AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: Troubled Waters
Title: Troubled Waters
Author: Sharon Shinn
Audiobook Narrator: Jennifer Van Dyck
Series: Elemental Blessings (Book 1)
After the death of her father, Zoe cannot help but be overcome with grief. Her time of mourning will need to be cut short though, as she's just been summoned to the capital to become the King's fifth wife. Zoe agrees to go along, but clearly has different ideas once she arrives in the city. Zoe does her best to adjust to her new home, but before long her life takes another unexpected twist, one that will awaken the powerful magic which rests inside of her.
Sharon Shinn is one of those authors that I've been meaning to get into for a while now. So when I saw the audiobook for Troubled Waters on sale a little while back, it seemed as good a place for me to start as any. I think one of the reasons I picked up this book is the fact that the set up is so similar to The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson, which I quite enjoyed. But despite the fact that both stories start with an arranged marriage to a king, that's where the similarities end. Troubled Waters is quite an interesting read. This tranquil paced work of fantasy features fascinating, steampunk twinged worldbuilding, a likable heroine, and a very strong romantic side plot.
One thing I know won't mesh with every reader is the fact that Troubled Waters is somewhat slow paced. The story pretty much drifts where it needs to go, and the number of action driven scenes are pretty limited. Normally, I might take issue with this, but the truth is that I was so fascinated by the characters and setting that I didn't mind meandering a bit. Although Troubled Waters possess aspects that may be similar to other books, such as the importance of the elements (earth, water, wind, etc), it doesn't feel derivative in the least. For example, this is the first novel I've read with steampunk elements that doesn't take place in a Victorian, or a Victorian influenced setting. There were also a lot of parts of the worldbuilding that I just found to be a lot of fun. For example, when a character wants help on making a decision, or otherwise needs direction in their life, they will visit a temple and draw three blessing charms. Each blessing is short and sweet (such as “change,” or “grace”) and is tied to one of the elements. I just really liked this concept.
One unexpected bonus of the somewhat tranquil nature of the plot is it seemed to make the big twists of the book that much more unexpected. I found myself gasping aloud multiple times as the plot unfolded. I also really liked the romantic storyline of the novel between Zoe and Darien. I enjoyed watching two come together and apart throughout the duration of the novel, and was really routing for them by the end. If Troubled Waters can be said to have a weakness, it's probably that the ending ties up a little too neatly. I'm not saying I wanted things to be bad for Zoe, but given her actions at the end of the book, a stronger negative reaction from other characters seems more realistic.
Thoughts on the Audiobook: Jennifer Van Dyck, who I'm familiar with thanks to her work on Maria Snyder's Glass Trilogy, narrates Troubled Waters. I remember being pretty pleased with her work on Snyder's books and I remain satisfied with her work here. She does a great job of creating a variety of voices for both male and female characters, which you don't always get from a single narrator.
Final Thoughts: Troubled Waters is a strong start to the Elemental Blessings series by Sharon Shinn. The slow pace of the novel may not be for everyone, but I enjoyed the fact that it gave me more time to explore this world. I also feel that it made some of the twists more surprising. I really liked the character of Zoe, and watching her discover her place in this unique world. I know the second book, Royal Airs, actually stars a secondary character from Troubled Waters, and I am looking forward to seeing where her story picks up. Four and a half Stars
Author: Sharon Shinn
Audiobook Narrator: Jennifer Van Dyck
Series: Elemental Blessings (Book 1)
After the death of her father, Zoe cannot help but be overcome with grief. Her time of mourning will need to be cut short though, as she's just been summoned to the capital to become the King's fifth wife. Zoe agrees to go along, but clearly has different ideas once she arrives in the city. Zoe does her best to adjust to her new home, but before long her life takes another unexpected twist, one that will awaken the powerful magic which rests inside of her.
Sharon Shinn is one of those authors that I've been meaning to get into for a while now. So when I saw the audiobook for Troubled Waters on sale a little while back, it seemed as good a place for me to start as any. I think one of the reasons I picked up this book is the fact that the set up is so similar to The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson, which I quite enjoyed. But despite the fact that both stories start with an arranged marriage to a king, that's where the similarities end. Troubled Waters is quite an interesting read. This tranquil paced work of fantasy features fascinating, steampunk twinged worldbuilding, a likable heroine, and a very strong romantic side plot.
One thing I know won't mesh with every reader is the fact that Troubled Waters is somewhat slow paced. The story pretty much drifts where it needs to go, and the number of action driven scenes are pretty limited. Normally, I might take issue with this, but the truth is that I was so fascinated by the characters and setting that I didn't mind meandering a bit. Although Troubled Waters possess aspects that may be similar to other books, such as the importance of the elements (earth, water, wind, etc), it doesn't feel derivative in the least. For example, this is the first novel I've read with steampunk elements that doesn't take place in a Victorian, or a Victorian influenced setting. There were also a lot of parts of the worldbuilding that I just found to be a lot of fun. For example, when a character wants help on making a decision, or otherwise needs direction in their life, they will visit a temple and draw three blessing charms. Each blessing is short and sweet (such as “change,” or “grace”) and is tied to one of the elements. I just really liked this concept.
One unexpected bonus of the somewhat tranquil nature of the plot is it seemed to make the big twists of the book that much more unexpected. I found myself gasping aloud multiple times as the plot unfolded. I also really liked the romantic storyline of the novel between Zoe and Darien. I enjoyed watching two come together and apart throughout the duration of the novel, and was really routing for them by the end. If Troubled Waters can be said to have a weakness, it's probably that the ending ties up a little too neatly. I'm not saying I wanted things to be bad for Zoe, but given her actions at the end of the book, a stronger negative reaction from other characters seems more realistic.
Thoughts on the Audiobook: Jennifer Van Dyck, who I'm familiar with thanks to her work on Maria Snyder's Glass Trilogy, narrates Troubled Waters. I remember being pretty pleased with her work on Snyder's books and I remain satisfied with her work here. She does a great job of creating a variety of voices for both male and female characters, which you don't always get from a single narrator.
Final Thoughts: Troubled Waters is a strong start to the Elemental Blessings series by Sharon Shinn. The slow pace of the novel may not be for everyone, but I enjoyed the fact that it gave me more time to explore this world. I also feel that it made some of the twists more surprising. I really liked the character of Zoe, and watching her discover her place in this unique world. I know the second book, Royal Airs, actually stars a secondary character from Troubled Waters, and I am looking forward to seeing where her story picks up. Four and a half Stars