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Gates of Thread and Stone #1
Gates of Thread and Stone
In the Labyrinth, we had a saying: keep silent, keep still, keep safe.
In a city of walls and secrets, where only one man is supposed to possess magic, seventeen-year-old Kai struggles to keep hidden her own secret—she can manipulate the threads of time. When Kai was eight, she was found by Reev on the riverbank, and her “brother� has taken care of her ever since. Kai doesn’t know where her ability comes from—or where she came from. All that matters is that she and Reev stay together, and maybe one day move out of the freight container they call home, away from the metal walls of the Labyrinth. Kai’s only friend is Avan, the shopkeeper’s son with the scandalous reputation that both frightens and intrigues her.
Then Reev disappears. When keeping silent and safe means losing him forever, Kai vows to do whatever it takes to find him. She will leave the only home she’s ever known and risk getting caught up in a revolution centuries in the making. But to save Reev, Kai must unravel the threads of her past and face shocking truths about her brother, her friendship with Avan, and her unique power.
In a city of walls and secrets, where only one man is supposed to possess magic, seventeen-year-old Kai struggles to keep hidden her own secret—she can manipulate the threads of time. When Kai was eight, she was found by Reev on the riverbank, and her “brother� has taken care of her ever since. Kai doesn’t know where her ability comes from—or where she came from. All that matters is that she and Reev stay together, and maybe one day move out of the freight container they call home, away from the metal walls of the Labyrinth. Kai’s only friend is Avan, the shopkeeper’s son with the scandalous reputation that both frightens and intrigues her.
Then Reev disappears. When keeping silent and safe means losing him forever, Kai vows to do whatever it takes to find him. She will leave the only home she’s ever known and risk getting caught up in a revolution centuries in the making. But to save Reev, Kai must unravel the threads of her past and face shocking truths about her brother, her friendship with Avan, and her unique power.
335 pages, Hardcover
First published August 5, 2014
520 people are currently reading
17k people want to read
About the author
Lori M. Lee
15Ìýbooks1,397ÌýfollowersLori is an avid writer, reader, artist, and lover of unicorns. She should probably spend less time on the internet (but she won't). She considers herself a unicorn aficianado, is fond of talking in capslock, and loves to write about magic, manipulation, and family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 719 reviews
August 27, 2014
Just in case you missed the blurb, let me remind us all what this book is supposed to be about:
In a city of walls and secrets, where only one man is supposed to possess magic, seventeen-year-old Kai struggles to keep hidden her own secret—she can manipulate the threads of time... She will leave the only home she’s ever known and risk getting caught up in a revolution centuries in the making. But to save Reev, Kai must unravel the threads of her past and face shocking truths about her brother, her friendship with Avan, and her unique power.
Magic... check.
Adventure... check.
Sibling love... check.
Recipe for awesomeness... sure sounds like it to me!
But, you see, here's the thing. Apparently, Kai is some badass, talented manipulator of time - that's what we're told. But I guess I missed all her hardcore magical talents somewhere between her poetic ramblings about Avan and her "oh my, Avan's sexy arm just brushed against my innocent, blushing virginal arm" nonsense. Okay no, the author didn't say her arm blushed (or was a virgin), I made it up. But I'm sure you catch my drift.
And apparently there was some adventure and apparently their lives were in danger and maybe I would have got a better sense of that if not every single one of Kai's thoughts were about Avan. The original plot line of her brother being kidnapped intrigued me, but it was quickly lost beneath the romancing and angsting. I felt like I kept waiting for the good stuff to happen in this book. It has such a great title and interesting premise that I was sure something really good was just around the corner.
So... I waited. And got:
“Without Avan in front of me, I felt unsteady. I leaned forward, resting my hands on the seat. It was warm. I drew away, flustered.
Sometimes, with the shop counter between us, it was easy to look at Avan and admire him from the safe standpoint of a friend, to see him as just a boy from the Alley.�
And then:
“Being this close to Avan was a practice in contradictions. His body heat and the solid comfort of his back soothed me. I could relax against him and feel secure enough to sleep, even if only lightly. It was almost like being with Reev. But Reev didn’t also make me hyperaware of every point of contact between us. The shift of his muscles beneath my cheek. The backs of his thighs. The way our hips aligned on the seat. For the first hour, my heart pounded so hard, it was like a battering ram against my ribs.�
And: “I leaned against his side and felt his arm circle my shoulders. Even though I knew it wasn’t true, I imagined his warmth like a Sun that shone just for me.�
I thought this was going to be fantasy, not romance. And interesting, not boring. But this book was about 90% romantic angst; and boring romantic angst at that. The "heroine" was prudish to the point that even thinking about a kiss made her blush... I just lost interest so quickly that I'm amazed I managed to force myself through. I will say that the last quarter is marginally better than the rest but it wasn't enough to rescue the book, in my opinion.
So disappointed.
| | | | |
In a city of walls and secrets, where only one man is supposed to possess magic, seventeen-year-old Kai struggles to keep hidden her own secret—she can manipulate the threads of time... She will leave the only home she’s ever known and risk getting caught up in a revolution centuries in the making. But to save Reev, Kai must unravel the threads of her past and face shocking truths about her brother, her friendship with Avan, and her unique power.
Magic... check.
Adventure... check.
Sibling love... check.
Recipe for awesomeness... sure sounds like it to me!
But, you see, here's the thing. Apparently, Kai is some badass, talented manipulator of time - that's what we're told. But I guess I missed all her hardcore magical talents somewhere between her poetic ramblings about Avan and her "oh my, Avan's sexy arm just brushed against my innocent, blushing virginal arm" nonsense. Okay no, the author didn't say her arm blushed (or was a virgin), I made it up. But I'm sure you catch my drift.
And apparently there was some adventure and apparently their lives were in danger and maybe I would have got a better sense of that if not every single one of Kai's thoughts were about Avan. The original plot line of her brother being kidnapped intrigued me, but it was quickly lost beneath the romancing and angsting. I felt like I kept waiting for the good stuff to happen in this book. It has such a great title and interesting premise that I was sure something really good was just around the corner.
So... I waited. And got:
“Without Avan in front of me, I felt unsteady. I leaned forward, resting my hands on the seat. It was warm. I drew away, flustered.
Sometimes, with the shop counter between us, it was easy to look at Avan and admire him from the safe standpoint of a friend, to see him as just a boy from the Alley.�
And then:
“Being this close to Avan was a practice in contradictions. His body heat and the solid comfort of his back soothed me. I could relax against him and feel secure enough to sleep, even if only lightly. It was almost like being with Reev. But Reev didn’t also make me hyperaware of every point of contact between us. The shift of his muscles beneath my cheek. The backs of his thighs. The way our hips aligned on the seat. For the first hour, my heart pounded so hard, it was like a battering ram against my ribs.�
And: “I leaned against his side and felt his arm circle my shoulders. Even though I knew it wasn’t true, I imagined his warmth like a Sun that shone just for me.�
I thought this was going to be fantasy, not romance. And interesting, not boring. But this book was about 90% romantic angst; and boring romantic angst at that. The "heroine" was prudish to the point that even thinking about a kiss made her blush... I just lost interest so quickly that I'm amazed I managed to force myself through. I will say that the last quarter is marginally better than the rest but it wasn't enough to rescue the book, in my opinion.
So disappointed.
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August 9, 2018
Unfortunately, I had difficulty connecting to the main characters (Kai, Reev or Avan) of Lori Lee’s Gates of Thread and Stone (Gates of Thread and Stone #1) for most of the book. I kept holding out hope because I felt the writing was good and the pacing worked. Gates of Thread and Stone gets more interesting as we move to the conclusion and learn more about where Kai’s magic comes from. Still, that was a long time without feeling very invested in what happened. So I can’t say I was overwhelmed by the first book in this installment, but I am curious to see what happens next.
Want to read
June 12, 2014This gave me a huge Tessa Gray vive. Seriously. I mean, with that Cover (pretty little thing, don't take me wrong) plus the "brother" thing & all the mysterious magic that's just too much to ignore.
So, Tessa's reincarnation, what do you say?
With some random Will, how about that.
I just... I love & miss Tessa so much * tear*
She can't never be replaced, but I will still give this a shot.
So, Tessa's reincarnation, what do you say?
With some random Will, how about that.
I just... I love & miss Tessa so much * tear*
She can't never be replaced, but I will still give this a shot.
July 29, 2014
*
Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee
Book One of the Gates of Thread and Stone series
Publisher: Skyscape
Publication Date: August 5, 2014
Rating: 3 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley
Summary (from Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ):
In the Labyrinth, we had a saying: keep silent, keep still, keep safe.
In a city of walls and secrets, where only one man is supposed to possess magic, seventeen-year-old Kai struggles to keep hidden her own secret—she can manipulate the threads of time. When Kai was eight, she was found by Reev on the riverbank, and her “brother� has taken care of her ever since. Kai doesn’t know where her ability comes from—or where she came from. All that matters is that she and Reev stay together, and maybe one day move out of the freight container they call home, away from the metal walls of the Labyrinth. Kai’s only friend is Avan, the shopkeeper’s son with the scandalous reputation that both frightens and intrigues her.
Then Reev disappears. When keeping silent and safe means losing him forever, Kai vows to do whatever it takes to find him. She will leave the only home she’s ever known and risk getting caught up in a revolution centuries in the making. But to save Reev, Kai must unravel the threads of her past and face shocking truths about her brother, her friendship with Avan, and her unique power.
What I Liked:
I think I liked this book. It's going to seem like I really didn't, because I have a lot to say in the next section, but it's not entirely the case! My overall view of this book is positive. But this one needed some work, in my opinion. I was seriously not impressed, which is really sad, because I love the author and I was extremely excited to read this book.
Kai can (sort of) manipulate time, but her not-blood-related brother Reev doesn't want her using her ability. When Reev disappears, Kai and her friend Avan go searching for him. They're told that the Black Rider is taking citizens, but nothing is as it seems, when Kai and Avan go looking for answers themselves.
You'll see in the next section that I wasn't Kai's biggest fan. Nor did I loveee the plot of this one. The world-building was on point though. I was intrigued from the start with the ins and outs of Ninurta. The very beginning of the book is spent really fleshing out the setting, and I liked this! Once we get away from Ninurta, well, then the world-building kind of dissipates. Sad, I know.
I REALLY liked Avan. He seemed a little flat at first, and at times throughout the story, but he is a true friend, protective guy, well-meaning person. I hate how much Kai uses him, thinks the worst of him, gets irritated with him. He doesn't deserve it. I like him so much!
That being said, I'm all about Kai and Avan (despite the fact that I may or may not dislike Kai). There is no love triangle in this novel (thank goodness, because it really seemed like there would be a love square or something). I'm not going to say I'm happy with the romance (gosh, does Lee trifle with the romance. I HATE the direction she took it, from the start), but I do hope for good things for Kai and Avan. Even though Kai does not deserve Avan.
I'm so glad this book has a sequel, otherwise this one would get maybe one or one point five stars. I'll be reading the sequel, once it's available - I have hopes that this series will be redeemed in general, with a subsequent novel. I guess we'll have to see though.
What I Did Not Like:
There were a few things that stuck out to me as I was reading. I'm not a huge fan of Kai, to be honest. I absolutely abhor the ending, and the messy romance. Actually, to be honest, this book in general is kind of a mess, but that goes without saying.
So... I don't like Kai. Usually when I dislike the heroine, I dislike the book. Kai was kind of on and off for me - some moments I didn't mind her, other moments I couldn't stand her. I found her to be extremely selfish throughout the book, not just in the beginning. I didn't see much character development in her. She's just as selfish and impulsive and somewhat stupid as she was in the beginning of the book as in the end. She's also extremely naive, and thinks she can take care of herself. Ha! Two weeks of physically training, and suddenly you can take on the world? Yeah, right.
Also, she has the ability to MANIPULATE FREAKING TIME. In the very end, it would have been really helpful if she could have stopped time and escaped with Avan. Or something. Apparently she can't go back in time, she can only slightly slow it down or slightly speed it up. But her ability would have been really helpful throughout the story. She barely ever used it, even though it's her right, her gift. How frustrating, as a reader, to watch the heroine NOT embrace her power, from start to finish.
The ending is awful, in my very honest opinion. Lee made a mess of the ending. She drops "bombshell" after "bombshell", cooks up some nice blackmail, takes away several important aspects to the book, and the conveniently drops some back in... no. Just, no. I was not amused by this. I HATE it when authors think they can just take something out of a story, and then plop it back in five seconds later in a different way, shape, form. I'm not a fan of this. Especially in this instance. You'll know what I mean if/when you read the book.
The romance is messy as well. There is no love triangle, but it seems like Kai doesn't want to care about Avan, and then when she finally does, she works it into her head that he never actually cared about her like that because of a sense of duty. UGH. UGH UGH UGH. STOP WITH THIS TROPE, AUTHORS.
I mentioned that the story in general was messy... I'm sticking by that. Kai wants to get her brother back, She goes on a wild-goose chase, meets some random god-like immortal, goes back to be thrown into a tournament - the plot was twisty and winding and random, honestly. Everything seemed RANDOM. The Infinite beings seemed random, the author's explanation not good enough. The lore to this story didn't suffice, for me.
And the title makes no sense. The "threads" part, I get. But the gates, the stone? Not so much. What gates are we talking about? The only gates I know that were mentioned are the ones in and out of the city/province, and the gates of death. And I don't think we're talking about either of those. And stone? Completely unsure of that one. And the tagline goes right along that theme of randomness - not once does it really appear in the story. In fact, I really didn't FEEL the whole be-silent-be-still-be-safe thing. Lee's world of Ninurta really didn't feel that dangerous. Honestly. It adds to the randomness of the novel, I suppose. Random random random!
Would I Recommend It:
I definitely think this one is still worth the read. The series has potential, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book. However, I was a little disappointed by the quality of the story - this book was a highly anticipated one of mine, and the way the other authors made it sound... well, I was expecting something different. Better, perhaps. Next book, hopefully!
Rating:
2.5 stars -> rounded up to 3 stars. An okay debut, an okay novel, but disappointing (I had expectations for this one, but there were obviously other reasons for my disappointment). I'm hoping the next book makes more sense.
Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee
Book One of the Gates of Thread and Stone series
Publisher: Skyscape
Publication Date: August 5, 2014
Rating: 3 stars
Source: eARC from NetGalley
Summary (from Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ):
In the Labyrinth, we had a saying: keep silent, keep still, keep safe.
In a city of walls and secrets, where only one man is supposed to possess magic, seventeen-year-old Kai struggles to keep hidden her own secret—she can manipulate the threads of time. When Kai was eight, she was found by Reev on the riverbank, and her “brother� has taken care of her ever since. Kai doesn’t know where her ability comes from—or where she came from. All that matters is that she and Reev stay together, and maybe one day move out of the freight container they call home, away from the metal walls of the Labyrinth. Kai’s only friend is Avan, the shopkeeper’s son with the scandalous reputation that both frightens and intrigues her.
Then Reev disappears. When keeping silent and safe means losing him forever, Kai vows to do whatever it takes to find him. She will leave the only home she’s ever known and risk getting caught up in a revolution centuries in the making. But to save Reev, Kai must unravel the threads of her past and face shocking truths about her brother, her friendship with Avan, and her unique power.
What I Liked:
I think I liked this book. It's going to seem like I really didn't, because I have a lot to say in the next section, but it's not entirely the case! My overall view of this book is positive. But this one needed some work, in my opinion. I was seriously not impressed, which is really sad, because I love the author and I was extremely excited to read this book.
Kai can (sort of) manipulate time, but her not-blood-related brother Reev doesn't want her using her ability. When Reev disappears, Kai and her friend Avan go searching for him. They're told that the Black Rider is taking citizens, but nothing is as it seems, when Kai and Avan go looking for answers themselves.
You'll see in the next section that I wasn't Kai's biggest fan. Nor did I loveee the plot of this one. The world-building was on point though. I was intrigued from the start with the ins and outs of Ninurta. The very beginning of the book is spent really fleshing out the setting, and I liked this! Once we get away from Ninurta, well, then the world-building kind of dissipates. Sad, I know.
I REALLY liked Avan. He seemed a little flat at first, and at times throughout the story, but he is a true friend, protective guy, well-meaning person. I hate how much Kai uses him, thinks the worst of him, gets irritated with him. He doesn't deserve it. I like him so much!
That being said, I'm all about Kai and Avan (despite the fact that I may or may not dislike Kai). There is no love triangle in this novel (thank goodness, because it really seemed like there would be a love square or something). I'm not going to say I'm happy with the romance (gosh, does Lee trifle with the romance. I HATE the direction she took it, from the start), but I do hope for good things for Kai and Avan. Even though Kai does not deserve Avan.
I'm so glad this book has a sequel, otherwise this one would get maybe one or one point five stars. I'll be reading the sequel, once it's available - I have hopes that this series will be redeemed in general, with a subsequent novel. I guess we'll have to see though.
What I Did Not Like:
There were a few things that stuck out to me as I was reading. I'm not a huge fan of Kai, to be honest. I absolutely abhor the ending, and the messy romance. Actually, to be honest, this book in general is kind of a mess, but that goes without saying.
So... I don't like Kai. Usually when I dislike the heroine, I dislike the book. Kai was kind of on and off for me - some moments I didn't mind her, other moments I couldn't stand her. I found her to be extremely selfish throughout the book, not just in the beginning. I didn't see much character development in her. She's just as selfish and impulsive and somewhat stupid as she was in the beginning of the book as in the end. She's also extremely naive, and thinks she can take care of herself. Ha! Two weeks of physically training, and suddenly you can take on the world? Yeah, right.
Also, she has the ability to MANIPULATE FREAKING TIME. In the very end, it would have been really helpful if she could have stopped time and escaped with Avan. Or something. Apparently she can't go back in time, she can only slightly slow it down or slightly speed it up. But her ability would have been really helpful throughout the story. She barely ever used it, even though it's her right, her gift. How frustrating, as a reader, to watch the heroine NOT embrace her power, from start to finish.
The ending is awful, in my very honest opinion. Lee made a mess of the ending. She drops "bombshell" after "bombshell", cooks up some nice blackmail, takes away several important aspects to the book, and the conveniently drops some back in... no. Just, no. I was not amused by this. I HATE it when authors think they can just take something out of a story, and then plop it back in five seconds later in a different way, shape, form. I'm not a fan of this. Especially in this instance. You'll know what I mean if/when you read the book.
The romance is messy as well. There is no love triangle, but it seems like Kai doesn't want to care about Avan, and then when she finally does, she works it into her head that he never actually cared about her like that because of a sense of duty. UGH. UGH UGH UGH. STOP WITH THIS TROPE, AUTHORS.
I mentioned that the story in general was messy... I'm sticking by that. Kai wants to get her brother back, She goes on a wild-goose chase, meets some random god-like immortal, goes back to be thrown into a tournament - the plot was twisty and winding and random, honestly. Everything seemed RANDOM. The Infinite beings seemed random, the author's explanation not good enough. The lore to this story didn't suffice, for me.
And the title makes no sense. The "threads" part, I get. But the gates, the stone? Not so much. What gates are we talking about? The only gates I know that were mentioned are the ones in and out of the city/province, and the gates of death. And I don't think we're talking about either of those. And stone? Completely unsure of that one. And the tagline goes right along that theme of randomness - not once does it really appear in the story. In fact, I really didn't FEEL the whole be-silent-be-still-be-safe thing. Lee's world of Ninurta really didn't feel that dangerous. Honestly. It adds to the randomness of the novel, I suppose. Random random random!
Would I Recommend It:
I definitely think this one is still worth the read. The series has potential, and I'm looking forward to reading the next book. However, I was a little disappointed by the quality of the story - this book was a highly anticipated one of mine, and the way the other authors made it sound... well, I was expecting something different. Better, perhaps. Next book, hopefully!
Rating:
2.5 stars -> rounded up to 3 stars. An okay debut, an okay novel, but disappointing (I had expectations for this one, but there were obviously other reasons for my disappointment). I'm hoping the next book makes more sense.
August 7, 2014
4.5 stars
As voracious readers, we’ve learned to fear debut authors combined with gorgeous covers. It’s a Pavlovian reflex of sorts: see a pretty dress, get a panic attack and run. But the very conditioned response that keeps us away from sad excuses for literature could do some serious damage in this case. Why? Because The Gates of Thread and Stone is more than just a pretty cover. It’s perhaps one of the best books I’ve had the pleasure of reading this year.
All the unexpected developments lying in wait are just one of the things to admire about The Gates of Thread and Stone. Its most admirable quality might just be the intricacy and richness of Kai’s world. Or it could be our Kai herself, stubborn and brave, timid but fierce, smart but not overconfident.
I’ve been completely surprised by the fierce love and protectiveness I felt for Kai from the start. She has a story that’s certainly difficult to forget: she was abandoned when she was eight years old, floating in the river with no memories, only to be rescued by an older boy who then took care of her like she was his own sister. But her tragic past and her upbringing in poverty didn’t make her stand out for me. It was her spirit, her fierce loyalty and unconditional love and her unfailing sense of right and wrong.
The mythology in this book is as original as it is surprising. It wasn’t until the end, when I had a full picture in front of me, that I really started to appreciate what Lori M. Lee has done. There are a few things that are familiar, yes, but even they often go in unexpected directions. As for the very nature of Kai’s journey and her fight, I should say that it wasn’t easy to guess at all. I knew exactly what Lee wanted me to know at any given moment and not a thing more.
The only thing that could have been done differently is the romance. Kai and Avan have a fabulous bond and an undeniable chemistry. But they are both prone to dancing around their issues, never speaking things out loud and making all the wrong assumptions. Her feelings for Avan are the only thing Kai is truly afraid of, the only challenge she constantly avoids and even hides from. A part of it can be written off as inexperience, but there were moments that smelled of pure cowardice.
In everything else, though, they were both admirably strong. I enjoyed their journey, colored by their past and years of friendship and admiration from afar. I felt that Kai learned something from every experience, and while she had a hard time admitting her mistakes out loud, she was unfailingly honest to herself.
Shut down the warning signals in your heads that tell you to run away from pretty dresses on book covers. This is one pretty dress you’ll be very proud to own.
Stop by The Nocturnal Library on August 12th for a Q&A with Lori M. Lee.
As voracious readers, we’ve learned to fear debut authors combined with gorgeous covers. It’s a Pavlovian reflex of sorts: see a pretty dress, get a panic attack and run. But the very conditioned response that keeps us away from sad excuses for literature could do some serious damage in this case. Why? Because The Gates of Thread and Stone is more than just a pretty cover. It’s perhaps one of the best books I’ve had the pleasure of reading this year.
All the unexpected developments lying in wait are just one of the things to admire about The Gates of Thread and Stone. Its most admirable quality might just be the intricacy and richness of Kai’s world. Or it could be our Kai herself, stubborn and brave, timid but fierce, smart but not overconfident.
I’ve been completely surprised by the fierce love and protectiveness I felt for Kai from the start. She has a story that’s certainly difficult to forget: she was abandoned when she was eight years old, floating in the river with no memories, only to be rescued by an older boy who then took care of her like she was his own sister. But her tragic past and her upbringing in poverty didn’t make her stand out for me. It was her spirit, her fierce loyalty and unconditional love and her unfailing sense of right and wrong.
The mythology in this book is as original as it is surprising. It wasn’t until the end, when I had a full picture in front of me, that I really started to appreciate what Lori M. Lee has done. There are a few things that are familiar, yes, but even they often go in unexpected directions. As for the very nature of Kai’s journey and her fight, I should say that it wasn’t easy to guess at all. I knew exactly what Lee wanted me to know at any given moment and not a thing more.
The only thing that could have been done differently is the romance. Kai and Avan have a fabulous bond and an undeniable chemistry. But they are both prone to dancing around their issues, never speaking things out loud and making all the wrong assumptions. Her feelings for Avan are the only thing Kai is truly afraid of, the only challenge she constantly avoids and even hides from. A part of it can be written off as inexperience, but there were moments that smelled of pure cowardice.
In everything else, though, they were both admirably strong. I enjoyed their journey, colored by their past and years of friendship and admiration from afar. I felt that Kai learned something from every experience, and while she had a hard time admitting her mistakes out loud, she was unfailingly honest to herself.
Shut down the warning signals in your heads that tell you to run away from pretty dresses on book covers. This is one pretty dress you’ll be very proud to own.
Stop by The Nocturnal Library on August 12th for a Q&A with Lori M. Lee.
February 25, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Amazon Publishing and NetGalley.)
This started out okay, but I lost interest.
Kai was an okay character, and she certainly wanted more than anything to find her brother.
The storyline in this just lost me. I got bored, I didn’t care what was going on, and I just wanted to put this book down and never pick it up again.
There was some romance, and it was sweet, I wasn’t particularly interested though.
The ending was okay, I was just pleased that the book was over though.
4.5 out of 10
This started out okay, but I lost interest.
Kai was an okay character, and she certainly wanted more than anything to find her brother.
The storyline in this just lost me. I got bored, I didn’t care what was going on, and I just wanted to put this book down and never pick it up again.
There was some romance, and it was sweet, I wasn’t particularly interested though.
The ending was okay, I was just pleased that the book was over though.
4.5 out of 10
May 20, 2017
DNF at 52% because this girl was horny beyond sense or reason.
Not since Shatter Me have I encountered a book whose "what the what writing" distracted me so wholly and laughably. There was a good 10% of the book where I was engaged...but then I couldn't. BECAUSE THE HORNS.
There are some convincing reviews out there so maybe someday I'll attempt this again...but for now I just can't. BECAUSE THE HORNS.
Well, I'll never know whether or not homegirl got to git it with her horndog because I DNFed this puppy at the halfway mark.
Not since Shatter Me have I encountered a book whose "what the what writing" distracted me so wholly and laughably. There was a good 10% of the book where I was engaged...but then I couldn't. BECAUSE THE HORNS.
There are some convincing reviews out there so maybe someday I'll attempt this again...but for now I just can't. BECAUSE THE HORNS.
1) We’d been friends for long enough that he shouldn’t have affected me anymore, but try telling that to my stomach.
All right, all right. Nothing wrong with a few butterflies—or a stomach virus—so we'll continue reading...
2) He had nice hands, slender but strong, with long fingers. The muscles in his forearm shifted as he moved. I watched a few beats too long and hastily looked away.
Things are starting to heat up a bit now...because you know what nice hands, strong long fingers, and muscles in the forearms means...! *waggles eyebrows*
3) I was too worried about Reev to let Avan distract me—much. His long legs were clad in gray pants, and he held a cup of water in his hand. He looked like he belonged on a White Court poster, the ones with people too pretty to be real.
Pretty boys and cups of water in their hands? Wearing gray pants?! Be still, oh beating heart.
4) I avoided his eyes, dark and searching, and instead focused on his lips. They were great lips.
Yeah, girl, git at 'em lips, you saucy thing.
5 He touched my arm. This was the closest we’d been in weeks.
OH, IT IS ON.
6) Avan’s hand brushed my face. Heat shot down my neck, and I stumbled over the crooked boards of the bridge.
Gah, I hate it when I spontaneously combust. Damn inconvenient, that is.
7) I leaned away, catching his wrist. His arm tensed. The muscles in his forearm stood out. The inside of his wrist felt smooth against my thumb. My hand looked so pale next to his. Was I seriously ogling his wrist?
You're thinking about where that sexy, muscle-popping wrist has been you, aren't you? You naughty, saucy little horndog, you.
8) He was so close. Beneath the disinfectant, I could smell the earthy, almost spicy scent of his soap—and his own scent underneath it, fresh like a cool wind. He hadn’t trimmed his hair in months, and it had begun to grow past his ears. I almost gave in to the urge to skim my fingertips along the hair that fell across his brow.
Old Spice + skipped trip to Supercuts = be still, oh beating heart.
9) The angle of the seat forced me flush against Avan. My pulse fluttered wildly beneath my skin. Good thing the darkness hid my blushing.
One of the girls from Cruel Intentions 2 discovered a similar pleasure.
10) Without Avan in front of me, I felt unsteady. I leaned forward, resting my hands on the seat. It was warm. I drew away, flustered.
Pssst. It's called fresh fart fumes.
11) And sometimes, like now, with his body heat still clinging to the front of my shirt, the sight of his silhouette through the mottled windows left me unbalanced, and I didn’t know if reaching out would steady me or knock me off my feet.
If that window hadn't been mottled, homegirl would have fainted already.
12) The heat from the energy stone warmed the metal, but it wasn’t as hot as Avan pressed against the entire front half of my body.
YOU NAUGHTY, SAUCY LITTLE HORNDOG, YOU.
13) With nothing to focus on but the red glow of the Gray’s chest and the windblown smell of Avan’s shirt, I slept in intervals.
Either Avan's shirt was soaked in pine trees and sandalwood or homebody spilled caffeine all over his clothes.
14) It was almost like being with Reev. But Reev didn’t also make me hyperaware of every point of contact between us. The shift of his muscles beneath my cheek. The backs of his thighs. The way our hips aligned on the seat. For the first hour, my heart pounded so hard, it was like a battering ram against my ribs.
I'd like to point out that homegirl hasn't even kissed this boy yet, much less have sex with him. Wanted to clear that up because one could assume otherwise by reading these quotes.
15) The air became steadily hotter as the hour passed. Moisture gathered where our bodies touched, and although the feeling wasn’t exactly unpleasant, I tried inching back to give us some space.
YOU SAID "MOISTURE."
16) I dug my fingers into his stomach and felt his muscles contract. I slid my hand higher, my palm pressed to his chest, and was somewhat relieved to discover that his heartbeat wasn’t nearly as steady as his voice.
Well, sure, because you're mutilating his heart with your horny fingernails.
17) His fingertips brushed over my knuckles, coaxing the knife from my rigid hands. I had to remember how to uncurl my fingers.
Start with the middle finger.
18) I ran my hand back up to his shoulder and then trailed my fingers down his chest, searching for injuries.
He cleared his throat. My fingers stilled over his stomach. He gently pushed my hands away and stood. “I’m not hurt.�
I gripped my shirt. My knuckles stung in protest. I’d practically groped him.
It's okay, sweetie. I heard when you're a star, they let you do anything. Whatever you want. Grab 'em by the ****, even.
19) “Lay on your side,� he said, helping me down.
I did, blushing fiercely as he molded to my back. My head touched fabric; he’d arranged our bags as pillows. His shoulders curved around me, legs cradling mine as his arm draped over my waist. I felt light-headed and a little flushed, my skin tingling everywhere we touched.
Homeboy's just as horny as you now...
20) I traced my fingers down Avan’s forearm and wrist until I found the bumps of his knuckles. I could tell he was holding his breath. I pretended not to notice when I felt the light pressure of his lips against my hair. I imagined turning in his arms and meeting his mouth with mine.
Sure. Nothing turns me on more than a boy with a forearm, wrist, and bumps on his knuckles. *winks*
21) He leaned against my side to talk to G-10, his arm pressed against mine. Even now, after all the time spent clinging to him on a Gray or sharing his body heat on the cold dirt, his touch sent ribbons of warmth spiraling through me.
Riiiibons!
22) The clothes were much tighter than what we were used to, and as Avan brushed off his backside, I had to admire the view.
AWW, YEE-AAH, GIT IT. THE BEND AND SNAP.
23) Seconds passed in silence before I cracked open an eyelid and glanced over.
He was watching me. The moment our eyes met, he looked away, his neck turning red from having been caught staring at me instead of the sky. I could feel my own blush rising hot in my cheeks.
I wanted to say something, but my mind had gone utterly blank. I felt aware of every blade of grass prickling my arm, of the cool air against my burning face. I stretched out my fingers and touched his wrist.
This boy's freaking wrist is the new G-Spot, apparently.
24) Lying on my side, I reached over the bed, and Avan’s hand found mine. Even with everything on my mind, heat danced down my spine as warmth crossed from his fingers to mine.
Not for the first time, I wanted to tug on his hand, to pull him into the cot with me. I wanted him beside me the way we’d been that night in the Void. Close enough to feel his breath against my skin. The weight of his arm around me. Maybe this time I’d be brave enough to kiss him.
Well, I'll never know whether or not homegirl got to git it with her horndog because I DNFed this puppy at the halfway mark.
May 19, 2014
OMGOSH! The cover is just as beautiful as the story inside! <3
September 27, 2016
spoiler:
I was lucky enough to be able to read this on my kindle unlimited trial which is nearly at an end. Such an engaging book I've hidden the spoilers as a reminder for if I am to continue this series and because I don't know if I'll have a chance to read this again.
This book was to me very well crafted. There were real engaging characters and a plot that unfolded masterfully. The world building was revealed a bit at a time and kept me guessing plus at first I thought this was a dystopian setting. Other people were saying this book was boring but for me the writing and Kai's narrative just sucked me in and I was never bored once. In fact for me this just felt like the perfect book as I was really pulled into the story with good exciting writing and a complex world and characters. The ending was somewhat satisfying with room for a lot more to happen all more or less all questions at the beginning get answered. I definitely will try to get my hands on the rest of the series.
Read this one if you like suspenseful writing and a story that doesn't give its secrets up lightly.
I was lucky enough to be able to read this on my kindle unlimited trial which is nearly at an end. Such an engaging book I've hidden the spoilers as a reminder for if I am to continue this series and because I don't know if I'll have a chance to read this again.
This book was to me very well crafted. There were real engaging characters and a plot that unfolded masterfully. The world building was revealed a bit at a time and kept me guessing plus at first I thought this was a dystopian setting. Other people were saying this book was boring but for me the writing and Kai's narrative just sucked me in and I was never bored once. In fact for me this just felt like the perfect book as I was really pulled into the story with good exciting writing and a complex world and characters. The ending was somewhat satisfying with room for a lot more to happen all more or less all questions at the beginning get answered. I definitely will try to get my hands on the rest of the series.
Read this one if you like suspenseful writing and a story that doesn't give its secrets up lightly.
October 5, 2015
That was a really good book! Kai and her brother Reev just try to get through each day without any trouble finding them. Kai works as a mail carrier and Reev is a bouncer/guard at some sleazy bar. They earn credits for a living through work.
Kai can thread and weave time, it's just too cool when she does it. She has no idea what she really is and when she finds out it's.. well pretty shocking to her.
Her brother Reev gets taken by the evil Kahl Ninu to fight in the tournaments and Kai with the help of her friend Avan have to go to the Void to try to get help. This help would come from the Black Rider who seems to be taking kids off the streets and no one knows why. Kai and Avan have to make it through the wasteland without getting killed by gargoyles. It's always something right?
When they get there nothing is what it seems, but it rarely is. I actually liked the Black Rider and I loved two of the characters that lived there, Mason and Hina. They are good people.
So Kai and Avan join the Tournament to try to save Reev and a whole bunch of stuff goes down that I'm not going to tell you about :)
Now let me say that I have left out many things in order not to give away spoilers! The end of the book is filled with some sadness, some pretty cool things and me ready to read the next adventures of this crew as soon as I can :)
August 3, 2014
Rating: 2.5 Stars
I felt hopeful, sliding open the cover of Gates of Thread and Stone. Lee's debut begins with promise, introducing us to Kai, a fierce and headstrong heroine whose ability to slow down time is refreshingly unique. Moreover, the first few chapters of this novel present us with an intriguing fantasy world, one in which Kai, living practically in the slums, must earn credits--opposed to hard cash--to rise above her rank. Kai, who was adopted by an orphan boy, Reev, when she was eight-years-old, has a strong bond with her older foster brother. Seeing the two interact on the page at the opening of Gates of Thread and Stone was heart-warming--just as witnessing Kai's frantic worry over Kai's sudden disappearance is heart-wrenching.
With the help of her childhood friend (and crush!), Avan, Kai sets out to find Reev knowing only that he has been taken by the Black Rider, formerly thought to be a mere legend. Unfortunately, I found that this novel gradually declined from this point on-wards. For me, where Gates of Thread and Stone is strongest lies within Kai. Unlike typical protagonists, she doesn't allow the presence of her love interest to distract from her mission. Instead, I admired Kai's unflinching devotion to saving Reev and, moreover, her inner strength in challenging herself and overcoming her own hurdles. When it came to the romance I certainly had a bone--or two, really--to pick with Kai but with that slight exception, I found her to be a welcoming heroine.
Yet, despite her shining qualities, I feel as if Lee fails to utilize Kai to her fullest potential. We, rather disappointingly, see very little of Kai's marvelous ability and the instant camaraderie I felt upon meeting her during those initial pages vanished only chapters into the narrative. I continued to enjoy Kai, support her decisions, and marvel at her actions but, I couldn't feel much for her. In large part, this is due to the lack of development that Lee offers her secondary characters. Reev brings out the best in Kai and, seeing the strength of their bond in the opening of the novel, establishes the reader-character connection that is absolutely essential. Lee fails to sustain that thread throughout the narrative, however, as Kai is constantly on the move from one location to another, meeting characters only to dismiss them at later points in the tale. I never felt grounded, neither to a location nor to a character, over the course of Gates of Thread and Stone. I relish secondary characters, not only for their different personalities but more so for what they bring out in the protagonist. Lee's secondary characters are forgettable, at best, and their roles in Kai's life are all-too-similar to those played by other, far more memorable, secondary characters in other novels; whether it be teacher, guide, betrayer, fighter, potential friend...none of these roles are filled in a manner that bears remembrance and I found myself ever-so-slightly saddened by the direction the plot took.
I will say, though, that Lee keeps readers guessing at her plot lines. I often expected the story to travel in one direction and it pleasantly surprised me by taking a different path. Nevertheless, I didn't find the pacing of this novel to be particularly engaging and, once Kai leaves the city gates, the world-building felt confusing at best, nonexistent at worst. Now, that's not to say it isn't there--because it is. Lee infuses her debut with hints of mythology, pulled from various sources, and the result is rather fascinating. I only wish it had been presented in a different light. By the time the entirety of Lee's world becomes evident, the story is winding down and the influx of emotion, detail, and plot twists all packed into the final few chapters isn't lovely.
What's more, the conclusion of this novel banks upon the fact that you, the reader, actually cared about the romance. Which, I assure you, I didn't. I found Avan to be a respectable romantic interest--not too perfect but not an asshole either--yet I couldn't summon up much emotion for him. Avan and Kai skirt around their feelings for far too long. Lee takes it to a point where it begins to feel unnatural--seriously, how could they not have figured out one another's feelings sooner?--and the romantic tension isn't of the welcome variety. Granted, Gates of Thread and Stone avoids a love triangle but--I'll warn you--don't come here looking for swoon. I genuinely felt as if Avan's character, particularly with his past and liberal mindset, could have been utilized in a different--and possibly better--manner throughout the narrative. Just...unimpressive, is all.
I am confident that Lee's debut will finds its die-hard fans. Of that, I have no doubt. Yet, for me, it wound up being a mash-up of too little magic (Kai, USE YOUR POWERS!), too little chemistry, and far too little connectivity. I just couldn't get into this one and while I truly loved the sibling bond that lies at the core of this novel, not to mention the qualities of Kai's that are truly admirable, Gates of Thread and Stone just didn't amaze me.
I felt hopeful, sliding open the cover of Gates of Thread and Stone. Lee's debut begins with promise, introducing us to Kai, a fierce and headstrong heroine whose ability to slow down time is refreshingly unique. Moreover, the first few chapters of this novel present us with an intriguing fantasy world, one in which Kai, living practically in the slums, must earn credits--opposed to hard cash--to rise above her rank. Kai, who was adopted by an orphan boy, Reev, when she was eight-years-old, has a strong bond with her older foster brother. Seeing the two interact on the page at the opening of Gates of Thread and Stone was heart-warming--just as witnessing Kai's frantic worry over Kai's sudden disappearance is heart-wrenching.
With the help of her childhood friend (and crush!), Avan, Kai sets out to find Reev knowing only that he has been taken by the Black Rider, formerly thought to be a mere legend. Unfortunately, I found that this novel gradually declined from this point on-wards. For me, where Gates of Thread and Stone is strongest lies within Kai. Unlike typical protagonists, she doesn't allow the presence of her love interest to distract from her mission. Instead, I admired Kai's unflinching devotion to saving Reev and, moreover, her inner strength in challenging herself and overcoming her own hurdles. When it came to the romance I certainly had a bone--or two, really--to pick with Kai but with that slight exception, I found her to be a welcoming heroine.
Yet, despite her shining qualities, I feel as if Lee fails to utilize Kai to her fullest potential. We, rather disappointingly, see very little of Kai's marvelous ability and the instant camaraderie I felt upon meeting her during those initial pages vanished only chapters into the narrative. I continued to enjoy Kai, support her decisions, and marvel at her actions but, I couldn't feel much for her. In large part, this is due to the lack of development that Lee offers her secondary characters. Reev brings out the best in Kai and, seeing the strength of their bond in the opening of the novel, establishes the reader-character connection that is absolutely essential. Lee fails to sustain that thread throughout the narrative, however, as Kai is constantly on the move from one location to another, meeting characters only to dismiss them at later points in the tale. I never felt grounded, neither to a location nor to a character, over the course of Gates of Thread and Stone. I relish secondary characters, not only for their different personalities but more so for what they bring out in the protagonist. Lee's secondary characters are forgettable, at best, and their roles in Kai's life are all-too-similar to those played by other, far more memorable, secondary characters in other novels; whether it be teacher, guide, betrayer, fighter, potential friend...none of these roles are filled in a manner that bears remembrance and I found myself ever-so-slightly saddened by the direction the plot took.
I will say, though, that Lee keeps readers guessing at her plot lines. I often expected the story to travel in one direction and it pleasantly surprised me by taking a different path. Nevertheless, I didn't find the pacing of this novel to be particularly engaging and, once Kai leaves the city gates, the world-building felt confusing at best, nonexistent at worst. Now, that's not to say it isn't there--because it is. Lee infuses her debut with hints of mythology, pulled from various sources, and the result is rather fascinating. I only wish it had been presented in a different light. By the time the entirety of Lee's world becomes evident, the story is winding down and the influx of emotion, detail, and plot twists all packed into the final few chapters isn't lovely.
What's more, the conclusion of this novel banks upon the fact that you, the reader, actually cared about the romance. Which, I assure you, I didn't. I found Avan to be a respectable romantic interest--not too perfect but not an asshole either--yet I couldn't summon up much emotion for him. Avan and Kai skirt around their feelings for far too long. Lee takes it to a point where it begins to feel unnatural--seriously, how could they not have figured out one another's feelings sooner?--and the romantic tension isn't of the welcome variety. Granted, Gates of Thread and Stone avoids a love triangle but--I'll warn you--don't come here looking for swoon. I genuinely felt as if Avan's character, particularly with his past and liberal mindset, could have been utilized in a different--and possibly better--manner throughout the narrative. Just...unimpressive, is all.
I am confident that Lee's debut will finds its die-hard fans. Of that, I have no doubt. Yet, for me, it wound up being a mash-up of too little magic (Kai, USE YOUR POWERS!), too little chemistry, and far too little connectivity. I just couldn't get into this one and while I truly loved the sibling bond that lies at the core of this novel, not to mention the qualities of Kai's that are truly admirable, Gates of Thread and Stone just didn't amaze me.
February 20, 2015
Thank you netgalley for providing me this book in exchange of an honest review
Okay I'll be perfectly honest here, this book was a bit better than I first thought it would be, as the reviews in goodreads wasn't high and I did not have to request to read this book in netgalley it was just there . Therefore I did not have a high expectation, but luckily this book exceed it/
I thought the concept was pretty interesting and unique as it's base of a mythology thats really originally, as Kai the protagonist could manipulate the time.
HOWEVER I do have issues with this book.
The plot was not the best, I thought most of the time things were a bit too convenient as Kai does not seems to have any major struggle along her journey to find her brother. The other thing is that the world building is really undeveloped and confusing, even after starting the second one I'm still confuse by the world from times to times.
BUT BUT BUT
I wasn't a fan of the writing style, it feels extremely plain and lack of depth to me. <-- This is a really personal thing so I'm not saying its bad its just I did not 100% adjust to it.
Apparently drek is a swear word in this book. "insert no mouth emoji"
Moving onto the characters:
Kai the protagonist is fine, I don't have any particular emotion towards her, I felt like she's just there. Man just there.
Avan is Kai's childhood best friend, he does not have a good reputation in their street. Ya know classic use to be bad boy but now very sweet. By all means I'm intrigued by his character but I did not come to love him. His freaking mood swings annoys me a lot "eye rolls"
Reev Kai's brother, of all the characters I think like him the best. I thought his characterization has the most depth comparing to the others. I'm captivated by his action and all, but once again I did not come to love him either.
Yeah, the characters are a tiny bit hollow to me.
OKAY THE ROMANCE
HoNestly I thought that the ROMANCE OVERLOAD THE PLOT. Every time Kai and Avan gets all touchy and stuff I just get all pissed.
Yup thats me reading in her pov when she's getting all Avanish.
Overall, I would not recommend you to read this book if you're having a reading slump but if you want to try something new then umm why not :DD
Okay I'll be perfectly honest here, this book was a bit better than I first thought it would be, as the reviews in goodreads wasn't high and I did not have to request to read this book in netgalley it was just there . Therefore I did not have a high expectation, but luckily this book exceed it/
I thought the concept was pretty interesting and unique as it's base of a mythology thats really originally, as Kai the protagonist could manipulate the time.
HOWEVER I do have issues with this book.
The plot was not the best, I thought most of the time things were a bit too convenient as Kai does not seems to have any major struggle along her journey to find her brother. The other thing is that the world building is really undeveloped and confusing, even after starting the second one I'm still confuse by the world from times to times.
BUT BUT BUT
I wasn't a fan of the writing style, it feels extremely plain and lack of depth to me. <-- This is a really personal thing so I'm not saying its bad its just I did not 100% adjust to it.
Whatever the drek
Apparently drek is a swear word in this book. "insert no mouth emoji"
Moving onto the characters:
Kai the protagonist is fine, I don't have any particular emotion towards her, I felt like she's just there. Man just there.
Avan is Kai's childhood best friend, he does not have a good reputation in their street. Ya know classic use to be bad boy but now very sweet. By all means I'm intrigued by his character but I did not come to love him. His freaking mood swings annoys me a lot "eye rolls"
Reev Kai's brother, of all the characters I think like him the best. I thought his characterization has the most depth comparing to the others. I'm captivated by his action and all, but once again I did not come to love him either.
Yeah, the characters are a tiny bit hollow to me.
OKAY THE ROMANCE
HoNestly I thought that the ROMANCE OVERLOAD THE PLOT. Every time Kai and Avan gets all touchy and stuff I just get all pissed.
Kai: AVAN SMIRKS AT ME
Me: aww good for you
Kai: AVAN TOUCHS MY HAND
Me: Ahaah sweet don't care
Kai: AVAN TOUCHS MY THIGH
Me: Hehe nOW sHuT Up
Kai: AVAN KISSES ME
Me: FOR THE LOVE OF EVERYTHING SHUT UP
Yup thats me reading in her pov when she's getting all Avanish.
Overall, I would not recommend you to read this book if you're having a reading slump but if you want to try something new then umm why not :DD
March 13, 2015
What I like to do when a certain book catches my attention is to read some of it's reviews here on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. What makes this particular book interesting is that it has so many different reviews. Some of my friends really liked it while others found it boring. That made me curious about how I'm going to feel about this story.
I can gladly say I had a good time reading this novel.
To be perfectly honest with you, I don't really know where to put it when it comes to genre declaration. Maybe in the epic fantasy box? I think it could fit there...
The world the writer builted is unique.
I do confess it took me some time to get used to it and, even if the book comes with the map, I was lost at times. I wouldn't ascribe that to places as much as to this world's technology.
I didn't mind being lost though, because, I found the way eventually.
The main character, Kai, is a strong girl who knows what she wants - to find and save her brother - and will not let anyone or anything stop her in her path. Not even the love interest.
We do get some strong chemistry at times but love is not what takes a big part of the story. It's the journey and the aim.
Of other characters I would single out Mason, introduced to us as G-10 (and strangely enough I liked that name more). He was likeable and interesting enough to make me hope for more of him in the sequel.
The other character I would like to read more about is Irra. I found him diverting and I would like to read a short story or novella writen in his POV one day.
Other characters were okay but no one kept my attention enough to make me care about them.
Actually, that's a lie. I cared about Reev at times. Of course I did. If I didn't, the whole point of the story wouldn't be achieved.
I'm going to end this review here and I'm off to read simply because I want to know how this series is going to conclude.
It is a duology, right?
Edit: No, it's not a duology. It's a series and I'm glad it is because the second book was soooo good!
I can gladly say I had a good time reading this novel.
To be perfectly honest with you, I don't really know where to put it when it comes to genre declaration. Maybe in the epic fantasy box? I think it could fit there...
The world the writer builted is unique.
I do confess it took me some time to get used to it and, even if the book comes with the map, I was lost at times. I wouldn't ascribe that to places as much as to this world's technology.
I didn't mind being lost though, because, I found the way eventually.
The main character, Kai, is a strong girl who knows what she wants - to find and save her brother - and will not let anyone or anything stop her in her path. Not even the love interest.
We do get some strong chemistry at times but love is not what takes a big part of the story. It's the journey and the aim.
Of other characters I would single out Mason, introduced to us as G-10 (and strangely enough I liked that name more). He was likeable and interesting enough to make me hope for more of him in the sequel.
The other character I would like to read more about is Irra. I found him diverting and I would like to read a short story or novella writen in his POV one day.
Other characters were okay but no one kept my attention enough to make me care about them.
Actually, that's a lie. I cared about Reev at times. Of course I did. If I didn't, the whole point of the story wouldn't be achieved.
I'm going to end this review here and I'm off to read simply because I want to know how this series is going to conclude.
It is a duology, right?
Edit: No, it's not a duology. It's a series and I'm glad it is because the second book was soooo good!
February 26, 2015
Thanks to Netgalley and Amazon Publishing for giving me this book to review.
In the city of Ninurta, 17 year old Kai has the ability to manipulate the threads of time but only one man, the ruler of Ninurta, is meant to possess magic. Kai has no memories from the age of 8 since her adoptive brother, Reev found her on the river bank. When Reev disappears, Kai vows to find him no matter what it takes and with her only friend Avan, she leaves the only home she has ever known. To save Reev, Kai must unravel her past and discover the secrets that everyone has been hiding.
Gates of Thread and Stone is a really good fantasy novel which was unpredictable and kept me on the edge of my seat. It has interesting mythology, action and romance. While it is a fantasy novel, it was unusual as it was dystopian fantasy world and I have never read anything like it.
I like Kai as she is a good person who is loyal and caring but is also stubborn, determined and feisty. Avan is enigmatic, protective and unlike some romantic interests has a past. I also like Reev as he was the perfect big brother and Mason and I hope we learn more about them.
It has a bitter sweet ending and I am looking forward to reading the next book, The Infinite. I would recommend Gates of Thread and stone to fans of Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne and Threats of Sky and Sea by Jennifer Ellision.
This and my other reviews can be found at
In the city of Ninurta, 17 year old Kai has the ability to manipulate the threads of time but only one man, the ruler of Ninurta, is meant to possess magic. Kai has no memories from the age of 8 since her adoptive brother, Reev found her on the river bank. When Reev disappears, Kai vows to find him no matter what it takes and with her only friend Avan, she leaves the only home she has ever known. To save Reev, Kai must unravel her past and discover the secrets that everyone has been hiding.
Gates of Thread and Stone is a really good fantasy novel which was unpredictable and kept me on the edge of my seat. It has interesting mythology, action and romance. While it is a fantasy novel, it was unusual as it was dystopian fantasy world and I have never read anything like it.
I like Kai as she is a good person who is loyal and caring but is also stubborn, determined and feisty. Avan is enigmatic, protective and unlike some romantic interests has a past. I also like Reev as he was the perfect big brother and Mason and I hope we learn more about them.
It has a bitter sweet ending and I am looking forward to reading the next book, The Infinite. I would recommend Gates of Thread and stone to fans of Midnight Thief by Livia Blackburne and Threats of Sky and Sea by Jennifer Ellision.
This and my other reviews can be found at
April 29, 2017
My Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
Kai lives a semi-normal life in the Labryinth with her adoptive brother, Reev. Well as normal as living in the slums can be, with no memory of who she was before her brother found her when she was 8, and to add to all that she harbors a magical secret. A magical secret she must keep hidden or risk being caught by king Ninu. Kai is able to keep her abilities hidden until a fateful day delivering mail she's attacked, uses her ability to save herself, & ends up stabbing her attacker. That whole event spirals and turns Kai's whole world upside down and sends her along with Avan to travel outside of Ninurta to save her brother.
Secrets are unraveled, truths are found, and new questions arise.
Nothing is as it seems in Ninurta.
I completely adored this book! As questions were answered in this book, new questions arose. Every time I think I know what is happening (or going to happen) the tables are turned and I'm left speechless.
Kai is such a sweet and courageous main character. I love how strong she was throughout this entire novel. Even when everything seemed at a loss, she refused to give up. She also didn't allow anybody to push her around or let people make her do what she didn't want to. Kai's relationship with Avan was adorable and I was rooting for them through the entirety of the book. & the ending of this book was so.. ugh! Need book 2 now! Gimmee Gimmee please!
There is literally nothing I'd like to see changed in this novel. Completely amazing!
Kai lives a semi-normal life in the Labryinth with her adoptive brother, Reev. Well as normal as living in the slums can be, with no memory of who she was before her brother found her when she was 8, and to add to all that she harbors a magical secret. A magical secret she must keep hidden or risk being caught by king Ninu. Kai is able to keep her abilities hidden until a fateful day delivering mail she's attacked, uses her ability to save herself, & ends up stabbing her attacker. That whole event spirals and turns Kai's whole world upside down and sends her along with Avan to travel outside of Ninurta to save her brother.
Secrets are unraveled, truths are found, and new questions arise.
Nothing is as it seems in Ninurta.
I completely adored this book! As questions were answered in this book, new questions arose. Every time I think I know what is happening (or going to happen) the tables are turned and I'm left speechless.
Kai is such a sweet and courageous main character. I love how strong she was throughout this entire novel. Even when everything seemed at a loss, she refused to give up. She also didn't allow anybody to push her around or let people make her do what she didn't want to. Kai's relationship with Avan was adorable and I was rooting for them through the entirety of the book. & the ending of this book was so.. ugh! Need book 2 now! Gimmee Gimmee please!
There is literally nothing I'd like to see changed in this novel. Completely amazing!
April 7, 2015
3 Stars
A spiraling rewind through time, in a twisted world where magic thrives and danger rules, the GATES OF THREAD AND STONE had a fascinating plot, though did not live up to all my exceptions, but was still engaging enough to keep me reading until the end.
The GATES OF THREAD AND STONE was a totally different book then I thought it to be, and not as good as I hoped either. First, the plot was different then I anticipated, and confusing as hell at some parts. Their were a lot of parts where they were discussing their background and the roll of each person/being, and it was just too much to take in. The Infinite, the time god, the hollows, the mahjos, the sentinels, the cadets, the humans, and so on... It got to be too much for the plot and too much to remember after a while. And I finally just gave up caring and just rolled with it. And that was a let down in itself.
But nevertheless, it still had enough intriguing aspects to keep me enticed. Which is why I gave it the 3 and not the 2 star rating I was debating on. Even with it's many flaws, I sill found myself enjoying the world of the GATES OF THREAD AND STONE. Some of the characters not so much. But I was curious to what lies at the end of the story, and all the hidden secrets revealed along the way. I guess that was the main force that kept me reading until the end.
I LOVED Avan—the love interest to our main character Kai. He was so sweet and patient with her. But also was ready to strike at a minutes notice, and willing to endure the unthinkable to help Kai get through whatever situation she got herself in. He was just so lovable, and soooo HOT, I loved his overall personality.
Now Kai was another issue altogether. I really had a love/hate relationship with her. From the very beginning I didn't really care for her. It was something about her that just drove me crazy and rubbed me the wrong way. She was bossy, demanding, unthoughtful at times, yelling at Avan when she should be redirecting that anger inward instead of at him. And the whole dynamics of her personally was just a turn off. And it made it really hard to enjoy the book since I had so many ups and downs with the main character. Which was one of the issues I had. But their were still some parts where I admired what she was doing for her brother, and the love she had for Avan, even if she had a shitty way of showing it sometimes.
THE PLOT
Since Kai was eight, all she's ever known was her adopted brother Reev. He found her on the riverbank and took her in as his own. So when her brother goes missing, with rumors of the mysterious Red Rider as the culprit—kidnapping people and turning them into mindless hollows, using them as slaves any way he sees fit, Kai knows it's time to act. She cannot and will not sit by like the others while her brother is turned. She will find him, and she will save him, even if she has to leave the safety of the city walls to do it. And she will stop at nothing until he is back to her once and for all...
Following the trail of the Red Rider takes Kai and her best friend and secret crush Avan beyond the city walls and into the dangerous outlands, where gargoyles hunt their prey, and one wrong turn can have them going in circles for days—if they even make it that long. But as Kai explores the world beyond the walls of Ninurta, she realizes everything is not as she thought, and the people she thought are not who—or what they claimed.
Before all is said and done, Kai will have the chance of self discovery, something she's always wanted, but never could grasp. But as Kai untangles the secrets of her past, and the ones of Ninurta, they become the explosive that could ignite and shake the foundation of their world to the very core. And Kai will be forced to make choices—choices she never imagined she'd ever have to make, choices that could very well change the fate of Ninurta, forever...
Overall, the GATES OF THREAD AND STONE was a little confusing, and not as good as I hoped, but still good enough to hold my attention and keep me reading until the very end. I will definitely be reading the sequel, because that cliffhanger was enough to have me instantly request the next book through Netgalley. I think if you enjoy fantasy books with a little bit of mystery, and a lot of adventure, and a tad bit of time twisting, with a slow romance, then you may find the GATES OF THREAD AND STONE an enjoyable read.
NOTE: I received a eARC from Netgalley & Skyscape for reviewing purposes! All opinions express are my own and are not influenced in any way!
January 19, 2018
I was probably less enamored with it the 2nd time around but I still really loved this story. It sucked me right in and it just got better and better. some parts...especially near the end, were confusing....and whereas I can usually picture things from books in my head...I found it difficult at times for this one. I love Kai and I really REALLY love Aven, haha, so I'm really excited to start the sequel!!
August 8, 2014
An advance copy of this novel was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This review can also be found at .
I'll admit that seeing some of my good friends and fellow bloggers not enjoying Gates of Thread and StoneÌýas much as they had anticipated -- or at all, in some cases -- had me pretty worried about what to expect from this book. I'll also admit that there are definitely times where the world-building gets a tad confusing and more than a little complicated. But despite all of that, I still really enjoyed this novel.
When Kai's adoptive older brother goes missing, she becomes single-minded in her determination to get him back. Reev is all the family she has, all the family she has ever known because of memory loss she's sustained that keeps her from remembering anything prior to when she was eight years old. Neither of these plots is new -- I could probably list dozens examples of both the missing older brother and amnesia plots -- but it's in the way that they are implemented that made the story so strong for me. Nothing in this story is without reason, including how Reev came to be Kai's "brother" or what caused Kai's memory loss, both of which you'll get the answers to.
Half of my enjoyment of this novel came from not knowing what to expect...ever. Some of it is far-fetched...even ludicrous to consider. But this is a fantasy novel centered around the main character's ability to manipulate time. And I for one am not going to question the laws of this world until I know more about it, which will probably come in the next installment.
The other half of my enjoyment revolved around the enigmatic Avan. Kai's had a crush on this guy for ages but has never acted on it because of his reputation...as well as warnings from Reev. But suddenly Avan wants to help her on her quest to find and bring back her brother. It's pretty clear to everyone BUT Kai that Avan is harboring feelings of his own toward her, but even he makes mention of the fact that Kai has left no room for anyone else in her world besides Reev, such is her focus on finding her adoptive brother.
Things definitely take an unexpected turn toward the end of this book, both in terms of plot and world-building, but I'm on board. I want to see what's to come of these new developments and where the romance will go now that things have gotten immensely more complicated for our intrepid heroine. I'm getting excited just thinking about it. If you like your fantasy stories a bit on the fantastical side, especially with a diverse cast of characters like the ones that appear in this book, I wholly recommend you give Gates of Thread and StoneÌýa read.
GIF it to me straight:
This review can also be found at .
I'll admit that seeing some of my good friends and fellow bloggers not enjoying Gates of Thread and StoneÌýas much as they had anticipated -- or at all, in some cases -- had me pretty worried about what to expect from this book. I'll also admit that there are definitely times where the world-building gets a tad confusing and more than a little complicated. But despite all of that, I still really enjoyed this novel.
When Kai's adoptive older brother goes missing, she becomes single-minded in her determination to get him back. Reev is all the family she has, all the family she has ever known because of memory loss she's sustained that keeps her from remembering anything prior to when she was eight years old. Neither of these plots is new -- I could probably list dozens examples of both the missing older brother and amnesia plots -- but it's in the way that they are implemented that made the story so strong for me. Nothing in this story is without reason, including how Reev came to be Kai's "brother" or what caused Kai's memory loss, both of which you'll get the answers to.
Half of my enjoyment of this novel came from not knowing what to expect...ever. Some of it is far-fetched...even ludicrous to consider. But this is a fantasy novel centered around the main character's ability to manipulate time. And I for one am not going to question the laws of this world until I know more about it, which will probably come in the next installment.
The other half of my enjoyment revolved around the enigmatic Avan. Kai's had a crush on this guy for ages but has never acted on it because of his reputation...as well as warnings from Reev. But suddenly Avan wants to help her on her quest to find and bring back her brother. It's pretty clear to everyone BUT Kai that Avan is harboring feelings of his own toward her, but even he makes mention of the fact that Kai has left no room for anyone else in her world besides Reev, such is her focus on finding her adoptive brother.
Things definitely take an unexpected turn toward the end of this book, both in terms of plot and world-building, but I'm on board. I want to see what's to come of these new developments and where the romance will go now that things have gotten immensely more complicated for our intrepid heroine. I'm getting excited just thinking about it. If you like your fantasy stories a bit on the fantastical side, especially with a diverse cast of characters like the ones that appear in this book, I wholly recommend you give Gates of Thread and StoneÌýa read.
GIF it to me straight:
Read
March 4, 2015I really loved the entire idea of this book. The gargoyles were awesome! The heroine was a breath of fresh air and the romantic tension was thick enough to cut.
August 22, 2014
RATING: 3.5 Stars
Gates of Thread and Stone was a nice start to a series that will grab you with its creativity. Although I switched my rating from a 4-stars one to a 3-stars, and then changed it back, it's probably somewhere in the middle. Not quite loved it, definitely liked it, kept me up all night, but, nonetheless, a few things bugged me.
I'll start with the things I disliked. My biggest issue I had with GoTaS was the pace. I'm a sucker for action-driven plots and unfortunately, this book wasn't based on one. It was too slow for my taste and the battles/fights were few and far between, so when they did in fact appear, they never put me on the edge. They didn't thrill me, nor did they grab my attention. They didn't got my usual "GO KICK HIS ASS" response as a cheer into battle and I was always disappointed by how quickly the spark of action dissipated.
Another "problem" -- I'm being really subjective here -- was the humor release. Which basically didn't exist. You see, this is one of my pet peeves. I need humor in a book. Witty lines, banter, sarcastic thinking -- give me anything and I'll be eternally grateful. The atmosphere of this book was otherworldly (good) and dark (also good), but the characters were serious most of the time. I know, I know, impending doom and all that, but I would've loved to see some of that tension go away with more funny scenes.
Now on the things that I honestly loved to bits. The characters were incredibly well developed and I grew to love them so much! I especially loved our heroine, Kai. She's confident, ambitious and determined. And I appreciated that she's the no-nonsense type, even though she's practically drooling over her crush, Avan. He's like her own Achilles heel when it comes to daydreaming. Which brings me to my next point.
“You fight well,� he said.
Maybe I was mistaken. Maybe he hadn’t seen after all.
“But you still suck at conversation.�
I frowned, and he smirked at my reaction.
“Reev taught me,� I said.
“No wonder. He sucks at conversation, too.�
Avan, cute, sexy, sweet and protective Avan. He is so wonderful and completely heads-over-heels in love with Kai. I loved how his apparently indifferent behavior was actually, well, you know, bullshit. He is deeply affected by Kai and there's no way to deny the growing attraction between them. Sure, the timing sucks to fall in love when you're on the verge of going into a suicide mission, but a girl's gotta appreciate the hella chemistry.
The romance part was another winner! Kai and Avan were just cute and I loved all the awkwardness and shyness that only first love could give you. Their relationship evolved naturally, but the small things like hand touching, spooning in the freezing air (don't ruin my fantasy) and stolen glances had me smiling most of the time.
“You’re not dead,� I whispered, focusing on that truth. I pressed against him.
“I’m not dead.�
“Stay that way.�
He swept his thumb along my knuckles. “You got it.�
We had a few secondary characters. Reev, protective brother and a pretty badass guy. Irra, spooky fellow but weirdly harmless. Hina, awesome and kickass. Oh, and I would've liked to spend more time with Ninu. G-10 aka Mason was my favorite out of the secondary characters and he was the one that lighted the atmosphere here and there. I thought that a love triangle was going to develop with him in the picture, but in spite if his obvious feelings for Kai (at least to me), the author didn't take that route and I'm glad she didn't, because Mason became a real friend to Kai and Avan.
“Your good-bye party. Couldn’t let you leave without proper fanfare, could I?�
“This is for us?�
“No, it’s for the gargoyles,� G-10 said.
“Maybe we should have invited them.�
The mythology used in GoTaS reminded me a lot of Deathless by Catherine M. Valente. Although completely different in storytelling and plot, the idea behind the powers-that-be in both books is pretty much the same. And no, I won't say more about that. *smiles innocently* But I will say that there are gods, semi-gods and gargoyles and that the world-building, while confusing at first with the blend of fantasy and new creatures, will turn out to be quite interesting.
The plot was also surprising. I anticipated one big thing about Kai's heritage and another about a inevitable betrayal, but the other revelations came out of nowhere. And because of how attached I've become to the characters, there was one particular scene at the end that was so gut-wrenching and bittersweet and beautiful and bloody unfair. *cue internal sobbing*
I'm excited to see where the author takes this story. This first installment offered plenty of material for a great sequel, although it culminated with a satisfying end that gave me enough closure to see that the book could very well be a standalone. It actually triggered a mild case of déjà vu with Champion by Marie Lu. I'll definitely be on the lookout for the next book!
Gates of Thread and Stone was a unique and lovely debut. Filled with mystery, first love and a new, captivating world, the book is a must if you're looking for something darker with a surprising spin on the mythology.
ENJOY!<3
Gates of Thread and Stone was a nice start to a series that will grab you with its creativity. Although I switched my rating from a 4-stars one to a 3-stars, and then changed it back, it's probably somewhere in the middle. Not quite loved it, definitely liked it, kept me up all night, but, nonetheless, a few things bugged me.
I'll start with the things I disliked. My biggest issue I had with GoTaS was the pace. I'm a sucker for action-driven plots and unfortunately, this book wasn't based on one. It was too slow for my taste and the battles/fights were few and far between, so when they did in fact appear, they never put me on the edge. They didn't thrill me, nor did they grab my attention. They didn't got my usual "GO KICK HIS ASS" response as a cheer into battle and I was always disappointed by how quickly the spark of action dissipated.
Another "problem" -- I'm being really subjective here -- was the humor release. Which basically didn't exist. You see, this is one of my pet peeves. I need humor in a book. Witty lines, banter, sarcastic thinking -- give me anything and I'll be eternally grateful. The atmosphere of this book was otherworldly (good) and dark (also good), but the characters were serious most of the time. I know, I know, impending doom and all that, but I would've loved to see some of that tension go away with more funny scenes.
Now on the things that I honestly loved to bits. The characters were incredibly well developed and I grew to love them so much! I especially loved our heroine, Kai. She's confident, ambitious and determined. And I appreciated that she's the no-nonsense type, even though she's practically drooling over her crush, Avan. He's like her own Achilles heel when it comes to daydreaming. Which brings me to my next point.
“You fight well,� he said.
Maybe I was mistaken. Maybe he hadn’t seen after all.
“But you still suck at conversation.�
I frowned, and he smirked at my reaction.
“Reev taught me,� I said.
“No wonder. He sucks at conversation, too.�
Avan, cute, sexy, sweet and protective Avan. He is so wonderful and completely heads-over-heels in love with Kai. I loved how his apparently indifferent behavior was actually, well, you know, bullshit. He is deeply affected by Kai and there's no way to deny the growing attraction between them. Sure, the timing sucks to fall in love when you're on the verge of going into a suicide mission, but a girl's gotta appreciate the hella chemistry.
The romance part was another winner! Kai and Avan were just cute and I loved all the awkwardness and shyness that only first love could give you. Their relationship evolved naturally, but the small things like hand touching, spooning in the freezing air (don't ruin my fantasy) and stolen glances had me smiling most of the time.
“You’re not dead,� I whispered, focusing on that truth. I pressed against him.
“I’m not dead.�
“Stay that way.�
He swept his thumb along my knuckles. “You got it.�
We had a few secondary characters. Reev, protective brother and a pretty badass guy. Irra, spooky fellow but weirdly harmless. Hina, awesome and kickass. Oh, and I would've liked to spend more time with Ninu. G-10 aka Mason was my favorite out of the secondary characters and he was the one that lighted the atmosphere here and there. I thought that a love triangle was going to develop with him in the picture, but in spite if his obvious feelings for Kai (at least to me), the author didn't take that route and I'm glad she didn't, because Mason became a real friend to Kai and Avan.
“Your good-bye party. Couldn’t let you leave without proper fanfare, could I?�
“This is for us?�
“No, it’s for the gargoyles,� G-10 said.
“Maybe we should have invited them.�
The mythology used in GoTaS reminded me a lot of Deathless by Catherine M. Valente. Although completely different in storytelling and plot, the idea behind the powers-that-be in both books is pretty much the same. And no, I won't say more about that. *smiles innocently* But I will say that there are gods, semi-gods and gargoyles and that the world-building, while confusing at first with the blend of fantasy and new creatures, will turn out to be quite interesting.
The plot was also surprising. I anticipated one big thing about Kai's heritage and another about a inevitable betrayal, but the other revelations came out of nowhere. And because of how attached I've become to the characters, there was one particular scene at the end that was so gut-wrenching and bittersweet and beautiful and bloody unfair. *cue internal sobbing*
I'm excited to see where the author takes this story. This first installment offered plenty of material for a great sequel, although it culminated with a satisfying end that gave me enough closure to see that the book could very well be a standalone. It actually triggered a mild case of déjà vu with Champion by Marie Lu. I'll definitely be on the lookout for the next book!
Gates of Thread and Stone was a unique and lovely debut. Filled with mystery, first love and a new, captivating world, the book is a must if you're looking for something darker with a surprising spin on the mythology.
ENJOY!<3
March 31, 2016
An Electronic Advanced Reader Copy was provided by the publisher via NetGalley for review.
Kai is one determined young lady..She seems like she's incapable of even finding her brother, but by the end she goes through a transformation that was really nice to see. I did admire the fact that Kai wasn't automatically amazing at everything she does. She struggles a lot. It's refreshing to have a character who isn't so good at everything. Detailed descriptions of the world and its history, but then there was also mythology thrown in at the end, and I was still aghast as to what type of world this was?
The good parts of this book? The eye catching cover that caught my eye when I saw it in the book store..The setting where everything takes place, a future where people live in a city governed by someone who has magic. The characters who are more than what they seem. The plot which is simple enough as a rescue mission to help her brother who is always helping her. I liked all of these things. Even the pacing was pretty great, because I was never bored and I was always looking forward to diving back into the world.
The things that bothered me? The constant lamentation of her love for her best friend..I know it was supposed to be tortured and it wasn't supposed to be a priority at all, but in the end, it annoyed me because I couldn't take any more of the praises Kai was screaming about him. It was sweet at times, but yikes just tell him already! LOL The mish-mash of all the genres, there's dystopian, magic, science fiction, post-apocalyptic and then mythology? The last one had me surprised and in a way it did fit, but then it didn't. I think this book was trying to be too many genres as one, but maybe we'll see how it all plays out in the sequel which I will read next.
Gates of Thread and Stone is a novel that will get you hooked into its world at the very beginning and will have you wondering if it's really over. A great debut, I highly recommend it for any dystopian fan!
RATING 3/5
QUOTES
"Maybe that's what happens when you're immortal. Living forever must mess with a person's mind."
"Not every family has to be broken."
"Why is happiness a weakness?"
"Because I'm not used to anyone having the power to hurt me anymore."
Kai is one determined young lady..She seems like she's incapable of even finding her brother, but by the end she goes through a transformation that was really nice to see. I did admire the fact that Kai wasn't automatically amazing at everything she does. She struggles a lot. It's refreshing to have a character who isn't so good at everything. Detailed descriptions of the world and its history, but then there was also mythology thrown in at the end, and I was still aghast as to what type of world this was?
The good parts of this book? The eye catching cover that caught my eye when I saw it in the book store..The setting where everything takes place, a future where people live in a city governed by someone who has magic. The characters who are more than what they seem. The plot which is simple enough as a rescue mission to help her brother who is always helping her. I liked all of these things. Even the pacing was pretty great, because I was never bored and I was always looking forward to diving back into the world.
The things that bothered me? The constant lamentation of her love for her best friend..I know it was supposed to be tortured and it wasn't supposed to be a priority at all, but in the end, it annoyed me because I couldn't take any more of the praises Kai was screaming about him. It was sweet at times, but yikes just tell him already! LOL The mish-mash of all the genres, there's dystopian, magic, science fiction, post-apocalyptic and then mythology? The last one had me surprised and in a way it did fit, but then it didn't. I think this book was trying to be too many genres as one, but maybe we'll see how it all plays out in the sequel which I will read next.
Gates of Thread and Stone is a novel that will get you hooked into its world at the very beginning and will have you wondering if it's really over. A great debut, I highly recommend it for any dystopian fan!
RATING 3/5
QUOTES
"Maybe that's what happens when you're immortal. Living forever must mess with a person's mind."
"Not every family has to be broken."
"Why is happiness a weakness?"
"Because I'm not used to anyone having the power to hurt me anymore."
August 27, 2014
So lots of my friends didn't like this one, but I felt it was a good, solid read and a great start to a series. I still am not certain if it is a fantasy or a dystopian or a little of both. I understand there is magic, but there were so many references to a previous society and a collapse that I was wondering if we were supposed to assume that it was a dystopian. The supernatural elements in the form of immortals was done well. I really felt that the world that was created was well thought out and incorporated these elements seamlessly. I wanted more to do with the gargoyles although they reminded me of mockingjays - man messes with animal genes and gets a hybrid which is left loose in the wild. I am hoping that there will be more world building in the next installment so we can get a chance to explore the wilderness a little more.
I really enjoyed a story that didn't focus on the romance. Too many times the characters are in a life and death situation when the protagonist notices how hot the other person is. Big turn-off for me! I need my heroines to be level-headed and smart. Kai's focus (and rightfully so) was on her mission to get her brother back. She didn't allow an attraction to distract her from that. Now, that is not to say that there wasn't a romance - there was. It just didn't take precedence over rescuing her brother.
I really liked this one, and I am looking forward to the next one. I am having a hard time lately of remembering what has happened in the previous books when I read a sequel. Fortunately someone pointed me in the direction of Recaptains at . These guys are awesome!
I really enjoyed a story that didn't focus on the romance. Too many times the characters are in a life and death situation when the protagonist notices how hot the other person is. Big turn-off for me! I need my heroines to be level-headed and smart. Kai's focus (and rightfully so) was on her mission to get her brother back. She didn't allow an attraction to distract her from that. Now, that is not to say that there wasn't a romance - there was. It just didn't take precedence over rescuing her brother.
I really liked this one, and I am looking forward to the next one. I am having a hard time lately of remembering what has happened in the previous books when I read a sequel. Fortunately someone pointed me in the direction of Recaptains at . These guys are awesome!
March 1, 2015
This book started off strong but couldn't hold my interest. It was very different than what I thought it would be and not in a good way. There were a lot of highs and lows in terms of the quality of the story, which was a little frustrating as a reader because as soon as I got interested in the book, a boring part would proceed it.
This wasn't a terrible read, and I am tempted to give the sequel a chance since it has better ratings than this. Hopefully the next book will be an improvement upon this potentially good story.
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Borrow
Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2017
3.5 Infinite Stars
It was an OK read...up until the last 1/4 of it...then I couldn't put it down!
It was an OK read...up until the last 1/4 of it...then I couldn't put it down!
March 26, 2017
Look at this cover!!!! It's so pretty!!!! Unfortunately, the cover and the synopsis fooled me.
What I expected:
a cool setting like the labyrinth hinted at in the synopsis
interesting magical powers
a slightly historical fantasy setting
a strong sibling bond
What I got:
no labyrinth. The labyrinth wasn't really described at all and the characters left it behind within the first couple of chapters
Kai's magical powers were cool, no doubt and the three times (I don't think it was more) she used them was fun, but unfortunately that was it! Why did she have her powers right from the beginning? That was totally unnecessary. She could have just as well found out about them during the book � that might have made the half of the book dealing with mostly training sequences a bit more interesting. The way it was nobody seemed to care too much and neither did she.
The setting confused the hell out of me. It was somehow magical and post apocalyptic � I just couldn't find my place in it. It just didn't work for me at all.
Yeah � well � I guess � a bit � maybe � but the setting up for the sequel wasn't exactly original.
Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad book. The writing is decent enough, the plotting has no major problems, the characters are fine as well � it just didn't work for me. All in all I think my biggest problem with this book was the fact that I wanted something else from it than I got � in other words my expectations bit me in the ass.
What I expected:
a cool setting like the labyrinth hinted at in the synopsis
interesting magical powers
a slightly historical fantasy setting
a strong sibling bond
What I got:
no labyrinth. The labyrinth wasn't really described at all and the characters left it behind within the first couple of chapters
Kai's magical powers were cool, no doubt and the three times (I don't think it was more) she used them was fun, but unfortunately that was it! Why did she have her powers right from the beginning? That was totally unnecessary. She could have just as well found out about them during the book � that might have made the half of the book dealing with mostly training sequences a bit more interesting. The way it was nobody seemed to care too much and neither did she.
The setting confused the hell out of me. It was somehow magical and post apocalyptic � I just couldn't find my place in it. It just didn't work for me at all.
Yeah � well � I guess � a bit � maybe � but the setting up for the sequel wasn't exactly original.
Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad book. The writing is decent enough, the plotting has no major problems, the characters are fine as well � it just didn't work for me. All in all I think my biggest problem with this book was the fact that I wanted something else from it than I got � in other words my expectations bit me in the ass.
May 18, 2015
*I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
4.5 stars
First Thoughts
And with that opening paragraph, I was hooked! Gates of Thread and Stone is honestly one of my favorite reads (so far) this year! Lori M Lee is phenomenal with her world-building-- I could imagine the impoverished state of the Labyrinth, the lavishness of the White Court, and the vastness of the Void just as I'm sure Ms Lee wanted me to see it.
The characters, oh, how I enjoyed them! Kai was a determined heroine, only weak in her love for her brother. Although we only saw Reev in fleeting moments before his disappearance, there was a genuine likability about him. Avan was, by far, my favorite character! Mysterious, protective, and selfless-- hello, new book boyfriend!
What I Enjoyed
There was never a dull moment. Right after that first hook, Ms Lee immediately proceeds to build the world of Ninurta. Once you have a grasp of the city and its history, you catch a glimpse of Kai's time manipulation ability (as well as her good heart). The moment you begin to feel comfortable with the characters and befriend Kai and Reev, Reev disappears. I don't want to spoil the plot, so let's just say it was a thrilling journey that I'm delighted to have been a part of and I cannot wait for book 2!
The sweet romance between Kai and Avan. I felt butterflies in my stomach every time they'd look at each other longingly or lightly touch each other. I nearly died when they camped out in the Void, hesitating to get too close to each other, but eventually finding their way into each other's arms. Swoon.
The bait and switch villain.
Chapter 39. No. Why did this happen? When I read it, I could feel my heart shattering into a million pieces. I didn't want to believe it. There had to be some way around it. I kept thinking, "this book is full of magic. Fix it! Freakin' fix it now!"
Recommended For
Readers of the young adult>fantasy>magic genre or those who want to dip into the time manipulation world without being overwhelmed with confusion (like me!).
Pearl @
4.5 stars
First Thoughts
Death lived in a glass tower in the center of the White Court. I could see the tower from anywhere in the city. It cut the skyline like a blade. Death--she probably had a real name--was Kahl Ninu's right hand and his personal executioner. Or, at least, that's what the rumors said. I didn't really care if they were true so long as it wasn't my head on the chopping block.
And with that opening paragraph, I was hooked! Gates of Thread and Stone is honestly one of my favorite reads (so far) this year! Lori M Lee is phenomenal with her world-building-- I could imagine the impoverished state of the Labyrinth, the lavishness of the White Court, and the vastness of the Void just as I'm sure Ms Lee wanted me to see it.
The characters, oh, how I enjoyed them! Kai was a determined heroine, only weak in her love for her brother. Although we only saw Reev in fleeting moments before his disappearance, there was a genuine likability about him. Avan was, by far, my favorite character! Mysterious, protective, and selfless-- hello, new book boyfriend!
What I Enjoyed
There was never a dull moment. Right after that first hook, Ms Lee immediately proceeds to build the world of Ninurta. Once you have a grasp of the city and its history, you catch a glimpse of Kai's time manipulation ability (as well as her good heart). The moment you begin to feel comfortable with the characters and befriend Kai and Reev, Reev disappears. I don't want to spoil the plot, so let's just say it was a thrilling journey that I'm delighted to have been a part of and I cannot wait for book 2!
The sweet romance between Kai and Avan. I felt butterflies in my stomach every time they'd look at each other longingly or lightly touch each other. I nearly died when they camped out in the Void, hesitating to get too close to each other, but eventually finding their way into each other's arms. Swoon.
The bait and switch villain.
Chapter 39. No. Why did this happen? When I read it, I could feel my heart shattering into a million pieces. I didn't want to believe it. There had to be some way around it. I kept thinking, "this book is full of magic. Fix it! Freakin' fix it now!"
Recommended For
Readers of the young adult>fantasy>magic genre or those who want to dip into the time manipulation world without being overwhelmed with confusion (like me!).
Pearl @
August 7, 2014
4.5 stars Immediately after reading the synopsis, I knew I was going to love this book. It had that air of awesomeness around it, for lack of a better term. AndÌýI was right, I did enjoy this read even if it took a piece of my heart with it.
Gates of Thread and StoneÌýis very reminiscent ofÌýthe Grisha series by Leigh Bardugo. From the female heroine giftedÌýwith an otherworldly ability to the rich and intricate culture of this fantasy realm, no wonder I devoured this book! I'm a sucker for those kinds of stories.
Kai is a purpose-driven character, and her determination to save her brother Reev exemplifies that. I like that she doesn't get easily fazed by the outside forces threatening to push her off-balance. I have not read many characters who displays the same levelÌýof drive such as her. Since this is the first book, there is so much room for improvement for her character although she did show some development towards the end.
I was also fascinated with her ability to control the threads of time. The way Lori described made them feel tangible and accessible. Here's a short **excerpt:
"I imagined my fingers dragging through theÌýfibers,Ìýmaking them catch and slow. Time never truly stopped."
Doesn't that sound so freaking cool? However, I wished she utilised her powers more because that'd really make for some awesome action sequences. Who knows maybe we'll get more of it in the sequel.
The romance was a slow burn, and I appreciated it. It didn't get in the way of the conflict although there were instances where it was threatening to do so. Avan actually reminds me of Mal from the Grisha - no surprise there. They both have that protective and rugged best friend quality going on. Also, there's another character that I think might have potential to be a love interest. Agh, spare me the love triangle drama.
Mythology also plays a significant role in this book. It was something entirely original for a change, and although I appreciate its being innovative, I thought it needed more polishing especially at the end. I got lost in the history of the gods there.
Overall,ÌýGates of Thread and StoneÌýblew my socks off. It was even better than I had hoped for and I can't wait for the sequel! The ending tore me apart and left me to tatters. Look out world, this author has quite the story to tell.
*An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. This has no way affected my overall thoughts.
**Quote is subject to change in the final version.
July 20, 2014
4.5 stars
When I read the synopsis of Gates of Thread and Stone, I was really excited. Plus, I mean, that cover is just so beautiful and eye-catching, right? Between the cover and synopsis, I had extremely high hopes for Gates of Thread and Stone, and I’m thrilled to say it lived up to my expectations. This book drew me in from the first page and held my attention right to the last page. It was gripping, exciting, mysterious, and well written, with a tightly woven, inventive plot.
I really liked Kai. She was feisty, smart, and strong. She loved her brother fiercely, and would do anything to make him happy and make life easier. She was a believable teenager - at times insecure, uncertain, selfish, impulsive - definitely flawed, and I loved that. We didn’t see much of Reev, Kai’s brother, but from Kai’s thoughts and memories of him, plus the few glimpses we did get, you were able to get a good sense of the protective, loyal older brother who would do anything to keep his sister safe.
Then there was Avan. Oh Avan. *swoon* I loved him. I loved the will they/won’t they pull between him and Kai, and the slow build of anticipation toward the possibility of something beyond friendship. I alternately sighed and squealed every time they touched, especially as the story went on and things were so uncertain. They had each other when everything was falling apart and even though there were moments I wanted to knock some sense into Kai, I loved these two together.
The world building in this book was fantastic. I was fascinated by the Labyrinth and the world beyond, and was able to picture it all clearly. The whole thing had a dark and creepy post-apocalypse vibe to it. I loved that this book was different from anything I’ve read.
I’ll admit, part of me was hoping this would be a really strong standalone. Up until close to the end I thought it might be, but by the end, I knew there would have to be a continuation. The ending was bittersweet, but I’m hopeful it will get worked out in the sequel, and since I loved these characters so much I’m happy to get the opportunity to see them again.
Gates of Thread and Stone is a fast-paced adventure full of magic and romance.
I think this book will appeal to a lot of readers, whether you like fantasy, science fiction, post-apocalyptic, dystopian, or romance. Gates of Thread and Stone has a great concept, and Lori M Lee executed it with finesse. I highly recommend this one.
When I read the synopsis of Gates of Thread and Stone, I was really excited. Plus, I mean, that cover is just so beautiful and eye-catching, right? Between the cover and synopsis, I had extremely high hopes for Gates of Thread and Stone, and I’m thrilled to say it lived up to my expectations. This book drew me in from the first page and held my attention right to the last page. It was gripping, exciting, mysterious, and well written, with a tightly woven, inventive plot.
I really liked Kai. She was feisty, smart, and strong. She loved her brother fiercely, and would do anything to make him happy and make life easier. She was a believable teenager - at times insecure, uncertain, selfish, impulsive - definitely flawed, and I loved that. We didn’t see much of Reev, Kai’s brother, but from Kai’s thoughts and memories of him, plus the few glimpses we did get, you were able to get a good sense of the protective, loyal older brother who would do anything to keep his sister safe.
Then there was Avan. Oh Avan. *swoon* I loved him. I loved the will they/won’t they pull between him and Kai, and the slow build of anticipation toward the possibility of something beyond friendship. I alternately sighed and squealed every time they touched, especially as the story went on and things were so uncertain. They had each other when everything was falling apart and even though there were moments I wanted to knock some sense into Kai, I loved these two together.
The world building in this book was fantastic. I was fascinated by the Labyrinth and the world beyond, and was able to picture it all clearly. The whole thing had a dark and creepy post-apocalypse vibe to it. I loved that this book was different from anything I’ve read.
I’ll admit, part of me was hoping this would be a really strong standalone. Up until close to the end I thought it might be, but by the end, I knew there would have to be a continuation. The ending was bittersweet, but I’m hopeful it will get worked out in the sequel, and since I loved these characters so much I’m happy to get the opportunity to see them again.
Gates of Thread and Stone is a fast-paced adventure full of magic and romance.
I think this book will appeal to a lot of readers, whether you like fantasy, science fiction, post-apocalyptic, dystopian, or romance. Gates of Thread and Stone has a great concept, and Lori M Lee executed it with finesse. I highly recommend this one.
September 19, 2016
This novel has everything I look for in a YA Fantasy story. The author gives a solid history base for the world, no-nonsense physics rules for the environment, original images, just the right amount of description for the setting to light the reader's own imagination, undercurrents of social and moral statements, tears from my own eyes, some lighthearted laughable moments, intrigue, and well fashioned flirt and tease romantic scenes; quiet and sensual, no grunting and groping. The ending of the story will rip you up more than once, and you will also say, "I didn't see that coming!", multiple times.
I do not like books where I have to go back and search for descriptions of characters to remember who, or what, they were. Lee's secondary characters were so well written I didn't have to re-read once. I was also amazed at the number of twists she was able to weave into the last few chapters.
FAVE THINGS: The Grays, and Lee's make you tingle romance scenes (and I'm not a romance person).
At the time of this posting the ebook on Amazon is only $3.99! Free on Kindle Unlimited.
Here is the link to my spoiler-free, all giffed out blog review:
I do not like books where I have to go back and search for descriptions of characters to remember who, or what, they were. Lee's secondary characters were so well written I didn't have to re-read once. I was also amazed at the number of twists she was able to weave into the last few chapters.
FAVE THINGS: The Grays, and Lee's make you tingle romance scenes (and I'm not a romance person).
At the time of this posting the ebook on Amazon is only $3.99! Free on Kindle Unlimited.
Here is the link to my spoiler-free, all giffed out blog review:
February 5, 2015
**I received this book for free from (Skyscape ) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review**
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3-3.5
*MY Thoughts*
So, I'm a bit conflicted by Gates of Thread and Stone. While I liked the story, I didn't fall in love with it to the point of doing somersaults across the lawn. But, I didn't totally hate it either, thus the 3 star rating. I enjoyed the world building. I enjoyed the mythology of the Infinite's. I loved that the main character had enough good in her heart not to walk away when things got bad. But, I still don't understand where the Stone part of the title comes from.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Review*
*Recvd 02/02/2015 via NetGalley* Published August 5th 2014 by Skyscape
*Genre* Young Adult, Fantasy
*Rating* 3-3.5
*MY Thoughts*
So, I'm a bit conflicted by Gates of Thread and Stone. While I liked the story, I didn't fall in love with it to the point of doing somersaults across the lawn. But, I didn't totally hate it either, thus the 3 star rating. I enjoyed the world building. I enjoyed the mythology of the Infinite's. I loved that the main character had enough good in her heart not to walk away when things got bad. But, I still don't understand where the Stone part of the title comes from.
*Full Review Posted @ Gizmos Review*
*Recvd 02/02/2015 via NetGalley* Published August 5th 2014 by Skyscape
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