Very original and descriptive
351006
King does a wonderful job describing scenes and characters in this very original mystery.  This is a highly recommended read that kept me guessing up to the final pages.
2837217
Definitely not my usual book. That said, it is original, fresh, melding several different genres very well. I really liked the main character, Nemsa, a hero with challenges that she doesn't let define her. I also liked the two point of views.

A story of challenges, power, love, danger. This isn't just a story, it will make you think about us as a race and the world we live in and what we are doing to it.

I'm glad there is someone like Ms. Hellenthal writing good stories for young adults! I would have no problem recommending this book.
3957420
I wasn't sure I would like this after I read the reviews, but it sounded great and I am so glad I read it anyway. It's a totally original concept, and I love the way it alternates between the characters and between the various social media formats as well as their direct narratives. It's smart, timely, and very well written. I highly recommend this!
3401669
I loved the descriptions involved and the general world and characters. It was a new and interesting approach to magic, using the Wild Magic, High Magic, and the Dark Magic.. it all interested me, and it interested me further the descriptions of each person. Shalkan, the unicorn, particularly interested me, as well as the Centaurs. The unique descriptions of them brought flavor to the book. While it was a bit long and the descriptions could go on for a couple pages, it was a lot more interesting to me compared to, say, Lord of the Rings, which is just boring.. (in my opinion..) And it left me hanging. I want to see if the pompous mages of the City of a Thousand Bells will finally realize that they've dug their own grave! If Kellen will develop his Knight-Mage talents and if he'll ever wield a sword as well as.. before. I can't wait for the next one!
1198960
I really liked this book. Not only are the main characters completely engaging and multi-dimensional, but they are also capable of continuing their story. The author does a superb job of making you feel the novelty and the anguish of A's strange life. I also feel really drawn to R and I care enough about this book character to want the best for her. Very well done and original. Bravo!
4393057
This was one of the best descriptive books I have ever read. It kept my attention from start to finish. Can't wait to read another book by this author....
4086360
This is a very original story. It is well-written and powerful. The scenes in country seemed real and gritty to me (I did not serve). Mr. Hefti let the story unfold and kept me wanting to read right up until the end.  The main character is both a hero and an anti-hero and i believe this to be hard to pull off.

I also enjoyed the setting of the Lacrosse area and his Wisconsin bars. His characters seem like real people with real problems that do not get solved easily.
912099
A very original story line.  Sometimes a bit difficult to follow in parts and it took some getting used to the author's style of having everything in the first person but each chapter dictated by a different character.  A satisfying ending, too.  Would have given it 5 stars but the narration did drag in a few too many parts.
205418
I loved this book.  It was a quick, wonderful read.  The scenes involving the ancient magic were so vivid that I wanted more spirits and demons to visit Josephine with every turn of the page.  When I finished the book, I wanted to see this character and this world again as soon as I could.

I truly appreciate her main character being female and racially mixed.  Woman/girls of color do not have many representative main characters in books.

This was a very original story that I would suggest for any middle school child or adult who enjoys young adult literature (like me).
229019
I loved this book.  The main character is a both unique and very real young girl, and I got caught up in her journey as well as the other characters she comes into contact with. The prose is so rich that I had to read it slowly to savor it. But it is not so wordy that it is difficult to read. Rather the vivid details are a delight. I liked how the use of color is used to portray the transforming power of art and beauty.  Even though I am a bit of a neophyte when it comes to fantasy fiction, I found this book an enjoyable and rewarding experience, and it makes me want to read more in this genre.
3609428
One of the most original stories I've read. At first I didn't like the characters but after reading more I began to understand them better and care what happens to them. The characters live in a different world than what I'm familiar with but I think that its more than likely very realistic.  It's a very good read and will slowly pull you in.
315279
This is the first book I have ever read that was narrated by a cat. I have to admit it was interesting. I have often wondered what the world looks like through the eyes of animals. It was a really unique experience.

Take a setting like ancient Egypt and have it narrated by a catcolor me intrigued!

Some things that I really enjoyed were the descriptions of towns and rivers. Most books harp on the monuments and pyramids.  This book gives you more than that by showing aspects of real life. I am forever curious to know what the everyday was like in ancient times.

Magic and the like was a very real thing for ancient Egyptians and I love how it was included in this book. Mysticism was rampant then and I really enjoyed how it was brought in and made a part of the story.

Check out my blog AlliesOpinions for the full review.
2296821
I am not a huge reader, but I try and always have something to read. I tend to stay away from book series, as I like to be able to step away after I finish a book. I read the description of book I and was just too interested not to give the book a try. I have to say that this is a very original story and I am glad that I read all three books. I purchased a hard copy of book I and plan on lending it out to some of my friends to get them to read through it.
3962833
It's hard for me to find books with good action, dynamic characters, and then an ending that I actually enjoy. I loved reading this book, the entire journey. It was well thought out, none of it was rushed, and it's an original world with concepts I haven't read before. Worth every minute and probably a book I will read again.
561784
I don't know if I have ever read a book quite like this. The author describes how small events connect people from different places and times in the world. It's quite an original idea, and Mitchell pulled it off excellently. Each chapter is like a totally different story but is somehow connected to the events of the previous chapter, even if the connection is so minor that the reader almost misses it. I enjoyed some chapters more than others (some chapters contain graphic language and content), but overall I enjoyed this book. It was a good break from the monotony of most novels.
4106584
The cover of this book is what prompted me to give it a try.  Kind of unique and interesting, and that is what the book turned out to be.  So in this case, you can tell a book by its cover.  There is a very original story line, that is well crafted and interesting.  I feel the story can teach as well as entertain, as a good story ought to.

If there is any criticism it is that the author chose to jump time periods back and forth.  Granted, he did it well without causing confusion.  I normally don't continue books like this to the end, but did in this case.  His writing was excellent.
676638
I went into this book not knowing what to expect. The synopsis is accurate, but it was just the tip of the iceberg as far as the story is concerned. While this story didn't rock my world or change the fabric of my universe-which is why I gave it 4 stars instead of five-I really enjoyed this book and appreciated the fact that even though there is a sequel, this story stands alone very well. It was so original and I did not want to put it down. I will definitely check out other works from this very talented author!