The Savior's Champion Review
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- Опубликовано: 21 окт 2024
- Check out my video on Roman art here: • The Art of Ancient Rom...
Hey guys!
I finally got a chance to read and review my ARC of Jenna Moreci's The Savior's Champion. In this spoiler free review, I share what I liked and didn't like about the book and who I would recommend it to!
I also get nerdy and talk about art history. To skip it, go to 11:21 (but you shouldn't skip it because it's interesting stuff).
Hope you enjoy!
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Basically what I took away from the dislike section was that Jenna loves blood and violence and doesn’t like describing settings, something she often talks about in her videos, and it really shows. Good job on this review!
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
I think that's a pretty accurate way of summing it up, plus taking too long to get to know the characters!
Jenna admitted that fact in one of her vlogs.
this book is a series she will probably tell more in the future
TSC wasn't violent at all. It was promoted as this violent tournament but it wasn't. I made a full on rant review over everything that wasn't pulled off. There was so much more she could have done with this book but didn't.
Katharine with an A, uh, I think it was pretty dang violent, as several characters were offed in a brutal fashion. It’s kinda hard to ignore that aspect of the story.
I'm writing a novel where the protagonist is an artist; your critique of Tobias as an artist will be useful for my revisions, so thank you for this! (I loved the art history bits too.)
I'm so glad! Good luck with your novel :)
did you finish your novel yet?
Suzy S Lmao I don’t think she finished the novel, yet. 😂
@@JordanHarveybooks I very much agree with OP! While you were talking about Greek art, I was writing down notes about "I need to use more this language and these terms to better convey that my main character loves art." It was such a helpful critique!
Jenna has said many times that she hates world building so maybe that’s why it didn’t work for you. This review made me lower my expectations which I guess it’s good. Still excited
You should be, honestly I can't stress enough that I REALLY like this book, I'm just also really critical!
Yeah, that was the main thing that bugged me in this novel. One of the things I love about fantasy is reading about and exploring the worlds, but it was mostly left ambiguous.
Jordan Harvey I am the same which is why I’m not as hyped for this book.
I don't think she hated world-building, she just hated over-describing things, where one take looong paragraphs explaining how the plumbing system works and "describing every leaves in a tree". She does mention that's important to know every details about characters, their world etc.. but also NOT to info dump it all into the book and "bore" readers.
And I agree with that sentiment, but the world building in this book was very lacklustre. We don't know much about thessen at all!
Oooh, I see what you mean. The character could play such a bigger role in terms of world building through his profession and expertise. Very interesting point!
FailedLeopard thanks! For sure they could.
As both an artist and a writer, your discussion of Tobias needing to be developed more in the art department made me really happy, despite not having read the book yet. Every time I go somewhere new, I focus on the colors and the structure of the buildings and the surrounding nature, I take note on every mural and sculpture I see, I read every plaque that might be nearby, I go to the museums if I can afford it. Experiencing and investigating and dissecting all of these things is something that I just _do_ that seems to drive my family crazy because it takes me forever to get anywhere because they _don't_ do these things, and I think this habit of mine is because of my more artistic background. Maybe this isn't all artists, but I feel as if someone with that eye would be more likely to do these things than not.
I'm not very good at art history, but _art_ is something that can't be ignored in a story, ESPECIALLY when the main character IS an artist.
BoredomIsAnUnderstatement I also tend to look at the world in a specific way as an artist, but instead on concentrating on structures or taking notes or even going to museums, I just tend to outline objects in my head, as if trying to understand its dimensions and how I could draw it on paper. I never noticed I was doing this until recently, and I thought I was the only one
@@Amanda-sn4ii Nah, I do that, too. :)
This is why traveling alone is nicer.
Booktuber reviewing a booktuber? Yes please!
After you're done this, and if you're not sick of me, feel free to watch my stupidly long breakdown of Zenith.
Jordan Harvey I will, though I don’t think I watch the author whereas I watch Jenna. Love this review. It’s so honest ❤️
Yeah, Jenna's the best! Glad you like the review!!
Jordan Harvey Stupidly long? It was amazing despite the fact that it was crazy long. I absolutely loved your breakdown. It was hilarious. I don't know why but I just really like to watch negative reviews to make myself laugh when I'm in a down mood.
Booktuberception.
Is " 'Art and it's effects and reflection on culture in fantasy: a How-to' by Jordan Harvey" a possibility? That section was actually very interesting. Good content, thumbs up. Cheers!
istarianjinsama it would be really cool to watch
At 1.15 your face says it all haha!
Even though I haven’t read the book (for obvious reasons) I can see what you mean. I sometimes think writers or authors give their characters these abilities like singing or painting or whatever but you can tell they don’t know enough about it and that bugs me too. You would accept form someone who likes art that even in their thought process they sometimes refer about it. Like when they see a style in which somethings is made or built. It makes the character more believable
Omg love your black bord!! I like to see more of it.
I once saw a pin on pinterest that said: you minor characters don’t know that they’re minor characters. They are more than capable of impacting the story in a big way.
Yes. DO YOUR RESEARCH AUTHORS.
The blackboard is a new addition, but I doubt it'll be the last time you see it!
And HUGE YES to that pinterest quote. It's so refreshing to see fleshed out minor characters.
Frankly, the research part, about things I don't know so much about, is the part I look forward to the most.
What a sassy thumbnail. It makes me feel like my girl’s gonna give me the truth.
There are no shortcuts in creating good art or in evaluating it. This was like a slice of cheesecake with hot chocolate. Now we're gonna need to read this & discuss what Jenna's done. BookTube can be a remarkable place if we take the time to invest our thoughts & enjoy the full range of opinions. Also, if there is a suggestion box for an art history series... 🗳 YES PLEASE
Thank you Charles! I definitely suggest giving it a read.
It also seems like people liked the look at art history, which is AMAZING because I definitely want to do more videos on it. Keep an eye out on twitter, I might hold a poll soon on which period I should look at next!
Charles Smith I love how poetic your comment is by the way, and I totally agree with your first sentence there:)
Fantastic well balanced review, I'm now so excited to read this book!! Also, oh my god YES to the art history I would so be here for that. It was genius how you went into it in in this video as a potential way to world build so 100% yes I had no idea it was even possible for your channel to get any better 🎉
I love your videos, The Authentic Observer!
I love that you talked about the art history as a way of world building and also the main characters personality. When I read one of my favorite thing s is when characters are really fleshed out and have unique interests and personalities. I think a lot of authors skip over this, but however clever the plot is, if I don’t care about the characters then I will usually get bored
That Zenith Shade tho. On a better note, I'm excited to read this.
I know next to nothing about art history, not for lack of interest, just lack of time I guess, but nevertheless I loved your segment on it, so interesting, and I think you're so right on how if a fantasy is basing itself off a real life historical period / area, it needs to take into consideration not only the physicality of the place / time, but also the cultural components too, and not just from surface level knowledge. Also, just in general your reviews are so divine, I hate when people think critical always equals negative, but this shows how you can have issues with a book, and pick them apart, but still have positives too, and have an overall positive opinion of the book at the end of the day. I'd never heard of this book before, but now I'm super interested in checking it out, so thanks!
Art history is so fascinating, but is not covered as much as regular history/science, etc. especially on youtube, so I completely get you not knowing much about it! I don't think a lot of people do. Nonetheless, I feel like it's one of the best ways to understand ancient culture and society!
And definitely recommend this book!!
okay so this was longer than I usually watch non-spoiler videos, BUT you made it flow so smoothly and had me hooked with every point you mentioned on the review; loved how in depth you went with every little aspect, and I appreciate the honesty with the book, I'm honestly really excited for the book, as you said, mainly for support and because I love Jenna's videos so much- but as you mentioned, with youtubers launching books, most of the time they end up disappointing- Anyway, in a nutshell, great review, Thanks!
Thanks so much!
I want to stress that I really did like the book, there were just a few things that bugged me about it too. Overall, it was a really fun read though, and I'd definitely recommend it!
I'm definitely checking it out, thanks!!
I honestly don’t think the sexual orientation criticism applies here as homophobia was not really present in Greece (Alexander the great was pretty blatantly bisexual himself and wrote about being in love with his male companion, Macedonian scholars have made great effort to erase this fact about him in history books) and is actually a fairly new ideology in human history. It should rather be explained why homophobia exists rather than it not existing as it has a long history of queer erasure in academia and pressure from religious sources. If catholicism is not present in your world it should be a given that there needs to be another source of the intolerance of queer people explained or queer phobia should not exist at all.
For sure, I just think there was an overall lack of world building, especially since it is not Greece, it's Thessen. A simple sentence would've implied whether or not Thessen shared the same stance on sexual orientation as Ancient Greece, but instead, like a lot in the book, it's left ambiguous and underdeveloped.
To be pedantic, homophobia was a thing in Greece. It was just limited to lesbians.
BikkeBane just for the record Catholics didn't invent homophobia. The Jews would have because the Bible was written for them and it's the source of the command not to sleep with your same gender.
Not liking gays is not at all new. In fact it’s extremely old. It varies from culture to culture, and is present in ancient middle eastern cultures. Most famously, it is explicitly put to law in Leviticus, which governed ancient Jews and still exists in the Christian Bible (and likely the Torah, but idk because I’m not Jewish).
@@surprisedchar2458 From what I've read, it was one of the ways that the ancient Israelites distinguished themselves culturally from the city-dwellers in the lands that they moved through. And while some cultures disapproved socially of homosexual acts, or approved of them only in certain contexts, that was generally a preference for marriage and childbearing as opposed to the Abrahamic stance of "this is an offense against our god and is punishable by death."
Ooh, I'm so glad RUclips popped your video up on my feed because that was an awesome review! I posted my own review since I'm on Jenna Moreci's street team, but I don't go into the art history part of it since I know nothing about it, so that was really interesting! ha ha. Looking forward to watching your other videos!
I actually just watched your review about an hour ago! I've been binging all the TSC reviews now that I have mine up.
I'm glad you enjoyed the review. I'll definitely check out some of your writing videos, as I too am an aspiring author!
Ooh, you're an AuthorTuber too! Awesome! Thanks for your support on my channel!
I love your reviews so much! (In fact, a watch most of them a few times, because damn you're on point) You're so thorough and critical, while also giving praise when due. One can really learn a lot just by watching you speak. Thanks a lot for the hard work, Jordan 💜
AWW THANK YOU!!
You're so sweet
I would love more art history videos! Then again I did take an entire course on Greek art and architecture in school because it sounded interesting so I might just be a weird one...
Oh shoot, you could probably school me on it then! I might do some on middle eastern art, roman art, and the renaissance if there is enough interest.
I really don't remember much except there were cute hedgehog vases at one point, you can date some kouros by the pubic hair design, and for some reason they decided that every statue had to look like it was participating in a wet t-shirt competition. But it was fun and I kept the textbook so I could look at all the pretty pictures.
I wrote my thesis on medieval and early modern art and I loved it. My area of focus in undergrad was the high renaissance and mannerism, so I look forward to your video!
I took a Art History class in college too. Learned a ton about the Renaissance and the different areas around the world with architecture and when they were built / found.
yes! please do more art history videos!! I would love to see that!
You're going to regret this when the next 10000 videos are on art. I could talk about it forever.
Jordan Harvey I love art, so I wouldn't mind watching 1000 art related videos lol. It would be cool if you made a series based on that subject.
ooh i would love more content on art history!! its really interesting to learn about.
I love your lipstick! Super cute.
Parker Nelson thanks!
Ahh I was so excited for this review! I really love the way you analyse plot, writing and character, it's really easy to listen to and so interesting. I definitely trust your opinion on books because of the way you present your reviews! Though I love Jenna, and I have no doubt that this book is incredible, I don't think I'll be picking it up, but only because of the violence (it's not really something I enjoy reading about). I'm so glad it's good though and that so many people are enjoying it, she really deserves all the praise!
She does! I love her channel, so I was a bit worried that my expectations wouldn't be met for this, but it was great and I had a blast reading it.
AGH MY HEART when you went off about art history I felt so 💖💞💞💖💖💞💖💞💖💞💞 I didn’t expect to see any mention of art from a book tubers video ily man 😞🙏
Love your videos. It's great to see that you can talk about a book that you love and still not gloss over the flaws. Also, though the classical Greek style is my favourite I am a big fan of the movement in the Hellenistic sculptures. So what I am trying to say is, yes, do make more videos about art history :).
I think that's super important in reviews. I definitely still love the book, but I'm not blind to it's flaws.
And YES I'M SO HAPPY, people seem to like the art history chat and I can talk about it endlessly, so there's definitely more coming your way!
It seems JMs sophomore work is an improvement over her debut; that makes me happy. Whether or not I will actually order it... I will decide closer to when it comes out.
Totally fair! I didn't read Eve because I knew it would be something that I didn't like after reading the first few chapters, so I can't really speak to the improvement, but I did really like this book!
The art history segment immediately caused me to subscribe! I loved it! I studied at art school and I love hearing anything to do with architecture and the Greek art periods.
Yay! I'm excited to do more on art history.
I didn't know Jenna had a new book, so far it seems more interesting than EVE. Your review was insightful and I might give it a try. And thank you for the art history class, it brings back memories from college and my amazing ancient greece classes. Man... I love those.
Glad you liked it!!
The art is discussion was very innovate, I enjoyed it. Already pre-ordered my copy and glad to see Jenna's book getting attention. Loved your review Jordan, always getting to the meat of the matter and leaving great critiques.
Glad you liked the review and I hope you like TSC as much as I did!!
This was an incredibly thorough and constructive review that I would have loved to see in the final book. I especially liked the bit about world building through art. Keep it up!!!
Wooot!
I like both yours and Jenna's channel and was considering buying her book, so I'm super happy about your opinion about it. :D
Literally the first thing I noticed was the rabbit figurine on the mantle behind you lmao. Im so on brand its honestly alarming. Great video! Ill move this up my tbr!
A great review. Youre doing so much work to make these and they are always on point. Love them ❤ Thank you for the hard work. As a reader and writer there is a lot I can learn from these reviews its amazing 🤗
I'm so glad you're learning from them. They are hard work (this one especially), but I love doing it and if people can get something from them, then it's totally worth it!
I’ve never taken a lot of interest in art history, but damn it’s interesting when you talk about it. Would love a video on that subject, or any subject, when it’s coming from you it has to be good :)
Aw you're so sweet! I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I find things are much more interesting when the people talking about it are passionate about it, which I definitely am about art history.
I really liked your explaination of ancient greek art\architecture!
I like art just a little bit (not a great fan, just like styles etc.) and too I think writers these days can learn a lot of things from it. Take Dan Brown for example - didn't read his books but still... I hope you get my point.
I also take inspiration from classical music (esp. Sibellious, Tchaikovski, Grieg etc.) when I write.
You gave me some real stuff to work with. If it's ok, I'm gonna reference some stuff you said for something I'll put soon on my blog. Full credited, of course!
Thanks so much! Yeah, that's totally fine :)
There is so much that writers can pull from the different arts, though I can't say that I know too much about classical music, but I think that's awesome that you're getting inspired by it!
I just discovered you because this video was in the recommended after I watched a Jenna Moreci video. I came for the review of TSC but I will stick around for art history. I know nothing about it but it was interesting when you explained it, so I'm down!
I adored your review! You made very notable points and the art history tangent was intriguing. I would love to hear more abt it and i can't wait to get my hands on the book. :D
Thanks so much!!
Hope you enjoy the book as much as I did :)
If the five previous videos weren’t enough to convince me to subscribe, the dive in to Art History definitely was.
DO MORE ART HISTORY VIDEOS!! I love it as well and you explain it so well♡♡
Thanks! I definitely will :)
I really enjoyed watching this review. I am so excited for this book to come out! And I am actually really interested in art history, so I would love to see more videos on that.
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!!
It seems like quite a few people are interested in seeing more art history content, so I'll definitely make more :)
I loved your review on Jenna's book! I really want to read it after this.
I also enjoyed your mini class on art history and honestly if you ever decide to do more of them count me 100% in!
Zyanya Méndez Good to hear! I’ll be doing one on Roman art soon!!
This review makes me want to read the book even more...
Oh good! Hope you like it as much as I did :)
I absolutely love your reviews, they're always so well structured and eloquent!
Thank you!
I'm not into art history but I am into history, you tied it in really well and kept me interested.
Also I love Jenna...Eve the awakening was pretty good so I have high hopes for this one
I watched this when you posted it but I'm rewatching it now that I've actually read it and I so wish there had been a spoiler section on this. Still really enjoyed the art section of this and I totally get where you are coming from with your thoughts on the book and I found myself agree with almost everything even if some of it didn't bother me as I was reading it.
17:39 Regarding your question about the diversity of Thessan, I think Jenna may have mentioned once that Thessan was a major trading hub, and therefore there's a lot of folks from all over the place coming and going, and that's the reason the city is racially diverse. Regarding Thessan's tolerance or lack-thereof of same-sex relationships, I think Greco-Roman societies not only accepted same-sex attraction, but expected it. In fact, I think bisexuality was considered the norm in Roman culture. I might be wrong, I just vaguely recall hearing that from someone who studied Greco-Roman culture. If Thessan is based on Greco-Roman societies, I'd assume most Thessans would be fine with same-sex relationships too.
Leo Featherstone Well, that’s the kind of thing that should be mentioned or alluded to in the book. Thanks for the answer though :)
Your welcome, and maybe she'll cover these backstory elements in the sequel. I think she mentioned on Twitter or Tumblr that there have been gay and transgender Saviors in Thessan's history, and it'd be very interesting to delve into that in later books.
Oh, and I've only read the first six chapters in her pre-order sneak peek, so I'm still waiting to read the rest of TSC.
Leo Featherstone I hope she does get into more of the world building elements of Thessen in the next book! I’d love to know more about their history and culture. With the way it ended, I’m not sure where she’s going to take it, but I’m looking forward to see where it goes! Hope you like the book as much as I did if you decide to pick it up!
@@JordanHarveybooks I'm going to have to disagree with you here. I haven't read the book, but you've made a blanket statement. There is no reason for the characters in a book to address something that doesn't exist in their society, unless from their point of view it should. That means there's also no reason for Jenna to address why same-sex relationships are acceptable, they just are. By your logic, all authors should address why their characters wear shoes.
I only read J-Mo's first three chapters but it's funny, you and I have the same minor issues with it. I'm going to buy it eventually though, just because the rest of the story looks like it's going to be great, and J-Mo is really good with pacing. I'm trying to learn from her.
I'd definitely give it a go. It's a really fun read and the pacing is fantastic.
ooo i would love art history videos especially if they included world building tips for stories or what you like to see in books
Your discussion on Art History EXACTLY mirrored a class I took my Fall Quarter at UCLA. It was so interesting to hear!
love the review! started reading Savior yesterday and this review really makes me want to dive into it now, have been following Jenna's channel for months! also keen on seeing more art history lessons please !!!
One on Roman art coming soon. Stay tuned!
I’m writing a book too the protagonist is an artist as well but my book takes place in the Medieval Ages and it’s a book of two girls who fall in love
Great review! 🤗 I never read this book yet, but this makes me wanna go out and buy it...even more than before. I'm wondering, what is the relationship that you talked about being so healthy in the book? Just that the review never made that clear. ^^;
I know I was keeping that quiet because SPOILERS. So you're just going to have to read it to find out!
Eh, that's fine. I'll just have to wait and see. ;)
I think it's actually not hard to say it without spoilers: CONSENT. THERE IS LOTS OF CONSENT. GOOD PROPER CONSENT AND IT'S WONDERFUL.
Thank you, I’m definitely going to get this book now, and art history videos would be fascinating, especially in terms of world-building via art and art history
When zenith popped up in the background and your face dropped! made me laugh 😂
I loved how you mention how important art would be to an artist. I love art, and I notice art and architecture everywhere. A character who does art for a living would notice it even more than I do. I love your short art history!
It is actually stated when they measure him at the beginning of the book,
they say something along the lines of: you can fuck a man or a woman, we don't care, but if you want to marry the savior, who is a woman, we want you to be attracted to women. Which makes sense
Came for the book review. Got an art history lecture in the process. No regrets. =)
I usually like your content, but now the video has the perfect angle and the perfect light balance, it upped the quality of your video so much, keep these settings!
Szalai Zsófia I’ll try haha. It’s still partly window light, so if it’s a cloudy day, it’s still going to be a mess
I would definitely be interested in any art history videos you wanted to do. The history reflected in art will have a significant place in my books once I move my arc back to Earth.
Thank you for an honest, spoiler-free review. I can’t wait to read The Savior’s Champion myself. Long live Jenna Moreci and you!
I gotta say I loved your art history digression. Art history, especially Greek art history is a massive passion of mine, so I'm sure the lack of proper related exposition in the book would annoy me too.
Loved your explanation of world building. I aspire to be able to world build for my comic as good as you do!
As a writer and an artist myself, I can definitely say that while I didn't read the book (not a fan of romance), it really annoyed me to no end that Tobias who's character is an artist, didn't seem to be interested in art. I myself am interested in architecture, specifically Gothic, Victorian, and Edwardian as well as traditional and digital art that includes demons, bloodshed, and death. I pick apart the colors used, what style it is, the ornate details of the Gothic buildings, the multiple small rooms in Victorian mansions. I come from a family of artists, my mother is a retired piano teacher and published author, my father plays the piano, my grandmother played the piano, knitted, and sewed, and my grandfather painted and does woodwork. So because of my background in art, I got really frustrated with the fact that Tobias didn't seem interested at all in it.
Also, the book is overcasted making it hard to keep up with the characters. Now saying this, I as a writer do have a good handful of characters, but not so many that I can't keep track. I think it's important for all writers to be able to decide what number of characters is the right amount so that they don't run into the problems of over casting their novel or series.
Now I do take into account characters being added on later, especially in a series, but they still should be fleshed out properly.
I agree with you regarding Tobias’ interest in art and world-building in this novel. I do, however, hope that Jenna takes the opportunity to improve these aspects in the second book in the series, as it is supposed to be a midquel from Leila's perspective. Even though it's too late revise this first book and these aspects should have already been included, the second book could improve the narrative for the series as a whole.
I really loved the art and history part
Thanks! It was so much fun to make!! Another one will be coming soon :)
Yes. I was waiting for this. Love your channel btw
Thanks so much! And definitely check out the book, it was great :)
I'm shaking in my boots, I watch her channel and had to click when I saw this!
My school has all those statues (casts) in my school museum. There very big. Mind you I go to a highschool. I also think your art history speech captured exactly what the curators said about them.
Crystal Rose that’s so cool!!
I love art. I studied art. I say more art videos is always a good thing!
so basically do more research and got more feedback before she released it.
I mean, again, I thought the book was great, I just would've loved to see more world building!
Your reviews help me develop my own novel please keep it up. Have you done your preferences for both high and low fantasy novels?
Glad they're helpful! I haven't done a fantasy-specific recommendations video, but I like both high and low fantasy, so that might be an interesting video idea...
Please do more Art History it would help with my novel i forgot to ask earlier
I might if I don't bore everyone to tears with this! Was there any specific period that you would like to know more about/find helpful?
Surprisingly I actually enjoyed the art history lesson :)
I think your no-frills approach really made it accessible to ignorant people like myself ^^
Haha, I'm glad you enjoyed it! And I'm glad it was accessible :)
This review was very in depth and I am very intrigued in it now! I am also very excited to see a good healthy and supportive relationship in a novel!
Yes!! More Art History I love it and have yet to have the opportunity get into any history of art, other than the Ancient Egyptians, as of recently and I vaguely know about the renaissence period and would love to get into so much more:)
Here is a video that I've done on Roman Art! ruclips.net/video/AYLrdY1NmYA/видео.html
Im a subscriber of jenna moreci. came to see a review, subscribed for that art history, its genuinely interesting
Thanks!
Yeah it really is!! I think art history gets a bit of a bad rep, but it's really fascinating.
I was eager for this review because I watch both channels (('m also curious about your review on Brightly Burning,). I am pleasantly pleased to learn that your opinion is better than Zenith and am somewhat weary of having someone like you as a beta...that's a compliment, not an insult, I promise. :)
Hi'a Jordan, I was a history major in college, so I love all things history. If you want to do more art history vids in the future I'm definitely on board for that. It was nice to hear your thoughts on Savior's Champion I'm going to be getting a copy for sure. I've read the first three chapters on Jenna Moreci's website and I already have lots of thoughts and excitement. You're reviews are really helpful.
Hayley ^_^
I love how even though you loved it you were still able to be critical
So excited to read it now! Also loved the art history talk!
Thanks! I'm so glad!!
I looooove this review! I cannot wait to read this now! I love Jenna so much and planned to buy this no matter what, but hearing this review has me ITCHING with excitement!
Thanks so much!
I hope you like TSC as much as I did :)
Such a great review! LOVE the art history ancient greece
I adored this book! Favorite of the year
I haven't read this book, but I'm pretty confident that the art lesson in the middle of this review is far more interesting than anything going on in this novel.
Gosh I love your reviews
Starry Night thanks! And I’m glad, that’s great :)
I read the first three chapters in her website and they left me thoroughly excited to buy the book. Just in those chapters I can see that she has grown as a writer.
I always seem to have a problem with main characters who are “artists” because it never comes off authentic for me. For example, Feyre from ACOTAR. I have to remember to separate myself from the character and that it’s not about my view on art 😂🤦♀️
Thanks for the review, even more excited for it now! Very in depth and you hit all the discussion topics 👌🏻 very helpful!
Also I wanted to recommend Vivian Ries’s novel “The Elysian Prophecy” which she published this month! It’s a dark fantasy YA. I really enjoyed it and already dying to read the next one planned in the series!
Yeah it's tricky to have artist protagonists, but I think the key is doing lots of research and getting interested in art!
Glad the review was helpful :)
I'm working on a Steampunk book with a shit ton of world building. I'm actually concerned about it having to much world building, but I guess I'll see how it goes. I'm doing revision no.1 now alongside two others (I have to work on multiple stories at once because of my overactive brain) so, wish me luck.😖
I finally did my depth review for TSC. What did you think of the big plot twist that wasn't pulled off well at all? And what did you think of the Gary Stu and Mary Sue MC's?
It makes me so happy that others care about the addition of artistic abilities in characters and how they're used to develop the character and the world and story they're in. I'm HUGE about giving characters artistic abilities, but if they're not utilized or just given to them to make them "interesting" (cough cough Zenith cough Androma cough dancing) then it's just aggravating. It makes it pointless, which is disappointing as someone who grew up. My thing is, if you don't know much about the art, then either research or don't add it in. I'm interested in this book, I love fantasy stories inspired by historical periods!
The way you talk about Tobias... I know I'll dislike him way to much to enjoy the book, no matter what. He sounds more like a plot device used for exploration than a character in a world, which I've heard the world building is.... less than desirable. Which strong, solid world building is a must for me xD. It's to bad, the plot seems right up my alley... but, oh well.
Super appreciate the review, it's helped me make a decision!
(Have you read 'The Death Gate Cycle'? I think it's a trilogy. I'm on book two, and don't even get me started on how impressed I am with every aspect of what goes into a story, and writing, that's phenomenal in this book. At least for me x])
The Dark Tower series is a simple and excellent example of world building. It tells you some but enough to leave you wanting more. And it allows you to see this strange world through Roland's eyes. He has seen things no one would believe and even that concept pulls you in.
It's sitting in my tbr pile, so hopefully I'll be able to read it soon! I have a few that I need to get to first though.
Jordan Harvey Cool, highly recommend it. It's nice to see a RUclipsr that regularly engages with their audience, btw. I thought about incorporating books and writing into my channel but I haven't had the chance. Also, I agree with your point about race in this book. I am not the biggest fan of Jenna all the time because of her viewpoint on diversity in novels. She seems to tell everyone that diversity is a have too without any reason a world like hers is so diverse, which could enrich the world building. I just feel diversity shouldn't be priority number one and I don't think race should count for diversity because this is a face value concept and what really matters is what is inside. Dark Tower is also good at diverse characters with diverse character. Roland is white but you don't like him because he's white. You like him because he is a good character. Just like Susannah, who is black, is a good character. Not because she's a different race but because her character is awesome on its own. Color shouldn't matter over character. That's just my thoughts, so I could be wrong☺
**Warning: Spoilers**
Just TSC for the first time. Overall, I really enjoyed it. It's one of my favorite books I've read in the past year. I read it in a matter of days as well. You gave a really well-rounded review, and it was very fair.
I really like your critiques of Tobias as an artist. I bought his struggle because he hadn't practiced in two years. However, the lack of the scenery and location descriptions killed me. A real artist would notice these things. I had to picture a lot of scenery from gladiator films or Game of Thrones. I'm not going to lie - I pictured Kit Harington Season 1 GOT as Tobias.
I'm hoping some of the questions I have will be answered in The Savior's Sister.
I get that Brontes won his Sovereign's Tournament because he is a power hungry, blood thirsty monster. A man like that wouldn't want to submit to a woman leader and want the power for himself. I totally buy him hiring a man to kill her, then cutting out the assassin's tongue so he could control the narrative. I personally think that Brontes would use it as a way to frame a neighboring kingdom in order to seize more power, but Jenna chose not to go that route (different strokes). I hope TSS explains why Brontes let Leila live as a baby or as she grew older and became less easy to control. I want to know so much more about her childhood and growing up with Brontes. I want to know why Brontes didn't have guards on her 24/7 during the Tournament, or if he did, how she distracted them or got them on her side. I'm also really excited to see her slap Cosima. Lol.
Most of the deaths didn't bother me because of the nature of the Tournament. Even with Milo, I didn't really care because I wasn't given enough time to be emotionally invested in his character. The death that destroyed me almost as much as it did Tobias was Orion. That's not a criticism but a testament to Jenna's writing. Orion + Selene = my heart in puddle on the floor
The character who really disappointed me was Kaleo. I totally buy that Drake and Antaeus are dumb enough to take Brontes at his word - be his hired lackeys. However, Kaleo came off as cold, calculating, and cunning. I thought he would be smart enough to know Brontes would publicly destroy him after Kaleo killed Leila. Even if he killed Leila and they kept up his marriage with Cosima as a sham, Brontes wouldn't share the power or risk the scheme getting out, so he'd immediately put a hit on Kaleo. I would have thought he would be plotting, paying off guards, learning the palace layout, so he could take out Brontes after the job was done. To see Kaleo at the end taking orders from Brontes like his lap dog was really disheartening. Being a co-conspirator is different than being a henchman, you know? When I read the scene between Brontes and Kaleo when they're torturing Tobias, it made realize Kaleo didn't have any more foresight than the Dragon and the Giant. I thought Kaleo was playing chess while everyone else was playing checkers, but Brontes was it.
On the bright side, I loved LOVED Leila and Delphi. I liked Tobias, especially as grew from a reactive protagonist to a proactive one.
I loved Tobias and Leila's romance. I also really liked Enzo and Raphael, really strong characters. I know Flynn was supposed to have this annoyingly persistent charm that wins you over like a dog, but I never quite got there. When he blackmailed Tobias at the end (the traitorous bitch), I really wanted to see Kaleo kill him. I get why some people like Flynn and were probably happy he survived though.
It was a really great story, and I loved the hopeful ending.
Could we possibly get a spoiler review since it’s out now and super awesome! PS I agree with your initial thoughts. I also didn’t really see anything special about Tobias, but I did like the guy.
Daniel Greene compared it to "The Bachelorette". Embedding this into a fantasy setting, it sounds like that combined with the Greek saga of Atalante. A king's daughter who states she doesn't want a man to whom she is superior in every way, so she's looking for one who can run faster than her (and whenever she wins a race against someone, that person has to die). In other words, she doesn't give a damn about those "lower" men. It's one of the oldest stories I know about hypergamy.
LOOOL THAT ZENITH SHAAADE
You got me interested in art history I'ma start searching about it
That's awesome!! I have a video on roman art as well as recently a look at photographer Justine Kurland's images if that interests you :)
i actually really wanna read this
Do it!
Also remembering that the tournament was set over a month, is crazy when u read some of the romance. Cuz then ur like...... It's been 2 weeks..... Lol So I com0letely agree thay the romance and angst could've been pushed back a bit. To maybe the very end of Act 2.
@Saiyuri Inuzuka completely agree. I mean, love both of them as characters and an all for them being together, but it definitely felt kinda instant if you know what I mean lol.
I’m very excited to read this book 🙊I’ve been watching Jenna’s channel and I love her videos ❤️
All I Write Jenna’s great! Hope you like the book too :)
I was thinking the exact same thing about Tobias! I do like him but I didn't see a HUGE character change by the end of the book, besides the fact he was cynic I didn't get a whole lot out of his character. Though his interactions with Layla I will say did tell me that he was understanding and loving as well as a bit goofy and sarcastic. BUT he was always that way just not with everybody, and he stays that way to the end of the book qwq
Some art history would be pretty nice. I checked this video out after watching your review of Jenna Moreci's book, The Saviour's Champion, and, TBH, the most interesting bit for me was actually the Greek/Roman art stuff. I might be *ahem* 'sipping' some wine, but, so far in the last year (October-June-ish) I've been seeing some statue stuff through N.K. Jemisin's The Fifth Season, as well as impatiently waiting for news on Patrick Rothfuss' The Doors of Stone to hurry up and get into my hands (yeah, right), and a couple of other life/fiction/nostalgia things aside, maybe some "2018 Vlogger stuff on Greek/Roman Art" sort of thing might be good to pass the time. Good for writers, artists, and game designers in general. If you feel you WANT to, yeah, do it. May not be the most popular thing, but, those people did make some GREAT art. Just saying.
Daniel Ferguson worry not! I’m working on a Roman art video :)
Best book she has read in the past 6 months? Doesnt sound life changing like Jane Erye or Pride and Prejudice.
apope06 Well seeing as I had read neither in the 6 months prior to filming this video, that wasn’t really a concern 😉