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freadomlibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating 4.5 stars
Getting better but damn some of these characters though
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/
Check out my series review for the first three books here: https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/2016/09/19/series-review-falling-kingdoms-1-3-by-morgan-rhodes/
Critically
Plot – 4 out of 5 stars
much more exciting than the first one but still boring beginning, it’s full of action, betrayals, magic, violence and death, the folklore and legends are developed and expanded on, this one is also much darker than the first book, the world building is also much greater in this one
Writing Style – 4 out of 5 stars
multiple and distinct POVs, visual, descriptive, engaging, easy to read, more fast paced though the beginning is still slow, the author tends to use declarations of love/romance and deaths as shock factors which become sort of predictable after awhile
Characters – 4 out of 5 stars
Cleo is definitely getting a bit of backbone in this book. She’s got her vengeful spirit on and she’s fierce against the people she does not like. However, she can get easily distracted from her goal by other things and she gets easily persuaded by other people. Yet I loved her determination and I hope she succeeds.
Oh Magnus. He’s still a little arrogant douche but he has a vulnerable side that is slowly coming out. He kind of gets kicked around a lot and he has a wounded pride. But he’s still fierce and determined to be a badass. But I don’t know how I feel about him completely.
Lucia just makes me want to give her a poor hug. She’s lost and vulnerable and doesn’t really have anyone to talk to. Her powers are beyond her control and there isn’t anyone around who can explain things to her but I feel like she will become a force to be reckoned with.
Jonas just can’t catch a break. He lets his emotions get the better of him and is always angry. He makes decisions and jumps into dangerous situations without thinking them through rationally. He’s definitely not the smartest rebel leader but his heart is in the right place.
Emotionally
After not really loving the first book, I didn’t know what to expect from the second book but I’m glad I enjoyed it a lot more.
The plot is dark. We’re back in Mytica with our eclectic cast of characters. Each are in different stages within the plot but they’re all constantly in danger. There are so many different things going on all at once that it almost became too much to keep up with. The rebel cause has started growing but they don’t have the man power or the courage to start making any real difference in their situations. The world itself and how the author built it in this book was a lot more in depth. We are traveling deeper into each kingdom so we get to see more of the lives of the people who aren’t directly in the plot. We’re also given a lot more insight into the magic system. The prophecy, what certain things are used for and how much each character knows about it all comes together and it’s really interesting to see how far apart but close they all are. Even with all of that, the plot was still slow in the beginning and I’m not completely sold on the story. The tension and high stakes are missing for me. There are so many different POVs that as a reader, I feel all knowing and that makes it so not even the plot twists surprise me anymore. I know there’s going to be a lot of deaths, I know things won’t happen the way they’re planned and it takes away from my overall enjoyment of the book. Yet I’m still intrigued and interested to see how things will play out in the next book.
Cleo is definitely much more tolerable in this book. She’s kind of between a rock and a hard place considering she’s basically a prisoner of war. She’s not as annoying because she is more focused on vengeance and getting her throne back but she gets easily distracted and lets boys cloud her judgement too easily.
Magnus is still an arrogant little shit head but we get to know a lot more of his personality and intentions in this book. He has a softer, kinder soul than he lets people see and I liked that contrast about him. But I’m still not sold.
Jonas is turning out to be a stupid hothead and that makes me kind of mad. I really liked him in the first book because I thought he had his shit together and was the smartest but this book destroyed that idea. He’s getting reckless, not thinking his plans through and it definitely costs him a lot. It makes him vulnerable to the evil he’s fighting which is not good.
I consider Lucia to be officially a crazy lady. The girl is turning out to be a psycho. She’s super powerful and everything but I think the power is controlling her instead of visa versa. And even with all of that, she’s still the most easily manipulated character in the entire series. And. It’s. So. Frustrating. Girl needs to get her act together and something needs to pop off with all these people.
Overall, I was hoping this series would be an instant favorite for me but it wasn’t. It took me a long time to be really invested in the story and into the characters. I wish it was more action packed because that’s how I like my fantasy but there is a lot of potential in the last few books to make it an explosive ending which I hope happens. I am thinking of trying to read the Book Of Spirits And Thieves trilogy as well since it feels like it has more elements than this one.
Getting better but damn some of these characters though
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/
Check out my series review for the first three books here: https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/2016/09/19/series-review-falling-kingdoms-1-3-by-morgan-rhodes/
Critically
Plot – 4 out of 5 stars
much more exciting than the first one but still boring beginning, it’s full of action, betrayals, magic, violence and death, the folklore and legends are developed and expanded on, this one is also much darker than the first book, the world building is also much greater in this one
Writing Style – 4 out of 5 stars
multiple and distinct POVs, visual, descriptive, engaging, easy to read, more fast paced though the beginning is still slow, the author tends to use declarations of love/romance and deaths as shock factors which become sort of predictable after awhile
Characters – 4 out of 5 stars
Cleo is definitely getting a bit of backbone in this book. She’s got her vengeful spirit on and she’s fierce against the people she does not like. However, she can get easily distracted from her goal by other things and she gets easily persuaded by other people. Yet I loved her determination and I hope she succeeds.
Oh Magnus. He’s still a little arrogant douche but he has a vulnerable side that is slowly coming out. He kind of gets kicked around a lot and he has a wounded pride. But he’s still fierce and determined to be a badass. But I don’t know how I feel about him completely.
Lucia just makes me want to give her a poor hug. She’s lost and vulnerable and doesn’t really have anyone to talk to. Her powers are beyond her control and there isn’t anyone around who can explain things to her but I feel like she will become a force to be reckoned with.
Jonas just can’t catch a break. He lets his emotions get the better of him and is always angry. He makes decisions and jumps into dangerous situations without thinking them through rationally. He’s definitely not the smartest rebel leader but his heart is in the right place.
Emotionally
Spoiler
There is so much hype for this series that I expected a lot more. The first book was underwhelming, the second one was a bit better and by the third one I realized I have a love/hate relationship with this series.After not really loving the first book, I didn’t know what to expect from the second book but I’m glad I enjoyed it a lot more.
The plot is dark. We’re back in Mytica with our eclectic cast of characters. Each are in different stages within the plot but they’re all constantly in danger. There are so many different things going on all at once that it almost became too much to keep up with. The rebel cause has started growing but they don’t have the man power or the courage to start making any real difference in their situations. The world itself and how the author built it in this book was a lot more in depth. We are traveling deeper into each kingdom so we get to see more of the lives of the people who aren’t directly in the plot. We’re also given a lot more insight into the magic system. The prophecy, what certain things are used for and how much each character knows about it all comes together and it’s really interesting to see how far apart but close they all are. Even with all of that, the plot was still slow in the beginning and I’m not completely sold on the story. The tension and high stakes are missing for me. There are so many different POVs that as a reader, I feel all knowing and that makes it so not even the plot twists surprise me anymore. I know there’s going to be a lot of deaths, I know things won’t happen the way they’re planned and it takes away from my overall enjoyment of the book. Yet I’m still intrigued and interested to see how things will play out in the next book.
Cleo is definitely much more tolerable in this book. She’s kind of between a rock and a hard place considering she’s basically a prisoner of war. She’s not as annoying because she is more focused on vengeance and getting her throne back but she gets easily distracted and lets boys cloud her judgement too easily.
Magnus is still an arrogant little shit head but we get to know a lot more of his personality and intentions in this book. He has a softer, kinder soul than he lets people see and I liked that contrast about him. But I’m still not sold.
Jonas is turning out to be a stupid hothead and that makes me kind of mad. I really liked him in the first book because I thought he had his shit together and was the smartest but this book destroyed that idea. He’s getting reckless, not thinking his plans through and it definitely costs him a lot. It makes him vulnerable to the evil he’s fighting which is not good.
I consider Lucia to be officially a crazy lady. The girl is turning out to be a psycho. She’s super powerful and everything but I think the power is controlling her instead of visa versa. And even with all of that, she’s still the most easily manipulated character in the entire series. And. It’s. So. Frustrating. Girl needs to get her act together and something needs to pop off with all these people.
Overall, I was hoping this series would be an instant favorite for me but it wasn’t. It took me a long time to be really invested in the story and into the characters. I wish it was more action packed because that’s how I like my fantasy but there is a lot of potential in the last few books to make it an explosive ending which I hope happens. I am thinking of trying to read the Book Of Spirits And Thieves trilogy as well since it feels like it has more elements than this one.
joana_stormblessed's review against another edition
4.0
1st and 2dn read: so much death! so much intrigue!! I loved it so so so much!!! no words! wow
astheplotthickens24's review against another edition
5.0
As usual the cover was gorgeous <3 *insert thousand claps here with matching sound effects*
"But even the coldest hate can shift into something warmer if given enough time, just as an ugly caterpillar can turn into a beautiful butterfly."
There were so many deaths and there was a particular death that I am extremely happy it happened. I ended the first book with Cleo being my favorite character but now I'm not so sure anymore. She's the very definition of a princess, fragile, pretty and cowardly. She could have tried many things and see what will happen but she didn't! It frustrates the hell out of me. I still like Cleo but I am hoping to see her development as a character soon enough and while Lucia is also one of the main characters in this book I find it hard in me to find a connection with her, I found myself glad that she's becoming the villain in this book but the ending came so I wasn't sure if she'll still be one.
My current favorite now is Jonas and Magnus, the two doesn't go along pretty well but I like them and the fact they could possibly be infatuated with Cleo makes me so happy because I ship JoLeo and LeoNus (I suck at giving a pair name) I would gladly accept who Cleo would end up between the two of them. Jonas is the handsome rebel leader that I find really attractive coz he's sassy *squeals* and Magnus is the ice prince who looks heartless and cold on the outside but a really understanding person on the inside and that fact that Cleo couldn't see that makes me wanna hit her so bad she'll see the Kraeshan Empire.
It's finally taking shape, the main characters were starting to form a strange camaraderie with each other and I am so intrigued on what will happen next because this book was so unpredictable and I do certainly hope that Magnus, Jonas and Cleo will manage to stay alive at the end of the series. The King of Blood's greed will be his undoing and that was a certain fact.
The Rebel Spring is one of the coolest sequel that was ever made, I'm really satisfied on how the story flowed, weak characters were eliminated and even though there are some deaths just like that wasn't so appealing to me because she could have help the rebel's cause much better, I still do think that it was sacrifice that was meant to be made.
I love these book series and I do hope they'll release the Fifth book real quick because I will savour and finish these book for like a week considering that there are currently only four books.
5 stars :)
"But even the coldest hate can shift into something warmer if given enough time, just as an ugly caterpillar can turn into a beautiful butterfly."
There were so many deaths and there was a particular death that I am extremely happy it happened. I ended the first book with Cleo being my favorite character but now I'm not so sure anymore. She's the very definition of a princess, fragile, pretty and cowardly. She could have tried many things and see what will happen but she didn't! It frustrates the hell out of me. I still like Cleo but I am hoping to see her development as a character soon enough and while Lucia is also one of the main characters in this book I find it hard in me to find a connection with her, I found myself glad that she's becoming the villain in this book but the ending came so I wasn't sure if she'll still be one.
My current favorite now is Jonas and Magnus, the two doesn't go along pretty well but I like them and the fact they could possibly be infatuated with Cleo makes me so happy because I ship JoLeo and LeoNus (I suck at giving a pair name) I would gladly accept who Cleo would end up between the two of them. Jonas is the handsome rebel leader that I find really attractive coz he's sassy *squeals* and Magnus is the ice prince who looks heartless and cold on the outside but a really understanding person on the inside and that fact that Cleo couldn't see that makes me wanna hit her so bad she'll see the Kraeshan Empire.
It's finally taking shape, the main characters were starting to form a strange camaraderie with each other and I am so intrigued on what will happen next because this book was so unpredictable and I do certainly hope that Magnus, Jonas and Cleo will manage to stay alive at the end of the series. The King of Blood's greed will be his undoing and that was a certain fact.
The Rebel Spring is one of the coolest sequel that was ever made, I'm really satisfied on how the story flowed, weak characters were eliminated and even though there are some deaths just like
Spoiler
Phaedra's deathI love these book series and I do hope they'll release the Fifth book real quick because I will savour and finish these book for like a week considering that there are currently only four books.
5 stars :)
teeggzz's review against another edition
5.0
This book was phenomenal.
I was expecting to like this book as much as the first one because I read Falling Kingdoms about a year ago but it was soooo good.
Obviously the characters aren't perfect and not very likeable at times but is still loves it. The plot kept me in suspense the whole time and I was never bored.
The kiss between Cleo and Jonas kinda came out of nowhere and don't really think it was needed. I actually cracked up laughing because it was so unexpected.
I honestly found myself really hating Lucia and her attitude this novel idk why but she just really pissed me off.
The magic in this is just amazing and there were so many heart stopping moments and an immense amount of bloodshed. Loved it!
I was expecting to like this book as much as the first one because I read Falling Kingdoms about a year ago but it was soooo good.
Obviously the characters aren't perfect and not very likeable at times but is still loves it. The plot kept me in suspense the whole time and I was never bored.
The kiss between Cleo and Jonas kinda came out of nowhere and don't really think it was needed. I actually cracked up laughing because it was so unexpected.
I honestly found myself really hating Lucia and her attitude this novel idk why but she just really pissed me off.
The magic in this is just amazing and there were so many heart stopping moments and an immense amount of bloodshed. Loved it!
halynah's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty good sequel, but the appearance of Lysandra spoilt everything for me - to my mind, she is unnecessary character and because of her Jonas became a boring character. Cleo was not so great as in the first book either. The only character, who improved, was Magnus.
sapphyi's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
curlyc90's review against another edition
3.0
3.5-4
I think the love triangles are what got me. It was just too much. He loves her but is falling for her and she loves him but also loves him. 😐 Annoying.
The rest of this sequel was written well. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives and the fast paced action. Ready for the third book hopefully be love triangles aren't sooo present and some things get resolved.
Currently rooting for Magnus and Cleo. And rooting for Cleo and Lucia's friendship to blossom.
I think the love triangles are what got me. It was just too much. He loves her but is falling for her and she loves him but also loves him. 😐 Annoying.
The rest of this sequel was written well. I enjoyed the multiple perspectives and the fast paced action. Ready for the third book hopefully be love triangles aren't sooo present and some things get resolved.
Currently rooting for Magnus and Cleo. And rooting for Cleo and Lucia's friendship to blossom.
sophieboddice's review against another edition
3.0
This took me so long to read. I enjoyed it, not as much as the first book though
kaspreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kambmoore's review against another edition
4.0
Damn, this book was good. Really, really good. Much better than the first one, in my opinion.
What this book did was amp up everything. It amped up the stakes that the characters are in, it amped up the characters themselves, and it amped up the plot and action. So much happened in this book, and we got to see that from so many different perspectives. Something that I really like about this series is all of the POVs in it, since they all offer such a different take on an event. Though there were some things that really annoyed me in this book, I was able to look past them and see how great this book is.
The world building in this book was much better than in the first one. In this one, we get the names of things and we get to really see that the scope of the world is much larger than just Mytica, as the first one leads you to believe. I didn't realize until reading this book that we never got the name of Cleo's home in Falling Kingdoms lol!
Speaking of Cleo, I liked her much better. She is now one of my favorite characters of the series, third to Magnus and Lucia. In this book, Cleo has to deal with a lot of shit, and the way she gets through it really impressed me in some parts, made me want to slap her, and made me want to commend her. Either way, she has really grown up from the insipid girl at the beginning of book 1.
I'm still on the fence about Jonas, but I'm slowly warming up to him and his rebel ways. Lysandra was a pleasant surprise, as I didn't really expect to like her as much as I did. But, as usual, this girl made me love her. Why is that all female characters named Lysandra are so awesome? I'm certainly not complaining though, lmao.
As usual, Magnus and Lucia were my favorites. We didn't really see a lot of Lucia in this book, more towards the end than anything else, but Magnus was able to fill in that void. After the ending of this book, I can't wait to see where these characters' stories go, because they are bound for very...peculiar places, I think.
I am pumped for Gathering Darkness.
4.5/5 stars
What this book did was amp up everything. It amped up the stakes that the characters are in, it amped up the characters themselves, and it amped up the plot and action. So much happened in this book, and we got to see that from so many different perspectives. Something that I really like about this series is all of the POVs in it, since they all offer such a different take on an event. Though there were some things that really annoyed me in this book, I was able to look past them and see how great this book is.
The world building in this book was much better than in the first one. In this one, we get the names of things and we get to really see that the scope of the world is much larger than just Mytica, as the first one leads you to believe. I didn't realize until reading this book that we never got the name of Cleo's home in Falling Kingdoms lol!
Speaking of Cleo, I liked her much better. She is now one of my favorite characters of the series, third to Magnus and Lucia. In this book, Cleo has to deal with a lot of shit, and the way she gets through it really impressed me in some parts, made me want to slap her, and made me want to commend her. Either way, she has really grown up from the insipid girl at the beginning of book 1.
I'm still on the fence about Jonas, but I'm slowly warming up to him and his rebel ways. Lysandra was a pleasant surprise, as I didn't really expect to like her as much as I did. But, as usual, this girl made me love her. Why is that all female characters named Lysandra are so awesome? I'm certainly not complaining though, lmao.
As usual, Magnus and Lucia were my favorites. We didn't really see a lot of Lucia in this book, more towards the end than anything else, but Magnus was able to fill in that void. After the ending of this book, I can't wait to see where these characters' stories go, because they are bound for very...peculiar places, I think.
I am pumped for Gathering Darkness.
4.5/5 stars