Name: roro's review of The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano
Item: The Glass Spare
Rating: 4
Author: roro

Lauren DeStefano

The first in a new fantasy duology, The Glass Spare is a gorgeously told tale of love, loss, and deadly power from Lauren DeStefano, the bestselling author of the Chemical Garden series. Perfect for fans of Shannon Hale and Renee Ahdieh. Wilhelmina Heidle, the fourth child and only daughter of the king of the world’s wealthiest nation, has grown up in the shadows. Kept hidden from the world in order to serve as a spy for her father—whose obsession with building his empire is causing a war—Wil wants nothing more than to explore the world beyond her kingdom, if only her father would give her the chance. Until one night Wil is attacked, and she discovers a dangerous secret. Her touch turns people into gemstone. At first Wil is horrified—but as she tests its limits, she’s drawn more and more to the strange and volatile ability. When it leads to tragedy, though, Wil is forced to face the destructive power within her and finally leave her home to seek the truth and a cure. But finding the key to her redemption puts her in the path of a cursed prince who has his own ideas for what to do with Wil’s power. With a world on the brink of war and a power of ultimate destruction, can Wil find a way to help the kingdom that’s turned its back on her, or will she betray her past and her family forever?

The Glass Spare

Sophia Wolf

roro

i actually really enjoyed this book and it's definitely something you could spend all day reading but now i have to wait for the second book to come out ://

Fantasy. Wil Heidle, the only daughter of the king of the world's wealthiest nation, has grown up in the shadows. Kept hidden from the world in order to serve as a spy for her father-whose obsession with building his empire is causing a war-Wil wants nothing more than to explore the world beyond her kingdom, if only her father would give her the chance

Gillian Rose

I was surprised at how much I liked this book. As stated from my thoughts while reading, the setting is a bit confusing but I loved Wil and her brothers (well, not Baren). And was sad when things got tragic. But I liked Loom and what he stood for, I think I would have liked a more solid ending but I'm definitely interested in the sequel.

Story has potential. Unfortunately the best characters aren't explored, the political scene isn't explored (because in this world no one knows who the royals are...?), and the transitions between scenes leave you feeling like you don't know exactly how you got there. Dreamlike in a bad way. Author believes in tell, not show -- I have no reason to like the male lead Loom AT ALL and it turns out neither does the female lead Wil, revealed why at the end of the book.

Marika

Izza

3.75 stars | I was not expected to like this novel so much! I'm really enjoying these Owlcrate picks! I liked the characters a lot and the world building is super interesting. I don't really care for the unfolding romance, but I can't wait for the next one, and see what Wil gets up to.

Nicole Dykeman

I loved EVERYTHING about this and it totally caught me off guard. The magic system is really cool. I was turning pages SO fast. I especially loved the sibling relationships in the book (Gerdie and Wil ❤️❤️❤️❤️ my loves). And Loom and Zay too! The romance is definitely a little underdeveloped and it will not be for everyone but honestly...I don’t care. Because when a certain someone said “I love you” to another certain someone my whole heart stopped in my chest. So yes, this made me emotional and I loved it.

Lauren Brown

I couldn't get into this book. I found it so slow and by 40% in I wasn't even sure what was going on. 

Christian Huss

Áróra Lind 

** spoiler alert **
           3.5⭐

“Death itself is no match for you. The day you were born, it shrank away in fear.”

I didn't really know what the book was about before I went into it. The main character, Wil, is a princess and has some powers. She could turn living things into gemstones. Because of an accident, she has to leave her kingdom and she meets Loom, who is the prince of the enemy's kingdom. 
This has some Enemies-to-lovers romance. 
It took me a while to get into the book but once I did I enjoyed it. I still thought something was missing. I would have loved it if some of the things were explained more.

scarlett

top 5 fav series’, have the second one ready. so good

laura

I really enjoyed the world building in the book. I loved the world. I thought the book at points near the start was predicable but towards the ending some of the plot stuff did surprise me. The characters were the stand out in this novel. I loved the various POV that we got. I loved Will as a lead and am super excited to see book 2! It was a fast pace read!

Nikki Sojkowski

I was given an ARC by the publisher in exchange for an honest review

"I wasn’t quite sure where this book was going to go and was pleasantly surprised. The world-building is an interesting mix of industrial-revolution, mythology, alchemy, and “marvelers” aka magicians. The main character, Wilhelmina or “Wil” for short is everything I want in an MC; she’s feisty, strong, smart, and very skilled. Is she magically all of these things? No. She’s had years of training being the 4th in line to the throne (or the spare child). As Wil had trained to by the King’s spy her whole life, these skills come to great use on her journey..."

*The full review and more can be found on my blog Love at First Write*

Wren Hardwick

Everyone knows this is a play off of a classic story, right? About the king named Midas who made the wish to have everything he touches turn to gold? And he ends up alone because he kills everyone he comes in contact with? Well this is a play off that where a princess can turn things into gems that she touches when her heart-rate is raised. 

Things that I love: 
01.	There was wonder world building in this steampunk/medieval setting. 
02.	We have a brother who doesn’t let his physical restrictions hold him back from his passion for scientist and creating an easier life for his kingdom. 
03.	Not the romance.
04.	Wil and his politically placed wife and her son.
05.	Not the pace of the book
06.	The cliff hanger and reason why she has this power.

So the pace was a little slow for me. I thought it dragged a little. But, the romance was a little... weird. We have Loom, who is already married to someone politically (the whole reason for that is so heartbreaking and I want to hug that woman and her son so much). I do appreciate the originality of it though. Not many young adult books have young people who have kids and there are a lot of young people who have kids these days. 

I hear this book is going to be a duology and I am happy to hear that. I don’t think this could be stretched out into trilogy. I will want to know what happens with these characters though. I am on the fence with this book but over the right side enough to want to know more about it.

Manon van Heumen

Ashlee

This book has shown me its both possible to enjoy a story but really find the telling of that story MEH overall. 😬 I’m gonna write a review about this at some point and it’s probably going to be more of a rant. But for now - I need some actual excitement and things happening in my life.

Sophia Wolf &
The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano

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Sophia Wolf &The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano

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Sophia Wolf &
The Glass Spare by Lauren DeStefano