Friday, May 23, 2014

Book Review: The Wizard's Promise by Cassandra Rose Clarke

The Wizard's Promise (The Hanna Duology #1)
Author:  Cassandra Rose Clarke
Publisher:  Strange Chemistry, 329 pages
Publication Date:  May 6, 2014
*ARC received from publisher via NetGalley

From Goodreads:
All Hanna Euli wants is to become a proper witch – but unfortunately, she’s stuck as an apprentice to a grumpy fisherman. When their boat gets caught up in a mysterious storm and blown wildly off course, Hanna finds herself further away from home than she’s ever been before.

As she tries to get back, she learns there may be more to her apprentice master than she realized, especially when a mysterious, beautiful, and very non-human boy begins following her through the ocean, claiming that he needs Hanna’s help.


Review:
I really wanted to like this book because I loved The Assassin's Curse (see my review here) and The Pirate's Wish (see my review here) and this book is set in that same world.  But honestly, it was just okay for me.  Hanna is a fisherwoman who wants to be a witch.  Her apprentice pretty much kidnaps her and she's stuck on the boat, having no idea what's going on.  She keeps asking, but he won't tell her.  Then there's a mysterious guy swimming alongside the boat, but he also won't tell her anything.  Hanna is frustrated and let me tell you, I was too.  Because that's all that happens for about half of the book.  Basically, nothing.  

The plot does pick up a bit after that, and by the end of the book, I was enjoying the story, but it came way too late for me.  It sort of read like a big introduction because almost nothing happens.  Hanna finally finds out what the deal is with her apprentice and with the mysterious guy, and then it ends.  Just when it was getting good.

I did like the world-building and the potential is there for a great story, but honestly, I was a bit bored.  


Posted by:  Pam

6 comments:

  1. Sorry you didn't like it! I've actually been hearing from a lot of people that read her other series that they didn't like it as much. But it seems like people who haven't read her other series are enjoying it more. Maybe it just doesn't live up to the awesomeness that was her first series?

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  2. I've seen a lot of so-so reviews of this so I think I will skip it for now. I don't love plots based on characters not telling the MC things. Sorry this didn't wow you as much as her other series.

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  3. Aw, sorry that you were bored by this one! I've heard good things about her other novels, but have admittedly read mixed reviews about this one. From what you've said, I'm not sure I'll love this one too much either.

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  4. I've never heard of this series before or the author, I don't think. Sad to see that this one wasn't for you. It doesn't sound like something I'd enjoy that much either.

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  5. I've been meaning to pick up the Assassin's series as I've heard such good things, but this sounds pretty dull. I always struggle with slow moving stories, and this one sounds brutal. I hope your next book is better!

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  6. I didn't even know that there was a spinoff but this is the second review I have seen and neither has been especially promising. I had a problem with unanswered questions in the original series and from what I gather, things still aren't explained this time around. And if you were bored with the first half, there is a good chance I will be too.

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