What do you think?
Rate this book
Tolerant
Tovey is running for her life.
After escaping the collective, a bowman hunts the defector as she flees into the Tenbris before accepting her soul-crushing defeat as she returns to serve the kingdom of Abolend.
Tovey hears a prophecy that King Mallum has been secretly hunting the kingdom for a demon, prophesied to wreak chaos, with eerily similar details that describe her mysterious birth.
Desperate to outrun the dark forces that may be inside of her, Tovey flees the kingdom to protect the people and herself. Prince Cullus of Abolend strikes a deal with the creature he feared his entire life—her freedom in exchange for entering an enemy kingdom to stop the final war.
After escaping the collective, a bowman hunts the defector as she flees into the Tenbris before accepting her soul-crushing defeat as she returns to serve the kingdom of Abolend.
Tovey hears a prophecy that King Mallum has been secretly hunting the kingdom for a demon, prophesied to wreak chaos, with eerily similar details that describe her mysterious birth.
Desperate to outrun the dark forces that may be inside of her, Tovey flees the kingdom to protect the people and herself. Prince Cullus of Abolend strikes a deal with the creature he feared his entire life—her freedom in exchange for entering an enemy kingdom to stop the final war.
- GenresFantasy
380 pages, ebook
Published April 11, 2023
4 people are currently reading
2026 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
April 23, 2023
Tolerant
By C.J. Sparrow
I wish the author would put the new cover on Goodreads. That's what made me buy the book! It is awesome.
The book has excellent world building, although the world that is shown to the reader is horrible for the regular people in it. This is about a girl that is sent to a "Collective" as a baby. That is a place for unwanted children. She has a blindfold on her eyes when sent so everyone thinks she is blind, but in reality she has purple eyes.
There is a legend that says a demon will come with purple eyes and start the final war. The King is looking for this baby to kill it. He never thought to look there.
This book is so intense! So suspenseful! It's hard to figure out who is lying to her. The ending was Phenomenal!!! I have to get the next book! This will go in my favorite folder for sure!
By C.J. Sparrow
I wish the author would put the new cover on Goodreads. That's what made me buy the book! It is awesome.
The book has excellent world building, although the world that is shown to the reader is horrible for the regular people in it. This is about a girl that is sent to a "Collective" as a baby. That is a place for unwanted children. She has a blindfold on her eyes when sent so everyone thinks she is blind, but in reality she has purple eyes.
There is a legend that says a demon will come with purple eyes and start the final war. The King is looking for this baby to kill it. He never thought to look there.
This book is so intense! So suspenseful! It's hard to figure out who is lying to her. The ending was Phenomenal!!! I have to get the next book! This will go in my favorite folder for sure!
March 11, 2023
From the first moment we are in the action and get to learn the world first hand with out MC versus the first quarter of the book being world-building. While this book world-builds well, it is sprinkled throughout which I appreciated.
This book had amazing descriptions that left me able to completely envision the world. The writing style was action packed yet slowed down enough to let you see the world and the speed of the book was perfect. I loved the narration. Never was there a dull moment or a chapter without leaving you aching to turn the page for more. It never felt rushed yet I was never finding myself feeling like there was ever a pointless scene droning on for too long. Overall, great pacing.
The plot was exciting without being too complicated. The characters were multi-dimensional and left me wanting to read more and to learn more. Tovey is a mix of guilt twisted into doing what she feels is right and following what everyone else wants her to do and by the end we see her breaking free from this and on the other hand other characters have much brewing underneath that I want to see revealed in time. It was fun to read rapid character development over one book.
This book has magical powers, a prophecy, and a sub-plot of love...
This book is easy to read for a younger YA audience and miss the bigger points that are woven between the lines and the real cruelty this world has and the torture and hidden self of each individual person.
In terms of the love aspect of this book, I stan. Opposites find a common thread and have an innate pull toward each other as neither one has ever spoke to anyone who "gets it" before. It is teenage love to the core while wiser characters look in with skepticism. The rapid whirlwind of emotion is so fitting for that young love that leaves you feeling like pouring your heart out to someone you've known for a few days (or a month for our characters). I'm curious to see how this plays out.
The end was a whirlwind of action-packed chapters that revealed the prophecy, who our MC really is, what our love-interest feels, and leaves us needing to know more for book 2.
*Thank you to Net Galley for the Arc*
This book had amazing descriptions that left me able to completely envision the world. The writing style was action packed yet slowed down enough to let you see the world and the speed of the book was perfect. I loved the narration. Never was there a dull moment or a chapter without leaving you aching to turn the page for more. It never felt rushed yet I was never finding myself feeling like there was ever a pointless scene droning on for too long. Overall, great pacing.
The plot was exciting without being too complicated. The characters were multi-dimensional and left me wanting to read more and to learn more. Tovey is a mix of guilt twisted into doing what she feels is right and following what everyone else wants her to do and by the end we see her breaking free from this and on the other hand other characters have much brewing underneath that I want to see revealed in time. It was fun to read rapid character development over one book.
This book has magical powers, a prophecy, and a sub-plot of love...
This book is easy to read for a younger YA audience and miss the bigger points that are woven between the lines and the real cruelty this world has and the torture and hidden self of each individual person.
In terms of the love aspect of this book, I stan. Opposites find a common thread and have an innate pull toward each other as neither one has ever spoke to anyone who "gets it" before. It is teenage love to the core while wiser characters look in with skepticism. The rapid whirlwind of emotion is so fitting for that young love that leaves you feeling like pouring your heart out to someone you've known for a few days (or a month for our characters). I'm curious to see how this plays out.
The end was a whirlwind of action-packed chapters that revealed the prophecy, who our MC really is, what our love-interest feels, and leaves us needing to know more for book 2.
*Thank you to Net Galley for the Arc*
December 9, 2022
OMG! This was SO good. I couldn't put it down!
C.J. Sparrow has a writing style that keeps you engaged and has quick chapters that keep the story moving. There is rarely a dull moment and I love that!
Tovey, the female protag is such a breath of fresh air as a protagonist. She isn't particularly pretty, she isn't good at everything, she makes mistakes, and she debates some of the decisions she has made and goes back on a few. She has scars, inside and out. She is incredibly real and believable. The author does an amazing job showing how dark the world is and what horrors surround the MC that Tovey slowly starts to unwind as the story progresses without going so dark that it is off-putting. It is safe for younger teen readers to enjoy but has threads of despair that adults can pick up on in the subtext. So well done.
The male MC, Cullus, is frustrating and charming all in one. One moment I love him and the next I question his motives and I still can't tell which way he is leaning or what his true intentions are. Part of me thinks he doesn't even know what the heck he is doing himself. We get one chapter from Cullus's perspective which is super telling for how fiercely loyal he is despite the horrible mistakes he has made as well so I think that chapter gives me a hint about how he really feels despite his massive flaws. He is also broken by the system and I think that is why Tovey keeps having a soft spot for him.
I love that the author is keeping us in this state of "who can we trust" because I can imagine this is how the MC feels. I went back and forth the entire time and I loved not knowing! There were twists I didn't see coming, and I know the rest of the series is going to have me guessing and gasping. I want to know so bad. Ugh!
Tovey forgives easily, which was frustrating at times, but understandable because Tovey has never had a true friend and is legitimately alone in the world. She essentially grew up in a cult-like mentality and I'm sure that isn't easy for her to snap out of in the few months that the book takes place in. Her character growth from the beginning to the end of the story was monumental, and I still feel like she has so much to learn and grow from, and want to see this happen!
I love the two characters who are on opposite ends of society and have such common threads and feel pressure to be everything the world wants them to be, they struggle to find themselves. Despite being in a fantasy world I felt like I could relate to both. And Frilliam is quite possibly the best character ever! Not even kidding, I have no clue how the author made a horse have so much personality, it was the best and I loved all of his scenes. Cheers to Frilliam!
TLDR: The book has magic, secrets, and layers of deceit piled on top of each other with a subplot of romance or "infatuation" as Arden would call it. This story made me laugh out loud while also having heart-pounding fear for Tovey and bursts of anger at certain characters... Cough, cough, Cullus.
I need to see where this is going. The ending had me freaking out lol. WHAT!? I'm already waiting to devour the second book.
C.J. Sparrow has a writing style that keeps you engaged and has quick chapters that keep the story moving. There is rarely a dull moment and I love that!
Tovey, the female protag is such a breath of fresh air as a protagonist. She isn't particularly pretty, she isn't good at everything, she makes mistakes, and she debates some of the decisions she has made and goes back on a few. She has scars, inside and out. She is incredibly real and believable. The author does an amazing job showing how dark the world is and what horrors surround the MC that Tovey slowly starts to unwind as the story progresses without going so dark that it is off-putting. It is safe for younger teen readers to enjoy but has threads of despair that adults can pick up on in the subtext. So well done.
The male MC, Cullus, is frustrating and charming all in one. One moment I love him and the next I question his motives and I still can't tell which way he is leaning or what his true intentions are. Part of me thinks he doesn't even know what the heck he is doing himself. We get one chapter from Cullus's perspective which is super telling for how fiercely loyal he is despite the horrible mistakes he has made as well so I think that chapter gives me a hint about how he really feels despite his massive flaws. He is also broken by the system and I think that is why Tovey keeps having a soft spot for him.
I love that the author is keeping us in this state of "who can we trust" because I can imagine this is how the MC feels. I went back and forth the entire time and I loved not knowing! There were twists I didn't see coming, and I know the rest of the series is going to have me guessing and gasping. I want to know so bad. Ugh!
Tovey forgives easily, which was frustrating at times, but understandable because Tovey has never had a true friend and is legitimately alone in the world. She essentially grew up in a cult-like mentality and I'm sure that isn't easy for her to snap out of in the few months that the book takes place in. Her character growth from the beginning to the end of the story was monumental, and I still feel like she has so much to learn and grow from, and want to see this happen!
I love the two characters who are on opposite ends of society and have such common threads and feel pressure to be everything the world wants them to be, they struggle to find themselves. Despite being in a fantasy world I felt like I could relate to both. And Frilliam is quite possibly the best character ever! Not even kidding, I have no clue how the author made a horse have so much personality, it was the best and I loved all of his scenes. Cheers to Frilliam!
TLDR: The book has magic, secrets, and layers of deceit piled on top of each other with a subplot of romance or "infatuation" as Arden would call it. This story made me laugh out loud while also having heart-pounding fear for Tovey and bursts of anger at certain characters... Cough, cough, Cullus.
I need to see where this is going. The ending had me freaking out lol. WHAT!? I'm already waiting to devour the second book.
January 2, 2023
Thank you to Reedsy Discovery for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Tolerant by C.J. Sparrow
The synopsis of this novel on Reedsy Discovery was just enough to persuade me to pick it up and give it a shot. Worst case scenario: it would turn out to be a mediocre fantasy novel. Best case scenario: it would ensnare me into the depths of this world and the characters' hearts and never let me go. No one was more surprised than I was when I realized about 50 pages into this book, that it was quickly becoming my favorite book of the year.
This novel does not shy away from gruesome scenes, whether they include graphic physical violence, or intolerable treatment of children as slaves. We, the audience, are thrown into a world that is complicit in this cruelness, and a kingdom that weaves lies within half truths to stem the inevitable uprising.
The pace of this novel, I’d say for 75% of the book, is perfection. We follow our main character Tovey as she tries time and time again to escape her imminent death, oftentimes caused by her own inability to blend into her presumed station as a servant. I loved the anticipation of trying to guess Tovey’s next move, and whether she’d do the right thing or do the Tovey thing, and put herself at even more risk of torture or beheading.
The characters Tovey meets along the way were developed just enough that I cared about their situation in this kingdom, but not enough that I understood all of their motivations or conversations with Tovey. I loved that the reader, for most of the book, had the same understanding and world view of the kingdom as Tovey did. We were fed the same lies and half truths, and worked on that limited knowledge to make the best possible decisions to move forward.
I was both really excited and very surprised when the romance sprung up between Tovey and another character. She’s learning so much of this world from a brand new perspective (with her eyes wide open for the first time), that I just didn’t see this moment coming. While I really enjoyed the innocence of it, some of the consequential scenes that resulted from this relationship left an interesting residue as the story progressed.
The pacing towards the end of the novel felt a bit rushed. There were moments while reading that I thought, “Ah okay now it’s going to end,” but we had 3 or 4 major twists and plot points to get through within the span of one or two more chapters. I was immersed in the suspenseful ending, and cannot wait to read the next book in this series. I will be anticipating it, and championing this series for a long time to come. The magic system, prophetic lore, and a kingdom poised to enter a revolutionary war, are all elements of a truly exciting world that hinges on one special girl with purple eyes. A girl who grew up beaten into submission until even she believed she was no one.
Tolerant by C.J. Sparrow
The synopsis of this novel on Reedsy Discovery was just enough to persuade me to pick it up and give it a shot. Worst case scenario: it would turn out to be a mediocre fantasy novel. Best case scenario: it would ensnare me into the depths of this world and the characters' hearts and never let me go. No one was more surprised than I was when I realized about 50 pages into this book, that it was quickly becoming my favorite book of the year.
This novel does not shy away from gruesome scenes, whether they include graphic physical violence, or intolerable treatment of children as slaves. We, the audience, are thrown into a world that is complicit in this cruelness, and a kingdom that weaves lies within half truths to stem the inevitable uprising.
The pace of this novel, I’d say for 75% of the book, is perfection. We follow our main character Tovey as she tries time and time again to escape her imminent death, oftentimes caused by her own inability to blend into her presumed station as a servant. I loved the anticipation of trying to guess Tovey’s next move, and whether she’d do the right thing or do the Tovey thing, and put herself at even more risk of torture or beheading.
The characters Tovey meets along the way were developed just enough that I cared about their situation in this kingdom, but not enough that I understood all of their motivations or conversations with Tovey. I loved that the reader, for most of the book, had the same understanding and world view of the kingdom as Tovey did. We were fed the same lies and half truths, and worked on that limited knowledge to make the best possible decisions to move forward.
I was both really excited and very surprised when the romance sprung up between Tovey and another character. She’s learning so much of this world from a brand new perspective (with her eyes wide open for the first time), that I just didn’t see this moment coming. While I really enjoyed the innocence of it, some of the consequential scenes that resulted from this relationship left an interesting residue as the story progressed.
The pacing towards the end of the novel felt a bit rushed. There were moments while reading that I thought, “Ah okay now it’s going to end,” but we had 3 or 4 major twists and plot points to get through within the span of one or two more chapters. I was immersed in the suspenseful ending, and cannot wait to read the next book in this series. I will be anticipating it, and championing this series for a long time to come. The magic system, prophetic lore, and a kingdom poised to enter a revolutionary war, are all elements of a truly exciting world that hinges on one special girl with purple eyes. A girl who grew up beaten into submission until even she believed she was no one.
December 31, 2022
This book far exceeded my expectations!
The story was fast-paced and never dull. The stakes are incredibly high. I read this in an afternoon and was hanging on to every page until the end and the ending left me gasping in the best way! This book had me laugh out loud and actually feel panic, and fear for Tovey. Captivating with extensive world-building, high-fantasy elements, immersive scenes that let me feel like I was watching a movie, and there was so many plot/character nuances, deep character development and multi-layered levels to this story.
"How could a world with such unending beauty become so cruel?"
Tovey, the MC, is relatable. She struggles with decision making and often rethinks her choices. She is stronger than she realizes. She trusts to a fault and sees the good in everyone, even people who don't deserve it. She is so flawed, but the layers she has is multi-dimensional and I cannot believe the massive character growth she faced from start to finish.
Cullus, the Prince, isn't the most attractive person and people only yearn for him because he is the prince (ouch), he is flawed (BIG red-flags with this guy) and yet I admired and hated him. Cullus's struggle was intense. We get to see him question his place in society, his motives, and battle his heart versus his head. I LOVED learning that Cullus felt despite his title and power you'd think a prince has. Tovey recognizes this and empathizes with him.
This was such an interesting take on a complicated character that I hated to love.
"The two sat in near darkness, the faint embers glowing in a rhythmic pulse before them, the beating heart of the forest."
Relationships aren't perfect. People are flawed. And that doesn't mean we should give up on them. And this book captures this sentiment perfectly.
I was worried with a prophecy trope that it would be overplayed but I was obviously pleasantly surprised. So happy to have been able to read an ARC of Tolerant and give my honest opinion.
And the cover! There are birds BEHIND HER BACK! Love it. Can't wait for book 2.
The story was fast-paced and never dull. The stakes are incredibly high. I read this in an afternoon and was hanging on to every page until the end and the ending left me gasping in the best way! This book had me laugh out loud and actually feel panic, and fear for Tovey. Captivating with extensive world-building, high-fantasy elements, immersive scenes that let me feel like I was watching a movie, and there was so many plot/character nuances, deep character development and multi-layered levels to this story.
"How could a world with such unending beauty become so cruel?"
Tovey, the MC, is relatable. She struggles with decision making and often rethinks her choices. She is stronger than she realizes. She trusts to a fault and sees the good in everyone, even people who don't deserve it. She is so flawed, but the layers she has is multi-dimensional and I cannot believe the massive character growth she faced from start to finish.
Cullus, the Prince, isn't the most attractive person and people only yearn for him because he is the prince (ouch), he is flawed (BIG red-flags with this guy) and yet I admired and hated him. Cullus's struggle was intense. We get to see him question his place in society, his motives, and battle his heart versus his head. I LOVED learning that Cullus felt despite his title and power you'd think a prince has. Tovey recognizes this and empathizes with him.
This was such an interesting take on a complicated character that I hated to love.
"The two sat in near darkness, the faint embers glowing in a rhythmic pulse before them, the beating heart of the forest."
Relationships aren't perfect. People are flawed. And that doesn't mean we should give up on them. And this book captures this sentiment perfectly.
I was worried with a prophecy trope that it would be overplayed but I was obviously pleasantly surprised. So happy to have been able to read an ARC of Tolerant and give my honest opinion.
And the cover! There are birds BEHIND HER BACK! Love it. Can't wait for book 2.
January 18, 2023
This story starts out with a really unique and interesting premise - a corrupt and brutal kingdom, a rigid and dark caste system, and a prophecy telling of the birth of a demon with purple eyes that promises war.
The beginning of the story really caught my attention as it focuses on the Collectives, or the places where they indoctrinate servants basically from birth. It did definitely give Handmaid's Tale vibes, with the impairments and the treatment of the girls (but with no non consensual activities, they were just regular servants). So, that was a hit for me. The prophesy itself - and Tovey's role in it that you are constantly questioning were very engaging.
As for the writing, I feel like when it came to the characters, there was no characterization consistency. I'm definitely a fan of a hot and cold love interest or an indecisive character finding themselves, but if it's pretty much every major character and you can't pin down their personality the entire book? I felt like I just didn't know who they were, and the dramatic shifts didn't flow for me at all. Speaking of love interests - Cullus. At zero point in time was he remotely likable. I mean he was definitely brainwashed by an extremely corrupt system, but there's also no growth so I stand by my opinion that he sucks. Like he starts to see Tovey as an actual human being, and is like "oh wow, I was raised to think you were nothing and I guess that was wrong" and then STILL has barely an ounce of empathy for anyone else they cross paths with. The relationship itself was insanely fast, and I think it would have flowed better for me is Cullus was more fleshed out.
And finally, I felt like a lot of things were twisted beyond believability in order to assist the plot. It is a fantasy - I don't expect it to be believable, but also I do. Ya know? A lot of "oh.. that's highly unlikely but convenient" moments. Like the fact that Tovey's eyes are purple and GLOW and the blindfold she has worn her entire life that has protected her identity is sheer enough for her to see through, but not sheer enough to hide glowing purple light. Or when Tovey *coughed* to cover the sound of her punching a glass window with a guard stationed outside her door. If the sound of your cough can drown out the sound of shattering glass - you should see a doctor, fantasy realm or not lol.
The story line itself was interesting and I was invested enough to keep reading to find out what happens next but this was 50/50 for me.
*Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
The beginning of the story really caught my attention as it focuses on the Collectives, or the places where they indoctrinate servants basically from birth. It did definitely give Handmaid's Tale vibes, with the impairments and the treatment of the girls (but with no non consensual activities, they were just regular servants). So, that was a hit for me. The prophesy itself - and Tovey's role in it that you are constantly questioning were very engaging.
As for the writing, I feel like when it came to the characters, there was no characterization consistency. I'm definitely a fan of a hot and cold love interest or an indecisive character finding themselves, but if it's pretty much every major character and you can't pin down their personality the entire book? I felt like I just didn't know who they were, and the dramatic shifts didn't flow for me at all. Speaking of love interests - Cullus. At zero point in time was he remotely likable. I mean he was definitely brainwashed by an extremely corrupt system, but there's also no growth so I stand by my opinion that he sucks. Like he starts to see Tovey as an actual human being, and is like "oh wow, I was raised to think you were nothing and I guess that was wrong" and then STILL has barely an ounce of empathy for anyone else they cross paths with. The relationship itself was insanely fast, and I think it would have flowed better for me is Cullus was more fleshed out.
And finally, I felt like a lot of things were twisted beyond believability in order to assist the plot. It is a fantasy - I don't expect it to be believable, but also I do. Ya know? A lot of "oh.. that's highly unlikely but convenient" moments. Like the fact that Tovey's eyes are purple and GLOW and the blindfold she has worn her entire life that has protected her identity is sheer enough for her to see through, but not sheer enough to hide glowing purple light. Or when Tovey *coughed* to cover the sound of her punching a glass window with a guard stationed outside her door. If the sound of your cough can drown out the sound of shattering glass - you should see a doctor, fantasy realm or not lol.
The story line itself was interesting and I was invested enough to keep reading to find out what happens next but this was 50/50 for me.
*Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.*
January 18, 2023
I was hooked immediately. This world is diverse from the cast to the two kingdoms. Despite race, sexuality, etc., what matters here more than anything is class.
This world is very clearly a brainwashed into a cult-type mentality and indoctrination from the kingdom making its citizens metaphorically blind to their ways and the way the author has Tovey, our main character literally and emotional unveil herself to this world was beautiful.
These little nuggets of character insight are scattered throughout the book.
One of my favorites....
"She wondered why weeds were called weeds and not flowers as she twirled the silken petals in her fingers. Was it because they grew in undesirable places and were not perfectly kept in their boxes for the highborns to dote upon? A rose out of a finely blown vase would be discarded as an unruly weed, unnoticed for its layered beauty."
As an educator, this is the complexity I look for in reads. Such a quick few sentences but parallels Tovey breaking down this mentality that words of highborn and servant, flower and weed, are merely different words for the same thing beneath their layers. It makes you stop and think.
The characters are indeed layered, it took me by surprise for a YA book and honestly, I want more of this. Everyone is morally gray in the book and in life, who isn't?
More so than a strong villain and hero, C.J. Sparrow balances characters in this complicated in-between with a steady progression of growth in deep and personal character growth.
While Cullus, the male (antagonist who is almost a protag but is at his core an antag.), grows slowly, Tovey grows rapidly and this disconnect becomes shockingly clear as the story progresses that her growth of a servant to giving a command in the end had me cheering. For those wanting a enemies to lovers trope...this isn't it BUT the relationship is important to show not all love is good.
So, I eventually stopped expecting tropes. You won't find that here, which could be a turn-off for some readers, but for me it was refreshing.
Tovey is fiercely loyal above all else. Her decisions, both good and bad, are driven by this desire to do the "right" thing and she puts friends above all else. I loved this strong characterization which made every decision, even the frustrating ones, immersive into her twisted thought process.
Cullus is complicated, frustrating but understandably likeable by the MC and it is easy to see why she falls for him. He is the opposite of Tovey, yet they share fundamental similarities in feeling trapped in their positions and he is her first "real" friend and she loves blindly. Again the blindness being wrapped in! So good.
Finally the characters don't go from bad to good in the blink of an eye nor is there a hero that does everything right.
The deep internal struggle and intense stakes for each of the characters made this such a different read than I was expecting.
This novel had great pacing and had unique elements and creatures in the story. Hands down one of the more grounded and believable fantasy books I've read with unsettling parallels to a current political climate and thoughtful tie-in's with more philosophical questions from our MC.
The author kept the reader in Tovey's mindset of being unsure what to trust or not. This was horrifically real feeling and well-written.
Getting a copy for my bookshelf when it releases and will re-read when the second comes out.
*Thanks for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This world is very clearly a brainwashed into a cult-type mentality and indoctrination from the kingdom making its citizens metaphorically blind to their ways and the way the author has Tovey, our main character literally and emotional unveil herself to this world was beautiful.
These little nuggets of character insight are scattered throughout the book.
One of my favorites....
"She wondered why weeds were called weeds and not flowers as she twirled the silken petals in her fingers. Was it because they grew in undesirable places and were not perfectly kept in their boxes for the highborns to dote upon? A rose out of a finely blown vase would be discarded as an unruly weed, unnoticed for its layered beauty."
As an educator, this is the complexity I look for in reads. Such a quick few sentences but parallels Tovey breaking down this mentality that words of highborn and servant, flower and weed, are merely different words for the same thing beneath their layers. It makes you stop and think.
The characters are indeed layered, it took me by surprise for a YA book and honestly, I want more of this. Everyone is morally gray in the book and in life, who isn't?
More so than a strong villain and hero, C.J. Sparrow balances characters in this complicated in-between with a steady progression of growth in deep and personal character growth.
While Cullus, the male (antagonist who is almost a protag but is at his core an antag.), grows slowly, Tovey grows rapidly and this disconnect becomes shockingly clear as the story progresses that her growth of a servant to giving a command in the end had me cheering. For those wanting a enemies to lovers trope...this isn't it BUT the relationship is important to show not all love is good.
So, I eventually stopped expecting tropes. You won't find that here, which could be a turn-off for some readers, but for me it was refreshing.
Tovey is fiercely loyal above all else. Her decisions, both good and bad, are driven by this desire to do the "right" thing and she puts friends above all else. I loved this strong characterization which made every decision, even the frustrating ones, immersive into her twisted thought process.
Cullus is complicated, frustrating but understandably likeable by the MC and it is easy to see why she falls for him. He is the opposite of Tovey, yet they share fundamental similarities in feeling trapped in their positions and he is her first "real" friend and she loves blindly. Again the blindness being wrapped in! So good.
Finally the characters don't go from bad to good in the blink of an eye nor is there a hero that does everything right.
The deep internal struggle and intense stakes for each of the characters made this such a different read than I was expecting.
This novel had great pacing and had unique elements and creatures in the story. Hands down one of the more grounded and believable fantasy books I've read with unsettling parallels to a current political climate and thoughtful tie-in's with more philosophical questions from our MC.
The author kept the reader in Tovey's mindset of being unsure what to trust or not. This was horrifically real feeling and well-written.
Getting a copy for my bookshelf when it releases and will re-read when the second comes out.
*Thanks for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 8, 2023
Tolerant by C.J. Sparrow is a gripping young adult fantasy novel that takes readers on a thrilling journey through a magical world full of adventure, danger, and self-discovery. The story follows the journey of a young girl named Tessa who discovers that she has a rare and powerful gift that makes her a target for those who seek to control and exploit her abilities.
One of the things I loved about this book is the rich and imaginative world building. Sparrow has created a vivid and detailed world full of magical creatures, ancient legends and mystical powers. The descriptions of various settings, from enchanted forests to hidden caves, are so vivid that readers can easily imagine themselves in the story.
World-building is not limited to the physical environment, but extends to the world's history and mythology. The author has created a complex and engaging story that adds depth and complexity to the story. The history of the world is seamlessly woven into the narrative, giving readers a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivations.
Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed was the character development. Tessa is a likable and likable protagonist who undergoes a significant transformation over the course of the story. She begins as a timid and insecure young girl, but as she learns to harness her powers and face her fears, she becomes a strong and confident young woman.
The supporting cast of characters is also well developed, each with their own unique personalities and motivations. The relationships between the characters are
One of the things I loved about this book is the rich and imaginative world building. Sparrow has created a vivid and detailed world full of magical creatures, ancient legends and mystical powers. The descriptions of various settings, from enchanted forests to hidden caves, are so vivid that readers can easily imagine themselves in the story.
World-building is not limited to the physical environment, but extends to the world's history and mythology. The author has created a complex and engaging story that adds depth and complexity to the story. The history of the world is seamlessly woven into the narrative, giving readers a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivations.
Another aspect of the book that I enjoyed was the character development. Tessa is a likable and likable protagonist who undergoes a significant transformation over the course of the story. She begins as a timid and insecure young girl, but as she learns to harness her powers and face her fears, she becomes a strong and confident young woman.
The supporting cast of characters is also well developed, each with their own unique personalities and motivations. The relationships between the characters are
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 6, 2022
I really enjoyed this book!
First of all, Tovey is such a lovely character. I can’t really relate to her in the sense that she’s the subject of an ancient prophecy, but I understand her in many other ways. Tovey is not perfect, she’s not like the typical fantasy heroines that just seem to be incapable of doing much wrong. Instead, she makes mistakes, and stupid decisions, and she’s hard on herself— and I really admired seeing that in a strong female protagonist. I didn’t have a hard time connecting with her character because ultimately, she’s just doing her best! and it’s really hard not to admire her for it.
The story itself kept me so engaged throughout. Although there are some intense themes, it’s not a super heavy read. Basically, it offered a good sense of escapism, as the best fantasy books do. I found myself itching to read it at any chance I got. There were plenty of surprises and “what’s gonna happen next?” moments to be had, and it was fun to read it and wonder which turn the plot was going to take. That being said, I will absolutely be getting my hands on the next book in this series. I’m invested now.
There is also a romance subplot, which I really enjoy (even though I think Tovey deserves better)!!!
Overall, this was a really fun read. Also, the cover of this book is so nice.
First of all, Tovey is such a lovely character. I can’t really relate to her in the sense that she’s the subject of an ancient prophecy, but I understand her in many other ways. Tovey is not perfect, she’s not like the typical fantasy heroines that just seem to be incapable of doing much wrong. Instead, she makes mistakes, and stupid decisions, and she’s hard on herself— and I really admired seeing that in a strong female protagonist. I didn’t have a hard time connecting with her character because ultimately, she’s just doing her best! and it’s really hard not to admire her for it.
The story itself kept me so engaged throughout. Although there are some intense themes, it’s not a super heavy read. Basically, it offered a good sense of escapism, as the best fantasy books do. I found myself itching to read it at any chance I got. There were plenty of surprises and “what’s gonna happen next?” moments to be had, and it was fun to read it and wonder which turn the plot was going to take. That being said, I will absolutely be getting my hands on the next book in this series. I’m invested now.
There is also a romance subplot, which I really enjoy (even though I think Tovey deserves better)!!!
Overall, this was a really fun read. Also, the cover of this book is so nice.
November 14, 2024
In the land of Abolend, society is divided into a strict cast system with those known as Servants at the bottom. However, according to prophecy a purple-eyed child will bring about the Final War that will destroy the land. The child in question turns out to be Tovey, born under mysterious circumstances and hidden among the lowest caste. At a place known as a Collective, she is abused and tortured to make her compliant, her purple eyes hidden behind a prescribed blindfold. When the horrendous conditions become too much, Tovey defects, the worst betrayal a Servant can commit. So, begins her journey to survive and eventually try to prevent the war her birth foretold.
In ‘Tolerant’, C. J. Sparrow has created a detailed and challenging fantasy world that follows the protagonist’s struggle to shed her indoctrination structured to make her accept the abusive, exploitive society in which she lives. She is aided ironically, by a prince of the realm who claims to also desire to stop the war. Together they go on a journey the comprises most of the book; the first in a series. The story has excellent pacing and plenty of action and world building to immerse the reader in this amazing world. Now, the only challenge is waiting for the next book. Highly recommend.
In ‘Tolerant’, C. J. Sparrow has created a detailed and challenging fantasy world that follows the protagonist’s struggle to shed her indoctrination structured to make her accept the abusive, exploitive society in which she lives. She is aided ironically, by a prince of the realm who claims to also desire to stop the war. Together they go on a journey the comprises most of the book; the first in a series. The story has excellent pacing and plenty of action and world building to immerse the reader in this amazing world. Now, the only challenge is waiting for the next book. Highly recommend.
April 11, 2023
Tolerant is by far, one of the best books I have ever read. Sparrow keeps the reader captivated with every word and description. This is one of those stories that you can see in your head like a movie as you read, which for me, is rare. Many books have those painful slow spots when they are introducing characters or trying to setup backstory, but Tolerant keeps you engaged and turning the page over and over again. I found myself allotting time to read one chapter during a work break and before I knew it I was six chapters further than where I had planned to stop. Not only are the characters dynamic, with all of their own thoughts, feelings and motives, but the way Sparrow weaves them together makes for great dialogue and tons of emotion. The author perfectly displays how each characters view points drive their actions and the results of those actions, both positive and negative.
Overall, If you want an original story that will keep you reading and wanting more, I highly recommend both checking out Tolerant and keeping an eye on it's amazing author, C. J. Sparrow. I certainly will be.
Overall, If you want an original story that will keep you reading and wanting more, I highly recommend both checking out Tolerant and keeping an eye on it's amazing author, C. J. Sparrow. I certainly will be.
March 11, 2023
I hate writing a slightly negative review on an ARC but, there was only so many times I could read “the hairs on the back of her neck stood” or “her hair stood on end” as descriptors. The writing style felt repetitive and the speed was off. It felt uneven, we would have a lot happen, then nothing for chapters, then another burst, then nothing. It was too up and down & the action chapters felt rushed for no reason.
The plot was meh, the characters are boring and one dimensional. Though, I did enjoy Tovey’s powers and the prophecy!!
The back and forth of events at the end felt unneeded and rushed.
The ending did leave the door wide open for book 2 & hopefully some clarity on what the main plot is.
Also, any book dropping “I Love you” at 66% is just not for me. These two had negative chemistry and I’m just supposed to get on board with them being in love after only knowing each other for two weeks? Or supposedly on love?
Did we end the book with no idea how these two really felt about each other? Yes, we did.
*Thanks Net Galley for the Arc*
The plot was meh, the characters are boring and one dimensional. Though, I did enjoy Tovey’s powers and the prophecy!!
The back and forth of events at the end felt unneeded and rushed.
The ending did leave the door wide open for book 2 & hopefully some clarity on what the main plot is.
Also, any book dropping “I Love you” at 66% is just not for me. These two had negative chemistry and I’m just supposed to get on board with them being in love after only knowing each other for two weeks? Or supposedly on love?
Did we end the book with no idea how these two really felt about each other? Yes, we did.
*Thanks Net Galley for the Arc*
February 25, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 3.5 stars!
This is my first book by this author and it didn't disappoint. I went into it without knowing what to expect and I quickly started to become entranced with this world.
Tovey has trained all her life to become a servant of Abolend. The collective is the only family she knows and she feels proud of what the future could hold for her. But when things take a twist for the worse, Tovey finds herself trusting the most unexpected person. Soon, she realizes everything she thought she knew about herself and the kingdom isn't exactly true.
There's a lot of world building throughout that may get a bit confusing, especially with such level of description, but there's fantasy, prophecies, romance and action. How can you not like it?
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - 3.5 stars!
This is my first book by this author and it didn't disappoint. I went into it without knowing what to expect and I quickly started to become entranced with this world.
Tovey has trained all her life to become a servant of Abolend. The collective is the only family she knows and she feels proud of what the future could hold for her. But when things take a twist for the worse, Tovey finds herself trusting the most unexpected person. Soon, she realizes everything she thought she knew about herself and the kingdom isn't exactly true.
There's a lot of world building throughout that may get a bit confusing, especially with such level of description, but there's fantasy, prophecies, romance and action. How can you not like it?
May 16, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for granting me access to the ARC of this book.
Overall, this book was completely fine. I liked the world created here- it's pretty dire, but I like reading about how the characters feel about such circumstances. I liked the dive into how you can get 'programmed' by others to feel a certain way about you being given specific opportunities in life, and how hard it can be to go out of such thinking, and what the possible change might mean for the whole society.
At the same time, I feel like the characters and plot were too often going in circles, and the pacing was inconsistent for me and there were some plot holes- like the character never having seen a pastry but having an idea what a caloric intake is.
Ultimately it was overall just fine for me, not a bad book, but not a very memorable one. I'm kind of sad it wasn't whole on a level the ending was at, because it was great, and unfortunately it made the rest of the book pale in comparison to it and kind of made me question its quality more.
Overall, this book was completely fine. I liked the world created here- it's pretty dire, but I like reading about how the characters feel about such circumstances. I liked the dive into how you can get 'programmed' by others to feel a certain way about you being given specific opportunities in life, and how hard it can be to go out of such thinking, and what the possible change might mean for the whole society.
At the same time, I feel like the characters and plot were too often going in circles, and the pacing was inconsistent for me and there were some plot holes- like the character never having seen a pastry but having an idea what a caloric intake is.
Ultimately it was overall just fine for me, not a bad book, but not a very memorable one. I'm kind of sad it wasn't whole on a level the ending was at, because it was great, and unfortunately it made the rest of the book pale in comparison to it and kind of made me question its quality more.
September 5, 2023
💜🫣💀A dark and original dystopia.
While working at the tavern, Breena heard a child crying.
She opened the door and discovered an abandoned baby.
She called for her daughter Nadia and then confided a secret to her...
-----------------------------
A very dark and rather captivating Fantasy dystopia to read, on the themes of manipulation, abuse against a backdrop of powers, magic and prophecy.
I really enjoyed Tovey’s resilient character. I didn't like Cullus's. I regret that there was not more room for the essential character of Nadia...
Lots of events, unforeseen events, suspense in this very dark Fantasy/dystopia story.
The end of the volume surprised me. I wouldn't have thought of that ending.
I recommend it to fans of the genre.
While working at the tavern, Breena heard a child crying.
She opened the door and discovered an abandoned baby.
She called for her daughter Nadia and then confided a secret to her...
-----------------------------
A very dark and rather captivating Fantasy dystopia to read, on the themes of manipulation, abuse against a backdrop of powers, magic and prophecy.
I really enjoyed Tovey’s resilient character. I didn't like Cullus's. I regret that there was not more room for the essential character of Nadia...
Lots of events, unforeseen events, suspense in this very dark Fantasy/dystopia story.
The end of the volume surprised me. I wouldn't have thought of that ending.
I recommend it to fans of the genre.
January 5, 2023
Tolerant is a fantasy book interwoven with great subliminal messages and a likeable MC.
I think my favorite part about this book was the main character Tovey. I liked how she challenged the world around her and continually defied the expectations set for her.
While this book did have me interested in the story and what the main character Tovey would do next, I also found a lack of depth and intensity. I didn’t love the writing style and I consistently found myself having to reread passages because I wasn’t intrigued enough to keep paying attention.
Tolerant holds good ideals and spreads a great message, but for me, the story left something to be desired.
I think my favorite part about this book was the main character Tovey. I liked how she challenged the world around her and continually defied the expectations set for her.
While this book did have me interested in the story and what the main character Tovey would do next, I also found a lack of depth and intensity. I didn’t love the writing style and I consistently found myself having to reread passages because I wasn’t intrigued enough to keep paying attention.
Tolerant holds good ideals and spreads a great message, but for me, the story left something to be desired.
March 6, 2023
This was a great read! I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know what would happen next. I can’t believe I have to wait for more answers. I didn’t know who to trust throughout. There were a few times where I felt the author was over-explaining or repeating certain things where in my head I was thinking “yes, we know…we got that!” and also a few times I was annoyed with the main character’s decisions! Overall, I loved the plot though and just really wish I could keep reading the series RIGHT NOW! :)
April 2, 2023
I got a bit more than 50% into this before I decided to DNF. I can't exactly put my finger on what exactly I think is wrong with it. mostly I just think it's very clumsily written. The characters don't really feel like characters and their actions aren't really internally motivated but just happen because the plot or the tropes used demand it.
Also I am not a fan of how the whole concept of servants and "serving" is handled within the story.
I am also pretty sure I already know what the big twist about the prophecy is gonna be at the end, but I'm just not interested enough to find out.
Also I am not a fan of how the whole concept of servants and "serving" is handled within the story.
I am also pretty sure I already know what the big twist about the prophecy is gonna be at the end, but I'm just not interested enough to find out.
May 29, 2023
I want to start by sharing that I DNFed this book at 50%. I really wanted to like this book - the premise and the new cover pulled me in and the shallow dialogue and world building spit me back out. I think this book was supposed to be enemy to lovers (?), but it felt as if there was almost no friction between the characters and then a super simple jumó to trust, which didn’t at all pique my interest. I loath not finishing books and giving arcs a more negative review. I truly thank NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this book - the writing just wasn’t for me
May 7, 2023
The Beginning of a Great New Series
Tovey is a girl who has a secret identity… She is the demon that a prophecy foretold about. The problem is, she has no idea that she’s a demon! She’s just trying to survive in a world that is very cruel to young servant girls. The twists this story takes is intense and even the reader can’t tell who Tovey can trust! As I was nearing the end, I was thinking about how I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the next book in this series.
Tovey is a girl who has a secret identity… She is the demon that a prophecy foretold about. The problem is, she has no idea that she’s a demon! She’s just trying to survive in a world that is very cruel to young servant girls. The twists this story takes is intense and even the reader can’t tell who Tovey can trust! As I was nearing the end, I was thinking about how I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the next book in this series.
February 1, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this novel. Excellent story. Let's help this author get noticed! The book needs some love to get it noticed!
March 11, 2023
"How could a world with such unending beauty become so cruel?"
Been asking myself that a lot lately. High-fantasy. Interesting political system. Good read.
Been asking myself that a lot lately. High-fantasy. Interesting political system. Good read.
April 9, 2023
I won this from a Goodreads giveaway. Very fast paced book and very fun to read. The ending was unexpected. I liked all of the characters in this book, epically Tovey.
October 29, 2023
Really loved this book. It was a slow start but it for so good in the middle. The ending is 🤯 and I can’t wait for the rest of the series. It reminds me a lot of Kristin Cashore’s writing style, which I love.
March 22, 2023
I thought that this book was quite enjoyable in the beginning and I was interested in the story. However, as the story got on it got less enjoyable for me. The main character was getting irritated and her actions were getting reckless. I did like how the magic was introduced though. In all, this book is good for those that enjoy a unique take on fantasy.
May 14, 2024
This book gave me Witcher vibes right off the bat, and I loved it! The author does such a good job of portraying a realistic, not-perfect female lead that's both relatable and heroic.
It's difficult to built new worlds, but it seems to have come easy in this one - the plot, intertwined in this beautiful world, a prophecy, and a young love story, all help bolster the experience of Tolerant.
Easy to follow while still being detailed, and portrayals of emotions that other authors have trouble expressing well.
I'm already yearning for book 2 in this fun, fantastical series.
*Thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me this book in exchange for my honest review.*
It's difficult to built new worlds, but it seems to have come easy in this one - the plot, intertwined in this beautiful world, a prophecy, and a young love story, all help bolster the experience of Tolerant.
Easy to follow while still being detailed, and portrayals of emotions that other authors have trouble expressing well.
I'm already yearning for book 2 in this fun, fantastical series.
*Thank you to the author and NetGalley for giving me this book in exchange for my honest review.*
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews