***I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you NetGalley and Uproar Books!***

I wanted to like this book. I really really wanted to like this book. It is exactly the type of book that I normally enjoy. A young, spunky female lead character. Magic. Society that seems to be based on a Victorian standard. Mysteries. Prisons. Other planes of existence. But I just couldn’t like it.

The writing is very good and thus why I gave this a two star rating over a one star. The dialogue is engaging, the plot moves at a fairly good pace, and the narrative flows beautifully. The first half of the book seemed a bit on the slow side while the second half was very rushed but that is my only complaint about the writing.

WARNING: From this point on there will be lots of spoilers, consider yourself warned.

This book has never met a young adult trope that it didn’t like….and utilize…..frequently. Let me preface where my opinion is coming from on this novel. The very first sentence, before I even hit the first chapter is that the author wants to “smash the patriarchy one novel at a time!”. Now, I will also explain that I am rather tired of reading militantly feminist literature, it seems to be everywhere these days. Normally I can overlook an author’s personal views or opinions about the book and just take the book for the story it presents. But not when that’s what you open with. The very first thing you told me about your story is that it’s smashing patriarchy with its strong female characters so you need to live up to that. You have now infused that idea into your novel and need to deliver.

This did not deliver. Instead I got the same old tired tropes of the young adult genre that feminist readers complain about constantly. How exactly are you smashing patriarchy? By presenting me tropes that I’ve been reading since I was 13 years old?

Briony is just like every young adult female lead character. She is spunky, sassy, strong willed, and bucks the patriarchal system that she was born into. Her older sister is the perfect lady of the court. This isn’t a new dynamic and it can be a good one when used correctly. I didn’t actually mind this because it set up Briony as a character who is questing to be knowledgeable. Knowledge and wisdom will be her weapon in the fight against what society has said her place is. That’s all well and good. My problems start when Briony gets to Asperfell.

Naturally she instantly dislikes Prince Elyan. He is dour, brooding, and wants nothing to do with her and largely he is exactly what one expects from the young adult male lead. I assumed Briony would be on a mission to find the answer to take him home whether he protested or not. But…..she doesn’t. Within the space of a chapter she seems to have completely forgotten about her mission and just goes along with working in the gardens and learning magic all while throwing a glare at Elyan when he deigns to make an appearance. He, of course, is primarily there to ridicule her efforts before disappearing again.

It wasn’t until about the last forty pages that Briony suddenly remembers that she is supposed to be getting Elyan back to their homeland. And only because someone whacked her across the head with the information that would lead her to that goal. She was far too busy trading gossip, learning magic, gardening, and making sarcastic remarks at Elyan to actually discover the answer on her own.

Another trope, instalove. Authors think that they are avoiding this if their characters start off hating each other. But Briony and Elyan go from coldly tolerating each other to gazing at each other affectionately literally in the space of a single dance. So not quite instalove but maybe 3 1/2 minute love? Microwave love? Be sure to wait for the ding!

Briony was also revealed to not be that strong or much of a feminist either. The most offensive example of this is when another character attempts to sexually assault her. Okay, we kind of have to assume that’s what he’s doing because it doesn’t get very far but I’m fairly confident that’s where this was headed. Briony courageously defends herself. She fights off her attacker and escapes to safety before the situation escalates into anything much worse. I was cheering for her! I was so proud of her for reacting in her own defense so decisively and swiftly. But then she decides to have a whole inner monologue about how she feels shame about the situation. Why exactly? Surely you would be feeling scared but also proud of yourself? She even says to herself that she has nothing to feel ashamed about…..but then concludes that thought with “but I do” and moves on. Is this really an example of a strong woman? Feeling shame about something that you recognize should not be causing you shame and during which you admirably protected yourself? I was highly disappointed.

Next we have the other young adult trope that I despise so much. Briony does something very stupid and reckless. She recognizes internally that it was reckless and stupid. But when Elyan points out that it was reckless and stupid then she yells at him about it. Because, how dare he think that he can control her! He doesn’t own her! She can do what she likes without him! Does anyone actually think that this is the makings of a strong woman? Actual thoughts that she had. No one was trying to control her or prevent her from doing anything on her own. She made a reckless and foolish decision, but because a male confronts her about it then he’s controlling. Then later he, naturally, apologizes for daring to question her reckless, foolish behavior because he was just so scared of losing her. And she gets to walk away feeling smug. Strong women rejoice! Patriarchy smashed!

Finally, the ending. We spent a very long time getting to Asperfell. We spent an equally long time gardening and learning magic in Asperfell. That left about 60 pages for the conclusion. I thought the conclusion was supposed to be the rescue of Elyan from Asperfell and delivering him back home. Except that didn’t happen. The book ends with them in the woods. On their way to a potential way to get home, but they aren’t actually sure it will work yet. And of course, it ends with a kiss. Frankly, it left me wondering what exactly the point was? We couldn’t spare another 30 pages to actually get back to Tiralaen? And then end it once they have successfully left Asperfell? I recognize that we’re setting up a sequel here, but the sequel works just as well starting with the moments after they escape Asperfell as the moments before.

Overall, this story reminded me of every single bad young adult novel I’ve ever read. Exactly the same characters. Exactly the same plot devices. Exactly the same tropes.

This is being categorized as new adult rather than young adult, but it felt much more young adult to me, especially since a great deal of the story involves the coming of age of the heroine and has a first person narrative, plus angsty romance combined (the whole I hate you then love you trope). The prose is billed as being classic, but it wasn't mature, complex or historically classic enough to present a problem for teens to read it. Once the story shifts to the prison world of Asperfell, the story gets good and gothic with the mysterious and threatening atmosphere of the castle, dungeons, and many characters. For such a gothic feel, I was hoping for a bit more suspense or action, maybe a little horror too? Instead, this is a very reserved and clean read, also lending to a more conservative (think Victorian proper) YA feel. Some readers have likened it to a Jane Austen romance meets medieval fantasy, but the characters are not remotely witty, clever, or humorous enough.

The magic or super-abilities seem pretty standard at first; it reminds me of a hierarchical system that's similar to what's in the "Darkest Minds" YA series with more levels/abilities and takes place in a medieval fantasy world rather than a dystopian world. However, the heroine has a unique ability that will be very exciting once she fully develops it. Enjoyable but the conservative vibe reduces the romantic tension and gothic moodiness that could have made this series opener outstanding. I think the author may have been trying to combine genre styles (classic gothic romance, YA romance, and epic fantasy), and it went a little awry. Still an enjoyable read and a promising series start. Hopefully, the future installments will have a bit more edge to them.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Asperfell was very enjoyable. It read like an original fairy tale. The characters were great and had depth. For once, I didn't feel like too much plot was crammed into one book. I can't wait to see if there is going to be a sequel, because the series is just getting started.

Asperfell was definitely one of my favorite reads of the year! This book was absolutely flawless and I found myself putting it down periodically only because I didn't want it to end. In fact, I'm considering reading it again in the next few weeks. I loved the way this book combined your typical fantasy with a Gothic atmosphere reminiscent of Jane Eyre or Wuthering Heights, or, strangely enough, a Jane Austen novel. However, Asperfell somehow accomplished this while also being different from any book I've ever read,
Asperfell manages to combine these aspects without being derivative whatsoever. The world-building was excellently done; I actually enjoyed the info-dump in the first 20% or so of the book, and would have gladly read an entire book's worth of Briony's childhood before the real action begins. The writing itself was absolutely exquisite and, as I've seen other reviewers mention, flowed perfectly, even during the slower beginning of the book.
And of course, the characters were all so wonderful, even the side characters like Briony's sister Livia, as well as minor characters in Asperfell. Briony herself was the perfect heroine; I liked her immediately from the first chapter. As time went on, she only grew on me more, and it's safe to say she's one of my all-time favorite heroines. Elyan was the most amazing love interest, and I loved seeing Briony slowly fall in love with him. I also liked how Briony clearly annoyed him from the beginning, but as time went on it was easy to see how much he began to care for her. However, I liked Elyan as a character on his own, and I would really like chapters from his point of view in the sequel (which I can't wait for).
I have nothing but praise for Asperfell, it's definitely going on the list of my all-time favorite reads, and I would recommend it to any reader, not just lovers of fantasy.

Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced reader's copy. Well written book, loved the story and found the characters interesting and well developed. Looking forward to reading the next in the series

Asperfell took a while to get going, but once it did, I was entranced. This book is written in the style of a Gothic novel (hence the comparisons to Jane Austen), and it was lovely to read - evocative yet restrained. It would have been easy to lean heavily on metaphor to explain the world of the magical prison that is Asperfell and all the strange goings-on that happen, but this book benefited from the author resisting that temptation.

I also loved the characters - Briony was such a perfect heroine from the first chapter; brave, curious, and somewhat impulsive. I also grew to love Elyan deeply, and admire how desperately he wants to do the right thing, no matter how difficult it is for him.

My only complaint is that the first third of this novel does feel like a giant info-dump, as the author sets up Briony's backstory and introduces us to Tiralaen and then Asperfell, but it's worth pushing past that for the rest of the novel.

I'm already excited for the sequel and look forward to seeing more about what's been happening in Tiralaen while Briony has been gone.

"As we passed under the archway and into the tunnel, blackness consumed us and Magefire bloomed in my hand. It did not chase the shadows away entirely, not even when my companions summoned their own flames, for Asperfell was made of shadows, and made shadows of us all."

-quote from Asperfell by Jamie Thomas

Publisher's description:

"Only the darkest and most dangerous of Mages are sentenced to pass through the gate to Asperfell.

Not one has ever returned.

Never did Briony dream she might set foot in the otherworldly prison of Asperfell. She was, after all, neither Mage nor criminal. She was simply her father’s little whirlwind—fingers smudged with ink, dresses caked with mud—forever lost in a book or the spirit-haunted woods surrounding her family’s country estate.

But Briony always had a knack for showing up where she was least expected.

Only by braving the gate of Asperfell could Briony hope to find the true heir to the throne of Tiralaen and save her kingdom from civil war. And so, she plunges into a world of caged madmen and demented spirits, of dark magic and cryptic whispers... and of a bleak and broken prince with no interest in being rescued.

Hauntingly beautiful and lavishly told, Asperfell is a must-read for fans of Jane Austen who always wished she’d dabbled in blood magic."

This book began like a love song to Game of Thrones. In the first few chapters when Briony (our MC) was a child, she seemed very much like Arya Stark. Her sister Livia read like Sansa. Her father was an advisor to the king much like Ned Stark. There were multiple mentions of the Old Religion and the New. The new king was a vicious fool like Joffrey Baratheon. I didn't find myself minding all that much though. I love Game of Thrones and I loved this book.

As Briony grew older and her world grew darker, she became less like Arya and more of her own woman. She found her own voice. The story and world building also moved away from the initial similarity to GoT. Her relationship with Elyan was a pleasure to read and it followed the enemies-to-lovers trope in a beautiful way. There's a few mentions of intimacy but the story remained a clean read. There's also many elements that are delightfully creepy.

I truly enjoyed this novel and would re-read it which is a rare thing for me. It pulled me into this dark world and made me care for the characters I was reading about. Kudos to the author for a lovely read. In closing, one quote comes to mind from what I believe was George R.R. Martin's A Storm of Swords:

"High in the halls of the kings who are gone, Jenny would dance with her ghosts ..."

TRIGGER WARNING: there are a couple attempted assaults and mentions of assault.

#asperfell #netgalley

‘Asperfell is a very atmospheric book. The writing is superb and flows well throughout the story and it’s just so dark! I love it.

Although there's no substitute for the void that the end of "The Folk of the Air" series left behind in my heart, this comes pretty close! Consider it the newest YA novel to hold my imagination hostage. To have me bursting at the seams to know more, to untangle the spell of its mysteries and obstacles all the faster...

This book is the first in a medieval-ish fantasy series that features white and dark magic, a prison world, an adversaries-to-allies-to-lovers dynamic, plus a collection of layered and courageous "criminal" characters (aka: Mages) who find themselves trapped - isolated from their families, from their loved ones with no hope of escape - in a place called Asperfell.

Briony Tenebrae, the protagonist, crosses the gate into this prison world at age twenty imbued with powers she neither knew she had nor knows how to use. More that that, she's tasked with an important job. She must find a way to free Elyan, a prince who's been exiled for murdering his father, so as to save her kingdom from the brink of civil war. A war, as luck would have it, that has been started by the brother who now sits on the throne. Only here's the catch: no Mage who crosses the gate from Tiralaen into Asperfell ever returns.

Ah - the tug of forbidden things!

The richness of the story, in my opinion, comes more from the atmosphere with its mystical stirrings and "whispers in the dark" than it does from the overall plot itself (which was average). Secrets dwell beneath each brick, each root of the prison, and it's the sweeping away of cobwebs and the tracing of each living to undead crack that Briony and her companions pursue that gives this a pulse. It's a pulse that ebbs and crosses, spikes and levitates. It haunts your ankles: sometimes snapping, sometimes slithering away like smoke.

There's a feeling of gothic intangibility that bubbles outward, too. It dances along the edges of sparking fingertips as the truth about Asperfell hovers closer, rustling, with ghosts waiting to speak of past things that were swept away into translucence once but demand to be seen again by someone who can hear them. Listen. Help, if need be. As a reader, it makes it feel like you're being pinched from behind by an invisible hand the entire time. Ushered along. Or as if a gust of air could materialize into something formed and vociferous at your ear, showing you what it looked like, letting you touch all that it wanted or feared.

In other words, magic marries with gothic here in a way that's shiver-eliciting. Lavishly so!

Slog start aside (too much backstory), it didn't take me long to invest in the characters either. They're a diverse bunch of innocents, criminals, smartmouths, revelers, royals, grouches, and brave survivors alike. They all have their layers, their conflicts, their own agendas to see through to fruition. Some you will adore right away, others you will squint at with suspicion. Then there are those select few who will reveal themselves in increments or knock you backwards off the couch with astonishment. Still, regardless of who they are, they're dynamic and worth meeting.

From Briony to Elyan, from Matster Tiberius to Mistress Philomena, and from Thaniel to Phyra to Arlo to the <i>umbras</i> and many more--I can't say there is a shortage of personalities or temperaments in the bunch. Also, if you're at all a fan of semi-antagonistic bickering like I am, then you'll be happy to know the dialogue SNAPS with it. Among and throughout many different dynamics. You might as well call it formal wit gone wild. ;)

Let's just say I wasn't anything except delighted to be imprisoned in this book, in this world, with these characters for its duration. And I'm chomping at the bit to find out what happens next! Give me more Briony, Elyan, and the ragtag band of five or give me death!

SO HELP ME, I HAVE FOUND ANOTHER REASON TO PINE.

Now excuse me while I go all 'Kel loves orange soda' on you, because, if you're asking if I recommend it, then let allow me to clarify: I DO, I DO, I DO-OOO!!!

#Asperfell
#NetGalley
The book is well written and has wonderful characters. I was pleasantly surprised how much I enjoyed the setting. The writing is very lush and vivid, I will defiantly be coming back to read the next one. Briony is one of those characters that you want to champion. I think that she is one of the best parts about Asperfell.

I loved this book and the main character, Briony. It's a great start to the trilogy and I can't wait for the next one. Unique story that is well-written.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an honest and fair review.

“For every woman who has yet to discover the power of her own voice.” - Dedication, taken from the NetGalley digital arc, text might change

Writing

The writing has a very classic gothic novel feel to it, which it manages to maintain without becoming derivative. The style matches the content and subject matter, feeling period appropriate and enhancing the immersion. Throughout the novel the writing flows well, making it easy to read and get into. The pacing of the novel starts rather slow, but it sets up the world very well as well as developing Briony. Throughout the book the pacing builds, a crescendo to an excellent finale.

The story is laced with moments of humour, some riddles which come together in unexpected ways. It made me smile, it made me cry, it made me laugh out loud, and it made me fall in love with the characters.

Story and Characters

As with many historical fantasy novels, Asperfell is set in a medieval/renaissance-inspired world. The story begins when Birony, at eight years of age, learns that the king has been murdered by the crown prince. From there we learn that the young crown prince Elyan has been banished through The Gate to the magical prison of Asperfell, from whence nobody has been known to return. With the swift loss of both the king and the crown prince, younger son Keric rises to power.

From this point forward, the kingdom falls into disarray, becoming increasingly hostile and drives the citizens to turn on each other. At the point the story picks up again Briony is around twenty years old. She is tasked with crossing the gate and finding Prince Elyan to bring him back and save her country. As you can imagine, Briony has to overcome a number of obstacles to convince the exiled prince that his country needs him, let alone get him to come back and save their country.

Briony is encouraged by people from her prior life to always seek knowledge, that knowledge is a mighty weapon. Those from her life at Asperfell teach her that there is power in a voice. Both of these messages are extremely important, both in the story and in real life. Watching Briony develop her knowledge seeking skills, and find her voice was a driving force for the story. There are many poignant moments in the book, and it deals very tactfully with difficult subjects that women have experienced for centuries. Especially in these times, women are finding their voices, much like Briony does throughout this novel.

The stories of Philomena and the incident with Grenn are dealt with with such tact, that they made me think about my life in the real world, without breaking the suspension of disbelief. Briony is the kind of woman we would like to see ourselves in, a brave woman who stands up for what is right in whatever way she can. Who treats others with kindness regardless of her station or theirs. Who comes to realise her faults and tries to learn from her mistakes.

Overall

A beautiful debut novel, and definitely a top 5 for this year if not a top 5 overall favourite. It’s the kind of book I’d wish I’d read as a teenager. It definitely lives up to its dedication. I’m very much looking forward to the next book in the series.

Oh wow!! I just loved this book and simply can't wait until I can rejoin the characters. Well written and excellent character development.

I received this book from netgalley in exchange of an honest review.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS

I really loved reading Asperfell, this book is peculiar and the characters are intriguing and interesting.
Set in a world called Tiralaen, a sort of medioeval one, where magic is real and people who possessed it are called Mages, the story starts when the main character, Briony, is only eight years old. When the king is killed by his heir Elyan, a potent Mage, able to siphon other's magic and use it, he's condemned to walk through the Gate, a passage into another world and to be exiled in the Asperfell prison.
The Asperfell is an ancient prison, created hundreds of years ago, the only one capable to hold the Mages' magic. With the king's death and the new one's growing paranoia about and violence against who possesses magic, the world of Tiralaen is turn upside down and where reigned violence, suspicion and deaths. Briony's life, a young and stubborn daughter from a prestigious and influential family is sheltered and she lived with her family, her sister Livia, parents and uncle in the capital, Iluviel, at the court, her days spent learning how to curtsy, to sew and to do the things women are supposed to learn. When she survived a bad illness, Briony and Livia are are sent away to their aunt. Kept safely away from the capital, where her parents and uncle advised their mad and violent king, Briony's world is changed another time 10 years later, when soldiers accused her to be a Mage, bringing her to the capital and sentencing her to death. Helped to escape into the Asperfell world, Briony promised her friend Cyprias to bring back the only hope for her country: prince Elyan, sentenced there thirteen years ago.
Asperfell is not what she could have ever imagined, though and the prison, full of true criminals and of innocent people alike, is awash with secrets, about itself, Briony and the whole world too.

I loved reading about Briony. She's such a strong and brave main character. Unlike her sister and the women of their time and world, Briony is wild, curious, brilliant and she refused to be a pretty wife or to gossip at court or to learn how to be a housewife, how to sew and so on. I admired her curiosity, her drive to know more about everything, her refusing to be passive and remissive. I liked her friendship with Cyprias', her father's spy and how she kept herself informed while with her aunt. Briony is resilient. When she is saved and pushed in Asperfell her promise to save her kingdom and country is strong and even in a different and peculiar world, surrounded by dangers and criminals, she learned how to adapt and how to discover more about her power and the prison's secrets. It was really interesting reading about all the kind of Mages and their magic, about Briony's power, so peculiar. Her eagerness, her curiosity, her need to learn more about her magic, to compensate and balance from her being untrained collided with the person she's sent to save and free, prince Elyan, who is rude, cynical and a really powerful Mage. I love their interaction, how Briony is not a simpering subject and she stood her own ground against him, pushing him to not giving up hope for their freedom.
Elyan is a peculiar character, not the spoiled royal one could think he is. He's rude and sarcastic and insufferable, irritating Briony with his attitude, but he's a complex character, full of grief, pain and regret and, after being in that prison for so many years, his cynical side was brought forward. Briony's eagerness and her scheming and plans overwhelmed him, crushing his reservations, or, at least, involving him into hoping for more. I really like their relationship, it's really complex and not granted.
This book is full of interesting characters, like the Steward of Asperfell, Philomena and its Master Tiberius, Yralis, Phyra and Thaniel, who become Briony's friends while she adapted and learned to care about her new home. I liked the riddles and mysteries of Asperfell and how some things were connected since the very beginning, with mulpiple twists and magical beings. It was really amazing learning everything about Briony's world's magic through her eyes and to follow her in her quest and journey.
Asperfell itself is an interesting place, where people learned to life, surrendering themselves to this exile, creating relationship and so on.. It was peculiar reading about the Melancholy Revels, where past nobility is still grabbing at their illusion of power, even in prison and in exile. It was interesting reading about the power system, fueled by violence and power. I liked reading about Thaniel's knights and the lower levels, too, the Sentinels and basically everything in this book.

In the author's biography she says she wants "to smash the patriarchy one novel at a time, creating characters and worlds that inspire, empower and elevate women" and I have to say she's done it really well with Asperfell. The first book is amazing and Briony is an unconventional heroine, unconventional because as a woman, in her time, she did the opposite the world expected from her and it's amazing and really inspiring.
I can't wait to read more about her, Elyan, Phyra and the others and their journey towards home and country.

Asperfell is the story of a corrupt king, an exiled prince, a mischievous heroine, and complete courage. The writing flows very nicely. World building is superb, and this is a nice set up for future books in the series. I loved the chemistry between Briony and Elyan, and the interaction between Briony and her many exasperated mentors/guardians. The story telling is very original, fresh, and I was quite pulled into the story once the set up was complete. I look forward to reading more from this author and the continuation of the series. If you liked Sorcery of Thorns, The Oremere Chronicles, or Folk of the Air, I think you will enjoy this book.

This was a very interesting book, and hard to describe. It seems like a mix between an older "romance" novel (like Jane Austin) and a fantasy book. The language and writing style of the author may seem a bit old-fashioned, despite the 1st person point of view that is so common in today's YA. The main character, Briony, embarks upon a perilous journey to try to save her kingdom and redeem her family's honor by passing through "The Gate"--a portal between her world and a prison created for dangerous mages who have committed crimes again the kingdom of Tiralaen. It took a really long time for the story to really get interesting for me, and so I have to give it three stars.
The story begins however, when Briony is a small child, and follows her as she grows. I found this part of the book a bit tedious, though, and really had to push myself to keep reading. While the reader was provided with great insight into Briony as she grew into a young woman, I found myself constantly wondering when the action was going to pick up. There was a sense that something exciting was just about to happen, but it never did seem to come. I considered not finishing the book, but pressed on. Eventually Briony was sent through "The Gate," and about half-way through the book I realized I was really into what was going on. The action had become more interesting, as well as the characters that were introduced on the other side. I did not want to put the book down and found myself wondering what would happen next when I did have to put it down. Towards the end I realized some things were not going to be resolved and there would have to be a second book, but I would really like to continue on this journey with Briony and her companions. The ending of the book was satisfying even though it was very obvious there would be more to come.
One of the best parts of the book was Briony's developing relationships with the people she met through The Gate. She had to make her way through the community and society of this prison, and many of the characters there were very interesting. Briony's relationship with exiled Prince Elyan was well-written and well-developed.
If the first half of the book would have been as interesting and engrossing as the second half, I would have given this book more starts. As it is, however, I did enjoy it and would definitely read more about Briony and her friends.

4/5 stars

I'm gonna be honest here and say that my favorite thing here is definitely the writing. It just flows perfectly, but it doesn't give you all the answers but also doesn't keep things hidden. It leaves just enough for you to follow closely and being able to put together all the pieces as we go along. The characters were well done, but I wish that I had gotten a bit more attached to Briony more. While I cared, I never truly felt a strong enough attachment. That could go for some of the other characters introduced as well. It was just missing some oomph. The plot isn't anything out of this world, but it does have some tricks up its sleeves. While I could mostly tell what would happen, it still was an enjoyable book to read. I feel that this is a book to go blindly into, as if you know too much it just ruins a lot of the hidden magic.

The book is well-written and has a dark, gothic style. The main character Briony is very likeable and doggedly pursues her quest despite the lack of encouragement from the others. Feels like this book is part one of many as the story’s conflict is not fully resolved by the end.