Friday, March 7, 2014

Review: Sea of Shadows by Kelley Armstrong

Title: Sea of Shadows
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Series: Book One in the Age of Legends Series
Published By: Harper Teen (April 8, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: YA Fantasy
My Rating: 3 Stars

Book Description:
In the Forest of the Dead, where the empire’s worst criminals are exiled, twin sisters Moria and Ashyn are charged with a dangerous task. For they are the Keeper and the Seeker, and each year they must quiet the enraged souls of the damned.

Only this year, the souls will not be quieted.

Ambushed and separated by an ancient evil, the sisters’ journey to find each other sends them far from the only home they’ve ever known. Accompanied by a stubborn imperial guard and a dashing condemned thief, the girls cross a once-empty wasteland, now filled with reawakened monsters of legend, as they travel to warn the emperor. But a terrible secret awaits them at court—one that will alter the balance of their world forever.





I really need to stop picking up high fantasy books because as much as I always want to love them, I very rarely ever do and I so wish I could say I loved this.

I enjoyed the writing and the characters but again as so often happens with me and high fantasy, I just had a really hard time connecting to the world or characters.

I always want to love them and be a part of their world, I just never can be. 

This really isn't the fault of the writer because I like Armstrong's work, I have read a few of her books and really enjoyed them, which is why I choose to give this one a try, it is simply just me. Something in my brain just doesn't..compute? Relate? Like? 

Having said all of that, I don't want to discourage anyone from giving this one a go because like I mentioned above, the writing is well done and there was critical world building involved, this just wasn't the read for me sadly. But I do think and truly believe that those that really like this fantasy will like this. 

The world was imaginative and different and unlike anything else I have read in the genre. There were twists and turns in the story I wasn't expecting and some character growth along the way with the sisters (which I really enjoyed the whole concept and idea of the Keeper and Seeker by the way), and that is always crucial to me. I am always all about the growth.  

So yeah, this maybe wasn't the read for me but still something I could totally appreciate. 




*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

18 comments:

  1. Ugh. I am so on the fence about this one. I love Kelley Armstrong too, but so far her YA series haven't done much for me. Then I was SO excited about this one b/c I DO love fantasy, but then I found out more about what type of fantasy it is, and now . . . now I just don't know. I guess we'll see ;)

    Jessica @ Rabid Reads

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  2. I have this book on my radar for a while. I enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's books and her writings. Also I love high fantasy so I don't I'll have problems like you. I truly hope you'll find the right fantasy to connect to. Great review, Ali :)

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    1. If you like high fantasy and her other books then I am sure you will love this one Tanja. :)

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  3. Shoot Ali! I was so very excited for this one:( I've been on a fantasy kick lately and have had great success, but I don't think any of them have been high fantasy. Not sure what you call it, light fantasy? I have a feeling true high fantasy will be bit of a struggle for me as it was for you, I sometimes find hugely imaginative worlds hard to wrap my mind around. I think I'll pass for now, but I'll leave it on my "maybe" list:)

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    1. You never know Jenny, you might just love this. ;)

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  4. AHh I love Armstrong and I have this scheduled, I am hoping I will enjoy it more? I will read some more reviews before deciding,

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  5. I think I'll still give this one a try since I love the sound of the book. I'm happy the world is good, too! Great review :)

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    1. Thanks Montana and I hope you like it more than I did.

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  6. Sheeet! I usually avoid this type of book but decided to grab it anyway. Now I'm regretting it. I contemplated starting it last night, then I was looking at the not so stellar reviews. -groan- I may give it 20 pages to hook me, but that's it! lol

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    1. Can't wait to see what you think of it Christy, you never know, you may love it.

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  7. I almost picked this up, but my calendar was too full this month, and I am kinda thankful after reading your thoughts. I think I would prefer to read her Omen book instead.

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    1. It was just a really tough read for me and I really did want to like it because I usually love her books.

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  8. I'm sorry you had a hard time connecting to the characters and the world, that can definitely prevent you from enjoying a book. I have better luck with high fantasy, so I'm still holding out some hope this book will work for me. Thank you for your balanced honest review!

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  9. High fantasy books are kind of hit and miss with me. I've been more into contemporary for a while now. I am glad to read your review, because I've been curious about this. I don't think it would be for me either.

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    1. Yeah , they can be so challenging at times but when you find a really good one it makes all the others worth it.

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