Fire & Ice by Michele Barrow-BelisleMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Year read: 2015
Full disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All the opinions I express here are entirely my own.
There's no denying that this book brims with potential. However, this inaugural installment falls short of fully realizing that potential. The primary issue lies in the need for more rigorous editing. There were moments where the dialogue felt hurried and underdeveloped, so much so that I wondered if I had somehow missed pages in my ebook. Numerous plotlines were introduced and then seemingly abandoned, leaving me longing for closure.
Lorelei, our protagonist, struck me as a character who sometimes bore an uncanny resemblance to Bella Swan from the Twilight series. She appeared to lack substantial growth or development, consistently rushing headlong into situations that landed her in the damsel-in-distress role. When we meet her at the book's outset, she presents as a strong, silent loner with hidden talents. The rapidity with which Lorelei succumbs to swooning over Adrius feels somewhat incongruent with the girl we first encounter.
Admittedly, there were moments of frustration in this book. However, Michele Barrow-Belisle has crafted a captivating world filled with intricate details and vivid descriptions. Despite the book’s challenges, I was irresistibly drawn into the enchanting realm of faerie, brimming with magical creatures and boundless possibilities.
Now, in complete honesty, I won't be reading the sequel, "Bittersweet." While this book certainly intrigued me with its world-building, the character development and plot execution left something to be desired. With this series's potential, I earnestly hope it receives the attention of a skilled editor and undergoes revision. Such a revision could elevate it to greatness, but I'll be exploring other literary realms for now.
View all my reviews
Full disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All the opinions I express here are entirely my own.
There's no denying that this book brims with potential. However, this inaugural installment falls short of fully realizing that potential. The primary issue lies in the need for more rigorous editing. There were moments where the dialogue felt hurried and underdeveloped, so much so that I wondered if I had somehow missed pages in my ebook. Numerous plotlines were introduced and then seemingly abandoned, leaving me longing for closure.
Lorelei, our protagonist, struck me as a character who sometimes bore an uncanny resemblance to Bella Swan from the Twilight series. She appeared to lack substantial growth or development, consistently rushing headlong into situations that landed her in the damsel-in-distress role. When we meet her at the book's outset, she presents as a strong, silent loner with hidden talents. The rapidity with which Lorelei succumbs to swooning over Adrius feels somewhat incongruent with the girl we first encounter.
Admittedly, there were moments of frustration in this book. However, Michele Barrow-Belisle has crafted a captivating world filled with intricate details and vivid descriptions. Despite the book’s challenges, I was irresistibly drawn into the enchanting realm of faerie, brimming with magical creatures and boundless possibilities.
Now, in complete honesty, I won't be reading the sequel, "Bittersweet." While this book certainly intrigued me with its world-building, the character development and plot execution left something to be desired. With this series's potential, I earnestly hope it receives the attention of a skilled editor and undergoes revision. Such a revision could elevate it to greatness, but I'll be exploring other literary realms for now.
View all my reviews
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