Book: Lavender And Steel (Shards Of Time Chronicles) by J.P. Feather
Reviewed by Anonymous
Rating: 3/5
Lavender and Steel had an intriguing premise with magic, deadly trials, and an academy where survival is anything but guaranteed. I enjoyed the darker atmosphere and the mystery surrounding Maela’s nightmares.
Unfortunately, the execution didn't quite work for me. The pacing was ok, but rushed. Maela frequently needed rescuing, which made it difficult to see her as the strong protagonist I wanted her to be.
There are a few editing details to look out for in this ARC, like some spelling mistakes, Maela’s surname being written a couple of times incorrectly, and repeated paragraphs in chapters 10 and 22. Hopefully, these will be tidied up before the final publication.
I also found the story reminiscent of Fourth Wing, with similarities that appeared sporadically throughout the book; this made it difficult for it to establish its own identity.
Overall, the concept had plenty of potential, and I will definitely read the next book in the series, as the ending was impactful.