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ashction's review against another edition
5.0
Oh. My. GOD. What a perfect way to start back reading for fun after my first semester of college!
I waited for so long to see so much happen in this book, and I truly was not disappointed! I'm still not sure if the plot. twists are truly predictable or if I'm just well-versed in this universe by now, but regardless, every plot twist is definitely going to throw a wrench into the war being waged in Mytica.
(This is NOT a spoiler free review; my Falling Kingdoms reviews always have tended to be me ranting about my feels, so read with caution!)
Alright, I can't start talking about this book without talking about my favorite character, my darling Magnus. I was worried for him again, as always, but I had nothing to fear; Morgan loves him as much as I do, and she always takes care of him and develops him just right. I absolutely hated suffering through the push and pull of Magnus and Cleo's tumultuous relationship this time around, but it paid off gloriously in the end and I am OVERJOYED! I have no idea if Magnus and Cleo were always intended to be together, but their relationship is one of the most interesting in the story and I'm so glad that Morgan is taking this road to wherever it may lead. Both Magnus and Cleo are my favorite characters in the series, so I'm probably biased, but their development continues to fascinate me both as a couple and as individuals. They are both strong characters and people on different ways, and I hope they can soon work as a unit in order to save Mytica.
Felix's POV chapters were an interesting addition to this novel, and I truly hope we receive more. It's been nearly a year since I read Gathering Darkness and I don't quite remember if he was featured in that novel, but regardless I enjoyed seeing the transformation he underwent as his alliances changed. Amara's chapters were an interesting addition as well, and it was so smart to introduce the reader to Kraeshia while it was still intact and allowing us to see how the royal family worked and the deception running deep within. (Also, how obvious was it that Ashur obviously knows about Amara's resurrection and somehow pulled the same. potion together for himself? There's no other way he's alive! Maybe he bound his life to one of his brothers that Amara killed...)
As always, Jonas left a mild impression on me, but I felt deeply for him when (SPOILER) Lysandra was killed. It was such a shame too, because he really wasted any chances he had with her and even threw himself at Cleo again. However, he is a handy tool to the rebellion and the war, and clearly he will prove important - but if he kills himself in the process, I can't say I'll cry.
Finally, Nic needs to fucking chill. He's constantly out to get Magnus, and now with Theon's brother... it's just too much. And it's gonna complicate everything for Magnus and Cleo. I know he's (rightfully) bitter, but Cleo can damned sure take care of herself! Maybe now that Ashur has returned, he can calm down a bit...
What a fantastic novel though! I cannot WAIT for the next installment and to see the beginning of the end. Presumably, the spin-off will release next summer with even more to learn (and returning to the story that left me hanging!), so I cannot wait to come back to Mytica again!
I waited for so long to see so much happen in this book, and I truly was not disappointed! I'm still not sure if the plot. twists are truly predictable or if I'm just well-versed in this universe by now, but regardless, every plot twist is definitely going to throw a wrench into the war being waged in Mytica.
(This is NOT a spoiler free review; my Falling Kingdoms reviews always have tended to be me ranting about my feels, so read with caution!)
Alright, I can't start talking about this book without talking about my favorite character, my darling Magnus. I was worried for him again, as always, but I had nothing to fear; Morgan loves him as much as I do, and she always takes care of him and develops him just right. I absolutely hated suffering through the push and pull of Magnus and Cleo's tumultuous relationship this time around, but it paid off gloriously in the end and I am OVERJOYED! I have no idea if Magnus and Cleo were always intended to be together, but their relationship is one of the most interesting in the story and I'm so glad that Morgan is taking this road to wherever it may lead. Both Magnus and Cleo are my favorite characters in the series, so I'm probably biased, but their development continues to fascinate me both as a couple and as individuals. They are both strong characters and people on different ways, and I hope they can soon work as a unit in order to save Mytica.
Felix's POV chapters were an interesting addition to this novel, and I truly hope we receive more. It's been nearly a year since I read Gathering Darkness and I don't quite remember if he was featured in that novel, but regardless I enjoyed seeing the transformation he underwent as his alliances changed. Amara's chapters were an interesting addition as well, and it was so smart to introduce the reader to Kraeshia while it was still intact and allowing us to see how the royal family worked and the deception running deep within. (Also, how obvious was it that Ashur obviously knows about Amara's resurrection and somehow pulled the same. potion together for himself? There's no other way he's alive! Maybe he bound his life to one of his brothers that Amara killed...)
As always, Jonas left a mild impression on me, but I felt deeply for him when (SPOILER) Lysandra was killed. It was such a shame too, because he really wasted any chances he had with her and even threw himself at Cleo again. However, he is a handy tool to the rebellion and the war, and clearly he will prove important - but if he kills himself in the process, I can't say I'll cry.
Finally, Nic needs to fucking chill. He's constantly out to get Magnus, and now with Theon's brother... it's just too much. And it's gonna complicate everything for Magnus and Cleo. I know he's (rightfully) bitter, but Cleo can damned sure take care of herself! Maybe now that Ashur has returned, he can calm down a bit...
What a fantastic novel though! I cannot WAIT for the next installment and to see the beginning of the end. Presumably, the spin-off will release next summer with even more to learn (and returning to the story that left me hanging!), so I cannot wait to come back to Mytica again!
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
Reread review!
I've always known that this isn't a very "good" series. I mean, it's not a bad one, just one that you enjoy but don't think too much about. It's the kind of series that lacks grit, often glosses over details, has a lot of showing substituted with telling, and in which many convenient things conveniently happen. But that's not always a bad thing. I always knew and accepted this series for what it was. But still, I was afraid that my opinion would have changed, and I'm glad to say that it hasn't.
As for the reason I'm rewriting this review, it's because writing stuff down helps me organise my thoughts. So let's get started, shall we?
This book kicks off with Lucia having gone to the dark side and working with Kyan, the fire kindred. Cleo and Magnus are trying to deal with the fact that they lost the water kindred to Amara, the crazy, brother-killing, Kraeshian bitch, and Jonas is... I don't really care. Probably trying to be rebel-y and failing.
Seriously, I don't get why Jonas seems to be such a big deal. He is utterly incompetent. But, on a positive note, at least he tries to do the right thing. Does it change that fact that I was a better rebel at eight than he is currently? No, it doesn't. But older (or younger) me seemed to have hope for him so I'm holding on to that. We still have two books left, maybe he'll do something worthwhile. And maybe Lucia will stop being a spoiled brat who throw a mass-homicidal hissy-fit because her boyfriend died. Those two need help.
The two that don't need help are Magnus and Cleo. Sure, their personal relations are complicated but they've grown quite a bit since the series started, especially Cleo. I like those two, and they're my ship. Let's just hope we can put Theon whatshisface to rest.
Let's talk Theon. What is it with the importance given to him? He was basically created to die. I knew moments after he was introduced that he was going to die. But the author still keeps bringing him up! And don't give me that Cleo-loved-him crap. She barely knew the guy and did not love him. I get that he was the main conflict between Cleo and Magnus, but the author needs to stop stretching him out. He was barely in a hundred pages and needs to be put to rest already. Though I have a feeling he won't be.
And, on a related note (it's related in a spoiler-y way), can someone punch Nic, please. I don't remember whether I liked him in the previous three books but after this one (both times), I want him to got to hell.
Overall, this was a good book and I enjoyed it. I didn't get my OMG moment but one came pretty close. I also have hope that I'll get my squad. And I like that it feels like we're building up to a climax. I'm interested to see what will happen next. This is turning out to be a good series, better than I expected when I read Falling Kingdoms.
I've always known that this isn't a very "good" series. I mean, it's not a bad one, just one that you enjoy but don't think too much about. It's the kind of series that lacks grit, often glosses over details, has a lot of showing substituted with telling, and in which many convenient things conveniently happen. But that's not always a bad thing. I always knew and accepted this series for what it was. But still, I was afraid that my opinion would have changed, and I'm glad to say that it hasn't.
As for the reason I'm rewriting this review, it's because writing stuff down helps me organise my thoughts. So let's get started, shall we?
This book kicks off with Lucia having gone to the dark side and working with Kyan, the fire kindred. Cleo and Magnus are trying to deal with the fact that they lost the water kindred to Amara, the crazy, brother-killing, Kraeshian bitch, and Jonas is... I don't really care. Probably trying to be rebel-y and failing.
Seriously, I don't get why Jonas seems to be such a big deal. He is utterly incompetent. But, on a positive note, at least he tries to do the right thing. Does it change that fact that I was a better rebel at eight than he is currently? No, it doesn't. But older (or younger) me seemed to have hope for him so I'm holding on to that. We still have two books left, maybe he'll do something worthwhile. And maybe Lucia will stop being a spoiled brat who throw a mass-homicidal hissy-fit because her boyfriend died. Those two need help.
The two that don't need help are Magnus and Cleo. Sure, their personal relations are complicated but they've grown quite a bit since the series started, especially Cleo. I like those two, and they're my ship. Let's just hope we can put Theon whatshisface to rest.
Let's talk Theon. What is it with the importance given to him? He was basically created to die. I knew moments after he was introduced that he was going to die. But the author still keeps bringing him up! And don't give me that Cleo-loved-him crap. She barely knew the guy and did not love him. I get that he was the main conflict between Cleo and Magnus, but the author needs to stop stretching him out. He was barely in a hundred pages and needs to be put to rest already. Though I have a feeling he won't be.
And, on a related note (it's related in a spoiler-y way), can someone punch Nic, please. I don't remember whether I liked him in the previous three books but after this one (both times), I want him to got to hell.
Overall, this was a good book and I enjoyed it. I didn't get my OMG moment but one came pretty close. I also have hope that I'll get my squad. And I like that it feels like we're building up to a climax. I'm interested to see what will happen next. This is turning out to be a good series, better than I expected when I read Falling Kingdoms.
erikajay's review against another edition
3.0
These books definitely get better as the series progresses! While the first part of this book moves rather slowly, the second part definitely picks up! There is so much that happens in this book. I liked that more magic is used, although I have to say I thought there would be more magic used in general at this point in the series.
One thing that has bothered me throughout this series is that people seem to fall in (and out) of love very quickly. Several characters have supposedly been in love with multiple people, which makes it seem more like lust and not love. Honestly I’m pretty tired of Jonas (I’ve never really been a fan) and of Lucia.
But there is finally a development between Magnus and Cleo and I LOVED IT!
One thing that has bothered me throughout this series is that people seem to fall in (and out) of love very quickly. Several characters have supposedly been in love with multiple people, which makes it seem more like lust and not love. Honestly I’m pretty tired of Jonas (I’ve never really been a fan) and of Lucia.
But there is finally a development between Magnus and Cleo and I LOVED IT!
krln's review against another edition
3.0
definitely my favorite of the series (or at least of what ive read so far). the characters had actual interactions, not that they didnt have any before, but i just feel like it skipped over a lot of things that couldve been explored more in depth. and i do wish that almost every hetero couple that couldve existed always had to kiss, like some of the couples just felt so unnecessary (this maybe applies more to the previous books though)
lucia finally wasnt completely bland and i finally felt something for her (it was hatred, but still).
cleo for once had a little more agenda - in every book she was described as cunning or something similar to it, but she never really was, at least in my opinion. magnus was great (which didnt really come as a surprise). i liked felix and amara was an excellent bitch.
lucia finally wasnt completely bland and i finally felt something for her (it was hatred, but still).
cleo for once had a little more agenda - in every book she was described as cunning or something similar to it, but she never really was, at least in my opinion. magnus was great (which didnt really come as a surprise). i liked felix and amara was an excellent bitch.
rowrow's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
anitsuj's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0