Rating:
Author: Megg Jensen
Publication: February 5th, 2011
Add: GoodReads | Amazon
Description: Forget prophecy. Make your own destiny.
Sheltered from the outside world with no hope for escape, slave girl Reychel dreads her fifteenth birthday - when her master’s symbol is burned on the back of her bald scalp. Her best friend disappears the night before, leaving her to face the branding ceremony alone. She soon discovers nothing is as it seems when people desperate for freedom beg for Reychel's help.
Can Reychel learn to believe in herself?
Via GoodReads.
My Review:
The first book in the Cloud Prophet Trilogy, Anathema introduces us to a world full of slavery and people with extraordinary gifts. I got Anathema for free on Amazon (Where it is still free, by the way. Hey, wait! You haven't read my review yet! ... *sigh*) While I can never turn down a free book with an intriguing description, I haven't had many good experiences with free books. But Anathema was better than I had expected it would be.Why I liked it:
1. The unique storyline.Just like any other poor book lover with a Kindle, I love freebies. Because of some bad experiences with freebies, however, I don't just take any old book that I come across. Anathema's unique storyline caught my attention though, and it was that storyline that kept my attention through the whole book. Oppressed slaves forced to shave their heads and be branded like cattle by their masters. Both the slaves and masters alike harboring magical powers. A prophecy that puts one slave girl in the center of a rebellion. I've been really into the dystopia genre lately, and this had the dystopian and fantasy combined. I haven't seen anything simular and I enjoyed reading and watching the story play out. The entire Cloud Prophet thing I especially liked. I think that Anathema could have been an amazing read if some of the aspects of that story were tweeked.
What bothered me:
1. A "light" read. Light reads are fun and pass the time, but they never take the gold. How could've it transcended the "light"-zone? More life and death situations. Make me feel genuinely afraid for the characters. Everything came too easily for them and worked out with a cherry on top. And having more character development. I want to understand my characters and become invested in them.2. The writing. It wasn't terrible, not one of those freebies littered with mispelled words and grammar errors, but it was still just sort of awkward. I'm sorry I don't know how to explain it any better than that.
3. Instalove. This sort of ties in with the character development that I mentioned earlier. While the book did say that they fell in love over the span of a few months, these months happened in just a few pages of the book, so it felt rushed and unrealistic.
None of these things were make it or break it, but together they lessened the quality of the story for me. I really enjoyed the unique storyline and as a whole, Anathema was much better than what I have come to expect from on-sale free books. While I am not fully invested in the characters, I am interested in learning how their story will play out and will likely read the other two books in the trilogy sometime. There was a chapter of the next book, Oubliette, at the end of Anathema as well, which was interesting. I would 100% recommend this book because, well, it's free. And like I said, Anathema was really great for a free book.
Summed Up:
This was a fun, entertaining read that I got through quickly. I liked the unique storyline and interesting story that I wasn't expecting since the book was free. But, I didn't like how "light" it was, the less-than-perfect writing, or the instalove.
About the Author
Linny is the 18 year old girl and self-proclaimed mastermind behind Linny's Literature. She enjoys reading, designing, and spending time with her family. Learn more about her on the Meet Linny page.
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26 comments:
I had passed this by when I saw it on Kindle the other day, but after reading your review, I think I'll go download it and add it to the other 45451545154 free e-books that are waiting for me to read!
While my Kindle might not thank you, I most certainly do for the great review!
I definitely feel where you're coming from about the mountain of books waiting to be read! But I do think that this one is worth the download because it's free and pretty good. Happy to hear my review helped you! :)
Ah, so this was one of the freebies from Amazon. The cover looks great, and the plot really DOES sound unique. Sad to see that you didn't enjoy it much, though. Especially the insta-love part. Seriously, what's up with all these insta-lusts? YA authors nowadays MUST change their viewpoints of teenage love. -__-
Thanks for the review! I might just check it out - the blurb sounds awesome. ;)
I got this book downloaded too, but after reading your review, it might just push this book a little down the TBR queue...
i think i 'll read it later / when all my books r read lo./ i got a lot of freebies
tnx 4 the review
Thanks Meg! And while there were things that bothered me about it, I think it's definitely worth checking out. Especially since it's free. ;)
And you're right - it should be called insta-LUST. It's running rampant through YA books and it's driving me nuts.
Yeah, if you TBR list is anything like mine, then it's long and full of books that I'm really excited to read and ones I am not so excited for. This one's worth the download and read, but not something to be very excited about.
I have a ton of freebies too Roro. They just keep piling up haha. Well when you do read this one, I'll like to hear your thoughts on it. :)
Awesome Review! :)
I was really interested in this book also because of its unique plot but after reading your review it seems to have a lot of things i don't like either!
Take Care :)
http://possessionofbooks.blogspot.com.au/
Thanks Alex, glad you liked my review. :) And yeah, it's pretty in the middle with the like/don't like for me, so I had to give it a 3. I think it's still worth a read though.
Instalove.. I'm a bit allergic to that. It feels so fake, but overall, it sounds like a good book :)
New follower! Found you on Goodreads.
Exactly. I can never fully appreciate a book if it has instalove. And it is pretty good, if you have a kindle you should get it because it's free! :)
Thank you Mel! I appreciate it. I followed you back as well.
Oh man, I just reviewed Firelight, which is ALL up in the instalove. I still loved it though ;)
If you want to check it out at my blog YA Nation, click here
Your new follower via GFC! :),
~Suzanne
Instalove is everywhere anymore.. I too loved Firelight though.
And thanks Suzanne! I checked out your blog and followed back. :)
Linny I saw this on Amazon for free too, but haven't had time to read it yet. I didn't read all your review, just wanted to see your rating and get a little insight on your thoughts for this book. Yeah, I'm one of those reader that don't like to know to much about a book before reading it lol! I'll come back after I read it and give more of a comment :)
Understandable Debbie. Not only can reviews sometimes let you know more than you want before reading, but sometimes they can color your own opinions I find. Can't wait to hear your thoughts when you do read it though! :)
Hmm...I feel interested in this book and think it would be a really good read but I've read so many light books recently and I don't know if I'm going to be up to it. I really want to read a good action novel, like Insurgent will probably be, WHICH WON'T COME OUT!!! I am in desperate need of some new action reading material, and my library doesn't like to stock up too often in our Young Adult section...
But great review and sorry for pouring out all my book lover angst in a comment... :)
Linny, loved the review. :) I just grabbed it off of Amazon as well. I'm giving it a try. I may or may not have high hopes for this after reading that the writing style was awkward. It's a pet peeve of mine so we'll see how far I get in to it. :)
Thanks again for the review!
www.justaddwaterandblog.blogspot.com/
I completely agree with you on "light" reads. Here lately I have been in the mood to read more intense things that having me hanging on for dear life by the end! Thanks for sharing this :) If you get a chance please stop by my blog!! I am new to the blogging world!!
Chelsey@Charming Chelsey's
(New Follower)!!
I'm glad it wasn't terrible! Seeing as that it was free, 3 stars is a pretty decent rating! But boy, do I hate instalove...=.=
Great review as always Linny (:
@Eileen
Sorry to hear about you library, that would stink. :( And I know what you mean about light reads.. they can be a nice break every now and then, but never worth any real love.
Thank you and that's okay about the angst haha! I know how you feel.
@Erin HaddockGlad to hear you picked it up, it's definitely worth the free download despite the less than perfect writing. And you're welcome! :)
@Chelsey LynnI've visited your blog and followed it, thanks for following me! :)
As for the light reads, I feel the same way right now. I've read so many fluffy books lately that I would love to dive into something breathtaking..
@Shan @ Teatime BooksThank you Shan! And 3 stars is definitely nice for something free. ;) I agree about the instalove though... it seems to be everywhere anymore.
Thanks for this review Linny! I actually saw this book as well and was kind of interested in it! I might still do it seeing that it's for free, but like everyone said, it won't be on the top of my TBR list ;)
Btw, I added your button to my site! I love your blog and your new layout looks amazing :)
If you like my blog as well, feel free to add my button :)
See you around!
readiculously-peachy.blogspot.com
@Readiculously-Peachy
Thank you, when you do get around to reading it I'll be happy to see your thoughts on it. :)
And thank you for adding my button! I really appreciate it. I'm glad to hear you like my new layout too! I would add your button, but I haven't figured out where I'll but my blog roll yet since I've redesigned the site.
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