Brightly Woven {book review} * * * *

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Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken

- fantasy, YA -

reviewed by Tara SG

bought eBook via Amazon.com

Book Order

This is another book that I’m not sure whether a series is planned or not. I really hope so!

Links

Author’s Website : www.bracken.livejournal.com

Amazon : hardcover / eBook

Add To Your GoodReads TBR List

This book in 6 words:

mystery, magic, and mayhem beautifully intertwined

Why did I read this? And am I glad I did?

I first added Brightly Woven to my TBR list after reading a review for it at Royal Reviews. Unsurprisingly it sat on my Kindle unread until I saw Natalie’s (Mindful Musings) review a few days ago.  I finished it tonight and LOVED it! The story is beautifully done. This take on magic was unique and yet not overly complicated. The characters are wonderful and you will fall in love with both Sydelle and North. This book reminds me why I love fantasy

Brief Summary

This is from GoodReads and is probably from the back (or inside cover) of the book and honestly I’m glad I didn’t read it before reading the book. It gives a little more away that had me guessing… So if you like to be surprised, don’t read the last paragraph of this…

Sydelle Mirabil is living proof that, with a single drop of rain, a life can be changed forever. Tucked away in the farthest reaches of the kingdom, her dusty village has suffered under the weight of a strangely persistent drought. That is, of course, until a wizard wanders into town and brings the rain with him.

In return for this gift, Wayland North is offered any reward he desires—and no one is more surprised than Sydelle when, without any explanation, he chooses her. Taken from her home, Sydelle hardly needs encouragement to find reasons to dislike North. He drinks too much and bathes too little, and if that isn’t enough to drive her to madness, North rarely even uses the magic he takes such pride in possessing. Yet, it’s not long before she realizes there’s something strange about the wizard, who is as fiercely protective of her as he is secretive about a curse that turns his limbs a sinister shade of black and leaves him breathless with agony. Unfortunately, there is never a chance for her to seek answers.

Along with the strangely powerful quakes and storms that trace their path across the kingdom, other wizards begin to take an inexplicable interest in her as well, resulting in a series of deadly duels. Against a backdrop of war and uncertainty, Sydelle is faced with the growing awareness that these events aren’t as random as she had believed—that no curse, not even that of Wayland North, is quite as terrible as the one she herself may carry.

- via GoodReads.com

Plot/Pacing/Writing Style

I can’t say enough good things about the plot. You have a young girl ripped away from her family to travel with a wizard (the first she’s ever met) across a country she’s never seen all during a time of war. There is mystery surrounding the war, the magic, and her new companion, who she has a hard time hating.

The pacing was perfect. I was NEVER bored or felt like I was being rushed. I really wish I would have had time to read this all in one sitting. The writing style draws you in and surrounds you in a new world without being overly detailed.

Characters

Sydelle was stubborn, clever, witty, and caring. She sometimes said or did things that made me shake my head, but she’s 16 and really what’s a growing up story without a little “why?’ moments. For someone her age, she deals with the difficult challenge given to her and handles North quite well.

I LOVED North! He is a drunk, over-protective, sometimes smelly, loner wizard…. What that doesn’t sound appealing? Well he’s also extremely caring, funny, and dealing with issues Sydelle only slowly comes to realize. He has a strong sense of loyalty to his county and is willing to risk his life to save the lives of others.

There’s also a great villain (who I may or may not have nightmares about after picturing his face).

Recommendations

If you like YA (specially Fantasy) please add this to your TBR list! However, this isn’t something I would recommend to those who don’t typically like YA.

Going Deeper – Warning SPOILERS!

North keeps a HUGE secret from Sydelle. He claims he only wanted to protect her feelings and that he was not trying to deceive her. At what point is it OK to lie to someone to protect them? I think he should have told her sooner, however, I understand why he didn’t. The depression of what happened could crush some people… however, he should have known that she was strong (and stubborn) enough not to cave with the weight of that information.

What do you think? Is it OK to lie to someone to save them from being devastated?

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