The overall mystery was ok, but the characters were so unlikeable, and there were rough patches where the cruelty/torture depicted was just too much. I won't read another book by this author for a while, even though he has another that sounds interesting.

I understand this is a kids's book, but... unlike the first book which had a little bit of character development and story, this really has none. The entirety of the propulsive action should have been condensed into a single chapter instead of dragged into 30+ chapters. There IS action, but it's a bit empty; mainly multiple pages describing each thrust, parry and block of a sword. I feel like maybe the publisher asked the author to make an entire series of books out of a story that could really only support a single book. Little advancement of plot in the overall arc of the story here, very little meaningful action, no character growth. Also, if you care about this kind of thing, and I hope people do, the story is still sexist. Is it over-the-top sexist? By no means. I don't think the author even does it on purpose, but if your daughters read this book be aware that the female character(s) presented are portrayed as helpless and needing to be saved by boys. The author does a typical trope of giving the female character something to make her seem powerful with one or two chances at adding to the story, but it is clear that her true value in the story is being the beautiful, helpless child who needs rescuing, and who is only significant because she is (SPOILER) the daughter of someone important. So, as usual with quiet sexism, the worth of a female is only in her beauty or whose property she is. It's off-putting. This kind of thing is so pervasive that it doesn't usually stop me from reading books. The reason I'll stop at this second entry in the series is that it's just not a good book, and not a good story. I respect others who do like it, though! Reading other reviews on this book is truly surprising, but, hey, no shade.

If you want a story in the same vein as this book, but with more propulsive action, suspense, fun, growth, and female characters with more depth, try "Under the Jolly Roger" by L.A. Meyer.

It's been a while, but I remember being intrigued by what that thing actually was, and I recall some mind games which I liked that kept me thinking. I may need to revisit this, though and rewrite this review. I like a creepy and mysterious story. This seemed to fit the bill at the time.

Totally agree. This author is so good so far.

Yessssssssssss

Hmmm. I like the pacing of this book which made it easy to follow. I think it has the Harry Potter feel a little bit, so it's starting to world-build and has a sympathetic underdog story that is the type of story you might listen to while getting ready for bed or drifting off to sleep. As a book for younger readers it avoids complicated plotting or too many characters to follow. There are shallow characters who are either the typical good or the typical bad, with one who develops from bully to full-on good. The story is starting up here and has a few little mystery points that I think will be fleshed out more in later books, but there are some answers given in the final chapter. The writing of the main character felt like he was closer to 10 than 15; he was so naive and his thought processes were child-like. There were drawn out scenes of bullying that seemed excessive; it's maybe good if you feel life needs to have more justice where the bad guys actually get held accountable, but the punishment felt as immature as the bullying was. The narrator was good in the audiobook. One criticism is that I have yet to encounter a girl or woman ranger. If brute strength isn't needed, then why not add some women in the mix? In this first entry to the series the girls are relegated to apprenticing as a cook or a diplomat (the latter is at least something. )

Could not hold my interest.

This was a cute read. (If you want to listen to the audiobook, beware of the full cast production; the audio is fast and tinny. I had to slow it to 90% and reduce the treble on my equalizer and it was still somewhat painful.)

It's still a fun series, but I have to block out the parts where this supposed strong, independent woman forgets that "no" means "no." For her, "no" only means "no" until she is assaulted and then it's a "yes." I think maybe this is supposed to be an intentional character flaw, but it's a bit repulsive.

Hmmm. I listened to the audio dramatization which I found poorly designed. Loud music, sound effects are jarring and occur under the narrator making it hard to hear. As for the story, I felt thrown into a world and setting without the expected unfolding of information to fill out the setting to make it feel immersive. This was just a crime drama in space, with shallow characters and a tone that switched all over the place. Not for me.