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marc_le's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
1.5
jennigma's review against another edition
5.0
I thought it was brilliant. :) It's realistic (as in: no fairy tale ending... sort of..) and the overall way that the book is composed is amazing. I do kind of wish that Catherine had written out the coronations and the wedding, but I suppose it'll be just as good in my imagination. ^.^
angelicasreads's review against another edition
3.0
“He had wanted so hard to Escape, to find the stars. And all he had found was a new prison.”
That was an ending!?!? i went through all of this just to have this book end like that!!! I don't think so. There better be a third book somewhere in the near future!! Other than that it was good, but I do hate when it kept changing locations, prison and out side, even more than before. Oh and I didn't like Claudia.
Taylor Lautner better not mess this up
ejspiese's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kairosdreaming's review against another edition
2.0
Oof, I had had hopes after the first book that this book would be more answers than questions. Unfortunately, that was not to be. And yes, I said the first book, if you haven't read it, you shouldn't be reading this book or this review, as you will be missing background information and it can't really be read as a standalone.
Finn is out, but the world is a dangerous place. Especially seeing as how he's supposed to be the Prince returned. But he's not sure he is. And he's not sure anyone else thinks he is. Especially since the Queen had plans of her own. Claudia too has her own troubles, especially with her father gone into Incarceron, but Finn's troubles are also hers, as her fate is tied closely to his. And, most menacing of all, Incarceron wants out, and it will do anything to achieve that goal.
Again, the characters in this book weren't easy to relate to. They just do the things without properly expressing why they're doing the things. Except Jared. Jared is a shining beacon of characterization in this book that has characters that could be so much more. While I don't fully understand some of the plot points he's put through, he's consistent, kind, and the most enjoyable to read about.
Which leads me into plot points I can't understand. My hope after the first book, and motivation for reading this one, was that some of the answers of the world might be given. Why are they in Era, how was Incarceron created, etc. And sadly barely any of the questions get answered, and in fact, more questions arise that I don't think will ever be answered (see Jared's plot points if you read the book). Too much thrown in, not enough sorted out to develop the world fully.
I wasn't a fan of either book unfortunately, while it's an interesting world in concept, I just wish everything had been more developed and questions answered.
Review by M. Reynard 2021
Finn is out, but the world is a dangerous place. Especially seeing as how he's supposed to be the Prince returned. But he's not sure he is. And he's not sure anyone else thinks he is. Especially since the Queen had plans of her own. Claudia too has her own troubles, especially with her father gone into Incarceron, but Finn's troubles are also hers, as her fate is tied closely to his. And, most menacing of all, Incarceron wants out, and it will do anything to achieve that goal.
Again, the characters in this book weren't easy to relate to. They just do the things without properly expressing why they're doing the things. Except Jared. Jared is a shining beacon of characterization in this book that has characters that could be so much more. While I don't fully understand some of the plot points he's put through, he's consistent, kind, and the most enjoyable to read about.
Which leads me into plot points I can't understand. My hope after the first book, and motivation for reading this one, was that some of the answers of the world might be given. Why are they in Era, how was Incarceron created, etc. And sadly barely any of the questions get answered, and in fact, more questions arise that I don't think will ever be answered (see Jared's plot points if you read the book). Too much thrown in, not enough sorted out to develop the world fully.
I wasn't a fan of either book unfortunately, while it's an interesting world in concept, I just wish everything had been more developed and questions answered.
Review by M. Reynard 2021
sephranix's review against another edition
3.0
I wanted to like this book more, but I personally felt that the ending was lacking. It felt rushed, and there were too many unanswered questions or things that I think were supposed to function as answers, but didn't really tell me anything. I went into this second book hoping for a bit more background and what exactly Incarceron is, where the Portal exists, and where all of the power is coming from to keep the worlds sustained if it's a supposed dystopian world.
I guess I just wanted more elaboration on the world/more world-building. It doesn't feel like a complete story to me.
I guess I just wanted more elaboration on the world/more world-building. It doesn't feel like a complete story to me.
macreader's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the first one better, but this is still a must-read. Not as much action as the first.
bibliofiendlm's review against another edition
4.0
Ingenious plot w/ good character development and plot twists but a tad too long.
charmaineac's review against another edition
2.0
This book took me so long to get through. Also, I found it rather scary (it freaked me out!).
The world of Incarceron and the Realm, and the premise of Sapphique (and Incarceron for that matter) were so, so creative. Seriously, there was so much attention to detail!
However, I must say that I hated the switching narratives. I felt that the character development was lacking, and I'd attribute that partly to the triple-narrative that slashed off character breakthroughs to continue another plotline. I know this added more "suspense," but it simply became annoying after a while. After some time, I stop caring about the previous plotline (usually by the time it finally came back).
Unfortunately, I also immediately thought of a major plot point very early into the FIRST book (not even this one!). It was meant to be a big, shocking reveal, but it fell flat to me.
I hated the deus ex machina-type ending in the Realm. What good did that do? I felt like conflicts were so drawn up but cleaned up so "neatly" by the end of it. The solutions to the problems in the story fell short. It was as though Catherine Fisher put herself in a corner and had no way to end the story in a "happy" or "realistic" way (which made it worse that she tried writing a happy ending at the end). Oh well.
The world of Incarceron and the Realm, and the premise of Sapphique (and Incarceron for that matter) were so, so creative. Seriously, there was so much attention to detail!
However, I must say that I hated the switching narratives. I felt that the character development was lacking, and I'd attribute that partly to the triple-narrative that slashed off character breakthroughs to continue another plotline. I know this added more "suspense," but it simply became annoying after a while. After some time, I stop caring about the previous plotline (usually by the time it finally came back).
Unfortunately, I also immediately thought of a major plot point
Spoiler
aka that Jared was SapphiqueI hated the deus ex machina-type ending in the Realm. What good did that do? I felt like conflicts were so drawn up but cleaned up so "neatly" by the end of it. The solutions to the problems in the story fell short. It was as though Catherine Fisher put herself in a corner and had no way to end the story in a "happy" or "realistic" way (which made it worse that she tried writing a happy ending at the end). Oh well.
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Incarceron, and perhaps had too high hopes for Sapphique... it's a good sequel, but not a great sequel. Part of that may have been my hope that it would be more like Fire was to Graceling than an addition to the original story - there's no reason for me to have thought that just wishing.
Anyway, Sapphique picks up shortly after Finn Escapes to Outside, with Claudia and Jared trying to figure out how to work the Portal and Sia trying to prove that Finn is not Prince Giles; Inside, Keiko and Attia are trying to figure out how to Escape as well. As with the first book, the action switches between Inside and Outside frequently. There are few new characters (Nix being the major exception) although several secondary characters play larger roles here.
Once again, the myth of Sapphique's escape plays an important part, as do the Steel Wolves and their opposition to Protocol/Era. The former is explained, while the latter is still taken as a given with little commentary until things start to change. I particularly liked the farmer's take on how Protocol effected him and his life.
The ending felt rushed, with a lot of action taking place in the last few pages, versus longer set pieces earlier (for example, in the Ice Wing). Tightening the pacing would have helped immensely.
ARC provided by publisher.
Anyway, Sapphique picks up shortly after Finn Escapes to Outside, with Claudia and Jared trying to figure out how to work the Portal and Sia trying to prove that Finn is not Prince Giles; Inside, Keiko and Attia are trying to figure out how to Escape as well. As with the first book, the action switches between Inside and Outside frequently. There are few new characters (Nix being the major exception) although several secondary characters play larger roles here.
Once again, the myth of Sapphique's escape plays an important part, as do the Steel Wolves and their opposition to Protocol/Era. The former is explained, while the latter is still taken as a given with little commentary until things start to change. I particularly liked the farmer's take on how Protocol effected him and his life.
The ending felt rushed, with a lot of action taking place in the last few pages, versus longer set pieces earlier (for example, in the Ice Wing). Tightening the pacing would have helped immensely.
ARC provided by publisher.