Author : Amy Butler Greenfield
Genre : Fantasy
Published Date : May 7th 2013
Publisher : Margaret K. McElderry Books
Pages : 336
Source : Bought
Rating : ✿✿✿✿✿
From Goodreads :
Lucy’s Chantress magic will make her the most powerful—and most hunted—girl in England.
“Sing, and the darkness will find you.” This warning has haunted fifteen-year-old Lucy ever since she was eight and shipwrecked on a lonely island. Lucy’s guardian, Norrie, has lots of rules, but the most important is that Lucy must never sing. Not ever. Now it is 1667, Lucy is fifteen, and on All Hallows’ Eve, Lucy hears a tantalizing melody on the wind. She can’t help but sing—and she is swept into darkness.
When she awakes in England, Lucy hears powerful men discussing Chantresses—women who can sing magic into the world. They are hunting her, but she escapes and finds sanctuary with the Invisible College, an organization plotting to overthrow the nefarious Lord Protector. The only person powerful enough to bring about his downfall is a Chantress. And Lucy is the last one in England.
Lucy struggles to master the song-spells and harness her power, but the Lord Protector is moving quickly. And her feelings for Nat, an Invisible College apprentice and scientist who deeply distrusts her magic, only add to her confusion...
Time is running out, and the fate of England hangs in the balance in this entrancing novel that is atmospheric and lyrical, dangerous and romantic.
Get a Copy : [AMAZON] | [BARNES&NOBLE] | [INDIEBOUND] | [THE BOOK DEPOSITORY]
Review
And again, here's one more book that I read because the cover just tempt me so much. I mean, look at that pretty, swirly, pinky cover, with the gorgeous model, and all so intriguing title? Ha. I'm definitely tempted. Once again. As always.
But thank God that although this one was a trilogy, it didn't have a killing cliffhangery ending. Because every time I read a good book and the ending was infuriatingly cliffhanger and then continued to the next book, and it will be out like, lifetime later, I just die a little inside. And by little, I mean : This big.
"I will not sing such songs. Not ever."
—Lucy
Chantress told us about the life of Lucy Marlowe, the girl who has been estranged her whole life, only to find out that she was the last of her lineage : a Chantress. The one who do magic with songs, and might as well be the world's only hope. Because every single one of them had been hunted and killed, except for Lucy. But when she gave in to the temptation of the songs, and broke off her ward of safety, the world was once again in move. The rebel found their long lost hope, and the tyrant will do anything to silenced her forever. But when no one proved to be ally, can Lucy sings the world to freedom?
The pacing of Chantress was mostly average, detailed but not stuffed with it all over the book. The story moved fast enough without being overwhelming and confusing, although on the part where Lucy was being taught about proper magic, it sagged a little bit. The story line was a bit predictable as well, following the common story of happily ever after, but the twist near the end did managed to surprise me though.
One thing I found amazing about this book was especially its world-building. The mythical base for the story was really strong and easily believable. The medieval, slightly-fantasy feeling of the setting was very easy to be felt, and the description of the surroundings and the story made it seemed like I was watching film inside me head. And yep, it's that vivid.
I also love that Lucy as our main character, had a decent backbone, solid personality and an opinion of her own. She couldn't be swayed by people's thought, and—although it could sometimes classified as stubborn—it really gave her an interesting and unique characteristic. She also could fight for her own life and not depend on other to safe her. And what's not to love there about her?
Nat, on the other hand, was quite generic in my opinion. So the man hates the woman, the hatred faded over time, moments moments moments, and then, somewhere int he end, love. It was so predictable, and aside from his consistent personality and hatred toward Lucy's magic, I guess he just didn't stand out enough.
Helaine—although I honestly forgot her name as soon as I finished reading this—was actually a really memorable character. She was annoying and infuriating and I'm-always-right-and-you-will-listen-to-me kind of old hag, but all in all, she really left an impression on me.
Unfortunately, though, that's not the case with the other characters. The main antagonist, Scargrave, was honestly plain and didn't ooze evil all over. Truth be told, he was actually just a mere name throughout the book, except for some scenes when he did appear. The secondary character, such as Norrie, Sir Barnaby, Mr. Deeps, etc were also too generic and seemingly all the same, with no distinct trait whatsoever.
The flaw of this book, as I've stated, would be its unmemorable secondary character, and way too generic story line.
But aside from all that, I think Chantress was quite an entertaining read. It was the kind you would want to read on and on even though nothing interesting is going on, because something even bigger was on work and you'll want to see how it all ended. If you're looking for a fantasy story with an admirable and dependable main character, good romance, and amazing world building with a hint of medieval feeling to it, this one is worth a try.
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