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The Bright & the Pale Duology #1
The Bright & the Pale
Seventeen-year-old Valeria is one of the only survivors of the freeze, a dark magical hold Knnot Mountain unleashed over her village. Everyone, including her family, is trapped in an unbreakable sheet of ice. Ever since, she’s been on the run from the Czar, who is determined to imprison any who managed to escape. Valeria finds refuge with the Thieves Guild, doing odd jobs with her best friend Alik, the only piece of home she has left.
That is, until he is brutally murdered.
A year later, she discovers Alik is alive and being held against his will. To buy his freedom, she must lead a group of cutthroats and thieves on a perilous expedition to the very mountain that claimed her family. Only something sinister slumbers in the heart of Knnot.
And it has waited years for release.
That is, until he is brutally murdered.
A year later, she discovers Alik is alive and being held against his will. To buy his freedom, she must lead a group of cutthroats and thieves on a perilous expedition to the very mountain that claimed her family. Only something sinister slumbers in the heart of Knnot.
And it has waited years for release.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published March 2, 2021
100 people are currently reading
14524 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Rubinkowski
4 books225 followersJessica Rubinkowski grew up in the fields of Illinois beside a haunted house. A fan of never sitting still, she picked up Scottish dancing, horseback riding, and general herb lore. Now, when not creating fantastical words to throw her characters into, she can be found baking or gardening. She lives in Central Illinois with her family and far too many pets to keep track of.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 685 reviews
March 8, 2021
i see some readers have tagged this as a retelling. even after looking at other reviews and doing some googling, i cant tell you what its a retelling of. to me, this just feels more inspired by russian folklore and myth in general, not a specific story.
regardless, its that influence that kept me reading. i like the atmospheric tone it lends to the story - i think this tale of the pale and bright gods has a good blend of mystery, magic, and danger.
i also think the plot itself is interesting and the characters have some depth to them. overall, this has a lot of things going for it, but i just couldnt quite connect with this story as much as i was hoping to. cant really put my finger on whats preventing me from feeling anything more than just a basic enjoyment, but i have no doubt that other readers will love this.
↠ 3.5 stars
regardless, its that influence that kept me reading. i like the atmospheric tone it lends to the story - i think this tale of the pale and bright gods has a good blend of mystery, magic, and danger.
i also think the plot itself is interesting and the characters have some depth to them. overall, this has a lot of things going for it, but i just couldnt quite connect with this story as much as i was hoping to. cant really put my finger on whats preventing me from feeling anything more than just a basic enjoyment, but i have no doubt that other readers will love this.
↠ 3.5 stars
September 17, 2020
I’m giving this a five stars because, well, it’s my book. I hope everyone enjoys it!
April 24, 2021
I’m tired of getting these beautiful books and they aren’t my cup of tea!!
I loved Alik a lot and was hoping there would be more stuff with him but there just wasn’t much of anything. Whatever! I’m glad for those that loved it!!
My March FairyLoot Box! Click on the spoiler under the picture to see the goodies! I love everything in this box!! Fingers crossed for the beautiful book!!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
I loved Alik a lot and was hoping there would be more stuff with him but there just wasn’t much of anything. Whatever! I’m glad for those that loved it!!
My March FairyLoot Box! Click on the spoiler under the picture to see the goodies! I love everything in this box!! Fingers crossed for the beautiful book!!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
August 28, 2022
Very generic and predictable YA fantasy
April 24, 2021
I'd say that despite the slow start, the book actually started out quite promising and gradually worsened for me.
In the beginning, there was nothing bad about it, I was enjoying it even if I didn't exactly know where it was going. The writing is quite good, and flows well; I was flying through the pages. I was interested in the plot and the story, and I was rooting for Valeria and Alik before I even met them because of the art of the reverse of the dust jacket of the Fairyloot edition. It's absolutely beautiful and the way they've drawn both Valeria and Alik is stunning. I still have no idea who the random guys on the right of that same art are though.
I would've enjoyed the story a lot more if I had been at least 5 years younger and less well-read when it comes to YA. I don't say this with any ill intentions, it's just the truth. I know that the younger me would have enjoyed the book and especially loved the end, while the present me really didn't like the end even though it was supposed to be the best part. Instead, I experienced real bad second-hand embarrassment from it.
I don't really know how to explain my problem with the book because it isn't necessarily bad but to me, the story seems both too short and too long for the length of this novel. On the one side, it just seemed like a very short story for the first book that low-key dragged in the middle and it's just over 300 pages long... But on the other side, it also seems too long for just 300 pages because of everything the author tried to include.
So the result, in my opinion, became something of a well-constructed story with a clear beginning, middle, and end and under-developed everything else. I also lost interest a little over halfway through because of Valeria's attitude which was described as a "temper".
Here are some of the things I think should have been developed a bit more.
1. The romance - The author herself said that she struggled with the romance and my question to that is: Why did you write romance if you struggled with it? You could've either made them already a couple, therefore you only need to show us how strong their relationship is, or you could've just made them best friends forever and the story could've focused on the challenges their friendship faces after they were reunited.
What we got instead was both an under-developed friendship and an underdeveloped romance. Why the friendship? Because we are always told they are best friends but we are never shown. Since Valeria was already in love with Alik, we just knew her feelings from the very beginning. They also didn't exactly behave like friends... or if they did, that must have been a very dysfunctional friendship because they would always argue first and talk later. I swear, since they reunited, not even 20 pages would pass before they had another argument. It was either because they didn't talk or because Valeria didn't listen, or because of Alik's insecurities.
In other words, not a very convincing romance, albeit cute at times. And when they did confess, it was so anticlimactic, like at that point I felt to chemistry and I wished they had stayed just friends... or maybe worked through their issues. And I still don't know if they are still in a relationship or not.
I did find Alik's behavior a tiny bit annoying since he was supposed to be her best friend but the amount of trust he gave her was just as much as my enjoyment of this book...which wasn't a lot.
Their loyalty (here and there) for each other was cute and I wish we could've seen more of that. They do care about each other and I think if they had stayed friends, it would've been much better because I would've been able to feel their chemistry.
2. The characters - the book is written in the first person and therefore, we already have a very limited view of the world and everything else. I did not care for any of the characters, but on top of that, everybody else but Valeria wasn't even developed. For example, we only know the basics about each character: motivation + aim, and nothing else. Some of them even showed some personality from time to time but that so-called personality was expressed through either a kind gesture from Chinua, who is the best one out of all of them, or through Serafima's racism toward Valeria for no reason whatsoever. What a wonderful cast. They were kind of like extras.
Alik wasn't much better even though he is supposed to be the love interest. I do not have any reason to root for him as a friend or love interest. If I didn't have that art on the dust jacket, I wouldn't even like him.
3. The magic? - The magic was hinted at, but it was never exclusively there. We knew that one of the gods has a champion but nothing is explained about it. Somehow this champion can help overtake this horrible Czar but we never know why or how. We never know what is this champion and why a god needs a champion, and what this champion can do, and how are they special.
Like, don't get me wrong, there was magic, but it was never shown that people could have it? It was more so about the mysterious freezing of Valeria's village and this weird monster in the mines, rather than your typical magic. So imagine my surprise when
As I mentioned earlier, I lost interest in the book a little over halfway through because of all of this AND because Valeria would argue with absolutely everybody and their grandmother every 20 pages or so. Sometimes it would make sense, other times it was so obviously done for the word count. I didn't like that at all because most of the time, it could have been resolved if the characters (any of them) had just listened. Chinua was the only one who didn't argue with anybody because she barely spoke. I feel like she was only there so the cast wouldn't be all straight, it feels absolutely terrible to say, but she barely had any meaningful lines.
To be honest, I would've enjoyed this book a lot more if there hadn't been as much meaningless arguing because it definitely took away from my enjoyment of the book. I would've even been able to overlook the 3 points I made earlier and the second-hand embarrassment if it wasn't for that damn arguing.
As a whole, the story was interesting, I liked the mystery around the frozen village and the overall concept but I did not enjoy the execution. Luiza also ended up being quite irrelevant even though she was pretty much the reason why everything happened. It's kind of funny but not really.
In the beginning, there was nothing bad about it, I was enjoying it even if I didn't exactly know where it was going. The writing is quite good, and flows well; I was flying through the pages. I was interested in the plot and the story, and I was rooting for Valeria and Alik before I even met them because of the art of the reverse of the dust jacket of the Fairyloot edition. It's absolutely beautiful and the way they've drawn both Valeria and Alik is stunning. I still have no idea who the random guys on the right of that same art are though.
I would've enjoyed the story a lot more if I had been at least 5 years younger and less well-read when it comes to YA. I don't say this with any ill intentions, it's just the truth. I know that the younger me would have enjoyed the book and especially loved the end, while the present me really didn't like the end even though it was supposed to be the best part. Instead, I experienced real bad second-hand embarrassment from it.
I don't really know how to explain my problem with the book because it isn't necessarily bad but to me, the story seems both too short and too long for the length of this novel. On the one side, it just seemed like a very short story for the first book that low-key dragged in the middle and it's just over 300 pages long... But on the other side, it also seems too long for just 300 pages because of everything the author tried to include.
So the result, in my opinion, became something of a well-constructed story with a clear beginning, middle, and end and under-developed everything else. I also lost interest a little over halfway through because of Valeria's attitude which was described as a "temper".
Here are some of the things I think should have been developed a bit more.
1. The romance - The author herself said that she struggled with the romance and my question to that is: Why did you write romance if you struggled with it? You could've either made them already a couple, therefore you only need to show us how strong their relationship is, or you could've just made them best friends forever and the story could've focused on the challenges their friendship faces after they were reunited.
What we got instead was both an under-developed friendship and an underdeveloped romance. Why the friendship? Because we are always told they are best friends but we are never shown. Since Valeria was already in love with Alik, we just knew her feelings from the very beginning. They also didn't exactly behave like friends... or if they did, that must have been a very dysfunctional friendship because they would always argue first and talk later. I swear, since they reunited, not even 20 pages would pass before they had another argument. It was either because they didn't talk or because Valeria didn't listen, or because of Alik's insecurities.
In other words, not a very convincing romance, albeit cute at times. And when they did confess, it was so anticlimactic, like at that point I felt to chemistry and I wished they had stayed just friends... or maybe worked through their issues. And I still don't know if they are still in a relationship or not.
I did find Alik's behavior a tiny bit annoying since he was supposed to be her best friend but the amount of trust he gave her was just as much as my enjoyment of this book...which wasn't a lot.
Their loyalty (here and there) for each other was cute and I wish we could've seen more of that. They do care about each other and I think if they had stayed friends, it would've been much better because I would've been able to feel their chemistry.
2. The characters - the book is written in the first person and therefore, we already have a very limited view of the world and everything else. I did not care for any of the characters, but on top of that, everybody else but Valeria wasn't even developed. For example, we only know the basics about each character: motivation + aim, and nothing else. Some of them even showed some personality from time to time but that so-called personality was expressed through either a kind gesture from Chinua, who is the best one out of all of them, or through Serafima's racism toward Valeria for no reason whatsoever. What a wonderful cast. They were kind of like extras.
Alik wasn't much better even though he is supposed to be the love interest. I do not have any reason to root for him as a friend or love interest. If I didn't have that art on the dust jacket, I wouldn't even like him.
3. The magic? - The magic was hinted at, but it was never exclusively there. We knew that one of the gods has a champion but nothing is explained about it. Somehow this champion can help overtake this horrible Czar but we never know why or how. We never know what is this champion and why a god needs a champion, and what this champion can do, and how are they special.
Like, don't get me wrong, there was magic, but it was never shown that people could have it? It was more so about the mysterious freezing of Valeria's village and this weird monster in the mines, rather than your typical magic. So imagine my surprise when
As I mentioned earlier, I lost interest in the book a little over halfway through because of all of this AND because Valeria would argue with absolutely everybody and their grandmother every 20 pages or so. Sometimes it would make sense, other times it was so obviously done for the word count. I didn't like that at all because most of the time, it could have been resolved if the characters (any of them) had just listened. Chinua was the only one who didn't argue with anybody because she barely spoke. I feel like she was only there so the cast wouldn't be all straight, it feels absolutely terrible to say, but she barely had any meaningful lines.
To be honest, I would've enjoyed this book a lot more if there hadn't been as much meaningless arguing because it definitely took away from my enjoyment of the book. I would've even been able to overlook the 3 points I made earlier and the second-hand embarrassment if it wasn't for that damn arguing.
As a whole, the story was interesting, I liked the mystery around the frozen village and the overall concept but I did not enjoy the execution. Luiza also ended up being quite irrelevant even though she was pretty much the reason why everything happened. It's kind of funny but not really.
January 27, 2019
My. God. THIS FUCKING BOOK. I’m reading an early version and holy. Shit. 😭😭😭 THE ENDING BROKE ME AND I SHALL NOT RECOVERRR
December 8, 2020
Huge thanks to Edelweiss and Quill Tree Books for continuing to be a source of enjoyment for me!
I never know how to start reviews where the books did not jibe with me. On one side, I want to vent about all the things that bugged me, but on the other side I know what its like as an author and how much work is put into writing a novel. So, I'll try to be as gracious and professional as possible so if my words come off rude, it is not intentional, and I respect all authors and the work they do.
The book centers around Valeria, the only survivor of a strange freeze that obliterates her entire town and family. Now, she works at a thieves guild, and grieves over the loss of her friend and partner. After a botched mission, she finds out that Alik is alive, and that in order to save his life, she must accompany a band of strangers back to the home she vowed never to return to.
Valeria, as a character, was your typcial YA heroine. She has a troubled past, and is barely getting by. She's haunted by those she lost, and trying so hard to see a future beyond the place she is currently. I did not have many problems with her, other than her not being set apart from other heroines I've read before. She was OK.
I had a hard time with the romance. Found love is always a great thing to read, for me, but this one fell a bit flat. I was trying my best to understand where Alik was coming from. I mean, the boy's been through some stuff. He's seen some stuff. But the way he treat Valeria, with his constant aplogizing when he said some d&*k things reminded me of an ex-boyfriend who bordered on emotional abuse. I would have liked Alik is hsow a bit more emotion aka love toward Valeria so i could root for them. Mostly, I was screaming at Val to gtfo and find someone else.
I liked the world, but I would have liked a bit more about the land and its people other than the racism. What sets this place apart from other fantasy worlds? I have to say, I did like the idea of the two gods. They creeped me out. Every time I read "pale god," I thought of the pale man in Pan's Labyrinth and fell into a ptsd huddle under my covers.
Scariest. Movie. Scene. Ever.
I digress...
I'm a sucker for Russian folklore...or folklore in general because it forces me to step outside of my bubble. The concept of this book is unique in itself, but adding on that layer of world-building really spiced it up for me.
The ending was tragically and deliciously like everything I want from a YA book. WHAT JUST HAPPENED??? With the new introductions, I can see the sequel being awesome.
To close out, I really did like the premise of the book, but overall it did not hit all the beats for me. I know some amazing readers who will enjoy it, and I hope Jessica has an amazing release day.
I never know how to start reviews where the books did not jibe with me. On one side, I want to vent about all the things that bugged me, but on the other side I know what its like as an author and how much work is put into writing a novel. So, I'll try to be as gracious and professional as possible so if my words come off rude, it is not intentional, and I respect all authors and the work they do.
The book centers around Valeria, the only survivor of a strange freeze that obliterates her entire town and family. Now, she works at a thieves guild, and grieves over the loss of her friend and partner. After a botched mission, she finds out that Alik is alive, and that in order to save his life, she must accompany a band of strangers back to the home she vowed never to return to.
Valeria, as a character, was your typcial YA heroine. She has a troubled past, and is barely getting by. She's haunted by those she lost, and trying so hard to see a future beyond the place she is currently. I did not have many problems with her, other than her not being set apart from other heroines I've read before. She was OK.
I had a hard time with the romance. Found love is always a great thing to read, for me, but this one fell a bit flat. I was trying my best to understand where Alik was coming from. I mean, the boy's been through some stuff. He's seen some stuff. But the way he treat Valeria, with his constant aplogizing when he said some d&*k things reminded me of an ex-boyfriend who bordered on emotional abuse. I would have liked Alik is hsow a bit more emotion aka love toward Valeria so i could root for them. Mostly, I was screaming at Val to gtfo and find someone else.
I liked the world, but I would have liked a bit more about the land and its people other than the racism. What sets this place apart from other fantasy worlds? I have to say, I did like the idea of the two gods. They creeped me out. Every time I read "pale god," I thought of the pale man in Pan's Labyrinth and fell into a ptsd huddle under my covers.
Scariest. Movie. Scene. Ever.
I digress...
I'm a sucker for Russian folklore...or folklore in general because it forces me to step outside of my bubble. The concept of this book is unique in itself, but adding on that layer of world-building really spiced it up for me.
The ending was tragically and deliciously like everything I want from a YA book. WHAT JUST HAPPENED??? With the new introductions, I can see the sequel being awesome.
To close out, I really did like the premise of the book, but overall it did not hit all the beats for me. I know some amazing readers who will enjoy it, and I hope Jessica has an amazing release day.
June 3, 2021
Dancing bears, painted wings, things I almost remember. And a song someone sings, once upon a December...
The Bright & the Pale definitely gave me Anastasia vibes. I'm not even complaining on bit about it either because now I seriously need to drop everything and watch the dang movie. So it's super safe to assume that I enjoyed this book a whole lot. I mean any book that gives me a movie vibe from my childhood is already off to a good start.
Now the worldbuilding and the adventure itself was pretty easy to devour. Ever since the beginning, I was so intrigued with the gods and the mysterious mountain. Mostly because of what lies within it. As for the characters, in it you will meet Val. She is such a bad ass little thief and works for a guild. Things haven't been the same since her best friend and partner, Alik, died. So when she gets information that he's actually alive? Well, she's suspicious but willing to see it for her own eyes.
Along the way, lots of secrets and betrayals come out to play. So many for my brain to keep track of but in a way, it made things that happened in the beginning make a whole lot more sense. Honestly, don't trust anyone in this book because something will eventually come out that will slightly blow your mind. Or maybe that's just me.
Other than that, the romance was okay but it wasn't my main focus. I feel like the entire gang, which definitely gave me some little found family vibes, was more important. Plus the whole mysterious mountain filled with scary creatures.
After that ending, though, I'm not sure what to say or think. I'm obviously down to dive into the next book because I'm hoping for more action. Like an epic battle maybe? Not sure. Plus I want revenge on everyone that betrayed Val. OH, and a family reunion - PLEASE?!
Okay, so I want a lot of things in the next book and that's why I need it! The waiting game is already killing me.
January 4, 2022
“Fear the mountain, my dear. Fear the dark depths and the cold halls. Fear the call. For when the mountain sinks its teeth into you, it will never let you go.”
TW: blood, childhood trauma, death, death of a family member, discrimination, genocide, (fictional) racial slurs, racism, sexual assault, war, work camps.
Actual Rating: 3.5✶
First read of 2022 complete!
I enjoyed this! It had a bit of a slow-start and there were times I found myself losing interest, but it always picked up again. I think this might have been the fault of the length, as this is a pretty short fantasy book. It was almost like it thought it had more pages than it actually did.
The world and its mythology were easily my favorite things about this book. The Russian folklore inspiration really elevated it. I'm an atmospheric driven reader anyway and travelling through a frozen Russian-esque inspired wasteland to the backdrop of a war between brother gods is just... literally right up my alley.
However, I will say, it wasn't the most unique or fleshed out of books. While I don't think this would be a problem for most, older YA readers might find it a bit redundant. The world and the mystery, make up for it- in my opinion. I also feel like if you go into it expecting as much, you'll find it a really enjoyable, cozy read.
After that ending, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what direction the author takes the story in book 2.
TW: blood, childhood trauma, death, death of a family member, discrimination, genocide, (fictional) racial slurs, racism, sexual assault, war, work camps.
Actual Rating: 3.5✶
First read of 2022 complete!
I enjoyed this! It had a bit of a slow-start and there were times I found myself losing interest, but it always picked up again. I think this might have been the fault of the length, as this is a pretty short fantasy book. It was almost like it thought it had more pages than it actually did.
The world and its mythology were easily my favorite things about this book. The Russian folklore inspiration really elevated it. I'm an atmospheric driven reader anyway and travelling through a frozen Russian-esque inspired wasteland to the backdrop of a war between brother gods is just... literally right up my alley.
However, I will say, it wasn't the most unique or fleshed out of books. While I don't think this would be a problem for most, older YA readers might find it a bit redundant. The world and the mystery, make up for it- in my opinion. I also feel like if you go into it expecting as much, you'll find it a really enjoyable, cozy read.
After that ending, I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what direction the author takes the story in book 2.
February 13, 2024
it was just boring af, I didn't care about any of the characters or the plot
June 21, 2021
You can also read my review here: https://devouringbooks2017.wordpress....
Review: 3 Stars
The Bright and the Pale is a fast paced YA fantasy that I enjoyed reading. This is the type of fantasy book that is perfect to read when you still want a fantasy, but you don’t want a 600 page intricate story. It was fun and readable, but it also had some darker aspects to it that I really enjoyed. It was really atmospheric and made for a perfect winter read.
I am addicted to stories that have a heist plot or a criminal main character and this book delivered on both aspects. The heist kept me on my toes and made for an interesting plot. But I love criminal main characters because they tend to be morally grey. In this book all of Valeria’s actions wit the Thieves Guild are justifiable and the book doesn’t really explore morality, which is something I love to see explored in books with main characters who do some morally questionable stuff.
The world is really atmospheric and you can almost feel the cold while reading it. I thought that the two Gods were interesting, but I would have liked the world building to feel a little more fleshed out. The plot was pretty cool and the pacing kept moving which made for a really fast read. But the characters had very little personality to them and just felt really flat. I didn’t find myself emotionally invested in this story at all.
The Bright & the Pale is a fast paced YA fantasy that delivers a heist plot, but the book failed to get me emotionally invested. The characters had no personality at all and for a book about a thief it didn’t touch on the topic of morality at all and excused all of her actions because of poverty. Several days after reading this book I could hardly remember what it was about and I don’t really care what happens next. This book was entertaining in the moment, but it wasn’t memorable and the characters had no depth to them.
Review: 3 Stars
The Bright and the Pale is a fast paced YA fantasy that I enjoyed reading. This is the type of fantasy book that is perfect to read when you still want a fantasy, but you don’t want a 600 page intricate story. It was fun and readable, but it also had some darker aspects to it that I really enjoyed. It was really atmospheric and made for a perfect winter read.
I am addicted to stories that have a heist plot or a criminal main character and this book delivered on both aspects. The heist kept me on my toes and made for an interesting plot. But I love criminal main characters because they tend to be morally grey. In this book all of Valeria’s actions wit the Thieves Guild are justifiable and the book doesn’t really explore morality, which is something I love to see explored in books with main characters who do some morally questionable stuff.
The world is really atmospheric and you can almost feel the cold while reading it. I thought that the two Gods were interesting, but I would have liked the world building to feel a little more fleshed out. The plot was pretty cool and the pacing kept moving which made for a really fast read. But the characters had very little personality to them and just felt really flat. I didn’t find myself emotionally invested in this story at all.
The Bright & the Pale is a fast paced YA fantasy that delivers a heist plot, but the book failed to get me emotionally invested. The characters had no personality at all and for a book about a thief it didn’t touch on the topic of morality at all and excused all of her actions because of poverty. Several days after reading this book I could hardly remember what it was about and I don’t really care what happens next. This book was entertaining in the moment, but it wasn’t memorable and the characters had no depth to them.
March 4, 2021
This really disappointed me. I can see why it was compared to Shadow and Bone and even Six of Crows, and I would even say The Poppy War, but it fails where all other three succeed. The plot isn't the problem, it's the execution. I feel it's a lot of telling and not showing, and I never was that invested in the characters. The storytelling fell short, which was a shame because this actually had a lot of promise. It's also likened to The Bear and the Nightingale, and I completely disagree with that. Bear is a beautifully written tale. Though slow, it is descriptive and atmospheric. This is not its equal. Unfortunately it all just fell flat for me.
September 13, 2020
Beautifully written, highly atmospheric debut novel.
I really enjoyed this genre bending novel. The Bright and the Pale is part fantasy, part horror, and part thriller. It ticked all the boxes for me. The winter ambiance of the book was pronounced, and it was perfect for curling up with a warm cup of tea and a pine scented candle.
The author leads us through many twists and turns throughout the book. Everything is fast paced and interesting. I had a really hard time putting it down and finished it in less than two days, which is really fast for me. Most books take me 4-5 days to finish.
The characters were dynamic and human. I connected to them, and though I cared about what happened to them, the author was great about making sure we were not happy with all of their decisions.
With everything going on in the world right now, I have had some trouble concentrating on reading and being able to relax. This book was able to suck me in and give me a much needed distraction and rest. Though it does not say it on goodreads, I believe that this is the first book in a series. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next, and reading other books from this new author.
Thank you netgalley for gifting me a copy of this magical book in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this genre bending novel. The Bright and the Pale is part fantasy, part horror, and part thriller. It ticked all the boxes for me. The winter ambiance of the book was pronounced, and it was perfect for curling up with a warm cup of tea and a pine scented candle.
The author leads us through many twists and turns throughout the book. Everything is fast paced and interesting. I had a really hard time putting it down and finished it in less than two days, which is really fast for me. Most books take me 4-5 days to finish.
The characters were dynamic and human. I connected to them, and though I cared about what happened to them, the author was great about making sure we were not happy with all of their decisions.
With everything going on in the world right now, I have had some trouble concentrating on reading and being able to relax. This book was able to suck me in and give me a much needed distraction and rest. Though it does not say it on goodreads, I believe that this is the first book in a series. I am looking forward to finding out what happens next, and reading other books from this new author.
Thank you netgalley for gifting me a copy of this magical book in exchange for an honest review.
May 7, 2021
Interesting.
Okay, that ending had my kid looking at me like I was crazy. I couldn’t help but talk (maybe yell... just a little) at the book. It had me stressed out!
Overall, this book was decent but I did find myself at one point getting a little bored. I probably would have given it three stars, but the last five chapters were really exciting so I bumped it to four.
I do have to mention that this book has something that I have yet to see in YA adult fantasy. So we have our basic female MC who goes on a journey and is the “chosen one”...
BASIC right? Right. (Btw I love that type of trope)
BUT the male MC who is usually super strong, best sword fighter there is blah blah blah. (Again, I love that type of MC)
In this book the male MC was none of those things. He actually was a burden and slowed down the female MC at times. He really didn’t bring anything to the table, except being her companion. Which is cool because GIRL POWER!
I just thought I would mention it because I have never seen that before. I thought it was interesting and different.
Okay, that ending had my kid looking at me like I was crazy. I couldn’t help but talk (maybe yell... just a little) at the book. It had me stressed out!
Overall, this book was decent but I did find myself at one point getting a little bored. I probably would have given it three stars, but the last five chapters were really exciting so I bumped it to four.
I do have to mention that this book has something that I have yet to see in YA adult fantasy. So we have our basic female MC who goes on a journey and is the “chosen one”...
BASIC right? Right. (Btw I love that type of trope)
BUT the male MC who is usually super strong, best sword fighter there is blah blah blah. (Again, I love that type of MC)
In this book the male MC was none of those things. He actually was a burden and slowed down the female MC at times. He really didn’t bring anything to the table, except being her companion. Which is cool because GIRL POWER!
I just thought I would mention it because I have never seen that before. I thought it was interesting and different.
September 11, 2020
”Something is coming for us...”
Wowowwow.
I’m not going to lie, I had my doubts! Don’t get me wrong, it starts off strong here but I’ve been in a major book funk so I almost quit. *gasps* how could I?!
There was a point where I sat down to read and I turned the page and it just got so so good. Jessica is a VERY talented writer. Beautifully poetic. I could literally feel the cold of the mountains and the ice.
So fast forward to the middle where we get to the GOOD good stuff, and OMG. I was legit scared, you guys. I hid under the covers for a minute... I even cried a little bit at the end. I had a major flip flop of emotions all throughout. Which is my favorite kind of read!
A group of characters goes deep into the mines of a cursed mountain. That’s all you need to know! So spooky and vivid, I felt like I was IN the mountain too. Now, go forth and read this beauty.. and grab a blanket, you’re gonna need it!
Wowowwow.
I’m not going to lie, I had my doubts! Don’t get me wrong, it starts off strong here but I’ve been in a major book funk so I almost quit. *gasps* how could I?!
There was a point where I sat down to read and I turned the page and it just got so so good. Jessica is a VERY talented writer. Beautifully poetic. I could literally feel the cold of the mountains and the ice.
So fast forward to the middle where we get to the GOOD good stuff, and OMG. I was legit scared, you guys. I hid under the covers for a minute... I even cried a little bit at the end. I had a major flip flop of emotions all throughout. Which is my favorite kind of read!
A group of characters goes deep into the mines of a cursed mountain. That’s all you need to know! So spooky and vivid, I felt like I was IN the mountain too. Now, go forth and read this beauty.. and grab a blanket, you’re gonna need it!
April 17, 2021
World building was interesting but that’s all this book has going for it.
I didn’t care about any of the side characters and the MC Valeria was an absolute brat, her logic constantly flip-flopped and it was tedious.
I kept being told that she was some amazing military assassin or something but...where was that in the book? I couldn’t tell you.
A lot of telling and not a lot of showing.
The ending was frankly ridiculous and there were just too many conveniences throughout the book for me to suspend my disbelief.
I refuse to DNF a Fairyloot book but wow there’s 5 hours of my life I will never get back.
I didn’t care about any of the side characters and the MC Valeria was an absolute brat, her logic constantly flip-flopped and it was tedious.
I kept being told that she was some amazing military assassin or something but...where was that in the book? I couldn’t tell you.
A lot of telling and not a lot of showing.
The ending was frankly ridiculous and there were just too many conveniences throughout the book for me to suspend my disbelief.
I refuse to DNF a Fairyloot book but wow there’s 5 hours of my life I will never get back.
April 24, 2021
For fans of Shadow and Bone or The Girl and the Stars.
Quite a formulaic YA Fantasy: entertaining and quick to read, but overall no big surprises, and feels very "familiair" if you've read more within the genre.
Quite a formulaic YA Fantasy: entertaining and quick to read, but overall no big surprises, and feels very "familiair" if you've read more within the genre.
Want to read
June 19, 2020June 19, 2020: After eyeing this fantasy for almost a year, the cover has just been revealed and I'm SO MUCH MORE EXCITED because truth is: blue book covers are underrated, and this one is so good.
July 24, 2019: Russian folkore?? Do I see Shadow & Bone as a comp title?? b l e s s e d
July 24, 2019: Russian folkore?? Do I see Shadow & Bone as a comp title?? b l e s s e d
July 2, 2023
"The Bright and The Pale" presents readers with an intriguing premise, but unfortunately, it falls victim to predictability, hindering its potential to truly shine. While it has its moments, the book ultimately fails to deliver the surprises and twists that would have elevated it beyond the expected.
The novel follows the story of Valeria as she embarks on a quest in a world shrouded in mystery and danger. The initial setup promises an exciting journey with elements of magic and a unique setting. The concept of a pale world juxtaposed against a bright one adds an interesting visual contrast, providing a promising foundation for a captivating story.
However, one of the main drawbacks of "The Bright and The Pale" is its predictability. The plot unfolds along familiar lines, adhering closely to established tropes and formulas often found in young adult fantasy. As a result, readers familiar with the genre may find themselves anticipating major plot points and character developments well in advance, diminishing the element of surprise and reducing the overall impact of the story.
Additionally, the character development in the book leaves something to be desired. While the main character shows potential for growth, the supporting characters often lack depth and fail to leave a lasting impression. Their actions and motivations can feel predictable and, at times, inconsistent, which limits the reader's investment in their journeys.
The writing style is generally solid, with descriptions that paint a vivid picture of the world. However, there are instances where the pacing feels uneven, with slower sections that hinder the momentum of the story. This can lead to a disjointed reading experience and impact the overall engagement with the narrative.
On a positive note, the world-building in "The Bright and The Pale" is one of its strengths. The author successfully creates a distinct and atmospheric setting, immersing readers in the pale and bright realms. The concept of a divided world and the exploration of its contrasting elements provide an intriguing backdrop for the story.
In conclusion, "The Bright and The Pale" holds promise with its unique premise and atmospheric world-building. However, the book's predictability and lack of character development prevent it from fully realizing its potential. While it may still appeal to readers seeking a familiar young adult fantasy experience, those looking for innovative twists and surprises may find themselves wanting more.
The novel follows the story of Valeria as she embarks on a quest in a world shrouded in mystery and danger. The initial setup promises an exciting journey with elements of magic and a unique setting. The concept of a pale world juxtaposed against a bright one adds an interesting visual contrast, providing a promising foundation for a captivating story.
However, one of the main drawbacks of "The Bright and The Pale" is its predictability. The plot unfolds along familiar lines, adhering closely to established tropes and formulas often found in young adult fantasy. As a result, readers familiar with the genre may find themselves anticipating major plot points and character developments well in advance, diminishing the element of surprise and reducing the overall impact of the story.
Additionally, the character development in the book leaves something to be desired. While the main character shows potential for growth, the supporting characters often lack depth and fail to leave a lasting impression. Their actions and motivations can feel predictable and, at times, inconsistent, which limits the reader's investment in their journeys.
The writing style is generally solid, with descriptions that paint a vivid picture of the world. However, there are instances where the pacing feels uneven, with slower sections that hinder the momentum of the story. This can lead to a disjointed reading experience and impact the overall engagement with the narrative.
On a positive note, the world-building in "The Bright and The Pale" is one of its strengths. The author successfully creates a distinct and atmospheric setting, immersing readers in the pale and bright realms. The concept of a divided world and the exploration of its contrasting elements provide an intriguing backdrop for the story.
In conclusion, "The Bright and The Pale" holds promise with its unique premise and atmospheric world-building. However, the book's predictability and lack of character development prevent it from fully realizing its potential. While it may still appeal to readers seeking a familiar young adult fantasy experience, those looking for innovative twists and surprises may find themselves wanting more.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Want to read
April 17, 2021I absolutely seem to love this cover!, I have do idea why?, also I barely know what’s books about!, but I can’t wait to read it now!
January 13, 2022
Bright and Pale Review
WITH SPOILERS!!!!!!
This review is my thoughts, concerns, and emotions while reading this book. If you don’t like that, please move along.
I really like the setting, but I wish there was a map. Valeria is kind of like a young Inej. Valeria is the only character I can connect with so I hope further on the characters become more personal.
I’m pretty sure there is a mole in the guild because to many soldiers are appearing at right time. Sketchy.
Ivan is interesting and I am curious about him.
Chinua seems to be sweet.
I do like that Valeria knows she is unable to help and isn’t risking her life, but I also don’t love how sorry she feels for herself.
Page-74
I love Alik sooo much!!! Is he going to be a cinnamon roll or are we going to get a broody love interest??? I think the scares will only add to his attraction. But I love the friends to hopefully lovers- it’s been awhile.
Page 102-
Everyone has so many secrets. I do not like Serafima at all. And Alik doesn’t seem to be as good as I thought he’d be. Many love interest but I have doubts now. The world building I really good. I would rate it a solid 4 right now.
Page 133-
THEY ALMOST KISSED AND OF COURSE IT WAS INTERRUPTED!!!! Ok, but I have a thought- could she be a champion of one of the gods???? Like the cave is warm and ice went away from her when she was a child. Maybeeeee… also Alik has my whole heart now- I love him to pieces.
On page 135 i found an error. Chinua says something and it isn’t quoted. This is the first time I’ve ever caught one.
Page 159-
I feel like Luiza is going to betray Valeria, but I really don’t want it to happen. It always does in books- that leader finds better power or makes sure to MC reaches their potential so the leader blocks out other distractions. I’m kinda sad though.
Halfway through and it’s a 4.5 rating now.
So I finished it late last night and was so into it I forgot to take notes. I really enjoyed it all! I knew Luiza was going to betray Valeria, but I’m still so sad about it.
I also and really happy Alik and Valeria are together, but I feel like they never really make progress in arguments. They fight- Alik says something sweet- Valeria starts to cry- they make up without any really communication.
I knew she would be the Pale God’s champion and I’m really liking him, but now she’s powerdrunk. And all she wants to do and kill everyone who hurt her and the entire kingdom. Like now someone is going to have to stop her and I’m very excited for the next book. Defiantly a five star rating now!
WITH SPOILERS!!!!!!
This review is my thoughts, concerns, and emotions while reading this book. If you don’t like that, please move along.
I really like the setting, but I wish there was a map. Valeria is kind of like a young Inej. Valeria is the only character I can connect with so I hope further on the characters become more personal.
I’m pretty sure there is a mole in the guild because to many soldiers are appearing at right time. Sketchy.
Ivan is interesting and I am curious about him.
Chinua seems to be sweet.
I do like that Valeria knows she is unable to help and isn’t risking her life, but I also don’t love how sorry she feels for herself.
Page-74
I love Alik sooo much!!! Is he going to be a cinnamon roll or are we going to get a broody love interest??? I think the scares will only add to his attraction. But I love the friends to hopefully lovers- it’s been awhile.
Page 102-
Everyone has so many secrets. I do not like Serafima at all. And Alik doesn’t seem to be as good as I thought he’d be. Many love interest but I have doubts now. The world building I really good. I would rate it a solid 4 right now.
Page 133-
THEY ALMOST KISSED AND OF COURSE IT WAS INTERRUPTED!!!! Ok, but I have a thought- could she be a champion of one of the gods???? Like the cave is warm and ice went away from her when she was a child. Maybeeeee… also Alik has my whole heart now- I love him to pieces.
On page 135 i found an error. Chinua says something and it isn’t quoted. This is the first time I’ve ever caught one.
Page 159-
I feel like Luiza is going to betray Valeria, but I really don’t want it to happen. It always does in books- that leader finds better power or makes sure to MC reaches their potential so the leader blocks out other distractions. I’m kinda sad though.
Halfway through and it’s a 4.5 rating now.
So I finished it late last night and was so into it I forgot to take notes. I really enjoyed it all! I knew Luiza was going to betray Valeria, but I’m still so sad about it.
I also and really happy Alik and Valeria are together, but I feel like they never really make progress in arguments. They fight- Alik says something sweet- Valeria starts to cry- they make up without any really communication.
I knew she would be the Pale God’s champion and I’m really liking him, but now she’s powerdrunk. And all she wants to do and kill everyone who hurt her and the entire kingdom. Like now someone is going to have to stop her and I’m very excited for the next book. Defiantly a five star rating now!
Want to read
August 27, 2020My darling The Bear and the Nightingale along with one of my fav worlds of the Grishaverse??
yes . . . so much yes
yes . . . so much yes
February 16, 2022
This book is like a blend of WW 2 (or the modern things going on in China right now with the Uyghurs) mixed with Ice Like Fire by Sara Raasch. We have internment camps, persecution towards one select group of people & death. And these select people are from a snowy region in the kingdom, which is how it feels similar to Ice Like Fire, but we have champions chosen by the two brother gods in place of magical conduits.
I'm feeling this one gets a 3.5-3.75 stars
I enjoyed the plot with the history of its gods woven in with some decent intrigue. The big reveals though I'd predicted pretty early on so none of that came as a shock. But over all the plot flows really well and it's a good read.
I hate to say though that I didn't really manage to connect to the characters for most of the book even though they were all decently developed. I was just emotionally detached from them for most of the time. The only one I sort of connected with was Valeria our main character, but even with her it took a good portion of the book, and I still found her rather frustrating at times lol. Her anger and distrust of everyone else mirrored mine, so we were in sync on that :) Well, and I liked Chinua and sympathized with her for her lot in life chosen by other people.
The world never felt very developed other than the mining town of Ludminka. Everywhere else the characters were at prior to that was rather sparsely described/fleshed out. And I know the main focus was to get to the mountain of Knnot which is where everything began, but I'm really hoping with get the world of Strana more fully formed in the next.
I am very curious to see where things go in the next book Wrath & Mercy with that intriguing title and with how this one finished with Val
I'm feeling this one gets a 3.5-3.75 stars
I enjoyed the plot with the history of its gods woven in with some decent intrigue. The big reveals though I'd predicted pretty early on so none of that came as a shock. But over all the plot flows really well and it's a good read.
I hate to say though that I didn't really manage to connect to the characters for most of the book even though they were all decently developed. I was just emotionally detached from them for most of the time. The only one I sort of connected with was Valeria our main character, but even with her it took a good portion of the book, and I still found her rather frustrating at times lol. Her anger and distrust of everyone else mirrored mine, so we were in sync on that :) Well, and I liked Chinua and sympathized with her for her lot in life chosen by other people.
The world never felt very developed other than the mining town of Ludminka. Everywhere else the characters were at prior to that was rather sparsely described/fleshed out. And I know the main focus was to get to the mountain of Knnot which is where everything began, but I'm really hoping with get the world of Strana more fully formed in the next.
I am very curious to see where things go in the next book Wrath & Mercy with that intriguing title and with how this one finished with Val
July 24, 2022
⤏ What to expect:
∘ Young Adult Fantasy
∘ Romance
∘ Mystery and a drop of horror
∘ Inspired by the Russian Folklore
⤏ Tropes:
∘ Friends to Lovers
∘ Chosen One
⤏ Plot
A group of characters going on a journey deep into the mines of a cursed mountain, without knowing what's lurking in there - spooky atmosphere.
The plot was interesting and I liked the world, the history and the mystery.
⤏ Characters & Romance
Unfortunately, I disliked the characters and the fact that the romance was one of the things the book focused on 😬 The romance was so poorly made ... and the love interest was nothing special, not that it needs to be, but he was such a flat character, not much personality and I just didn't feel the *spark* between him and the MC.
⤏ Conclusion
I was excited for this book and what it promised, but I was disappointed. I won't continue the series.
∘ Young Adult Fantasy
∘ Romance
∘ Mystery and a drop of horror
∘ Inspired by the Russian Folklore
⤏ Tropes:
∘ Friends to Lovers
∘ Chosen One
⤏ Plot
A group of characters going on a journey deep into the mines of a cursed mountain, without knowing what's lurking in there - spooky atmosphere.
The plot was interesting and I liked the world, the history and the mystery.
⤏ Characters & Romance
Unfortunately, I disliked the characters and the fact that the romance was one of the things the book focused on 😬 The romance was so poorly made ... and the love interest was nothing special, not that it needs to be, but he was such a flat character, not much personality and I just didn't feel the *spark* between him and the MC.
⤏ Conclusion
I was excited for this book and what it promised, but I was disappointed. I won't continue the series.
July 30, 2021
This book had a rough start for me, but once it got going I couldn’t put it down! The plot is so interesting and i loved the pacing of the story.
What I’m not a fan of is the way things were forced to happen to keep the plot moving, and it was hard to envision some of the things going on because I thought it wasn’t descriptive enough when it needed to be. I guess I just feel a little lost within the world building.
I think it’s so entertaining though, and definitely a quick read. Not a whack ton of action, but enough things happening to keep you reading.
What I’m not a fan of is the way things were forced to happen to keep the plot moving, and it was hard to envision some of the things going on because I thought it wasn’t descriptive enough when it needed to be. I guess I just feel a little lost within the world building.
I think it’s so entertaining though, and definitely a quick read. Not a whack ton of action, but enough things happening to keep you reading.
April 17, 2021
I went back and forth over whether to give this two or three stars, and eventually decided on three because despite what I felt was lacking in the book, I enjoyed most of what was there.
The premise was very intriguing, but the world wasn't as flushed out as it could be. A lot of things were glossed over or the main group got out of problems a lot faster and easier than was plausible.
I did like Valeria, the main character as well as Chinua, one of the side characters. Valeria was relatable and human and had a strong voice. I would honestly love to know more about Chinua and her story, which was the most intriguing part of the book in my opinion; I feel like she needs a book of her own.
The romance was... okay. It's a friends to lovers premise, but moved a bit fast for my liking and the love interest himself was a bit lackluster; he was kind of boring, a little bland, and at times annoying.
All in all, it's a good book for a quick read, something to cleanse the palate before diving into something big or to read for relaxation after something with a little more grit.
The premise was very intriguing, but the world wasn't as flushed out as it could be. A lot of things were glossed over or the main group got out of problems a lot faster and easier than was plausible.
I did like Valeria, the main character as well as Chinua, one of the side characters. Valeria was relatable and human and had a strong voice. I would honestly love to know more about Chinua and her story, which was the most intriguing part of the book in my opinion; I feel like she needs a book of her own.
The romance was... okay. It's a friends to lovers premise, but moved a bit fast for my liking and the love interest himself was a bit lackluster; he was kind of boring, a little bland, and at times annoying.
All in all, it's a good book for a quick read, something to cleanse the palate before diving into something big or to read for relaxation after something with a little more grit.
March 4, 2021
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
3.5*
This is going to be a weird review, because I feel like I don't have a ton to say, but not in a bad way? I liked this story! I was entertained by this story! The characters were enjoyable, the world was quite atmospheric, and I wasn't bored. That said, I wasn't like, totally blown away either? But I don't even have a reason why, and that is irritating to me, as a person trying to explain things about this book.
I certainly felt for Valeria, she lost her whole family, and now she has what amounts to a bunch of people trying to manipulate her for their own gain, and she hasn't a clue who she should trust. That's rude of them, frankly. Like she hasn't been through enough, you know? So yeah, I was definitely rooting for her. I also really wanted her best friend Alik to be a person she could trust, I liked that she had someone that she felt like she knew.
I think perhaps the world building could have been a bit more fleshed out, but otherwise, it was a solidly entertaining, if somewhat typical, fantasy. Also, I am kind of digging the duology trend! I love that I can be invested in seeing the conclusion of a story through without having to worry about it happening 28 books in the future!
Bottom Line: An entertaining fantasy, one I will likely pick up the sequel to, especially to see how Valeria fares.
3.5*
This is going to be a weird review, because I feel like I don't have a ton to say, but not in a bad way? I liked this story! I was entertained by this story! The characters were enjoyable, the world was quite atmospheric, and I wasn't bored. That said, I wasn't like, totally blown away either? But I don't even have a reason why, and that is irritating to me, as a person trying to explain things about this book.
I certainly felt for Valeria, she lost her whole family, and now she has what amounts to a bunch of people trying to manipulate her for their own gain, and she hasn't a clue who she should trust. That's rude of them, frankly. Like she hasn't been through enough, you know? So yeah, I was definitely rooting for her. I also really wanted her best friend Alik to be a person she could trust, I liked that she had someone that she felt like she knew.
I think perhaps the world building could have been a bit more fleshed out, but otherwise, it was a solidly entertaining, if somewhat typical, fantasy. Also, I am kind of digging the duology trend! I love that I can be invested in seeing the conclusion of a story through without having to worry about it happening 28 books in the future!
Bottom Line: An entertaining fantasy, one I will likely pick up the sequel to, especially to see how Valeria fares.
July 25, 2021
Another one that sits in the middle ground. The Bright and the Pale wasn’t bad, but it didn’t grip me either. The main reason? This is so underdeveloped in the key elements: characters and world building.
So, there was a basic introduction to the folklore/myth of the Gods and the concept of the two brothers at war was given a little more depth toward the end but there just isn’t enough. I wanted to know more because this wasn’t only the most intriguing aspect but also a vital one to the story. Instead, I was left a little confused and didn’t understand the whole ‘champion’ element or how magic even seems to work in this world.
Then we have our cast of characters. Whether this is because it is told in first person or not, I’m not sure but we just never get to know our group of misfits outside of their base level introductions - the best friend turned love interest, the kind innocent one on the run from a dark past, the one with a possible ulterior motive and the mean one turned ally. This made it hard to connect with the characters and care about their progress in the story which in turn makes it hard to invest in the book as a whole.
Essentially it just falls a little short on most counts. Including the ending which I found to be rushed and muddled, not sure how I feel about reading the second/final book.
So, there was a basic introduction to the folklore/myth of the Gods and the concept of the two brothers at war was given a little more depth toward the end but there just isn’t enough. I wanted to know more because this wasn’t only the most intriguing aspect but also a vital one to the story. Instead, I was left a little confused and didn’t understand the whole ‘champion’ element or how magic even seems to work in this world.
Then we have our cast of characters. Whether this is because it is told in first person or not, I’m not sure but we just never get to know our group of misfits outside of their base level introductions - the best friend turned love interest, the kind innocent one on the run from a dark past, the one with a possible ulterior motive and the mean one turned ally. This made it hard to connect with the characters and care about their progress in the story which in turn makes it hard to invest in the book as a whole.
Essentially it just falls a little short on most counts. Including the ending which I found to be rushed and muddled, not sure how I feel about reading the second/final book.
November 5, 2021
⭐️ 2,5 sterren ⭐️
In principe een oké verhaal, met een heel tof concept. Dat er een plaag is, die bestaat uit een vrieskou en zo hele dorpen met mensen erin kan bevriezen! Super gaaf toch? Maar ik ben niet helemaal te spreken over de uitwerking. Ik heb het gevoel dat het boek te kort was om naast het verhaal ook nog recht te doen aan de lore. De goden en hun champions bleven voor mij een tijd lang best vaag. Ik snapte zeker driekwart van het boek niet echt de toevoeging hiervan.
De hoofdpersonage was ook een beetje een heethoofd. Ze dacht heel zwart wit en was vrij extreem met haar reacties. Hierdoor kon ik me niet echt met haar verbinden en irriteerde ik me vooral aan haar.
Super jammer, ik had gehoopt dat dit een boek voor mij zou zijn, zeker omdat het ook Russische invloeden had, ik hou daar echt van namelijk.
In principe een oké verhaal, met een heel tof concept. Dat er een plaag is, die bestaat uit een vrieskou en zo hele dorpen met mensen erin kan bevriezen! Super gaaf toch? Maar ik ben niet helemaal te spreken over de uitwerking. Ik heb het gevoel dat het boek te kort was om naast het verhaal ook nog recht te doen aan de lore. De goden en hun champions bleven voor mij een tijd lang best vaag. Ik snapte zeker driekwart van het boek niet echt de toevoeging hiervan.
De hoofdpersonage was ook een beetje een heethoofd. Ze dacht heel zwart wit en was vrij extreem met haar reacties. Hierdoor kon ik me niet echt met haar verbinden en irriteerde ik me vooral aan haar.
Super jammer, ik had gehoopt dat dit een boek voor mij zou zijn, zeker omdat het ook Russische invloeden had, ik hou daar echt van namelijk.
May 17, 2021
I Loved every part of this book. I'm so glad I received this in a book box! Cover was amazing. Writing was on point. Everything was greatly described, making it easy for me to paint a mental picture. Cannot wait for the next one!
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