the best element of the book is how flawed the characters are. Both Naomi and Arun are pig-headed and, unlike the standard romantic trope, his sweet gestures are rebuffed and highlighted as what they really are — his attempt at dominance. Oh he doesn't mean no harm, like most men, but he has to stop and think about how he treats women. By the end I almost loathed him as much as she did.
The Redwood Rebel is cleverly crafted and throughly enjoyable.
The Redwood Rebel is cleverly crafted and throughly enjoyable.
October 12, 2015
So much love for this fun, fast, feminist fantasy romance. Great leads, both Naomi and Arun: likeable but flawed and real. Delights in both fantasy and romance tropes, flipping them this way and that. A terrific ending, too! Recommended for fans of historical romances, romance in general, and especially lovers of fantasy-with-love.
July 7, 2016
Cover is sooo pretty and... yeah, thats all.
January 12, 2018
Honestly this book felt like it wanted to flip fantasy sexism the middle finger but I spent so much time wondering why the fuck the characters made the choices they did and disliking them that I couldn’t enjoy the supposed subversion. The only non frustrating characters weren’t in screen long and the romance had no real chemistry but was a huge main plot line so accordingly I was bored by the end. Not very interested in how this wraps up.
Want to read
October 28, 2021COVER COVER COVER COVER
Read
May 6, 2025she needs to get a restraining order against the dragon guy jfc
January 24, 2016
Naomi was a princess, once. Before her cousin Adrienne usurped the Redwood throne, murdered their family, and threw Naomi into the deepest part of the deepest dungeon, she was heir to the throne of Ffion. Naomi has been there for three years, periodically tortured, nearly starved, and longing for just one glimpse of the sun. When Adrienne’s henchman comes to offer her a chance at escape, Naomi can only expect treachery—and she’s right.
Arun is the king of far-distant Koren. His land is prosperous and thriving, and he needs only one thing: a wife to bear his royal heirs. Despite his counselor’s insistence, he agrees to marry Adrienne because she’s the closest thing he can find to an appropriate bride. But when his people’s traditional wedding-night magic goes wrong, it casts both Arun and Naomi into a situation neither expected and a headlong flight for their lives.
I enjoyed this book. Naomi was my favorite part, and I’ll tell you why: she was very real. Many authors would expose their characters to horrible abuse at the hands of their enemies and then have them recover immediately. Naomi is a tough, capable lady, but she’s been through horrors, and her behaviors show it. She’s cold and angry at times, but she can also be fiercely loving. She’s complicated. She’s no Sarah Connor, who’s lost her femininity in the face of the pressures of war. She’s been weakened by pain, and though she’s brittle, there’s something very relatable about her. Arun is pretty good, too. He’s a decent enough guy, but he’s internalized a lot more of his society’s worldview than he realizes. They have a long way to go before they can be friends, let alone anything more.
The world, I would say, was pretty standard, the magic system was above par, and some of the imagery was downright great. These things were kind-of a vehicle for the story’s message. To tell the truth, that was the only thing I really had any qualms about. Sometimes, the message was so strong it drowned out the story. It’s a good message, and one I whole-heartedly support, but I felt like the story was a little subordinate to it at times.
In short, it was an interesting and enjoyable addition to the fantasy genre. I’m not sorry I paid for this book, and I’d absolutely pay for the next one. So if you love a strong but flawed heroine and a charming but overbearing hero, I’d recommend checking this one out.
Arun is the king of far-distant Koren. His land is prosperous and thriving, and he needs only one thing: a wife to bear his royal heirs. Despite his counselor’s insistence, he agrees to marry Adrienne because she’s the closest thing he can find to an appropriate bride. But when his people’s traditional wedding-night magic goes wrong, it casts both Arun and Naomi into a situation neither expected and a headlong flight for their lives.
I enjoyed this book. Naomi was my favorite part, and I’ll tell you why: she was very real. Many authors would expose their characters to horrible abuse at the hands of their enemies and then have them recover immediately. Naomi is a tough, capable lady, but she’s been through horrors, and her behaviors show it. She’s cold and angry at times, but she can also be fiercely loving. She’s complicated. She’s no Sarah Connor, who’s lost her femininity in the face of the pressures of war. She’s been weakened by pain, and though she’s brittle, there’s something very relatable about her. Arun is pretty good, too. He’s a decent enough guy, but he’s internalized a lot more of his society’s worldview than he realizes. They have a long way to go before they can be friends, let alone anything more.
The world, I would say, was pretty standard, the magic system was above par, and some of the imagery was downright great. These things were kind-of a vehicle for the story’s message. To tell the truth, that was the only thing I really had any qualms about. Sometimes, the message was so strong it drowned out the story. It’s a good message, and one I whole-heartedly support, but I felt like the story was a little subordinate to it at times.
In short, it was an interesting and enjoyable addition to the fantasy genre. I’m not sorry I paid for this book, and I’d absolutely pay for the next one. So if you love a strong but flawed heroine and a charming but overbearing hero, I’d recommend checking this one out.
May 10, 2017
This must be one of the most unabashedly feminist novels I've ever had the pleasure to read. As a huge fan of Tamora Pierce's Alanna quartet (the novels that made me fall in love with fantasy), reading a heroine as self assured and as badass as Alanna made me so, so, happy!
The novel begins with Naomi (the badass in question) being offered release from years of torture and imprisonment, in return for helping her captors. What follows is a fun, lively blend of take-back-the-kingdom, escape-the-bad-guys, and learning-to-deal-with-arrogant-Kings. George is clearly a talented writer, and kept me turning pages fast and furious. The plotting is very balanced and the characters well thought out, Naomi especially. She's tough, she's damaged, and she doesn't apologise for who she is AT ALL. She's a great role model for young adult readers, in my opinion, and doesn't hesitate to stick up for herself and call out those who cross her. The only (tiny) niggle I had was that I couldn't quite believe she had been a high ranking soldier and commander at such a young age.
I also LOVED her relationship with the story's male protagonist, Arun. Though Arun wasn't quite as well defined a character as Naomi, their dialogue was always snappy, and there was a very well thought out development both of their individual characters and of their relationship. I really appreciated that there was no love triangle, no sudden dawning of lust, and no putting up with somewhat dodgy behaviour from the man (all sadly recurring in so many YA fantasies). The ending especially had me swooning, though perhaps not in the way you might think.
The only tiny criticism I have is that there were often slightly waffley paragraphs from either characters POV. George is a great writer, and was easily able to show me what was happening - there was no need to so explicitly tell me what her writing and her characters had already conveyed more subtley.
George has built a solid foundation of her magical land, Ilios, with her debut novel, and I'm so so excited to explore the countries across the sea in the following installments of this lovely series. Tsumetai has me super pumped!
The novel begins with Naomi (the badass in question) being offered release from years of torture and imprisonment, in return for helping her captors. What follows is a fun, lively blend of take-back-the-kingdom, escape-the-bad-guys, and learning-to-deal-with-arrogant-Kings. George is clearly a talented writer, and kept me turning pages fast and furious. The plotting is very balanced and the characters well thought out, Naomi especially. She's tough, she's damaged, and she doesn't apologise for who she is AT ALL. She's a great role model for young adult readers, in my opinion, and doesn't hesitate to stick up for herself and call out those who cross her. The only (tiny) niggle I had was that I couldn't quite believe she had been a high ranking soldier and commander at such a young age.
I also LOVED her relationship with the story's male protagonist, Arun. Though Arun wasn't quite as well defined a character as Naomi, their dialogue was always snappy, and there was a very well thought out development both of their individual characters and of their relationship. I really appreciated that there was no love triangle, no sudden dawning of lust, and no putting up with somewhat dodgy behaviour from the man (all sadly recurring in so many YA fantasies). The ending especially had me swooning, though perhaps not in the way you might think.
The only tiny criticism I have is that there were often slightly waffley paragraphs from either characters POV. George is a great writer, and was easily able to show me what was happening - there was no need to so explicitly tell me what her writing and her characters had already conveyed more subtley.
George has built a solid foundation of her magical land, Ilios, with her debut novel, and I'm so so excited to explore the countries across the sea in the following installments of this lovely series. Tsumetai has me super pumped!
May 29, 2016
This is the sort of book I wish I'd read at age fourteen, because I would have loved it. The plot would have intrigued me, the villains annoyed me. Not the mention the cover's to die for, the sort of book one wants to read in public just to show it off. But alas, all I can see are logic holes.
I wanted to like this book, and expected I would. Alas, I did not, nor would I recommend it to any reader who is not a diehard sword and sorcery fan willing to overlook its many faults.
It needs editing. Not line edits--I could not fault it for punctuation or grammar--but the kind of editing that strikes out the frequent adverbs, changes the tell to show, and clears up confusing sentences like "Cygnus presented himself as a suitor to her father, Lord Zachariah of Roseberry..." Cygnus was courting her father? Of course not, but that's what that sentence says. There were also quite a few redundancies littered throughout the text as information was given, then repeated two or three times within a paragraph. I believe that good editing would clean up these problems and present a much sleeker text.
But along with tropes like magical virginity, being in solitary confinement for years with no mental effects upon the character (and strikingly few physical ones--using a bow, even a crossbow, two days after being released from near-starvation, really?), and a villain who is all cackle and no brains, it's a story in need of fresh air and a dose of logic. Who casts an all-important marriage spell in total darkness? The answer should be, "Nobody," but of course that isn't the case. Plots should not depend on people ceasing to use their brains.
While I applaud the author for creating a story that many have enjoyed, I wish that a few more drafts had been undertaken before this book was released. Not only would that have made it a more concise story, but deletion of excess words would have allowed the fleshing out of characters and the creation of genuine emotion.
Did not finish, stopped at the bit where we met the dragon.
I wanted to like this book, and expected I would. Alas, I did not, nor would I recommend it to any reader who is not a diehard sword and sorcery fan willing to overlook its many faults.
It needs editing. Not line edits--I could not fault it for punctuation or grammar--but the kind of editing that strikes out the frequent adverbs, changes the tell to show, and clears up confusing sentences like "Cygnus presented himself as a suitor to her father, Lord Zachariah of Roseberry..." Cygnus was courting her father? Of course not, but that's what that sentence says. There were also quite a few redundancies littered throughout the text as information was given, then repeated two or three times within a paragraph. I believe that good editing would clean up these problems and present a much sleeker text.
But along with tropes like magical virginity, being in solitary confinement for years with no mental effects upon the character (and strikingly few physical ones--using a bow, even a crossbow, two days after being released from near-starvation, really?), and a villain who is all cackle and no brains, it's a story in need of fresh air and a dose of logic. Who casts an all-important marriage spell in total darkness? The answer should be, "Nobody," but of course that isn't the case. Plots should not depend on people ceasing to use their brains.
While I applaud the author for creating a story that many have enjoyed, I wish that a few more drafts had been undertaken before this book was released. Not only would that have made it a more concise story, but deletion of excess words would have allowed the fleshing out of characters and the creation of genuine emotion.
Did not finish, stopped at the bit where we met the dragon.
December 30, 2015
The Redwood Rebel by Lorna George is an epic fantasy that pulled me in and kept me glued to my iPad until I finished it. If you love strong female characters, then look no further than Naomi. Naomi has suffered in a way most people wouldn’t survive, and it has given her strength, resiliency, and a focus on righting the wrongs that have been done. When she finds herself in a marriage she never agreed to, Naomi has no intent of submitting to the arrangement. Instead, she explains to Arun how he is treating her as someone less than his equal just because she’s a female. There were several times while I was reading that I thought, “You tell him, Naomi!” However, Arun isn’t a bad guy; his culture is different, and he truly has no idea that he’s not treating Naomi as he should be. I really enjoyed the focus on diversity and gender equality that the book had. I think it added a layer of depth to the fantasy story without taking anything away from it. The magic and fantasy creatures were exciting, and I had no trouble finding myself in the middle of the magical forest. The one thing I will mention for those who don’t like to wait is that the book does end on a cliffhanger, and the second one isn’t out yet. However, I have faith it’ll be worth the wait if it’s as good as this one! I definitely recommend reading this book.
April 10, 2016
Lorna George creates a world where the young Naomi has to struggle to survive, thrown into situations that she has no control over so she has to find ways to cope. Lorna weaves a magical story in a new world. If you love a paranormal story then I would recommend this to you. Can't wait to get my hands on the next installments.
In the aftermath of civil war, the people of Ffion starve. Trade has dwindled, harvests have failed, and only the cruel and corrupt thrive. The few who could have fled the forest continent for other lands, but most remain, trapped by poverty and love for their homeland.
Far beneath Chloris Castle, the rebel Naomi has been incarcerated since the tyrannical Princess Adrienne stole the Redwood Throne. Starved of light and warmth for the past four years, only Naomi’s rage and determination have kept her going, as she both fears and yearns for death’s release.
In a violent sweep of fate, she is dragged back into the light once more. The Princess and her Councillor hope to use her as a pawn against the powerful Dragon King of Koren. Faced with an almost impossible choice, Naomi strikes a deal with her captors that will set her free at last.
Unfortunately, she soon finds she has taken on much more than she bargained for.
In the aftermath of civil war, the people of Ffion starve. Trade has dwindled, harvests have failed, and only the cruel and corrupt thrive. The few who could have fled the forest continent for other lands, but most remain, trapped by poverty and love for their homeland.
Far beneath Chloris Castle, the rebel Naomi has been incarcerated since the tyrannical Princess Adrienne stole the Redwood Throne. Starved of light and warmth for the past four years, only Naomi’s rage and determination have kept her going, as she both fears and yearns for death’s release.
In a violent sweep of fate, she is dragged back into the light once more. The Princess and her Councillor hope to use her as a pawn against the powerful Dragon King of Koren. Faced with an almost impossible choice, Naomi strikes a deal with her captors that will set her free at last.
Unfortunately, she soon finds she has taken on much more than she bargained for.
January 24, 2016
This is one of those books that once you read it, you wonder why everyone hasn't read it. I totally fell in love with Naomi and Arun, and in fact the entire cast of characters. I love the way the world-building was subtly weaved into the story-telling. The characters were all well-rounded and interesting. None of the good were wholly good, none of the bad purely evil except .
There were times that the two mains frustrated me and I wanted to smack their heads together, but at the same time, I think it does a good job presenting a genuine clash of cultures. And I have to say, if you want a real feminist heroine, well then Naomi is your girl.
And .
My only disappointment is that book two isn't already out. I need more of this world!
There were times that the two mains frustrated me and I wanted to smack their heads together, but at the same time, I think it does a good job presenting a genuine clash of cultures. And I have to say, if you want a real feminist heroine, well then Naomi is your girl.
And .
My only disappointment is that book two isn't already out. I need more of this world!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 2, 2015
This was truly a masterpiece. I am so thoroughly entranced with the different plot devices, both political and personal. I think I've been enchanted by the main characters' - quirks, perks, faults and all; and am eagerly waiting the sequel.
(The tumblr advertisement for the book was brilliant and awesome.)
(The tumblr advertisement for the book was brilliant and awesome.)
January 22, 2016
I'm hurt that so many of my reviews have seemed to disappear from goodreads. Especially for this book.
I loved this book from the start. It opens with intrigue and wonder, and just boom...takes off.
I don't remember what I originally wrote, but I know I love this book so much I would recommend it hole heartedly.
Where is #2? I'm impatient.
I loved this book from the start. It opens with intrigue and wonder, and just boom...takes off.
I don't remember what I originally wrote, but I know I love this book so much I would recommend it hole heartedly.
Where is #2? I'm impatient.
September 3, 2018
I LOVED THIS BOOK! *-* Back when it first came out, I actually had the opportunity to purchase the Kindle version, which is my go-to for reading now. The plot is unique to me, has strong characters, and is all-around kickass. :) It seems like the series will continue at some point, and if it does, you best believe I will buy them as soon as they're on the market! :D
December 9, 2016
I *really* wanted to fall face first in this book and adore it. Strong take no shit woman lead, magic and fantasy just how I like it. But, and I don't know whether it triggered me personally and I'm overanalyzing, but the interaction between Arun and Naomi each time made my neck hair stand on end and my flight instincts to scream.
March 22, 2016
This was *amazing* and completely addicting. Recommended for fans of Naomi Novik, Sarah J. Maas and Grace Draven. A more coherent review will follow, in the meantime I just need to process the awesomeness.
Want to read
December 1, 2015Was loading up my more money on my amazon account especially to buy this book when I noticed it was FREE on Kindle to day ☺http://www.amazon.com/The-Redwood-Reb... 1 Dec 2015
June 8, 2016
I LOVE this book. Naomi is a stunning lead, reminding me of other iconic female leads like Katniss and Celaena. Tie in a fantastic main character with an unusual premise and the little awesome that is DRAGONS and, well, you have The Redwood Rebel. READ IT.
July 7, 2016
This book was utterly fantastic, engrossing, and just...wow. Lorna George is a goddess of words, and I adore Naomi and how you should how simple two cultures can clash while neither thinks they are in the wrong. this was beyond well done.
July 23, 2016
It took me days to read the first chapter and then I flew through it. I loved the world building and the characters. I really love that it showed the common things that guys do that are sexist that are not always noticed. I really loved it and I can't wait for the nest one.
December 21, 2015
This book was so refreshing! I loved the adventure and just absolutely fell in love with the characters. I cannot wait to read the next book!
December 9, 2015
Rating
Great book, right up there on the list soon to be a classic cult. Everything was as action packed as anyway recently read book. Very much looking forward to the sequel!!!!
Great book, right up there on the list soon to be a classic cult. Everything was as action packed as anyway recently read book. Very much looking forward to the sequel!!!!
February 10, 2016
It took a few chapters for me to warm to this story. The author paces herself, and I was truly rewarded for continuing!
May 18, 2016
A delightful read
Filled with action, great characters, a budding romance, magic, and even a dragon! Looking eagerly forward to the next installment.
Filled with action, great characters, a budding romance, magic, and even a dragon! Looking eagerly forward to the next installment.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews