Reviews

The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson

magbooks's review against another edition

3.0

(3,5 Sterne)
Dieses Buch hat mir definitiv besser gefallen als Band 2, auch wenn hier die Action ab und zu gefehlt hat. Viele Zickereien zwischen den Protagonisten, aber am Ende wurde es recht spannend, weswegen ich auf das Finale gespannt bin☁️

perpetually_reading_'s review

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

maryandthebooks's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful fast-paced

4.5

zmuses's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

angelika0105's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

torreads95's review against another edition

adventurous emotional funny hopeful reflective 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? Yes

3.25

jg34's review against another edition

adventurous challenging tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

This book was a journey! My feelings were up and down throughout this whole book (and maybe series). Here are some thoughts:

Rafe was a BITCH for most of this and I think I just fully dislike him as a character now which fully breaks my heart. Kaden, who was a BITCH in the last book, was actually very cool in this one. His whole “you betrayed me” angle died down quick and he acknowledged that Lia was just doing what she had to do to survive. We love a man that can set aside his hurt feelings and support his friend through it. But I still harbor some resentment from the last book. Why must characters change and grow?

I also felt like we lacked seeing some real justice for Lia. Everyone betrayed her and lied to her and schemed against her!!! But she seemed to forgive most of them really quickly. Her mom, her dad, Rafe, Kaden. Maybe I’m just a Scrooge and hold on to my grudges but still #justiceforlia

There was a lot of action in this which kept the book exciting. I actually listened to this in pretty much just two big chunks so you can say I was captivated! 

Lastly: the ending. SO ABRUPT. And not what I expected actually, I thought that

Rafe would give up being king to join Lia in Venda. I thought that would be poetic almost, that each ruler left their home kingdoms to build a better Venda. But this B strolls in after like a year (how was he sure that Lia wasnt spoken for at that point???) and suggests LONG DISTANCE???????? And all that after him throwing that temper tantrum and keeping Lia prisoner and not trusting her or her ability. B. I. T. C. H. A rare disappointing love story ending.

Overall my experience with this series is mostly positive. Maybe a 3.5 star series. I did read dance of thieves first and I know that really took away a lot of the suspense and surprises that may have made this a more exciting read for me. But I’m glad to have some more background and now I want to reread that series for the third time!!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail

chloe_laure_sld's review

Became bored and a bit annoyed by the main character. It seemed to not wrap up

noelishi's review against another edition

5.0

CAWPILE Rating: 9,03
Characters: 8,75
Atmosphere: 9
Writing Style: 8,5
Plot: 8,75
Intrigue: 9
Logic / relationships: 9,5
Enjoyment: 10

Now I'm even sad there's no more of this characters and this world. The Beauty of Deception continues being my favourite out of the three, but this one was amazing. The story is nothing too crazy, the worldbuilding is typical of YA fantasy and the characters are not outstanding, but it has something that engages me and makes me LIVE it.
I am so happy the love triangle thing in this is almost gone, although the romantic ending that Kadenhas at first didn't convince me (I thought it was just a quick and unjustified way of making a happy ending for him), but as it developed, I was more and more into it. Also, regarding Kaden, I was a bit sad because I feel like the author had to kill most of what made Kaden remarkable in benefit of the plot. The essence of the first book and the ruthness of the second are nowhere to be seen in here.
When it comes to Rafe, I never really felt too attached to him, but it didn't make me enjoy the story less. Lia continued being a good main character, although she seemed to be out of hands at some points.
The first part made me reminisced a little of the feeling I felt during the first book, so I would have loved more of that. Also, I would have liked to see more of Pauline and the other women in their essence and not just "put" there to benefit the plot.

sabrinatheghost's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring 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

5.0