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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
I absolutely loved the Serpent & Dove trilogy so I might be biased, but I loved this book and I genuinely can't wait to read the final instalment (assuming this will be a duology). Obviously, reading about LouReid, BeauCoco and Célie was an amazing feat on its own, since they're incredibly dear to me and I had missed them so much - but the way Shelby manages to create a completely new world inside that already known universe and hook you with a compelling story with entirely new characters and new creatures was just genius.
When Shelby first announced Célie was getting her book, I was excited. Sure, up until G&M, Célie was simply Reid's mourning ex-girlfriend, but when in that last book she embraces her new friends and the adventures that usually follow them, she completely changes into someone you want to know more about. Seeing her want to do more, and be more at the end of the original trilogy and then reading her book where she tries to break free from the idea that she's delicate and in need of protection was just what I wanted. (I'm a sucker for soft girls in fantasy).
Odessa, Dimitri and Mila were amazing, and don't get me started on Michal and his complicated relationship with Célie. I'm loving the conflicted feelings Célie is having concerning Michal, and how natural they all seem, and that ending left me so excited to learn more because after making the decisions she did by the end of this book, Célie is now going to have to face reality in a completely new way.
I could go on and on about how much I loved this book, how much I loved the OG books, how much I love all the characters in this universe, but I'll just finish this review with a simple sentence: Shelby Mahurin did not disappoint.
When Shelby first announced Célie was getting her book, I was excited. Sure, up until G&M, Célie was simply Reid's mourning ex-girlfriend, but when in that last book she embraces her new friends and the adventures that usually follow them, she completely changes into someone you want to know more about. Seeing her want to do more, and be more at the end of the original trilogy and then reading her book where she tries to break free from the idea that she's delicate and in need of protection was just what I wanted. (I'm a sucker for soft girls in fantasy).
Odessa, Dimitri and Mila were amazing, and don't get me started on Michal and his complicated relationship with Célie. I'm loving the conflicted feelings Célie is having concerning Michal, and how natural they all seem, and that ending left me so excited to learn more because after making the decisions she did by the end of this book, Célie is now going to have to face reality in a completely new way.
I could go on and on about how much I loved this book, how much I loved the OG books, how much I love all the characters in this universe, but I'll just finish this review with a simple sentence: Shelby Mahurin did not disappoint.
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.75 stars rounded up
Well this book pleasantly surprised me! I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did, to be honest! Was it a perfect book? Not at all. But I enjoyed The Scarlet Veil for the book that it is, and it is a fun time. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I read a book this long in such a short amount of time (for me personally), listening to the audiobook for several hours a day!
I think some of the characterization is why I couldn’t give this book a solid 4 stars or higher. I love all the characters, but some of their actions left me kinda confused. For example, Celie sometimes came across as smart, and other times ditzy—so the inconsistency was annoying.
I also felt that the plot could’ve been stronger, in that I felt like the book started as a murder mystery, and then it forgot the it was supposed to be a murder mystery until around the halfway point. So I think the story/pacing could have been shorter/tighter to remedy this. Also, I feel like a lot of things that happened were just convenient for the plot in the particular moment (and that’s okay if it happens once or twice, but I feel like it happened a lot).
Anyway, this is one of those books where it’s enjoyable if you turn your brain off.
NOTES I TOOK WHILE READING (contains spoilers and poorly spelt names):
- The prologue has definitely intrigued me! This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I like her writing style so far.
- The first chapter was kinda mid for me
- The second chapter had many chapters from the Serpent and Dove trilogy. So I’m sure many fans of that series love that! I haven’t read it, so I’m not emotionally attached to those characters. Thus, the chapter about missing mass and hanging out playing cards and drinking was just fine. The only intriguing part was learning her sister was dead. And the dream about her sister was intriguing.
- I like how protective Jean Luc is, not gonna lie. Mainly because Celie really is proving to be a weak hunts(wo)man.
- From Celie’s fight with Frederick on, the story is starting to get interesting. I’m pleasantly surprised! Not a lot is happening plot wise, but I like the character dynamics.
- I like how we the readers know that it’s a vampire who killed Babet (and likely the other dead bodies), but Celie doesn’t—because vampires aren’t well-known in this world.
- Ch6 with the mysterious cold was fun! I love how flirty he is already.
- Ah I like how the Vampire King seems to detect some kind of magic in Celie. I’m interested in finding out what it is! (And I wonder if it has to do with her killing that super powerful witch in the S&D trilogy?)
- Oooh the sailors having puncture wounds on their throats is great! I also low-key love the threat of the sailors swimming after Celie, and thus they all freezing to death.
- IDK why, but my gut is telling me this vampire was responsible/involved with Pippa’s death.
- I’ll be honest that I don’t understand all the French terms—likely because I didn’t read the first trilogy, and because I don’t speak French. So that’s kinda a bummer
- I really love the chapter titles a lot! (especially the Hell is Empty—and how it connected to the ending of that chapter)
- I understand that Miichal is a thousand-year-old vampire king, so he’s probably just as bored as he is petty. But I’m not sure I understand why he’s targeting Coco. Like yes, a blood witch took something from him, but I don’t understand why he wants to target a blood witch who did nothing to him in return?
- I know Celie didn’t know what a vampire was, but surely she could’ve used context clues to know what compulsion was before Odessa used it on her! Like, if you have secret plans, why would you risk the vampires finding out? Like, I feel like this was a matter of common sense (or last thereof).
- Though I love a talking cat, this boutique chapter is going on for a bit too long. (I already knew this book would be long going in; and I can tell that there have a been a couple scenes thus far that can be cut or shortened. And I’m sure they’ll be more.)
- Oh I like how the island doesn’t have mirrors or silver! I also like how these vampires don’t drink human blood because it’s weak and thin—much more interesting!
- I feel like Michal throws a lot of empty threats at Celie, so I don’t feel like she’s ever actually in danger when she’s with him.
- It seems a bit random / chosen-one-y that Celie was touched by death. Like, why was she? It feels random.
- Lol dang Michal just ripped that expensive dress in half? Shoulda just said thank you Celie.
- I’ll be honest that I read 40% of this book (which is 7 hours and 25 minutes of the audiobook) in one sitting, in my first sitting. Thru chapter 21. I saw some reviews that said they DNFed around 25%, so I expected I might do the same. But I’m so glad I’m enjoying this story! In fact, I don’t remember a book where I read so much in one sitting. Is this book perfect no? But I’m enjoying for what it is.
- I admit that some of the dialogue and idioms use feel a bit too modern for this world. But I still enjoy the banter between characters nonetheless.
- Wait sorry…I’m on ch22, and when did Celie definitively figure out how to cross between the veil of the living and dead??
- Speaking of ch22, there’s a lot of “telling” rather than showing when Celie is searching Michal’s office. And some of the internal conversation about her plan is a bit obvious and unnecessary. Like, we know Michal cannot find out he’ll punish her—it’s obvious!
- Ooooh Mila is the ghost, and the sister of Michal! I didn’t get it until after she left his study and repeated it while talking to Odessa. But wait….didn’t Mila say Michal broke her heart?
- I believe Mila that Michal didn’t kill all those people. The question is, who did…
- That letter is NOT going to your friends, Celie. Cmon now.
- It seemed a bit cartoonish that Michal could just reach into the other vampire’s chests and pull out there heart so easily.
- Interesting how at the end of ch25, she had the urge to kiss him after drinking his healing blood… not sure how the two are connected, but I don’t mind it.
- Ch26: Celie. Girl. Mila already said in an earlier chapter that her brother, Michal, did not kill her. Why are you concluding that AGAIn when we already established that is not why she doesn’t want to see him? Like, I wish Celia didn’t come across as so dumb sometimes, as it ruins the story for me.
- It is only now, in the middle of ch27, that it became clear to me that Cosette (who Celie pretended to be at the beginning) and Coco are the same person. I’m sure those who read the S&D trilogy knew that, but I wish that had been more clearly/blantantly establish earlier on!
- At this point, Dimytri feels like a red herring to me—we’re only 50% into the book, so I feel like it’s too early to reveal the real killer. And I don’t think it was Coco either.
- Also, I find it interesting how only now, at about the 50% mark, we are focusing on finding this serial killer (who is likely a vampire given the puncture wounds on the neck). Like, while I have been enjoying the story thus far, I feel like we could’ve begun this search a lot sooner—like, the pacing could have been tightened up to stay focused on the main plot a bit more, in my opinion. But like I said, I don’t dislike what I’ve read thus far—I just honestly forgot that this was supposed to be a murder mystery after Celie was kidnapped.
- Something I don’t love is how Celie’s intelligence feels inconsistent. Like, sometimes she comes across as smart, in a way that makes up for her lack of physical strength. And other times it seems like she’s getting ditzier as the story goes on.
- Ahh, I reach the “there’s only one coffin” scene at the end of ch29. In reality, there was definitely more than one coffin to choose from…but I still like the spirit of the scene.
- Given the prophecy from the pythoness, I’m gonna guess that Celie is ultimately gonna die…and return as a vampire (because Michal turns her to save her).
- I like this Eden place—from the entrance to the inside. Very cool concept!
- So, I like the sensual scenes between Celie and Michal, but I feel like some of their intimate interactions feel forced—as in the author is doing it heavy handedly, like forcing two dolls to kiss. Like, the forced proximity that happens between them most of the time isn’t necessary, so it’s like why are they touching each other like that? (Don’t get me wrong—I want them to develop a romantic relationship as the story goes on. I just wish the development felt less forced, and made more sense in the context of the story; and rather than seeing the author’s hand in it, they felt like two fully fleshed characters acting like real people.)
- Lol okay, Genevier getting to communicate with Michal was pretty comical, in a good way. It made me like Celie’s ability to speak to ghosts a lot more!
- I had a sneaking suspicion that Celie wearing red would be the key to getting to where they wanted to go. And I honestly wish I was wrong, as that solution feels a bit too easy. (Also, I think it may have been a bit better if this was Celie and Michal’s first kiss, which it’s not.)
- Whaaaaaa…wait, Babett isn’t dead???
- Okay so… I still don’t understand why Babett faked her own death. And the spell that helped her do that seems a bit convenient. But I still like the shock of her not being dead.
- Actually, I take it back—I think Dimytri might be the Necromancer! Based off his interaction with Babett. OMG WAIT YES—that would explain why Dimitri has been tracking Celie’s blood since he first met her!!! I hope I’m right!!! (But then the other side of me is like, that’s too damn obvious. I mean, Dimitri might know something but still…maybe it’s Frederick at this rate.)
- I found it funny how Dimitri was like yo if Michal drinks from you, he’ll kill you, and thent ear our hearts out for letting him do that, and then kill the humans just for good measure because he’ll be pissed and heartbroken, lol. That many deaths wouldn’t be funny, but it’s funny how they think he would just go on a rampage over killing Celie.
- Oof, that heated convo between Celie and Michal after he feeds on her was so good! The intensity was THERE!
- Feels a bit convenient that she, and only she, just now realizes the cross is a locket, because her finger made the exact perfect movement.
- I’m confused about Celie’s relationship with Tears Like Stars—is their history from S&D?
- Run rot, Jean Lux found them in the coffin together! I don’t quite understand what went wrong—like did the sailor drop the coffin?
- I’m glad Celie got to have that final convo with Jean Luc. But I’m actually surprised Jean Luc let her go that easily? Like yes obviously she embarrassed him, but for all he knows, Celie is currently under the compulsion of a vampire and needs him help. So like… why give up on your fiancee so easily, dude? (Not that I wanted Celie to ultimately end up with Jean Luc.)
- I’m sure the audiobook narrator is doing her best, but I wish that some of the guy’s voices (especially Dimitri and Michal) sounded a bit more different. I get them confused sometimes as I’m listening.
- Aww that’s sad that Dimitri was just trying to get help for his addiction when Mila was murdered. :(
- Okay so Dimitri is definitely not the Necromancer. I wonder if it’s Evangeline in disguise? Or Frederick? Those are my top two suspects now.
- Ahhh that’s intriguing—the necromancer wants to kill Celie to resurrect her sister. In which case, yeah…I think it’s Frederick!
- Okay I love a good Masquerade ball but WTF why would Michal touch her silver dress on purpose??? You can absolutely dance with someone without touching their dress.
- ch47 Beau is hilarious outside lol!
- Aww wait was Beau gonna propose to Coco on her birthday??? Awww!!
- Is it bad that I don’t remember who Priscille and.or Juliet are??
- NGL, I wish it was so obvious that Michal was going to win every battle he gets into. I mean yes obviously Babett poisoned him. But whenever it’s Michal against another vampire, there’s never a sense of fear that he’ll lose. And thus so long as he’s in the vicinity of Celie, I never fear she’s actually in danger.
- Again, it feels a bit convenient that now Celie can travel into dream world to confront the necromancer (with Michal at her side too). Like, I wish she had developed and learned about this power over the book.
- I KNEW IT WAS FREDERICK!!!!
- Though I’m not sure I fully understand why he was such a jerk to her in the beginning of the book? And why Frederick was talking about becoming the new captain? And did he want to find Celie’s body dead (because then there’d be no blood)?
- Dang Pip was pregnant? And they were gonna name her Frostine????
- I mean let’s be honest—this is a duology so I KNEW Michal was coming back!
- While I didn’t fully expect Frederick to kill Celie, I did expect Michal to turn her into a vampire at some point!
- That last scene was absolute chaos! And like I get it—Dimitri wants the book to cure his blood lust. But surely another blood witch could help him find it later on? Like was it really worth hurting his twin over???
- I think overall, the romance between Celie and Michal could’ve developed a bit more seamlessly. But I thought it was pretty good overall (if I ignore the hugely obvious age gap).
All and all, I had fun reading this book, even if it wasn’t perfect. I am definitely intrigued with that ending and absolutely plan to read the sequel once it comes out!
Well this book pleasantly surprised me! I didn’t expect to enjoy it as much as I did, to be honest! Was it a perfect book? Not at all. But I enjoyed The Scarlet Veil for the book that it is, and it is a fun time. In fact, I can’t remember the last time I read a book this long in such a short amount of time (for me personally), listening to the audiobook for several hours a day!
I think some of the characterization is why I couldn’t give this book a solid 4 stars or higher. I love all the characters, but some of their actions left me kinda confused. For example, Celie sometimes came across as smart, and other times ditzy—so the inconsistency was annoying.
I also felt that the plot could’ve been stronger, in that I felt like the book started as a murder mystery, and then it forgot the it was supposed to be a murder mystery until around the halfway point. So I think the story/pacing could have been shorter/tighter to remedy this. Also, I feel like a lot of things that happened were just convenient for the plot in the particular moment (and that’s okay if it happens once or twice, but I feel like it happened a lot).
Anyway, this is one of those books where it’s enjoyable if you turn your brain off.
NOTES I TOOK WHILE READING (contains spoilers and poorly spelt names):
- The prologue has definitely intrigued me! This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and I like her writing style so far.
- The first chapter was kinda mid for me
- The second chapter had many chapters from the Serpent and Dove trilogy. So I’m sure many fans of that series love that! I haven’t read it, so I’m not emotionally attached to those characters. Thus, the chapter about missing mass and hanging out playing cards and drinking was just fine. The only intriguing part was learning her sister was dead. And the dream about her sister was intriguing.
- I like how protective Jean Luc is, not gonna lie. Mainly because Celie really is proving to be a weak hunts(wo)man.
- From Celie’s fight with Frederick on, the story is starting to get interesting. I’m pleasantly surprised! Not a lot is happening plot wise, but I like the character dynamics.
- I like how we the readers know that it’s a vampire who killed Babet (and likely the other dead bodies), but Celie doesn’t—because vampires aren’t well-known in this world.
- Ch6 with the mysterious cold was fun! I love how flirty he is already.
- Ah I like how the Vampire King seems to detect some kind of magic in Celie. I’m interested in finding out what it is! (And I wonder if it has to do with her killing that super powerful witch in the S&D trilogy?)
- Oooh the sailors having puncture wounds on their throats is great! I also low-key love the threat of the sailors swimming after Celie, and thus they all freezing to death.
- IDK why, but my gut is telling me this vampire was responsible/involved with Pippa’s death.
- I’ll be honest that I don’t understand all the French terms—likely because I didn’t read the first trilogy, and because I don’t speak French. So that’s kinda a bummer
- I really love the chapter titles a lot! (especially the Hell is Empty—and how it connected to the ending of that chapter)
- I understand that Miichal is a thousand-year-old vampire king, so he’s probably just as bored as he is petty. But I’m not sure I understand why he’s targeting Coco. Like yes, a blood witch took something from him, but I don’t understand why he wants to target a blood witch who did nothing to him in return?
- I know Celie didn’t know what a vampire was, but surely she could’ve used context clues to know what compulsion was before Odessa used it on her! Like, if you have secret plans, why would you risk the vampires finding out? Like, I feel like this was a matter of common sense (or last thereof).
- Though I love a talking cat, this boutique chapter is going on for a bit too long. (I already knew this book would be long going in; and I can tell that there have a been a couple scenes thus far that can be cut or shortened. And I’m sure they’ll be more.)
- Oh I like how the island doesn’t have mirrors or silver! I also like how these vampires don’t drink human blood because it’s weak and thin—much more interesting!
- I feel like Michal throws a lot of empty threats at Celie, so I don’t feel like she’s ever actually in danger when she’s with him.
- It seems a bit random / chosen-one-y that Celie was touched by death. Like, why was she? It feels random.
- Lol dang Michal just ripped that expensive dress in half? Shoulda just said thank you Celie.
- I’ll be honest that I read 40% of this book (which is 7 hours and 25 minutes of the audiobook) in one sitting, in my first sitting. Thru chapter 21. I saw some reviews that said they DNFed around 25%, so I expected I might do the same. But I’m so glad I’m enjoying this story! In fact, I don’t remember a book where I read so much in one sitting. Is this book perfect no? But I’m enjoying for what it is.
- I admit that some of the dialogue and idioms use feel a bit too modern for this world. But I still enjoy the banter between characters nonetheless.
- Wait sorry…I’m on ch22, and when did Celie definitively figure out how to cross between the veil of the living and dead??
- Speaking of ch22, there’s a lot of “telling” rather than showing when Celie is searching Michal’s office. And some of the internal conversation about her plan is a bit obvious and unnecessary. Like, we know Michal cannot find out he’ll punish her—it’s obvious!
- Ooooh Mila is the ghost, and the sister of Michal! I didn’t get it until after she left his study and repeated it while talking to Odessa. But wait….didn’t Mila say Michal broke her heart?
- I believe Mila that Michal didn’t kill all those people. The question is, who did…
- That letter is NOT going to your friends, Celie. Cmon now.
- It seemed a bit cartoonish that Michal could just reach into the other vampire’s chests and pull out there heart so easily.
- Interesting how at the end of ch25, she had the urge to kiss him after drinking his healing blood… not sure how the two are connected, but I don’t mind it.
- Ch26: Celie. Girl. Mila already said in an earlier chapter that her brother, Michal, did not kill her. Why are you concluding that AGAIn when we already established that is not why she doesn’t want to see him? Like, I wish Celia didn’t come across as so dumb sometimes, as it ruins the story for me.
- It is only now, in the middle of ch27, that it became clear to me that Cosette (who Celie pretended to be at the beginning) and Coco are the same person. I’m sure those who read the S&D trilogy knew that, but I wish that had been more clearly/blantantly establish earlier on!
- At this point, Dimytri feels like a red herring to me—we’re only 50% into the book, so I feel like it’s too early to reveal the real killer. And I don’t think it was Coco either.
- Also, I find it interesting how only now, at about the 50% mark, we are focusing on finding this serial killer (who is likely a vampire given the puncture wounds on the neck). Like, while I have been enjoying the story thus far, I feel like we could’ve begun this search a lot sooner—like, the pacing could have been tightened up to stay focused on the main plot a bit more, in my opinion. But like I said, I don’t dislike what I’ve read thus far—I just honestly forgot that this was supposed to be a murder mystery after Celie was kidnapped.
- Something I don’t love is how Celie’s intelligence feels inconsistent. Like, sometimes she comes across as smart, in a way that makes up for her lack of physical strength. And other times it seems like she’s getting ditzier as the story goes on.
- Ahh, I reach the “there’s only one coffin” scene at the end of ch29. In reality, there was definitely more than one coffin to choose from…but I still like the spirit of the scene.
- Given the prophecy from the pythoness, I’m gonna guess that Celie is ultimately gonna die…and return as a vampire (because Michal turns her to save her).
- I like this Eden place—from the entrance to the inside. Very cool concept!
- So, I like the sensual scenes between Celie and Michal, but I feel like some of their intimate interactions feel forced—as in the author is doing it heavy handedly, like forcing two dolls to kiss. Like, the forced proximity that happens between them most of the time isn’t necessary, so it’s like why are they touching each other like that? (Don’t get me wrong—I want them to develop a romantic relationship as the story goes on. I just wish the development felt less forced, and made more sense in the context of the story; and rather than seeing the author’s hand in it, they felt like two fully fleshed characters acting like real people.)
- Lol okay, Genevier getting to communicate with Michal was pretty comical, in a good way. It made me like Celie’s ability to speak to ghosts a lot more!
- I had a sneaking suspicion that Celie wearing red would be the key to getting to where they wanted to go. And I honestly wish I was wrong, as that solution feels a bit too easy. (Also, I think it may have been a bit better if this was Celie and Michal’s first kiss, which it’s not.)
- Whaaaaaa…wait, Babett isn’t dead???
- Okay so… I still don’t understand why Babett faked her own death. And the spell that helped her do that seems a bit convenient. But I still like the shock of her not being dead.
- Actually, I take it back—I think Dimytri might be the Necromancer! Based off his interaction with Babett. OMG WAIT YES—that would explain why Dimitri has been tracking Celie’s blood since he first met her!!! I hope I’m right!!! (But then the other side of me is like, that’s too damn obvious. I mean, Dimitri might know something but still…maybe it’s Frederick at this rate.)
- I found it funny how Dimitri was like yo if Michal drinks from you, he’ll kill you, and thent ear our hearts out for letting him do that, and then kill the humans just for good measure because he’ll be pissed and heartbroken, lol. That many deaths wouldn’t be funny, but it’s funny how they think he would just go on a rampage over killing Celie.
- Oof, that heated convo between Celie and Michal after he feeds on her was so good! The intensity was THERE!
- Feels a bit convenient that she, and only she, just now realizes the cross is a locket, because her finger made the exact perfect movement.
- I’m confused about Celie’s relationship with Tears Like Stars—is their history from S&D?
- Run rot, Jean Lux found them in the coffin together! I don’t quite understand what went wrong—like did the sailor drop the coffin?
- I’m glad Celie got to have that final convo with Jean Luc. But I’m actually surprised Jean Luc let her go that easily? Like yes obviously she embarrassed him, but for all he knows, Celie is currently under the compulsion of a vampire and needs him help. So like… why give up on your fiancee so easily, dude? (Not that I wanted Celie to ultimately end up with Jean Luc.)
- I’m sure the audiobook narrator is doing her best, but I wish that some of the guy’s voices (especially Dimitri and Michal) sounded a bit more different. I get them confused sometimes as I’m listening.
- Aww that’s sad that Dimitri was just trying to get help for his addiction when Mila was murdered. :(
- Okay so Dimitri is definitely not the Necromancer. I wonder if it’s Evangeline in disguise? Or Frederick? Those are my top two suspects now.
- Ahhh that’s intriguing—the necromancer wants to kill Celie to resurrect her sister. In which case, yeah…I think it’s Frederick!
- Okay I love a good Masquerade ball but WTF why would Michal touch her silver dress on purpose??? You can absolutely dance with someone without touching their dress.
- ch47 Beau is hilarious outside lol!
- Aww wait was Beau gonna propose to Coco on her birthday??? Awww!!
- Is it bad that I don’t remember who Priscille and.or Juliet are??
- NGL, I wish it was so obvious that Michal was going to win every battle he gets into. I mean yes obviously Babett poisoned him. But whenever it’s Michal against another vampire, there’s never a sense of fear that he’ll lose. And thus so long as he’s in the vicinity of Celie, I never fear she’s actually in danger.
- Again, it feels a bit convenient that now Celie can travel into dream world to confront the necromancer (with Michal at her side too). Like, I wish she had developed and learned about this power over the book.
- I KNEW IT WAS FREDERICK!!!!
- Though I’m not sure I fully understand why he was such a jerk to her in the beginning of the book? And why Frederick was talking about becoming the new captain? And did he want to find Celie’s body dead (because then there’d be no blood)?
- Dang Pip was pregnant? And they were gonna name her Frostine????
- I mean let’s be honest—this is a duology so I KNEW Michal was coming back!
- While I didn’t fully expect Frederick to kill Celie, I did expect Michal to turn her into a vampire at some point!
- That last scene was absolute chaos! And like I get it—Dimitri wants the book to cure his blood lust. But surely another blood witch could help him find it later on? Like was it really worth hurting his twin over???
- I think overall, the romance between Celie and Michal could’ve developed a bit more seamlessly. But I thought it was pretty good overall (if I ignore the hugely obvious age gap).
All and all, I had fun reading this book, even if it wasn’t perfect. I am definitely intrigued with that ending and absolutely plan to read the sequel once it comes out!
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
Sarah J Maas is my favorite author, and this book filled a void not many other books have been able to since SJM’s.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m a big fan of the writer but vampirism isn’t one of my go-tos for stories.
I loved that the story revolves around Célie, the least known member of the S&D gang, and we still got to encounter the previous cast from the last trilogy, whilst also opening up a new part of the fantasy world that we haven’t seen yet.
The romance element is scarce but considering the main love interest I applaud it. This series NEEDS to be a slow burn to do the characters justice. Célie has gone through two fiancées and is taking her blessed and deservedly so time deciding what she wants in life. Michal is ancient, royal, grumpy and trying to fight his attraction to Célie because he knows it could end in disaster. Their relationship needs to ferment and bloom. Whilst I love S&D book one I wish there were more pages of Lou and Reid bonding and falling for each other. It wouldn’t have been practical though, as what I’m asking for is a Mariana Zapata length book of them just co existing in their tiny room in the tower whilst falling in love.
SM likes to finish books with a chaotic last few chapters before a resolution of some sort (except Blood & Honey) so when I realised I had only 5 minutes left on my book and the world was essentially collapsing, I knew there would most definitely need to a sequel. I just ask that it comes out ASAP.
I loved that the story revolves around Célie, the least known member of the S&D gang, and we still got to encounter the previous cast from the last trilogy, whilst also opening up a new part of the fantasy world that we haven’t seen yet.
The romance element is scarce but considering the main love interest I applaud it. This series NEEDS to be a slow burn to do the characters justice. Célie has gone through two fiancées and is taking her blessed and deservedly so time deciding what she wants in life. Michal is ancient, royal, grumpy and trying to fight his attraction to Célie because he knows it could end in disaster. Their relationship needs to ferment and bloom. Whilst I love S&D book one I wish there were more pages of Lou and Reid bonding and falling for each other. It wouldn’t have been practical though, as what I’m asking for is a Mariana Zapata length book of them just co existing in their tiny room in the tower whilst falling in love.
SM likes to finish books with a chaotic last few chapters before a resolution of some sort (except Blood & Honey) so when I realised I had only 5 minutes left on my book and the world was essentially collapsing, I knew there would most definitely need to a sequel. I just ask that it comes out ASAP.
It was hard for me to get through it, didnt really like the FMC and the MMC.