The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano

The Glass Spare (Glass Spare, #1)

by Lauren DeStefano

The first in a new fantasy duology, The Glass Spare is a gorgeously told tale of love, loss, and deadly power from Lauren DeStefano, the bestselling author of the Chemical Garden series. Perfect for fans of Shannon Hale and Renee Ahdieh.

Wilhelmina Heidle, the fourth child and only daughter of the king of the world’s wealthiest nation, has grown up in the shadows. Kept hidden from the world in order to serve as a spy for her father—whose obsession with building his empire is causing a war—Wil wants nothing more than to explore the world beyond her kingdom, if only her father would give her the chance.

Until one night Wil is attacked, and she discovers a dangerous secret. Her touch turns people into gemstone. At first Wil is horrified—but as she tests its limits, she’s drawn more and more to the strange and volatile ability. When it leads to tragedy, though, Wil is forced to face the destructive power within her and finally leave her home to seek the truth and a cure.

But finding the key to her redemption puts her in the path of a cursed prince who has his own ideas for what to do with Wil’s power.

With a world on the brink of war and a power of ultimate destruction, can Wil find a way to help the kingdom that’s turned its back on her, or will she betray her past and her family forever?

Reviewed by shannonmiz on

2 of 5 stars

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You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight

This is not a bad book. This is just a book that if you're well-versed in fantasy, it may seem as though you've already read it. That's basically how I felt, as though I knew what would happen, as though I'd just... seen it all before, somehow. I could predict the things that were going to happen pretty easily. Here is an example:



There are a few more, but spoilers, I guess. The book did have some redeeming qualities though. I did enjoy Wil's relationships with her brothers, and I kind of wished we'd gotten more of those. She had three brothers, and two of them- Owen and Gerdie- were cool and I wanted to have all the interactions with them. Then there was another brother, Baren, who was a real piece of crap. But at least he was entertaining me.



But then we leave all those people, run away, and meet new people. Who we lie to through omission. Have I mentioned before that I am so very over that trope? Cause I am. Honestly, I just found myself caring less and less as the book went on, and instead of me getting more invested, I think I became less so. Unfortunate, but such is life.

Will I Read the Next Book? Probably have to pass.

Bottom Line: Not a bad book, nor a poorly written one, just not particularly unique or captivating, either.

*Copy provided for review

**Quotes taken from uncorrected proof, subject to change

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 19 August, 2017: Finished reading
  • 19 August, 2017: Reviewed