while I wouldnt say I was disappointed, I also wasn't entirely enamored by this novel
346089
Im a huge fan of Garth Nixs Old Kingdom series and have waited  with barely contained anticipation  for a new installment, while I wouldnt say I was disappointed, I also wasn't entirely enamored by this novel.

On the plus side  returning to the world of the Old Kingdom was still utterly enthralling and the magic of the writing is undeniable. As always, Garth Nix creates a complex and captivating world  it is dark and dangerous and he sets high stakes for his characters. It is also interesting that this novel is a prequel rather than a sequel, and entering this world in this time made for a fascinating experience given that the other books in the series means that the reader knows how the world will change with time.

However, it is the characters that were the reason why I didn't fall in love with this novel as I had expected to. The protagonist is Clariel, and Garth Nix has previously created complicated, vulnerable and likable female protagonists  both Sabriel and Lirael are excellent examples. Clariel was an exception, at least for me. She is not relatable or likable  I found her to be whiny, spoilt and entirely lacking in depth. While some of the supporting characters are much more charming, they are completely blind to Clariels shortcomings and almost fall over themselves to help her and this somehow made them less relatable by extension.

I still think that this novel is a worthwhile read, especially for serious fans of the Old Kingdom series, but for me, it didn't quite live up to the previous books in the series.
1941426
3.5
I enjoyed this novel and there were several bits of very stirring writing for me. But on the whole I found it slowly paced (the famed shipwreck this story is supposedly about only takes place near the end of the book), and I had the same feeling of being disconnected to the characters as I did in BETWEEN SHADES OF GRAY. I did love Joana, Emilia, Florian, Klaus, and the Shoe Poet, but this book didn't hit me on every level.
3874456
I enjoyed some parts of this novel, but felt some where kind of slow or not interesting enough to keep my enthusiasm.
3804943
I didn't found truly poetic story I expected after reading some reviews. And also didn't found the story too much ineresting.
55120
Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I didn't find it particularly inspiring, and the writing was not to my taste.
3541158
I have to say that I was disappointed with this for the most part. I'm not sure what I was expecting- I think I was hoping that this would be the "Prince & Me" meets "Devil Wears Prada" and Sophie Kinsella. It has touches of all three, but in the end it just fell short of my expectations.

I think that part of this is because of the pacing. Sometimes you get some really great scenes in here that work incredibly well, other times this just feels like it's treading far too much water and as such, is taking far too long to get where it's trying to go. I couldn't help but occasionally wish that it was maybe about 50 pages shorter since it just seemed to be a bit tedious at points.

However that said, this isn't a bad novel in the slightest and for those with a bit more patience will probably find this more rewarding and for what's ultimately the two authors' first adult novel, it's a very good debut. (They have written some YA novels and a non-fiction book, but YA and adult fiction are two different writing spheres.) I also have to say that despite the occasional slow spots, the two authors have created some pretty good characters. I did feel like Bex was a sympathetic character and that's kind of what kept me going through the books- her interactions with her sister were especially the stronger parts of the novel.

Overall I think that I would recommend this, but as a library read. It's not bad and I have a feeling that this book is likely going to get a pretty big following, but I do think that this is going to be one of those "you like it or you don't" type of books like "Devil Wears Prada" or the Emily Giffin books. If you do want to buy this outright, read the sample first before deciding.
3876826
I had a hard time caring about any of these characters, and the story didn't draw me in as much as I had hoped.
2170856
I didn't love it but I didn't hate it.
Wasn't really a fan of Helen but I liked Benson. Still trying to understand why she felt the way she did about going home. She basically says her childhood was horrible but that her family was a typical loving family. It didn't make any sense to me. She spent a lot of the book complaining and putting down everyone in her head for no obvious reason.
Benson and the rest of the characters seem pretty great and I kinf of wish we had gotten to know them.
There also was a lot of hospital scenes for no longer than this was and not for the reason you would think. Plus the unanswered question of what happened to her mom.
Overall it was just a quick story about a woman falling in love.
378281
The Amaranth books are set in an interesting world - feels somewhat feudal in nature. Historical. The slavery in the world is harsh and unforgiving. Here the slave, Tiffin (he doesn't remember his name), has a hidden secret that's magical. It makes for an intriguing story but it keeps you a bit removed from him as a protagonist. Since the story is told from his viewpoint that distance hurts the connection. Tiffin didn't strike me as particularly smart - more cute - and his thoughts tended more towards puppy than person. However in that is a powerful message. This didn't occur all the time - and you do get more in depth thoughts as the story moves and presses forward. I was quite conflicted on whether I was supposed to "like" the Sergeant/Captain as sort of an anti-hero? I didn't really like him but I did appreciate what he could do for Tiffin. There were these little things that I felt like should demonstrate to me a rudimentary caring on his behalf to Tiffin but I just wasn't feeling it as a love match. In the end I guess that would have been too much to some degree.
4507475
Let me first start by saying that I definitely encourage you to read the previous two books prior to starting Shared for Love. I just think you'll understand what is going on in the story more if you have the full picture. I know I was glad that I did, and while I enjoyed the novella and the first book to this series, I must admit that I was rather underwhelmed by this second installment to the story. For starters, I didn't like the separation between the characters and the overall story just felt very forced to me. It also wasn't a true menage story in my opinion, and instead was a case where the guys just take turns with her instead. This aspect might work for those who don't enjoy menage or just stepping your toes into reading that sub genre. I was kind of hoping it wouldn't be that way, but sadly I expected it given how their wolves behave. It was still an exciting story with a conclusion to events that started in the first book, so I was very pleased with that aspect. I think it boiled down to my expectations being a bit too high going in, because I might have otherwise just loved this book. I'm still going to continue on with the series when the next book comes out, because I'm dying to find out what happens next.
2228575
2.5 stars...

I was a bit ambivalent towards this book on the whole. It seemed to follow the same path that many young adult fantasy novels take - girl has power but it determined not to use it then has to come to terms with it to save the day. I sometimes found myself bored as parts of the book really seemed to drag on, while other times I couldn't put it down. I will try to summarize the things that I liked and the aspects that I had trouble with so that readers can (hopefully) make a determination for themselves whether this is a potentially enjoyable book for them.

Things that I liked about this book...well, sadly, I'm having a hard time thinking of things that stood out. I actually really enjoyed the setting of Russia in the 1800's. So many fantasy novels with historical settings are in England, and occasionally other parts of Europe, that I found this a refreshing and enjoyable change.

Aspects of this book that I had trouble with are easier to think of, as some of them stand out in my mind. First, I felt that the fantasy "world" that the book takes place in didn't seem terribly well developed. Or, if it was well developed, wasn't explained to the reader. It was clear from the start that there were fantasy/paranormal aspects to the world - and that the main character (Katerina) didn't necessarily understand them - but rather than give the reader an explanation of them we were left in the dark. Those parts that Katerina did understand she never really explained to us and, as for the rest, we were left to discover them along with her...except she never received a full explanation (perhaps this will be left for a future book?).

Another aspect that bothered me was Katerina herself. Granted, none of the characters seemed to develop much over the course of the book (except maybe the Grand Duke George), but Katerina seemed to be an exceptionally weak character in a book of weak characters. She spent a lot of time feeling sorry for herself. She had a power that scared her and rather than try and find out more about it (at any point in her life, and there were a lot of opportunities in the book) she tries to pretend it doesn't exist. When she's threatened she keeps it to herself with the reasoning that it will protect everyone - even though some of those people she is protecting have far greater resources than she, and supernatural powers of their own. She seemed ignorant to the point that she ended up creating a lot of the problems she had to deal with. I felt that all the characters could have been better developed - but for the main character to have been one of the weakest characters bothered me.

I am willing to give the author the benefit of the doubt - as this appears to be her first book - and will consider reading the second book the in the trilogy when it comes out. I enjoyed the setting and, problems aside, the plot was interesting enough that I have a vague curiosity as to how the second book will play out. That being said, I did feel that the first book left a lot to be desired and, while somewhat enjoyable, didn't seem to be a strong enough book to really stand out in a genre that has gained popularity and now has so many wonderful (and well written) books to offer.
2908700
The plot was not all I was hoping for, didn't leave me on the edge of my seat waiting to turn the next page as expected
392109
I can't say I loved this book but I didn't hate it neither. Yes the main character was slightly annoying but you grew to like her some what. Sad and disappointing ending
4003656
I could not get further than part 3. I gave in and skimmed the rest, skipped to the ending, and just felt kind of deflated by the conclusion. I didn't love the mix of magic and technology like I thought I would and the characters weren't that amazing (imho). I think this is just one of those books where not everyone is going to enjoy or appreciate the story. The story was interesting, it wasn't a horrible book, but it just wasn't for me.
2196453
I wasn't  that impressed with it but I am more of a fiction Buff with true  history infused into it
1849346
Not the best either. I liked some aspects of it, but the absurdity of the time space felt uncomfortable. I don't feel like I wasted my time reading it as it had some interesting parts and I liked the character exploration somewhat but awkwardly fighting fate and the dirty feel of it didn't absorb my attention. For a quick read it was a-ight
1261839
An ok read.  For me it was hard to like some of the characters