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someonetookit's review against another edition
2.0
Let me start by saying I loved the first novel in this series so freaking much. It was punchy and intriguing and blew me away with its premise of witches who could send their consciousness through time. Alas, Flights of Marigolds fails to live up to the hype that my own brain threw at me as I requested this one from Netgalley last year. It has literally taken me 12 months to read this novel so it might be an indication of what’s to come.
Where the previous novel was relatively fast paced and intriguing, this one is so slow in getting to any degree of point. A large proportion of the first 1/3 to 1/2 is occupied discussing Janat's addiction to her own potions. Had it been woven throughout the narrative in a way that the entire story didn't gravitate around it being the major plot point, I feel I probably would have enjoyed it more. Instead, I frequently wanted to put it down because this is touted as a magical fantasy, not an emotion laden contemporary.
I also took issue with the timing throughout the novel. Being the tale of three sisters (Meg, Janat and Rennika), one would expect all three to be present. Instead Rennika doesn’t make an appearance until around the half way point – being my fave due to the sass and snark she gives in Bursts, it was a serious let down for me. This is not to say that series of novels shouldn't take part from multiple main protags POV throughout. Zoraida Cordova expertly weaves a tale of sisters with her Brooklyn Brujas novels without it being disjointed; Seanan McGuire does it insanely well in her Wayward Children novellas. Here it just doesn't seem to put the pieces together in a way that keeps the story flowing.
Overall, this was definitely a let down for me. The pace was off, the characters shallow, and the whole narrative was grating on my patience. While it wasn't for me, I feel those who love the pace of Tessa Gratton or Phillipa Gregory would probably love it and its pace
Where the previous novel was relatively fast paced and intriguing, this one is so slow in getting to any degree of point. A large proportion of the first 1/3 to 1/2 is occupied discussing Janat's addiction to her own potions. Had it been woven throughout the narrative in a way that the entire story didn't gravitate around it being the major plot point, I feel I probably would have enjoyed it more. Instead, I frequently wanted to put it down because this is touted as a magical fantasy, not an emotion laden contemporary.
I also took issue with the timing throughout the novel. Being the tale of three sisters (Meg, Janat and Rennika), one would expect all three to be present. Instead Rennika doesn’t make an appearance until around the half way point – being my fave due to the sass and snark she gives in Bursts, it was a serious let down for me. This is not to say that series of novels shouldn't take part from multiple main protags POV throughout. Zoraida Cordova expertly weaves a tale of sisters with her Brooklyn Brujas novels without it being disjointed; Seanan McGuire does it insanely well in her Wayward Children novellas. Here it just doesn't seem to put the pieces together in a way that keeps the story flowing.
Overall, this was definitely a let down for me. The pace was off, the characters shallow, and the whole narrative was grating on my patience. While it wasn't for me, I feel those who love the pace of Tessa Gratton or Phillipa Gregory would probably love it and its pace
history_bot's review
2.0
Read my full review over on my blog!
Flights of Marigold is the second book in the Addicted to Heaven series by Susan Forest, and hits the shelves today, August 11. I’m very appreciative to Netgalley and Laksa Media Groups for the opportunity to read and review this eARC, and you can also read my review of the first book, Bursts of Fire. To recap my review of Book 1: the characters were compelling and the story had a lot of potential, but the pacing and plot issues made it a struggle to get through, and I was hoping that these issues would be fixed in the next installment.
And in good news, they were! For the most part, anyway. Rather than trying to cram two years of events into one book, in order to cover all of the back story, Flights of Marigold takes place over an abbreviated time span of a few months. Janat is struggling more with her addiction to glim, causing her to abuse alcohol and potions, and Meg realizes that they need to leave the uprisers in order to care for her. Janat wants to stay with their sister, Rennika, and when Meg hears a rumor that the true Amber might be there, instead of smashed by King Huwen, she agrees. If she can recover the Amber prayer stone, she can travel to Heaven and the gods can grant her prayers, as well as provide prayer stones for the people so that when they die, they can go to Heaven.
Flights of Marigold did live up to a lot of the potential that Bursts of Fire had, and I think that Forest is definitely improving and I’m sure that the series is on an upward trend. However, an instance of biphobia—as well as the lack of diversity in the series, and the coopting of an East Asian setting even though the characters seem very white, which I talked about in my Bursts of Fire review—means that this series really isn’t worth it to me, which is a shame because I still think the magic system is one of the most interesting that I’ve come across. I wish the best of luck to Susan Forest, and hope that she’ll be able to improve these aspects in her writing.
Disclaimer: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Flights of Marigold is the second book in the Addicted to Heaven series by Susan Forest, and hits the shelves today, August 11. I’m very appreciative to Netgalley and Laksa Media Groups for the opportunity to read and review this eARC, and you can also read my review of the first book, Bursts of Fire. To recap my review of Book 1: the characters were compelling and the story had a lot of potential, but the pacing and plot issues made it a struggle to get through, and I was hoping that these issues would be fixed in the next installment.
And in good news, they were! For the most part, anyway. Rather than trying to cram two years of events into one book, in order to cover all of the back story, Flights of Marigold takes place over an abbreviated time span of a few months. Janat is struggling more with her addiction to glim, causing her to abuse alcohol and potions, and Meg realizes that they need to leave the uprisers in order to care for her. Janat wants to stay with their sister, Rennika, and when Meg hears a rumor that the true Amber might be there, instead of smashed by King Huwen, she agrees. If she can recover the Amber prayer stone, she can travel to Heaven and the gods can grant her prayers, as well as provide prayer stones for the people so that when they die, they can go to Heaven.
Flights of Marigold did live up to a lot of the potential that Bursts of Fire had, and I think that Forest is definitely improving and I’m sure that the series is on an upward trend. However, an instance of biphobia—as well as the lack of diversity in the series, and the coopting of an East Asian setting even though the characters seem very white, which I talked about in my Bursts of Fire review—means that this series really isn’t worth it to me, which is a shame because I still think the magic system is one of the most interesting that I’ve come across. I wish the best of luck to Susan Forest, and hope that she’ll be able to improve these aspects in her writing.
Disclaimer: I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
jeanette13's review
5.0
This is the second book in the Addicted to Heaven series. We follow the continuing journey of Meg, Janat, and Rennika. All three sisters come together as they search for the fabled prayer stone, while battling the effects of addiction on their relationships, and hiding the who they are. The author paints a vivid world, real relationships, and strong characters.
A engaging read placed in a fantasy world with a powerful story about addiction. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy.
A engaging read placed in a fantasy world with a powerful story about addiction. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy.
ksmarsden's review against another edition
3.0
Meg, Janat and Rennika are magiels that have escaped being hunted. Now the sisters have to survive the new world.
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It starts with Meg, who is doing her part for the rebellion, healing their fighters, and trying to knock sense into their squabbling leaders. She soon realises that this isn't best place for her magic-addicted sister, Janat.
Together, they leave the rebels, trying to find a new path, wanting to heal, and find honest work.
When they eventually reunite with Rennika, they inevitably get drawn back into the politics and drama.
Bursts of Fire (Addicted to Heaven #1) was one of my favourite books last year. It has an interesting magic system, where the backlash of using magic is the magiel slips through their own timeline.
Each kingdom has a prayer stone, where the royal magiel transcends to heaven, to deliver prayers for the kingdom, and return with death tokens for their people. People who die without death tokens are doomed to roam the world as ghosts for eternity.
This system still exists in the sequel, although it is somewhat battered after the war.
I didn't fall in love with this story. It felt like the stereotypical mid-series-book, where the characters are dealing with the fall-out of the first book, and have no real agency.
For 60% of the book, they are running from the fight, having had enough of the rebellion. They have to avoid the rebels, and the High King's army. They also have to figure out how to live in a world that treats them like scum, because of the magic visible in their skin. Meg and Janat take on basic, menial work, for room and board, merely existing.
Yes, they have to take care of Janat's addiction - and I thought this was a very real and frustrating depiction - but I just couldn't connect.
Rennika doesn't even show up until the second half of the book. I liked this youngest sister, who was building up to something awesome in the first book. In this second installment, all of her drive has been replaced by the security of having a job as a master dyer.
She has turned her back on everything, including her magic.
I think with all the sisters saying 'screw this' to the bigger picture, and getting on with dull life stuff, it was really hard to be engaged.
The narration is also shared by several of the 'enemies', including the High King, his ambitious sister, and even more ambitious regent.
The Princess is easily the most cunning in the group; but overall I thought their political clashes were more petty squabbles than actual intrigue.
I'm still interested to see where this series leads, it was just a shame about this installment.
I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
It starts with Meg, who is doing her part for the rebellion, healing their fighters, and trying to knock sense into their squabbling leaders. She soon realises that this isn't best place for her magic-addicted sister, Janat.
Together, they leave the rebels, trying to find a new path, wanting to heal, and find honest work.
When they eventually reunite with Rennika, they inevitably get drawn back into the politics and drama.
Bursts of Fire (Addicted to Heaven #1) was one of my favourite books last year. It has an interesting magic system, where the backlash of using magic is the magiel slips through their own timeline.
Each kingdom has a prayer stone, where the royal magiel transcends to heaven, to deliver prayers for the kingdom, and return with death tokens for their people. People who die without death tokens are doomed to roam the world as ghosts for eternity.
This system still exists in the sequel, although it is somewhat battered after the war.
I didn't fall in love with this story. It felt like the stereotypical mid-series-book, where the characters are dealing with the fall-out of the first book, and have no real agency.
For 60% of the book, they are running from the fight, having had enough of the rebellion. They have to avoid the rebels, and the High King's army. They also have to figure out how to live in a world that treats them like scum, because of the magic visible in their skin. Meg and Janat take on basic, menial work, for room and board, merely existing.
Yes, they have to take care of Janat's addiction - and I thought this was a very real and frustrating depiction - but I just couldn't connect.
Rennika doesn't even show up until the second half of the book. I liked this youngest sister, who was building up to something awesome in the first book. In this second installment, all of her drive has been replaced by the security of having a job as a master dyer.
She has turned her back on everything, including her magic.
I think with all the sisters saying 'screw this' to the bigger picture, and getting on with dull life stuff, it was really hard to be engaged.
The narration is also shared by several of the 'enemies', including the High King, his ambitious sister, and even more ambitious regent.
The Princess is easily the most cunning in the group; but overall I thought their political clashes were more petty squabbles than actual intrigue.
I'm still interested to see where this series leads, it was just a shame about this installment.
camilleisreading's review against another edition
3.0
eARC from Netgalley
Setting aside at 33% complete. Since this is an ARC and feedback is time-sensitive, I'm giving my review prior to finishing it. I'll update once I finish, also.
---
If you liked the first one, you'll like the second one. I wasn't aware this was the second in a series when I requested it, so listened to the audio prior to reading this. (Had I known, I probably wouldn't have requested - the first was a 3 star for me and I was only mildly interested in finding out what happened next.)
Like the first in the series, this book follows the three Falkyn/Falconer sisters, several (7? ish?) years after the conclusion of the first novel.
That's about it so far. I'm one-third of the way through the novel and the only new information is:
1) the public's opinion of magiels has changed due to the High King's war,
2) the rebellion is suffering from in-fighting among leadership, and
3) the three sisters' relationships with each other are strained due to life, substance use, and circumstance.
I'm pretty bored, so I'm setting this aside for now. I'm planning on finishing it, but not soon. Giving a preemptive 3 stars, because that's what the first one got (primarily for good world-building; I was bored with that one, too).
Setting aside at 33% complete. Since this is an ARC and feedback is time-sensitive, I'm giving my review prior to finishing it. I'll update once I finish, also.
---
If you liked the first one, you'll like the second one. I wasn't aware this was the second in a series when I requested it, so listened to the audio prior to reading this. (Had I known, I probably wouldn't have requested - the first was a 3 star for me and I was only mildly interested in finding out what happened next.)
Like the first in the series, this book follows the three Falkyn/Falconer sisters, several (7? ish?) years after the conclusion of the first novel.
That's about it so far. I'm one-third of the way through the novel and the only new information is:
1) the public's opinion of magiels has changed due to the High King's war,
2) the rebellion is suffering from in-fighting among leadership, and
3) the three sisters' relationships with each other are strained due to life, substance use, and circumstance.
I'm pretty bored, so I'm setting this aside for now. I'm planning on finishing it, but not soon. Giving a preemptive 3 stars, because that's what the first one got (primarily for good world-building; I was bored with that one, too).
librarycryptid's review against another edition
3.0
almost 2 stars, but in the end 3 since it was better than the first book. review to come
slow_reader's review against another edition
3.0
The magic system in this book is one of the more interesting ones I’ve come across. Magiels and their shimmering skin and the time cost of the magic offer an interesting view on the costs the magical characters have to weigh to use their magic.
While a solidly written book with an interesting magic system, it wasn’t enough for me. It isn’t like it’s badly written, I just wasn’t pulled in. I didn’t care enough for the characters to want to watch them get to safety, and for one to struggle with her own inner demons and the problems it caused for others.
The parts that were meant to be exciting and full of action were also boring to me. I just found myself not caring about the outcomes. It’s a solidly written book and a decent enough read. But I won’t be reaching for it again.
While a solidly written book with an interesting magic system, it wasn’t enough for me. It isn’t like it’s badly written, I just wasn’t pulled in. I didn’t care enough for the characters to want to watch them get to safety, and for one to struggle with her own inner demons and the problems it caused for others.
The parts that were meant to be exciting and full of action were also boring to me. I just found myself not caring about the outcomes. It’s a solidly written book and a decent enough read. But I won’t be reaching for it again.
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