Title: ChantressSeries: Chantress Trilogy #1
Author: Amy Butler Greenfield
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Release Date: May 7th 2013
Pages: Hardcover, 336 pages
Source: Received for honest review through the publisher.
Summary from Goodreads:
Lucy’s Chantress magic will make her the most powerful—and most hunted—girl in England.
“Sing, and the darkness will find you.” This warning has haunted fifteen-year-old Lucy ever since she was eight and shipwrecked on a lonely island. Lucy’s guardian, Norrie, has lots of rules, but the most important is that Lucy must never sing. Not ever. Now it is 1667, Lucy is fifteen, and on All Hallows’ Eve, Lucy hears a tantalizing melody on the wind. She can’t help but sing—and she is swept into darkness.
When she awakes in England, Lucy hears powerful men discussing Chantresses—women who can sing magic into the world. They are hunting her, but she escapes and finds sanctuary with the Invisible College, an organization plotting to overthrow the nefarious Lord Protector. The only person powerful enough to bring about his downfall is a Chantress. And Lucy is the last one in England.
Lucy struggles to master the song-spells and harness her power, but the Lord Protector is moving quickly. And her feelings for Nat, an Invisible College apprentice and scientist who deeply distrusts her magic, only add to her confusion...
Time is running out, and the fate of England hangs in the balance in this entrancing novel that is atmospheric and lyrical, dangerous and romantic.
“To sing something into being, ‘in short,” said Penebrygg. “Or, if you like, to sing it into a form that bends it against its true nature. Enchantment—that is the work of a Chantress. And has been for time out of mind.”
Chantress slowly draws you into the world of magic and song, transporting the reader to old England. Lucy has always grown up knowing she was never to sing but the day she breaks that rule her whole life changes. Lucy is now one of the most hunted people in England for she is the only one who can undo the past spell of a Chantress which would be the demise of the Lord Protector. With the lessons of her godmother and the help of Nat and Penebrygg, Lucy must take down the Lord Protector.
The magical and fantasy aspects of the story are quite well done. The setting of old England makes for a perfect dark and mysterious world. The magic continues to build throughout the story but is something to fear. Magic of the Chantress is something of power, darkness and the unknown not just fluffy, light magic. Lucy's magic can only be expressed and accessed through singing.
The characters were forgettable. I felt the romance between Nat and Lucy was a bit forced and very predictable. Characters aside, my one main issue was the plot pacing. The lengthy descriptions and drawn out scenes while ‘lyrical’ were a bit slow. I felt like there could have been more action or slow building romance thrown into the plot to keep it moving.
I would recommend this if you are in the mood for a slower, more descriptive magical, fantasy story. Chantress was 3 stars; the twist on magic and the world building were enjoyable but the slow plot keeps me from giving it more stars.
The characters were forgettable. I felt the romance between Nat and Lucy was a bit forced and very predictable. Characters aside, my one main issue was the plot pacing. The lengthy descriptions and drawn out scenes while ‘lyrical’ were a bit slow. I felt like there could have been more action or slow building romance thrown into the plot to keep it moving.
I would recommend this if you are in the mood for a slower, more descriptive magical, fantasy story. Chantress was 3 stars; the twist on magic and the world building were enjoyable but the slow plot keeps me from giving it more stars.
Official links: www.amybutlergreenfield.com | twitter.com/ab_greenfield
I really like the sound of Chantress... plus, I'm a obsessed with books set in England as it's my home country and I miss it! I'd love to win :)
ReplyDeleteGood review. Cool dream cast. Thanks for participating!
ReplyDeleteLoving all the classy Brits in your dream cast!
ReplyDeleteI love, love, love the cover of this book! I think I added it to my goodreads list a while ago, but I'm not sure now. That's too bad that you didn't really like it that much. The biggest issue for me would have been the forgettable characters. That is the worst thing ever for me! I just hate when I feel nothing for these people that I'm reading about. Not sure if I'll read this, so I'm so glad I read your review to know what to expect!
ReplyDeleteI have GOT to get this book! Every time I see a review on this or an excerpt it's always been reviewed as wonderful! It makes me crazy not to have read it yet.
ReplyDelete