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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Our anti hero Ren is back, thrown into the world she wanted to be a part of with stronger feelings developing for Theo. As much as I wanted to dislike her after the conclusion of the first novel, she is still a well written character who leaves me wanting to turn the page. In comparison, this one started off much slower than the previous, focusing more on developing the new characters rather than the story. It left me missing the fantasy world that we were vastly dropped into with the first of the duology.
For a second part of a series, I felt there was too much set up. About half way through, I was ready for an adventure much like the first one and felt myself wanting to skip ahead. So my main thought or complaint about this one, would probably be wishing it was formatted much more like the first one. But glad to read it. I did enjoy the multiple points of view, just to take a break from the repetition of Ren’s narrative. Overall, be patient. The last third of the book picks up quite a bit.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Edit: I was so excited to read and finish this sequel that I forgot to say... thank you to Scott Reintgen's team for reaching out to me about reading an arc & to Netgalley for giving me access.
Based on the way A Door in the Dark, the previous book in this series, ended, I was excited to learn how Ren would take on the Brood family. The multi-pov in this book provides Ren's perspective as well as that of Nevelyn and Dahvid, two other people who were devastatingly hurt by the actions of a Brood. I really enjoyed the break from Ren's thoughts, because her one-track mind of revenge with the necessary manipulation felt tiring during some of the first book. The chapters are short enough to never spend too much time with one character and their plotline but action-packed enough to keep the story steadily moving. Everything is orchestrated very well for the end result. Some puzzle pieces slid right into place in my mind, but Reintgen still kept me eager to turn pages for everything I could not guess. Little details that are pivotal to the characters' plans easily get forgotten by the reader with the constant influx of scenes filled with intrigue and action. New characters such as Nevelyn and Dahvid added more depth to the revenge plot, and learning more about Agnes, Ren's mother, was sweet yet brow-furrowing. Ren was only a child when her father died, which causes me to question how much she really knows about the events surrounding his death, especially after the conclusion to A Whisper in the Walls. Theo is used like a tool by Ren, and I expect a subsequent book will reveal more truths to him about her and to her about the world as she knows it. Who runs the city? Why the sudden shift in Agnes's behavior? Are the Tin'Vori children satisfied? In a magical land of powerful ruling families, how can true peace be possible? These are questions I hope to see answered next.
Based on the way A Door in the Dark, the previous book in this series, ended, I was excited to learn how Ren would take on the Brood family. The multi-pov in this book provides Ren's perspective as well as that of Nevelyn and Dahvid, two other people who were devastatingly hurt by the actions of a Brood. I really enjoyed the break from Ren's thoughts, because her one-track mind of revenge with the necessary manipulation felt tiring during some of the first book. The chapters are short enough to never spend too much time with one character and their plotline but action-packed enough to keep the story steadily moving. Everything is orchestrated very well for the end result. Some puzzle pieces slid right into place in my mind, but Reintgen still kept me eager to turn pages for everything I could not guess. Little details that are pivotal to the characters' plans easily get forgotten by the reader with the constant influx of scenes filled with intrigue and action. New characters such as Nevelyn and Dahvid added more depth to the revenge plot, and learning more about Agnes, Ren's mother, was sweet yet brow-furrowing. Ren was only a child when her father died, which causes me to question how much she really knows about the events surrounding his death, especially after the conclusion to A Whisper in the Walls. Theo is used like a tool by Ren, and I expect a subsequent book will reveal more truths to him about her and to her about the world as she knows it. Who runs the city? Why the sudden shift in Agnes's behavior? Are the Tin'Vori children satisfied? In a magical land of powerful ruling families, how can true peace be possible? These are questions I hope to see answered next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence