Gates of Thread and Stone by Lori M. Lee
My rating: 1.5 of 5 stars
Received: borrowed
Publication Date: August 5th 2014
Publisher: Skyscape
Genres & Themes: YA, Fantasy, Adventure, Magic.
BLURB:
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.
REVIEW:
Book :
The only period of time when this story gripped my attention was at the beginning…obviously because, hey, gorgeous cover + intriguing blurb = hype to me and I’ve been waiting to read this one for awhile now.
This is a great example of do not judge a book by its cover. Still, I don’t actually regret reading the book since I HAD to try it. And I did, but it didn’t work for me.
First of all, the pacing: it was very slow and, even though I can manage slow, it’s not working well with the story and concept. I mean, sure, they’re (Kai and Avan) searching for Kai’s brother and a search is usually slow but you can’t just base your plot on that…except that’s what the author did. Blood Red Road managed it much much better…
Sure, they do meet some people along the way but them meeting those people wasn’t interesting. It was just okay…now can we actually look for the guy now? You know how some books have some small events and stuff happening between the main ones? Well this one didn’t. It felt very very planned and too organized. As if the author had a list of ok, now Kai goes to see that guy and then they’ll go to the school she and Avan and then meet new people who can help them enter the Tournament (which, by the way, wasn’t exciting.)
They kept meeting new characters and meeting new characters ALL THE TIME.
It was seriously boring and repetitive.
Then, there is the romance… WHAT ROMANCE? Kai is definitely not looking for a boyfriend! She’s looking for her brother and that’s all she does. Her mind is focused on finding the person she loves the most and that’s all, with some few exceptions.
Sure, she has some sweet moments with Avan but those sweet moments are mostly friendly ones. Because that’s what they are: friends! She did have many opportunities though but does she take them? No, because her feelings for him are not clear. She’s confused…so I, reader, was annoyed.
At about 90% of the story, she sees more clearly but the happy dance didn’t come because I was too exhausted with reading a book I don’t enjoy.
There is also the gargoyles.
Gargoyles.
Gargoyles.
Why were there gargoyles in this story? I was always wondering how the characters didn’t do anything about those gargoyles and why they were in this story in the first place since they just DON’T FIT.
Well, according to the author, this is why:
Gargoyles had been native reptiles once, before Rebirth happened more than two centuries ago. But the mass collection of magic and technology during the war had changed them and killed off their major predators.
So yeah…what?! It’s not a good enough reason, and I wanted to let it go but to me it doesn’t make sense for them to be in the story.
Also, the main character is able to slow down time. The problem is that her power is actually so so so boring. She doesn’t even use it with perfection, as if she just got it, when that is a false statement. I mean, she SLOWS DOWN TIME. She doesn’t stop it. If she were like Piper in the Charmed TV show, then I would have liked her power and her at the same time probably much much more.
The writing was good but the dialogs didn’t feel natural. And we don’t get a lot of personal information or memories about Kai when that is normally how I get to connect with the main character and get invested in her story…so I didn’t. At first, yes, but then it slowly slipped away.
Finally, I think it could get better, as for the sequel being better. It has potential, if only the world-building was more detailed, the romance more present, Kai’s powers evolved to a point where she can do many other things with ‘time’ and if it had more action.
If those things really are applied to the sequel, I probably would enjoy it more than this one.
Oh and, please, a more coherent explanation for the gargoyles’ existence because now I just want them to be exterminated and make a forgetting potion so everyone would forget about them so it feels like they never existed so the world-building makes more sense.
Would you consider voting for this review on Goodreads, if it were helpful? ^_^
I agree! We indeed need explanations for this gargoyles. No one is an expert here 😛
Ugh. This sounds dragging. I know I’ve said that I’m gonna read this next, but your review looks like a red warning sign. Haha. I hate slow pacing books because I’m a little impatient. =)) And no romance? Even a bit?! Ehhh. But I need itttt! Hahaha.
You’re right abt the cover. So gorgeous!! Thanks for the honest review, Lola!
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Hahahah but also a real WHY they were in the book.
LOL, if you HATE slow-pacing books, stay away from this one!! :O I’m a little impatient too…
Romance? No, not really. hahah
Thank YOU!xx
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I am seeing a pattern now after a few reviews. Really like this book, or not at all. There doesn’t seem to be any middle ground
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Yup, saw that as well. Haven’t really seen 3 star ratings.
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Well blah! That is an awesome cover though. It would have sucked me in too!
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Glad we both agree!
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I’m quite keen on gargoyles – the real ones, the ones that bedeck cathedrals and the like. I have four in my bathroom (including a large devil), so am usually tempted to read about them too. But, thank you, for this review. I think you’ve saved me a disappointing read and the wasted reading opportunity that always means.
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They’re awesome! Just not in this books. xd
You’re welcome and thank you! Yes, I conpletely understand.
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PS. I ‘liked’ your review on Goodreads. Is that what you meant by voting? (My apols for the stupid question, but I’m just getting into the social media side of book blogging…)
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Yes, haha, that’s what I meant. Thank you, it encourages me. ^^ And that’s fine, I’ve started blogging not so long ago so I’m not an expert myself.
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Haha the gargoyle thing sounds annoying :/. And the power kinda useless…but I finally found somene who watched Charmed! Yay!
I don’t usually hate slow pacing (depends on the book) but I’m still staying away from this. Mostly becouse I don’t really care about it and my TBR is huge.
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Charmed all the way, girl! I’m at season 4 now and uuuugh I hate Cole–well the demonic Cole ahahah.
Same here, depends on the book. 🙂
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Woah this sounds incredibly disappointing Lola, although I’m kind of glad the romance took a back seat. The plot sounds like nothing really happened except meeting people. Lovely review!
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I was. Jeann, it was. 😦
Exactly! Not much happened! Thank you. 🙂
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The cover looks interesting but I honestly can’t get through slow books cause I always end up never finishing them!!
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Happened to me sometimes. ESPECIALLY when there is no real action or events! Ugh, was so disappointing but, yes, interesting cover. ^^
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It was a miss, then 😉 Too bad, it happens ! Next book will be better !
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Thanks 😀 Yes, a miss. Ugh.
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Everyone seems mixed about this one and I’m so sad because I’m so in love with the cover. Yes I’m that superficial lol.
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Me too (in love with cover, superficial, not so much but maybe with covers hahah)
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I was really looking forward to this one. Now, not so much.
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Yeah… 😦
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This is a book that definitely seems to be inspiring a lot of widely varying opinions, most seem to either love it or hate it. That always makes me more curious about a book though, I then want to pick it up just to find out what I’ll think. I’m sorry this one was a bit slow and didn’t really work for you on a variety of levels Lola, but hopefully whatever is next on the TBR list works better!
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Thank you, Jenny! It seems that way. You may enjoy it more. ^^ Happy reading!
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*snickers* The gargoyles in this book sound kind of like the tiger in The Kiss of Deception. What’s with all the randomness in books these days. And that sounds like the least of it. I was looking forward to this book too, but now . . . I mean, it’s admirable the MC is so focused on her goal . . . but yeah, it sounds pretty dull . . . thanks for the heads-up, Lola! Great review 😉
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I didn’t know there was a tiger in that book, hahah. Thanks, Jessica! 🙂 Pretty dull, yes.
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The reviews for this seem to be all over the place. I think it is one of those reads that you either love or hate. Sorry you fell into the latter category.
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I feel sorry too. Such an amazing cover. Thanks Aly!:)
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Oh, dear. I do hate when the inside doesn’t live up to the cover. And it sounds like there are too many characters, especially revolving characters, coming in and out of the story. Doesn’t really give you a chance to bond with them.
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There are too many, you got it. And they appear then they’re not needed anymore. Yup!
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Argh! And I have high hopes for this one because the premise was really intriguing and of course, that cover gorgeous cover would lure any innocent reader. What a shame that the content didn’t justify the cover’s beauty. Sigh.
OMG! I can handle journey books. I can even handle if the characters spent the rest of the story moving from one place to another. But what I can’t handle are characters that we really can’t connect to. But I admire the MC for being so into her mission of finding Reevs but I don’t think I’d like her for any reason other than that. She is the main character here, thus, the author should have made a way that readers would also see the real her other than being the sister who was crazy worried about her dear old brother.
I love gargoyles but shame that in this book, they felt like fillers to make the story more interesting.
Awesome review, Lola!
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I know…it’s always a shame. I wanted to buy the hardcopy pretty bad but it’s just not worth it.
I agree for the characters. She’s not developped enough.
They do!! Sometimes people commenting use better words to summarize my feelings than I can think of LOL. A filler, that’s what it was.
Thanks Charlotte! 😀
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The cover on this is so gorgeous, I really hoped what was on the inside would be as amazing …darn! The summary sounded liked something I would enjoy, but I’m not so sure not with slow pace, little action and no romance. Thanks for the honest and thoughtful review Lola. This ones seems ‘Hit or Miss’ with readers 😉
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Yeah, bet it is. Really not what expected and the blurb kinda not representative because it puts the labyrinth in an important position when we don’t know that much about it. Thank you. 😀
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1.5 stars and the cover of the book somehow invite for an awesome read. I need to look deeper than the cover 🙂
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Me too me too but sometimes it’s too tempting. Gaah.
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No romance? Blah. That doesn’t sound that fun. I like some romance. Maybe even just a hint. Or a really cool friendship, or something. And gargoyles? Really? I was looking forward to this one. I won a copy (though it hasn’t come, I was bummed but maybe I shouldn’t be?), and of course, I love the cover. ::Pushes book to the back of the TBR pile:: Great honest review! I am glad to know what to expect if I do read it!
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Sure you could be! I mean you won such a beautiful cover! As for the book…well…maybe you can learn to like it LOL
Thanks and, YES DEFINITELY, no romance. 😛
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This book caught my attention too! A shame it was so slow paced. Thanks for warning me. I hope your next read was better.
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Thanks! Yup, slow! I think I read it so fast because I was kinda hyped and thought that maybe it could get better. 😛
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