Musings:


Tess of the Road follows Tess’s journey on the road to finding herself and turning running away into running toward. There are parts of this novel I love and parts of this novel that frustrated me. However, despite all that, the core message of this novel resonated with me.

What I Loved:

Tess is a flawed human who is learning all the time. Not only is Tess flawed, but the novel gives the why. How she was raised made her think that she was worth dirt. She goes through life thinking that she was born evil. During the time she’s on the road and reflects over her past and what she wants finding happiness in the strength of her feet propelling herself forward. It’s something that inspires me. She changes.

Her friendship with Pathka. Pathka is a creature that Tess befriended when she was young. Pathka is also flawed, but somehow the way they lean on each other and help each other grow inspired me.

The World Serpent. I love magical creatures and I was so excited to see this particular creature living inside Tess of the Road. Especially after watching a play through of God of War.


Tess’s backstory. Our main characters backstory is harsh and unforgiving yet full of mischief. I honestly feel like the book could have been stronger if it’s entirety past and present showed that sort of struggle.

What I Didn’t Like:

The beginning. There was a lot of things about the pacing of the beginning that made me feel like I was slogging through the novel. It felt like nothing was happening and I felt bored.

The weird language. This might just be a me thing, but it went from really complicated words to cussing language pretty often and that through me off. It was like the Author was trying to smash together to appeal to new and older audiences and I wish she would have just chosen one.

Final thoughts:

Tess of the road has a message and ending that redeems its beginning. I really enjoyed parts of this novel and I wish I could have said it’s entirety was great.

I loved loved loved this book! Hartman is such a fantastic storyteller and writes deeply compelling young female characters who are searching for meaning and identity in ways that readers of all ages can relate to. I can't wait for her next book.

Thank you to JRachel Hartman, Random House Children’s, Random House Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for allowing me the extreme pleasure of access to an advanced reader copy of “Tess of the Road” for an honest review.

Do you like damsels and dragons? Do you like Young Adult and Fantasy? You will find all of that RIGHT HERE. But you will find so, so, so much more. a

Tess of the Road is a marvel of #metoo movement for the current YA generation of readers (and all those, of any age, who love both Young Adult Literature and have their pulse on the best representations coming out about it).

This a story about suffering and the great long path from it, how hard it can be, how cruel the world can be, but that there are endless reasons never to give up, and that effort wasn’t for nothing. It’s an acknowledgment that no matter how alone you feel, you are never truly alone, and no matter how far down society thinks they can push you, you can still be relisent, both in strong and soft ways, giving their labels no mind to you.

I haven't read Seraphina, so I was afraid I'd be a little behind while reading this. Tess of the Road is not quite a sequel, not quite a companion. Tess is half sister to Seraphina, so it's a continuation of the world, and I would have liked to have more of an understanding of the beings and nations, but I picked up on them pretty quickly.
This book is an incredible story of finding your way after you hit rock bottom. I loved the way Tess's story slowly unraveled to share abandonment, abuse, over the top religious restriction, and many other things in her past that she had to come back from. I related to so much of her story that it had me clutching at my heart in so many places.

TW: suicidal ideation, alcoholism, rape/assault, abuse

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Children’s for giving me this book to review.

Tess of the Road is a companion novel to Seraphina, but I did not grab me like that book. I think my main problem with this book was that was really slow paced, and it isn’t what I want in an adventure fantasy novel. I like to escape into a book and leave the realistic things in the real world, but this book was not an easy read as it is emotionally draining, which meant this book was more about Tess learning to accept the past and herself and less about having a fun adventure.

Tess is an interesting character and at some points I liked her with her stubbornness but also how emotionally damaged she was, but at other times she seemed so selfish, spiteful and unable to compromise that I just could not connect with her.

While I DNF Tess of the Road at 44% I would still recommend it to those who enjoyed Seraphina but are looking for a book about self-discovery rather than adventure.

I loved Tessa!! This is one of my new favorites and I am so glad I was able to review it. Great characters both human and beast, a perfectly written setting, and a plot that leaves you needing more at the end.

I wanted so much more from this book.

That's not to say that it is awful and there isn't an audience for it, but I wasn't hooked. I didn't care for the character or story and the writing left much to be desired.

This book was not a light read. It was emotionally messy and took me to a lot of uncomfortable places. That said, it was EXACTLY the book I needed to read and I'm recommending it to everyone I know.
In this road-adventure story, Rachel Hartman delves deep into family issues, self-image issues, growth and redemption. Tess is not always a lovable character but she's impossible not to cheer for. Expect cameos from known characters out of the previous two books, but this is not a continuation of Shadow Scale.

The prose is undeniably well written, but unfortunately the story left a lot to be desired.

Things happen, and characters move around a bit, but nothing exciting ever really happens. There's lots of small moments with heavy-handed moralistic messages to be had, but I just couldn't get into the way it was delivered.

I've never read any of the Seraphina books, and unfortunately, this book has retroactively put my interest off Rachel Hartman's earlier series.

For those of you drawn to this book because of the prospect of dragons - as I was - look elsewhere, as that is a promise left totally unfulfilled.

For those of you who were first drawn to this title because of the cover (and dragons) like I was, realize that you'll be disappointed. Tess of the Road isn't bad, it's incredibly well written but slow. The slowness of the story made it hard to appreciate the world building (languages, creatures, lands!) for it seems like nothing was ever really accomplished.
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I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Growing up in the kingdom of Goredd, Tess has always had a spirit for adventure, though her mom continuously warns her it will lead to ruin and damnation. When Tess's impetuousness gets the better of her one time too many, her parents plan to send her to a convent. Tess, unable to bear the thought of being a nun, starts traveling south disguised as a boy and hoping to outrun her past. On her journey, Tess runs into Pathka, her quitugl childhood friend, and the two go on a search for the Anathuthia, the giant serpent of quitugl myth.

I did not realize until I started reading the book that Tess is the half sister of Seraphina, heroine of another series by Miss Hartman. I have not yet read the Seraphina books, but this book makes me want to check it out soon!

This book was a wonderful blend of both fantasy and character-driven plot. I enjoyed following both the quest for the Anathuthia and Tess's growth as a person throughout the story. I will be curious to see if the sequel becomes more plot-driven or if Tess still has more growing to do in the second book. I definitely look forward to reading the sequel!

Tess of the Road is one of the most mature and eloquent YA books that I have had the pleasure of reading for a long while. It is a slow-burn story that is the very definition of "character driven." As a high school teacher, I can see a lot of teenagers getting frustrated with the deliberate, measured pace of Hartman's story, given that it doesn't swing from intense action to an intense love story like a frenetic Tarzan--like many YA books that I can think of. It's a thoughtful book that allows our heroine to grow from an infuriating, listless protagonist to someone that we can root for. I will definitely be shelving this one in my classroom bookshelf--and I'll be finding another copy for my personal one as well.

It was a slow read, with not a lot of excitement. Tess was a believable, girl-power character, which I appreciated and liked.

I actually didn’t finish this book. I really tried to like it the book itself had a cool premise and the writing was really great but it seemed to drag on for most of the book. I only got to around halfway. I just couldn’t get into the characters I felt no connection with the book and they were just traveling for the whole thing. Really wished I liked it.

I don't think anyone writes a better dragon book than Rachel Hartman. Her novels unfold with such grace and beauty and are so utterly compelling that they are nearly impossible to put down. Additionally, I love how Hartman was able to explore such important thematic elements, like consent, womanhood, religion and more, making it an excellent book for discussion. Those who read and enjoyed Hartman's "Seraphina" books won't be disappointed and those who haven't, have something to look forward to starting with "Tess of the Road." Truly a must have for every library collection.

For the love of all things stabby, I finished an ARC!

Yes....I know it was a full 2.5 months LATE, but I still finished despite SAD hitting me hard this year!

Mark of accomplishment to me.

All the awards.

*THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE*

I should probably get to the actual review now, right?

Right.

Tess of the Road follows Seraphina's little sister Tess on her journey to...well...spoilers. This is set in the medieval kingdom of Goredd, which adheres to all things medieval. Women are supposed to be pure, little dainty things hiding under the protection of men. (Can you see my eye roll from where you sit? You should.) Tess, however, runs away after being deemed a "troublemaker" whose family wants to put her in a nunnery. POINTS OFF FOR THE TERRIBLE ABUSIVE MOTHER.

Tess starts out as a broken hearted, lonely girl, whose only solace is in wine. <<
You: Now Jess, why on earth did you only give this 3 stars if you enjoyed it.

Me: I have my reasons.

You: Doubtful.

Me: DON'T JUDGE ME YOU FOOL!

Reasons why this only got 3 stars, despite me enjoying it:

1. It was so incredibly slow that I was literally BORED OUT OF MY SKULL DESPITE THERE BEING THE EXISTENCE OF DRAGONS for about 60% of this book. The prose was excellent, but the story fell flat at the beginning.
2. The entire side story of Pathka and Kikiu (the quigutls) left much to be desired.
3. Tess hated on Seraphina for a large chunk of this book and Seraphina is a character dear to my heart. You leave her alone!
4. Not. Enough. Dragons.
5. Not knowing if there will be a second book.

TW: This does contain references of rape, as well as emotional abuse from a mother to child.

Tess of the Road by Rachel Hartman was a difficult story to get into. I appreciate the opportunity to read this, but I will probably wait until the summer to try and read it again. This was just not catching my attention.

I thought this was an incredible example of character driven YA. I would definitely recommend it. While it was in the fantasy realm, it would appeal to everyone.

Hartman's writing is gorgeous, but the lack of plot got to me. I loved the first couple chapters, but my attention rapidly waned. Seraphina had a slow pace, but this one's even slower. I may try again when the series is complete, but I don't think I was going to like this if I tried to finish it now.

I have been trying to finish this book since the beginning of February. I read the ebook that was kindly provided to me, then I listened to the audiobook when the book was released to the rest of the world. Still, I couldn't finish.
I am not quite sure why Tess of the Road didn't jive with me. I really wanted to like it, as I was incredibly excited at the premise, the cover and the reviews it had been getting from some of my other friends. However, once the story got going, I got overwhelmed. I think that the world was too dense for me. Maybe if I had read Seraphina first, I would have understood what was happening better. However, a lot of the world building felt rushed and went right over my head. I also think that the writing style was just not for me. It felt very dense, just like the world building. I was so confused about what was happening once Seraphina left the castle that it was hard for me to keep reading. I knew that she was going somewhere to find some turtles who held up the earth (maybe that was just why Pathka was going), but that was about it. I will say that Tess is somewhat of an unlikeable narrator that I actually really loved. I also loved Tess's younger sister, who was incredibly sweet. I also was interested in Tess's friend, Pathka, but the character was so fantastical that I couldn't picture it in my head. I think that some people will really love this book. I know that a lot of people have rated it highly. Still, I struggled with it for so long that I don't think it would be worth it to continue.
Rating:
DNFed at 75%
-Jaime