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amybraunauthor's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating 3.5 (maybe?).
I really, really tried to give this one the benefit of the doubt and all the patience I could because I had invested so much into the series. Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat in the end.
The prose is still very good, and the action scenes and magic are lots of fun. The plot felt like one giant battle and wrap up stretched over the book. Most of the characters have a decent amount of development, but this also carried my major issue and complaint:
Terryn had little involvement in his actions, and Ayleth had no agency. While Terryn did act and serve his purpose, Ayleth quite literally spent most of the book being dragged around, frozen, or screaming. She didn't act when she could have, didn't fight as much as she claimed she would, and ultimately served to be a character I did not enjoy. It was a bit of a shame to see so much of her potential moved to other characters. It also got to the point where I thought Ayleth was being a little overdramatic and unwilling to change or forgive, and hence not grow.
While I did enjoy most of the series, it ultimately didn't reach the heights I hoped for it. Still, these are just my opinions and I encourage anyone interested in the series to check it out.
I really, really tried to give this one the benefit of the doubt and all the patience I could because I had invested so much into the series. Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat in the end.
The prose is still very good, and the action scenes and magic are lots of fun. The plot felt like one giant battle and wrap up stretched over the book. Most of the characters have a decent amount of development, but this also carried my major issue and complaint:
Terryn had little involvement in his actions, and Ayleth had no agency. While Terryn did act and serve his purpose, Ayleth quite literally spent most of the book being dragged around, frozen, or screaming. She didn't act when she could have, didn't fight as much as she claimed she would, and ultimately served to be a character I did not enjoy. It was a bit of a shame to see so much of her potential moved to other characters. It also got to the point where I thought Ayleth was being a little overdramatic and unwilling to change or forgive, and hence not grow.
While I did enjoy most of the series, it ultimately didn't reach the heights I hoped for it. Still, these are just my opinions and I encourage anyone interested in the series to check it out.
chikidude's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
brii_brii's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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? No
5.0
musgrovej's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-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
3.5
katharine2k's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
tense
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? Yes
4.0
smilelarke's review against another edition
5.0
Whew what a damn good ending for such a big series. Did not shy away from love and loss, but Im very satisfied with the way things came together.
tinydonats's review against another edition
3.0
Thank goodness I was not super invested because I know that ending would have effed me up. Whewww. I am a sucker for those kind of endings.
Anyway. I couldn't really enjoy this series until somewhere in the 5th book so I can't really give it a high rating but I will say it had its moments. Oh and the series is a quick read. I finished this 7 book series in like 3 days. And I didn't even like it. No offense, but I mean that as in, even without me passionately reading, it was quick.
For me, the characters could have used more personality. I felt like I was watching them do things most times rather than experiencing things with them. We get a bit more vulnerability and personality in the last 3 books but this is a 7 book series so I can't, in good conscience, overlook that so easily. The story telling itself was not my cup of tea. The pacing wasn't consistent and I spent 4 books frustrated over the lack of plot revelations. It was like walking blind when we could have been turned on the lights. The plot revelations, when finally given, were info dumps. The redemption arcs weren't strong enough to move me. Granted, that could be due to my lack of connection with the characters. The relationships all felt sudden to me. There wasn't a lot of romance in this series, but when it was there, it was stark and didn't feel natural to me. I never felt like I fully understood the dynamics of this world, the venators, the shades, or the magic. Like how did she rule for 200 years? They say time doesn't matter but like, she was mortal, I don't know it wasn't really explained... But things like that, the details, the world building, I couldn't fully grasp the world of this book. Even now, 7 books later, it is patchy to me.
It really just didn't connect with me unfortunately. You know when you read a book and there are little things that might rub you the wrong way, but you can look past it? Benefit of the doubt and all that. I got hung up on those little things at the beginning and I dwelled on them too long to actually enjoy the series. Usually, I let it go, but I just didn't so it's on me. Mind over matter but I couldn't mind my mind. Something like that.
Overall, it's a 3.5 star series for me. I know there are heaps of people who love this series so please don't hate me Sylvia, I'm happy you got to tell your story.
Anyway. I couldn't really enjoy this series until somewhere in the 5th book so I can't really give it a high rating but I will say it had its moments. Oh and the series is a quick read. I finished this 7 book series in like 3 days. And I didn't even like it. No offense, but I mean that as in, even without me passionately reading, it was quick.
For me, the characters could have used more personality. I felt like I was watching them do things most times rather than experiencing things with them. We get a bit more vulnerability and personality in the last 3 books but this is a 7 book series so I can't, in good conscience, overlook that so easily. The story telling itself was not my cup of tea. The pacing wasn't consistent and I spent 4 books frustrated over the lack of plot revelations. It was like walking blind when we could have been turned on the lights. The plot revelations, when finally given, were info dumps. The redemption arcs weren't strong enough to move me. Granted, that could be due to my lack of connection with the characters. The relationships all felt sudden to me. There wasn't a lot of romance in this series, but when it was there, it was stark and didn't feel natural to me. I never felt like I fully understood the dynamics of this world, the venators, the shades, or the magic. Like how did she rule for 200 years? They say time doesn't matter but like, she was mortal, I don't know it wasn't really explained... But things like that, the details, the world building, I couldn't fully grasp the world of this book. Even now, 7 books later, it is patchy to me.
It really just didn't connect with me unfortunately. You know when you read a book and there are little things that might rub you the wrong way, but you can look past it? Benefit of the doubt and all that. I got hung up on those little things at the beginning and I dwelled on them too long to actually enjoy the series. Usually, I let it go, but I just didn't so it's on me. Mind over matter but I couldn't mind my mind. Something like that.
Overall, it's a 3.5 star series for me. I know there are heaps of people who love this series so please don't hate me Sylvia, I'm happy you got to tell your story.
unapologetic_romantic's review
4.0
I think I'm broken. That broke me.
The ending of this series is in no way what I expected. I'm sad that It's ended. There is still so much going on in Perrinion and I would gladly come along for the ride!
Having re-read the first 5 books of this series I realise how much I love the start. The build-up of the story, getting to know the characters, and how they in turn get to know each other. I love the bad guys, The Crimson Devils are fearsome and it honestly delights me. I was enthralled by Dread Odile, I wanted to know so much about her and was more than ready to dive into her past/have her rise up again in the now.
When I started Queen of Poison I was slightly disappointed that the Crimson Devils were failing, that while Odile was back she was weakened and the fevered ardor of her Devils was somewhat lacking now that she was back, suppressed by fear. Understandable but I wanted them to be so much more powerful. That being said I was more than happy to see where this story would lead.
The conclusion to this series felt a bit fast for me. The whole story, through all the books, was fast-paced but also seemed packed with details and action and tension, the last two books felt more rushed which was disappointing. I wouldn't have minded if the series carried on for another 5 books and was packed full of as many happenings as the first 5. I want so much more from Ayleth and Terryn. SO MUCH MORE. So much more.
However, I still enjoyed this book, this conclusion. It ended on a happy for now, which is my favorite ending, even if it does leave me feeling broken and not sure if I wanted to continue crying or if I should be jumping with joy.
The ending of this series is in no way what I expected. I'm sad that It's ended. There is still so much going on in Perrinion and I would gladly come along for the ride!
Having re-read the first 5 books of this series I realise how much I love the start. The build-up of the story, getting to know the characters, and how they in turn get to know each other. I love the bad guys, The Crimson Devils are fearsome and it honestly delights me. I was enthralled by Dread Odile, I wanted to know so much about her and was more than ready to dive into her past/have her rise up again in the now.
When I started Queen of Poison I was slightly disappointed that the Crimson Devils were failing, that while Odile was back she was weakened and the fevered ardor of her Devils was somewhat lacking now that she was back, suppressed by fear. Understandable but I wanted them to be so much more powerful. That being said I was more than happy to see where this story would lead.
The conclusion to this series felt a bit fast for me. The whole story, through all the books, was fast-paced but also seemed packed with details and action and tension, the last two books felt more rushed which was disappointing. I wouldn't have minded if the series carried on for another 5 books and was packed full of as many happenings as the first 5. I want so much more from Ayleth and Terryn. SO MUCH MORE. So much more.
However, I still enjoyed this book, this conclusion. It ended on a happy for now, which is my favorite ending, even if it does leave me feeling broken and not sure if I wanted to continue crying or if I should be jumping with joy.
auora1484's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
licensetoshelbs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75