tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post5869963296083390825..comments2024-03-28T06:23:05.651-04:00Comments on Ivy Book Bindings: ARC Review: Death Sworn by Leah CypessKeertanahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01071392026876644282noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-16634490708375885812014-02-15T10:49:29.031-05:002014-02-15T10:49:29.031-05:00I liked this one as well, Keertana! I have been a ...I liked this one as well, Keertana! I have been a on a real fantasy kick lately and Death Sworn didn't disappoint. I was also a little bit wary about a book being set entirely within a series of caves--but that dark, dank, clausterphobic tone really set up the mood of this book and it actually ended up working for me. The couple of scenes that do take place outside of the caves made ME feel like I was gulping in the fresh air! <br /><br />I really, really grew to like Illeni--she is a tough character to connect with--lets face it, she's a total downer (and for good reason) but by the book's end I was so proud of her growth. <br /><br />I LOVED Sorin--right from the start--I need more of him. <br /><br />I'm stoked about the sequel because it would appear that it's going to take place outside of the caves and I think Illeni is going to kick some serious butt. And more Sorin/ Illeni kissing would also be good:) Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07026974627724672435noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-77108259076845930972014-02-13T09:47:55.260-05:002014-02-13T09:47:55.260-05:00As always, I appreciate your telling us what there...As always, I appreciate your telling us what there is to love as well as what's NOT to love about this book. I have a hit or miss relationship with fantasy, but your bringing up ethical dilemmas in this book makes me much more interested in reading this! I'm always impressed if that's handled well in books.<br /><br />Wendy @ <a href="http://www.themidnightgarden.net/2014/02/authorswoon2014.htmll" rel="nofollow">The Midnight Garden</a>Wendy Darlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13471461156849725177noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-65106558197013882882014-02-12T15:07:31.365-05:002014-02-12T15:07:31.365-05:00I haven't read a lot of fantasy novels lately,...I haven't read a lot of fantasy novels lately, but i been really enjoying them growing up so this interests me. Did not realize this was one of those. I don't mind if the first book in a fantasy is a bit on a weak side, since they do tend to build over time.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11209774851625668155noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-2017328415296446722014-02-12T14:11:36.793-05:002014-02-12T14:11:36.793-05:00I love all your reviews, but those for fantasy nov...I love all your reviews, but those for fantasy novels are my favorite of all. It simply sounds like we have the same taste and we both love this genre so much. I see that some things of this story are typical, characters who are supposed to hate each other and all that. But still the idea of assassins, magicians in one book is mostly winning combination for me. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one despite its flaws. Great review, Keertana :)Tanja - Tanychyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15084789780467257259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-6266793372233430102014-02-12T01:09:10.662-05:002014-02-12T01:09:10.662-05:00I'm also drawn to fantasy more lately, and I h...I'm also drawn to fantasy more lately, and I have plans to read this one. I'm glad to hear you liked it enough to want to read the sequel, and that it raises interesting ethical questions, but it's a shame you couldn't connect with Ileni during most of the story and that the worldbuilding is lacking. I'm still going to read this, but I'll definitely adjust my expectations. Lovely review Keertana!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-11361117962790370972014-02-11T17:57:36.814-05:002014-02-11T17:57:36.814-05:00I haven't read anything by this author, but th...I haven't read anything by this author, but this sounds like a promising series. However, I want to see what you think of the whole series before I decide. You've certainly given me plenty to recommendations that I won't run out of things to read before this series reaches its conclusion!<br /><br />And your observation about the ethical questions made me think about it's relevancy to the current world situations. Maybe that is where your mind went to. I probably wouldn't have looked so deeply into a fantasy novel, but I love that you brought those questions to light. Definitely something to keep in mind when I read it. I'm wondering how they are answered.<br /><br />HeatherBURIED IN BOOKShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18205451716054533728noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-87259615997133386542014-02-11T16:29:37.494-05:002014-02-11T16:29:37.494-05:00This sounds interesting. I'm also curious to s...This sounds interesting. I'm also curious to see how the second book either compliments this one and/or fixes the problems you had with this one. I might wait to see what you think of that one, but I still think I may put it on my wishlist.Melissa (Books and Things)https://www.blogger.com/profile/00074452958853212024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-18440844633720466212014-02-11T13:20:23.917-05:002014-02-11T13:20:23.917-05:00"One of the best elements to this tale is the..."One of the best elements to this tale is the fact that Cypess’s assassins are deadly. " YES to this. I love that these assassins actually assassinate and are willing to do whatever it takes to accomplish their mission. They are dedicated, but I also love that we see that Sorin has his own mind as well. <br /><br />"Sorin and Ileni’s romance, too, is impeccably timed, starting out as a very firm friendship before progressing any further." Their romance is one of my favorite parts of this book, exactly because it doesn't overpower everything, and is paced so perfectly to maximize tension and swoon. <br /><br />I know we discussed this story at length and the lack of world building and connection to Ileni were two issues that I also struggled with. Both of which I'm hoping will improve in book 2.<br /><br />This book does ask so many great questions throughout. That was one of my favorite elements as well. Thorough, thoughtful review. Lauren @ Love is not a trianglehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15388832613855107816noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-23958857071023412762014-02-11T11:10:19.915-05:002014-02-11T11:10:19.915-05:00I read Mistwood many moons ago and did not really ...I read Mistwood many moons ago and did not really enjoy it. However, I can see Cypress' writing prowess excels in this genre. But there was just something elusive about the characters' personalities that didn't quite hit the target for me. And I can see that it's also the same in this case. <br /><br />Wonderful review, Keertana. :)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00107816571044347474noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-90745377549856030372014-02-11T09:48:15.452-05:002014-02-11T09:48:15.452-05:00I had similar thoughts on this one Keertana! I enj...I had similar thoughts on this one Keertana! I enjoyed it very much overall, though I agree with you on the world-building. I liked that it wasn't as sprawling a world because sometimes I get lost in fantasy worlds and can't sort my way through, but I want more history moving forward. I loved the slow burn romance as well, and I'm glad you're on board for the next book! I definitely am too:)Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14199685365145765394noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-4610235817856149092014-02-11T09:13:02.582-05:002014-02-11T09:13:02.582-05:00Ooh, yeah. I think I'd need to know more about...Ooh, yeah. I think I'd need to know more about the world outside the caves. Interesting choice but they can't stay there forever, especially in a story that seems like it's supposed to be action-filled (I mean, assassins.). Mary @ BookSwarmhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04099395167194720599noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-53274906017297503642014-02-11T08:40:58.855-05:002014-02-11T08:40:58.855-05:00Though I've heard somewhat mixed reviews on th...Though I've heard somewhat mixed reviews on this one, I can't help but be intrigued by your review, Keertana! It takes true strength from an author to really spin a story that explores morality, as well. Lovely thoughts!Melissa (i swim for oceans)https://www.blogger.com/profile/06840790603713851746noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-79642442036202733962014-02-11T06:45:29.993-05:002014-02-11T06:45:29.993-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Jasprithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346050783201302967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-25921346221081285752014-02-11T06:45:29.402-05:002014-02-11T06:45:29.402-05:00I'm defintiely finding myslef swaying more tow...I'm defintiely finding myslef swaying more towards fantasy novels lately too, if you had asked me to read a fantasy novel a couple of years back, I probably wouldn't have considered it, but I'm the different worlds that we get to experience. I love how you've described Death Sworn, it's detail sounds so rich and complex, also I adore my heroines who are fierce! Thanks for another gorgeous review Keertana and for putting another brilliant book on my radar! Jasprithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11346050783201302967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3523300192245025551.post-3098739877188885912014-02-11T01:42:55.249-05:002014-02-11T01:42:55.249-05:00Hm..I am intrigued cos I do wanna try a book by he...Hm..I am intrigued cos I do wanna try a book by herBlodeueddhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03435479623560871881noreply@blogger.com