I wish I liked this series more than I do. The premise is interesting as is the history of the island and its inhabits. The magic system is also pretty cool. However, what potential is there is buried underneath sluggish pacing, flat characters (many of whom make some nonsensical choices), and a general sense that nothing of importance was accomplished.
I can't say that there isn't anything to like about this series. Some of the character interactions were entertaining. The concept of an entire culture enforcing three sisters to duke it out until one remains standing is intriguing, as is the idea of an isolated, magical island. The mystery surrounding the why behind the isolation is likewise compelling.
You will notice, though, that I'm talking about the concepts and not the actual execution. That's where this series stumbles. It takes Blake four novels to tell a story that could've easily been one, maybe two. Instead, it feels like she purposefully postpones the final confrontation between the siblings because she knows that's the most logical climax to the whole story. So she fills the time between the beginning and the climax with a lot of scenes that could have been condensed, combined, or even cut.
Not helping matters is some of the decisions the characters make. At times, it doesn't feel like they come to those decisions on their own; they do them because the plot demands it. The characters themselves are rather flat: Arisnoe is a tomboy, Jules is a prodigy, Mirabella is kind, etc.
I wouldn't say that this series is entirely without merit, but I can't give it a full recommendation either. Not when there's far better written YA fantasy out there just begging to be read.
Literature Four Dull Books
I wish I liked this series more than I do. The premise is interesting as is the history of the island and its inhabits. The magic system is also pretty cool. However, what potential is there is buried underneath sluggish pacing, flat characters (many of whom make some nonsensical choices), and a general sense that nothing of importance was accomplished.
I can't say that there isn't anything to like about this series. Some of the character interactions were entertaining. The concept of an entire culture enforcing three sisters to duke it out until one remains standing is intriguing, as is the idea of an isolated, magical island. The mystery surrounding the why behind the isolation is likewise compelling.
You will notice, though, that I'm talking about the concepts and not the actual execution. That's where this series stumbles. It takes Blake four novels to tell a story that could've easily been one, maybe two. Instead, it feels like she purposefully postpones the final confrontation between the siblings because she knows that's the most logical climax to the whole story. So she fills the time between the beginning and the climax with a lot of scenes that could have been condensed, combined, or even cut.
Not helping matters is some of the decisions the characters make. At times, it doesn't feel like they come to those decisions on their own; they do them because the plot demands it. The characters themselves are rather flat: Arisnoe is a tomboy, Jules is a prodigy, Mirabella is kind, etc.
I wouldn't say that this series is entirely without merit, but I can't give it a full recommendation either. Not when there's far better written YA fantasy out there just begging to be read.