User Reviews
Rating: really liked it
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.I don’t know what exactly I was expecting from Asperfell, but those expectations were far surpassed. This debut novel is a bit of a slow burn, but it’s incredibly well written.
The grammar and formatting are positively immaculate, which speaks highly of Thomas’s professionalism as an author; it’s obvious that she invested a lot of time in editing and perfecting
Asperfell before introducing it to the world. And her way with words is impeccable. Actually, I would even say that the setting and writing reminded me the tiniest bit of Guy Gavriel Kay, who is a phenomenally talented craftsman of an author. It also had a Regency tone and flair to it.
If Guy Gavriel Kay and Jane Austen teamed up to write a young adult fantasy novel, it would look something like Asperfell. “Have courage. And no matter how dark the world seems and how much you’d like to darken with it, find whatever light you can wherever you can, and help it grow.”
Though I was immediately intrigued by the synopsis, I feared that
Asperfell would feel very young adult, which is a very hit-or-miss genre for me. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. While it did veer more in that direction as the book neared its zenith, it didn’t feel cliche in the slightest. Instead,
Asperfell took the elements of YA that I love, like having a plucky heroine who finds herself in over her head but is determined to rise to the occasion anyway, and translated said elements into a story I could truly connect with while delivering a story that felt fresh instead of regurgitating tired and over-used plot points. Thomas employed so many different tropes that I love without any of them seeming weak. And she did so seamlessly. A coming-of-age narrative, political intrigue, mystery, romance, and even a bit of magical schooling all exist harmoniously in this novel. There were also Regency levels of snark and sass, which were incredibly entertaining. There were also some incredibly subtle pop culture references to fandoms I love, like Harry Potter and Doctor Who. So subtle in fact that I’m not quite sure that I didn’t make them up and decide to see things that aren’t actually there.
“Knowledge is the most powerful weapon any of us can possess, and even the smallest of us can wield it.”
Briony is such a remarkable character. She is strong, curious, intelligent, and pure of heart without seeming stuffy or self-righteous. I very much enjoyed being given the opportunity to watch her grow up, and to being allowed to see through her eyes how her kingdom changed radically over the course of her young life. However, as much as I appreciated this introduction, to me the story didn’t start shining until we reached Asperfell itself.
Asperfell is such an intriguingly original locale, and I was captivated by each new tidbit of knowledge revealed in its hallways and garden plots. “There is power in a voice such as you cannot imagine.”
While I very much enjoyed this book, it fell a bit short for me at the end. The villain’s identity was fairly predictable, in my opinion, and the climactic scenes went a little Deus ex Machina, resulting in a finale sequence that felt oddly abrupt. And while the ending was technically an ending, it left me wanting much more resolution.
However, even though I was a bit unsatisfied by the ending, I absolutely loved the world building and character development in Asperfell. I dearly hope there will be future installments returning to this world.
Rating: really liked it
You ever find a book and just know it’s a hidden gem right away?
Plot: The best way I can think to describe Asperfell is a game of thrones era setting with a Cruel Prince style romance, and also magic! Which really, is just an awesome combination right there.
Characters: Briony was pretty tough, and reminded me very much of Jude Duarte if she hadn’t been trained to fight growing up–lots of attitude, not a lot of skills. Which makes Elyan the parallel of the sassy, rude, and lovable Cardan. I really loved watching the romance unfold.
Overall: Although I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it was still a little bit predictable. That was the only thing keeping it for a 5 star read, but don’t let it deter you from picking it up! I’ll be eagerly awaiting book 2.
Content warnings: sexual assault, murder
Click here for the full review on my blog!5/31: only halfway through and I can already tell this is a hidden gem
Rating: really liked it
ARC received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and the quotes included may have changed in the released copy.
Spoiler-free review. You can find it and more at Novel Notions.What an utterly charming and engrossing debut.
“Whispers in the dark.
The dead keep the secrets of the living.
Asperfell was a surprising and enchanting tale, and made even more so by the flawless writing. Jamie Thomas took a risk with her prose. With its classic sophistication, it could have come across as pompous or out of fashion. But instead, it felt surprisingly fresh and suitable to the atmosphere (in the first half rather regency-inspired and then bordering on gothic in the second half). The writing flew seamlessly and elegantly and retained a classic charm with no trace of the dullness or prolixity that makes some classics so unapproachable or difficult to read.
Elegant writing and exquisitely written dialogues aside, I very much enjoyed the story Thomas weaved in this first installment of her debut series. This is a book I could equally recommend to YA (despite some dark themes but none pushed to a deep or shocking level) or adult fantasy readers. However, grimdark readers or readers who prefer very complex plots might find it a bit soft or youngish for their tastes.
The story starts with 8year-old Briony overhearing the news of the king's murder. Soon after, she witnesses the exile of the culprit: the king’s own son and heir to the throne, to the mysterious prison of Asperfell. Criminal and rogue magicians are sentenced to life in Asperfell and once they cross the portal, they can never come back. As she grows, Briony finds herself buffeted by political and mystic storms despite her family's best efforts to both shelter her and tame her adventurous, curious soul.
“Have courage. And no matter how dark the world seems and how much you’d like to darken with it, find whatever light you can wherever you can, and help it grow.”
I liked Briony and her determination, except when said determination turned into nosiness or bordered on selfishness. She was a mischievous little thing when she was a kid (reminding me of Arya Stark in the beginning of GoT) and never lost her humor and her spark growing up, despite the multiple ordeals she had to face and the various nets that tried to ensnare her. Most of the supporting characters were also well fleshed out and gained depth as the story progressed and their interactions with Briony gave them spotlight.
The worldbuilding and lore were pretty simple, with the exception of the prison of Asperfell, which stole the limelight and was one of my favorite things about this book. I couldn’t help but compare it to Hogwarts. Or a version of Hogwarts for grown-ups. No wait, that still isn’t it. Okay, a darker version of Hogwarts where you replace magic newbies with stars in their eyes and lives full of potential before them with criminal sorcerers who will never get their lives back is more like it! It even had its own versions of Dumbledore and professor McGonagall!
“People will always fear that which they do not understand, and magic is particularly difficult to puzzle out for those who have never felt it deep within them, never used it.”
I felt like Asperfell drew its inspiration from many amazing sources in the Fantasy genre but it never felt derivative to me. It had a unique flavor and a unique atmosphere. I also loved discovering how magic worked, even though I had to wait until the 2nd half to learn about its intricacies. My only qualms were that there were some lulls in Briony’s day-to-day life in the various locations she visited or called home (however every part was eventually necessary no matter how lengthy or seemingly random). And the ending. There was a consensus from the reviews I read beforehand, that the ending lacked the complexity that the meticulously constructed story required. The ending was indeed weaker than the rest of the story and would have benefited from more detailed explanation. Some threads have also been tied conveniently. But it was still enjoyable and didn’t alter the satisfaction and coziness I felt upon finishing this excellent debut.
Rating: really liked it
***I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Uproar Books!***
I wanted to like this book. I really really wanted to like this book. It is exactly the type of book that I normally enjoy. A young, spunky female lead character. Magic. Society that seems to be based on a Victorian standard. Mysteries. Prisons. Other planes of existence. But I just couldn’t like it.
The writing is very good and thus why I gave this a two star rating over a one star. The dialogue is engaging, the plot moves at a fairly good pace, and the narrative flows beautifully. The first half of the book seemed a bit on the slow side while the second half was very rushed but that is my only complaint about the writing.
WARNING: From this point on there will be lots of spoilers, consider yourself warned.
(view spoiler)
[This book has never met a young adult trope that it didn’t like….and utilize…..frequently. Let me preface where my opinion is coming from on this novel. The very first sentence, before I even hit the first chapter is that the author wants to “smash the patriarchy one novel at a time!”. Now, I will also explain that I am rather tired of reading militantly feminist literature, it seems to be everywhere these days. Normally I can overlook an author’s personal views or opinions about the book and just take the book for the story it presents. But not when that’s what you open with. The very first thing you told me about your story is that it’s smashing patriarchy with its strong female characters so you need to live up to that. You have now infused that idea into your novel and need to deliver.
This did not deliver. Instead I got the same old tired tropes of the young adult genre that feminist readers complain about constantly. How exactly are you smashing patriarchy? By presenting me tropes that I’ve been reading since I was 13 years old?
Briony is just like every young adult female lead character. She is spunky, sassy, strong willed, and bucks the patriarchal system that she was born into. Her older sister is the perfect lady of the court. This isn’t a new dynamic and it can be a good one when used correctly. I didn’t actually mind this because it set up Briony as a character who is questing to be knowledgeable. Knowledge and wisdom will be her weapon in the fight against what society has said her place is. That’s all well and good. My problems start when Briony gets to Asperfell.
Naturally she instantly dislikes Prince Elyan. He is dour, brooding, and wants nothing to do with her and largely he is exactly what one expects from the young adult male lead. I assumed Briony would be on a mission to find the answer to take him home whether he protested or not. But…..she doesn’t. Within the space of a chapter she seems to have completely forgotten about her mission and just goes along with working in the gardens and learning magic all while throwing a glare at Elyan when he deigns to make an appearance. He, of course, is primarily there to ridicule her efforts before disappearing again.
It wasn’t until about the last forty pages that Briony suddenly remembers that she is supposed to be getting Elyan back to their homeland. And only because someone whacked her across the head with the information that would lead her to that goal. She was far too busy trading gossip, learning magic, gardening, and making sarcastic remarks at Elyan to actually discover the answer on her own.
Another trope, instalove. Authors think that they are avoiding this if their characters start off hating each other. But Briony and Elyan go from coldly tolerating each other to gazing at each other affectionately literally in the space of a single dance. So not quite instalove but maybe 3 1/2 minute love? Microwave love? Be sure to wait for the ding!
Briony was also revealed to not be that strong or much of a feminist either. The most offensive example of this is when another character attempts to sexually assault her. Okay, we kind of have to assume that’s what he’s doing because it doesn’t get very far but I’m fairly confident that’s where this was headed. Briony courageously defends herself. She fights off her attacker and escapes to safety before the situation escalates into anything much worse. I was cheering for her! I was so proud of her for reacting in her own defense so decisively and swiftly. But then she decides to have a whole inner monologue about how she feels shame about the situation. Why exactly? Surely you would be feeling scared but also proud of yourself? She even says to herself that she has nothing to feel ashamed about…..but then concludes that thought with “but I do” and moves on. Is this really an example of a strong woman? Feeling shame about something that you recognize should not be causing you shame and during which you admirably protected yourself? I was highly disappointed.
Next we have the other young adult trope that I despise so much. Briony does something very stupid and reckless. She recognizes internally that it was reckless and stupid. But when Elyan points out that it was reckless and stupid then she yells at him about it. Because, how dare he think that he can control her! He doesn’t own her! She can do what she likes without him! Does anyone actually think that this is the makings of a strong woman? Actual thoughts that she had. No one was trying to control her or prevent her from doing anything on her own. She made a reckless and foolish decision, but because a male confronts her about it then he’s controlling. Then later he, naturally, apologizes for daring to question her reckless, foolish behavior because he was just so scared of losing her. And she gets to walk away feeling smug. Strong women rejoice! Patriarchy smashed!
Finally, the ending. We spent a very long time getting to Asperfell. We spent an equally long time gardening and learning magic in Asperfell. That left about 60 pages for the conclusion. I thought the conclusion was supposed to be the rescue of Elyan from Asperfell and delivering him back home. Except that didn’t happen. The book ends with them in the woods. On their way to a potential way to get home, but they aren’t actually sure it will work yet. And of course, it ends with a kiss. Frankly, it left me wondering what exactly the point was? We couldn’t spare another 30 pages to actually get back to Tiralaen? And then end it once they have successfully left Asperfell? I recognize that we’re setting up a sequel here, but the sequel works just as well starting with the moments after they escape Asperfell as the moments before.
Overall, this story reminded me of every single bad young adult novel I’ve ever read. Exactly the same characters. Exactly the same plot devices. Exactly the same tropes. (hide spoiler)]Read this and other reviews at: Written Among the Stars
Rating: really liked it
My opinion of this one is so conflicted. I loved everything about this story. The world building. The spunky, independent girl (later, woman). Even the flaws.
And then the ending happened. WTF Jamie?!
I understand this is Book 1 of a series, but that ending was more unsatisfying than zero carb bread.
There may be spoilers beyond this point. The first 25% of this book takes us on the brief journey through the life of young Briony Tenebrae. First we see the world through her 8 year old eyes. The king is dead! His teenage son is responsible! Briony's father takes her to the sentencing of the late king's magical son. The punishment is forever exile in a mysterious realm home to the Mage prison, Asperfell.
At 10, Briony suffers a mysterious illness. Soon after her father sends her far north to her ancestral home. Briony spends 10 years there, away from court, away from her parents and sister. Here she practices the fine art of collecting information, taught well by her father's spy, Cyprias. Three weeks after his last visit, a messenger tells Briony her father has been betrayed and she must disappear.
SURPRISE!Spoilers!Briony is a MAGE! WHHHHAAAAATTTT? Cyprias and Master Aeneas (another of dad's friends) open the gate to Asperfell with one objective: get the prince and return.
Ok, so 20 year old Briony, virgin, roughly educated, not magically trained in the slightest, is sent to a magical prison for Mages. What happens is basic. She learns magic, tends the garden, and is stubborn AF. Then she unlocks the mystery of Asperfell with the hopeful reward being a gate back home.
By 50%, Briony is an Orare! A speaker if you will. She speaks to magic. She finds her voice and she uses it. Prince Elyan is misunderstood and the perfect specimen of man-meat. Master Tiberius runs Asperfell and is a pretty cool dude. Phyra is a necromancer that won't use her magic. We have snobby old people, crazy maniacs, the arrogant brute that everyone likes in the end, and of course the mad king.
This story is fast paced with vast vocabulary without being difficult to read. Some dialogue doesn't flow well and there are several spelling errors/typos. This story feels familiar. It is filled with tropes, like all of them, but just a dash of romance.
This YA story sets up the issues Briony will (at least I hope) attack further in the series.
-the "woman's" place
-modesty/prudish ideals of female behavior
Does not have any LGBT+ characters or mentions (neither pro nor con).⭐⭐⭐for being entertaining
⭐for having me hooked
-.5 🌠for that stupid ending
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced reading copy in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
ASPERFELL is a haunting and beautifully written gothic tale, which immediately captured my attention with the measured ease of its prose - an ease all the more impressive in a debut author. Thomas portrays her characters with skill and affection, and the heroine Briony is a particular delight. The slow burn of her romance with the reluctant and imprisoned prince, so doubtful at first of her unique abilities, was a genuine delight. This is a very early foray into fantasy and gothic fiction for me as a reader, but Thomas has delivered interesting characters and a propulsive narrative that would succeed in any genre. As dangerous and ominous a world as Asperfell was, I was not ready to leave it and am thrilled to learn that this book is the first part of a planned trilogy. Like Sarah Kozloff’s debut fantasy novel A QUEEN IN HIDING, ASPERFELL portrays another world in all its cinematic, medieval and bone-chilling glory, with a young female heroine whose journey to discover the full extent of her magical powers will inspire and hearten both adult and young adult readers.
Rating: really liked it
Although there's no substitute for the void that the end of
The Folk of the Air series left behind in my heart, this comes pretty close! Consider it the newest YA novel to hold my imagination hostage. To have me bursting at the seams to know more, to untangle the spell of its mysteries and obstacles all the faster...
This book is the first in a medieval-ish fantasy series that features white and dark magic, a prison world, an adversaries-to-allies-to-lovers dynamic, plus a collection of layered and courageous "criminal" characters (aka: Mages) who find themselves trapped - isolated from their families, from their loved ones with no hope of escape - in a place called Asperfell.
Briony Tenebrae, the protagonist, crosses the gate into this prison world at age twenty imbued with powers she neither knew she had nor knows how to use. More that that, she's tasked with an important job. She must find a way to free Elyan, a prince who's been exiled for murdering his father, so as to save her kingdom from the brink of civil war. A war, as luck would have it, that has been started by the brother who now sits on the throne.
Only here's the catch: no Mage who crosses the gate from Tiralaen into Asperfell ever returns.
Ah - the tug of forbidden things!The richness of the story, in my opinion, comes more from the atmosphere with its mystical stirrings and "whispers in the dark" than it does from the overall plot itself. Secrets dwell beneath each brick, each root of the prison, and it's the sweeping away of cobwebs and the tracing of each living to undead crack that Briony and her band of ragtag companions pursue that gives this a pulse. It's a pulse that ebbs and crosses, spikes and levitates. It haunts your ankles: sometimes snapping, sometimes slithering away like smoke.
There's a feeling of gothic intangibility that bubbles outward, too. It dances along the edges of sparking fingertips as the truth about Asperfell hovers closer, rustling, with ghosts waiting to speak of past things that were swept away into translucence once but demand to be seen again by someone who can hear them. Listen. Help, if need be.
As a reader, it makes it feel like you're being pinched from behind by an invisible hand the entire time. Ushered along. Or as if a gust of air could materialize into something formed and vociferous at your ear, showing you what it looked like, letting you touch all that it wanted or feared.
In other words, magic marries with the gothic here in a way that's shiver-eliciting. Lavishly so!
Slog start aside (too much backstory), it didn't take me long to invest in the characters either. They're a diverse bunch of innocents, criminals, smartmouths, revelers, royals, grouches, and brave survivors alike. They all have their layers, their conflicts, their own agendas to see through to fruition. Some you will adore right away, others you will squint at with suspicion. Then there are those select few who will reveal themselves in increments or knock you backwards off the couch with astonishment. Still, regardless of who they are, they're dynamic and worth meeting.
From Briony to Elyan, from Matster Tiberius to Mistress Philomena, and from Thaniel to Phyra to Arlo to the
umbras and many more--I can't say there is a shortage of personalities or temperaments in the bunch. Also, if you're at all a fan of semi-antagonistic bickering like I am, then you'll be happy to know the dialogue SNAPS with it. Among and throughout many different dynamics. You might as well call it formal wit gone wild. ;)
Let's just say I wasn't anything except delighted to be imprisoned in this book, in this world, with these characters for its duration. And I'm chomping at the bit to find out what happens next! Give me more Briony, Elyan, and the ragtag band of five or give me death!
SO HELP ME, I HAVE FOUND ANOTHER REASON TO PINE.Now excuse me while I go all
"Kel loves orange soda" on you, because, if you're asking if I recommend it, then let allow me to clarify: I DO, I DO, I DO-OOO!!!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Uproar Books for the ARC.
Rating: really liked it
Briony BRIONY honestly this isn't a review it's just me swearing my undying devotion to Briony. Wild, curious, strong, brave. I love her. That's it, read the book and love her too, thanks netgalley.
Rating: really liked it
(I received a free review copy from the publisher.)
"For fans of Jane Austen who always wished she'd dabbled in blood magic"? Sign me up.
This is the first time in a long time that I have not wanted a book to end, so immersed was I in the world and so attached to the characters. The writing flows beautifully, I never found the pace lacking, and major turning points are foreshadowed just enough that you can see what is coming next without being disappointed that the characters don't. I laughed, I gasped, and at least once I felt like I was punched in the gut, woo.
Regency isn't quite the right description for the historical-ish setting; it feels more like a Gothic Early Modern fantasy than a Regency novel with magic. (But in spite of its horror elements, grimdark it is NOT, and I couldn't be happier.)
Asperfell - the prison itself - is a fascinating place, and the worldbuilding of its lore and culture are wonderfully executed. What kind of world would these people create for themselves, having been banished from their home world with no hope of escape? Especially when they can all do magic? Asperfell really has it all: politics, supernatural terror, magic lessons, murder mystery, romance.
Speaking of which, the romance is such an understated slow burn and I loved it. I have a hard time getting into most romances, especially in fantasy novels, as they always seem to draw from one or more tropes that don't work for me. I wouldn't think that I'm here for another snarky, tortured love interest and yet wow yep I totally am. I think I like it so much because it feels natural, like something that would realistically be going on in the background of the plot in the front of our protagonist's mind.
The ending sequences do come off somewhat hasty, in my opinion, but I was also reading them at one in the morning (I have a firm 10pm bedtime, people) so it's possible that that was just me. I also think there was a slight Disneyish tendency for attractive people to be good and ugly people to be bad, which is a little out of place in the year of our lord 2020.
It's going to be hard to wait until next year for the next instalment - I am eager to return to this world and our ragtag band of heroes. I hope that the future brings more lore, more curiosities of a foreign world, and more opportunities for friendships between female characters to go along with the excellent relationships Briony has formed with her male allies.
Note: I see a lot of other reviewers calling this YA (and even Ingram has it marked that way), but the author stated that it's an adult title, and I think we should stick with that. There are definitely some elements that could be too dark for younger teen readers, and the characters, thank god, are all adults. It definitely has crossover appeal, though. Maybe another to file under New Adult.
Rating: really liked it
Where to start? Did I like this book? Yes. Am I annoyed that it's the first in a series and I can't get the second one yet? Oh, yes.
Well written, with flawed and sympathetic characters, where the main character is allowed to make mistakes, misjudgements, and simply be wrong. She is also allowed to be right, to be couragous, innocent, and to grow. And so are the other charcters. Not a single one is perfect. Simply put, I believed I would like this book, and I stayed up until one in the morning to read it, and was a bit useless at work the following day. But it was worth it.
Advanced copy recieved from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Rating: really liked it
I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
It is quite something that I could make time to read between Christmas and today (which is my birthday, so a lot of planning and all going on), while settling in on a new job. Asperfell was totally worth doing so! The worldbuilding is so good, and so intense, I could not help but love both Tiralean and Asperfell itself, however grim both were and became. The same goes for the characters. Not one of them is perfect, but they all have something to them that made me like them in some way, and made me really root for the good guys, and feel the pang of betrayal of the bad ones. Then the plot, it never felt slow, but also never hurried, and it kept me at the edge of my seat. I loved it, and I already look forward to part 2 so much!
Rating: really liked it
With strong world-building and just as realistic characters, Jamie Thomas created a novel you will fall in love with. I was a bit sceptical about the ending because of the slow-burn plot and thought there would be no time for a suitable ending, but after that ending, I am sure there will be a sequel; otherwise there would be little reason for such a cliffhanger.
I loved how well-crafted this universe is, how simple it is in some matters and complex in others. The author knew when to let herself get carried away with passion and emotion, and I felt it just as I suppose Jamie Thomas felt when writing this thought-provoking story.
Full review to be published in my blog (March 18): https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/20...
Rating: really liked it
3 starsRandomly enough, I backed myself into a corner to read this because I got approved to read an ARC of The Forest Kingdom without realizing it was a sequel to this book. For a book that I probably wouldn't have given a chance, it wasn't too bad!
The story centers around Briony, whose world as she knows it is falling apart. The young and evil king has slowly moved on from banishing all magical people (and their sympathizers) to suffer in an inescapable magic prison (Asperfell) to now just rounding them up and executing them. In an attempt to stop the genocide, Briony enters Asperfell to find the king's exiled older brother and return him to the throne.
I thought the story was fairly entertaining. The pacing of the book was quick enough at the beginning to truly capture my attention. We did begin to slow down and meander midway through the book, but I was already invested by then. In fact, I kind of prefer that style of pacing to a slow build. I also really enjoyed the dark gothic tone of the book. Some of the vivid imagery was definitely creeping me out. For what I think is a YA book, it felt more mature than I expected (mature meaning dignified, not explicit content).
While the story was of good quality, it didn't necessarily do anything astronomical. The outcomes (yes, even the twist) were pretty predictable. The romance wasn't quite enemies-to-lovers, but it was "dislike-to-lovers" which I felt was elementary and unsurprising. I also thought the book could have found more useful ways to build an interesting world. Pretty much everything was in the form of info dumps directly from other characters or Briony eavesdropping on perfectly timed conversations.
I'm really glad I didn't hate this book because I'm trying to keep a perfect ARC feedback ratio! On to the next one...
TL;DR 5.0 —One of the best I've ever read. Will be burned into my brain. Couldn't care less about weaknesses (if any). Would recommend to everyone and their mother.
4.5 —Loved this read. Will remember it fondly. Few weaknesses. Would recommend to anyone.
4.0 —Enjoyed this read. Will remember it fondly. Minor weaknesses. Would recommend to fans of the genre.
3.5 —Somewhat enjoyed this read. Might be memorable. Notable weaknesses. Would recommend to fans of the genre.▌
3.0 —Somewhat enjoyed this read. Not very memorable. Notable weaknesses. Would recommend to people who like similar books.2.5 —Neutral or Underwhelming read. Not very memorable. Significant weaknesses. Would recommend to people who like similar books.
2.0 —Underwhelming or unenjoyable read. Not very memorable or memorable for the wrong reasons. Significant weaknesses. Might recommend to people who like similar books.
1.5 —Unenjoyable read. Not very memorable or memorable for bad reasons. Major weaknesses. Probably wouldn't recommend.
1.0 —I wish I never wasted minutes of my life on this trash. I would go out of my way to convince others not to read it.
Rating: really liked it
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that a female protagonist who describes a male character as both insufferable and loathsome must kiss him by the end of the book.This book opens with an author biography in which Jamie Thomas declares her intention to “smash the patriarchy one novel at a time!” I have to assume that she is referring to some future novel, as this one barely so much as flinches in the patriarchy’s direction.
Asperfell is a Young Adult novel which features just about every standard-issue YA fantasy trope possible. From a spunky not-like-other-girls Strong Female Protagonist to a ‘romance’ built entirely upon snarky dialogue and glares, this book has it all. Does the protagonist have special powers? Of course she does! Are her powers even more special than everybody else’s special powers? You betcha! Does she gain access to those powers by being put in a position where she’s about to get raped? ...Unfortunately, yes.
Even the parts of the plot that can’t be described as just plain tropey are painfully predictable. The stated goal of the protagonist is to escape from Asperfell. When she manages to find time between gardening, attending balls, and glaring at Prince Tall, Dark, and Handsome to actually pursue this goal—she gets stuck trying to figure out a cryptic clue. And by cryptic I of course mean so blindingly obvious she probably should have thought to do it before even being given the clue. Aside from the ‘mystery’ being less complex than a bad Scooby-Doo plot, this novel also features: (view spoiler)
[ the main character spending over a third of the book agonizing over not having any special powers (mm-hm), a necromancer who has sworn never to use her powers again (sure), and a kind old mentor who turns out to be evil (gasp!). (hide spoiler)]It actually saddens me to have to bash this book as much as I am. Somewhere, hidden under the non-romance and predictable plot, there is an actually clever concept that I really want to love. Asperfell as a setting is wonderful. I very much enjoyed the parts of the book where we are just shown how society functions in this magic prison colony. We meet several characters along the way who are great quirky little additions to this world. I laughed out loud at the description of the antics of an odd couple of necromancers whose task is to guard the graveyard!
Regrettably, a highly original cool setting and a good number of characters with potential come together in this book only to be buried underneath a never-ending torrent of YA tropes and a plot consisting of a series of completely predictable ‘twists’.
Would recommend this book to people who: read the first half of A Game of Thrones and thought ‘I wish this were more like Twilight’ – are intrigued by the premise ‘magical prison colony’ – like their YA tropes played straight
Rating: really liked it
I received a digital advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and I was so excited to read it so thank you Netgalley.
Oh My God. I absolutely loved this book so much! What an amazing debut novel by Jaime Thomas.
I was kind of feeling down after finishing most of my other high fantasy series. This was exactly what I needed!
The book is set in the world of Iluviel. In this world, there are magic users called mages, different classes of mage have different types of magic. Powerful criminal mages are sent through a portal to the prison of Asperfell, never to return. When the heir to the throne supposedly murders his father with his magic, the new king bans magic in the kingdom.
*Spoilers from here*
We follow Briony from the age of 8 up to her twenties. (view spoiler)
[When her family are discovered to be part of a plot against the young king, and Briony discovers she’s a mage, she is sent to Asperfell to find the true heir to the throne. (hide spoiler)]The medieval-ish writing style was fantastic, it had an authenticity to it that really completed the experience of reading. It really helps to pick up the relatively slow pace of the beginning of the book. Whilst the book is a bit of a slow burner, I loved that it just felt like such a gentle book, but the story was so brilliant.
I loved Elyan, the true heir. He was just such a cool character. I loved his relationship development with Briony. Equally, Thaniel’s character was amazing too! I totally ship him and Briony as a couple 🥰
One of my favourite things for a novel is twists surrounding characters. Asperfell didn’t disappoint, the twist was shocking. I never saw it coming, I totally trusted the character, who will remain nameless.
