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4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Devoured this second book in this series.
The plot and character development was far better in this book than book 1. The FMC also became so much more likable. The author really set this series up in this book to be a long, Throne of Glass length saga. I’m looking forward to the next book!
The plot and character development was far better in this book than book 1. The FMC also became so much more likable. The author really set this series up in this book to be a long, Throne of Glass length saga. I’m looking forward to the next book!
This series just keeps getting better and better. Now I will say I did call the twist on Lyr. I had a feeling since book one. But I didn’t pick up on the other twist. But looking it back it makes sense especially the beginning of the book. While I had to put this book down a few times for work it definitely left me wanting more and the first time I was able to really sit down with it I devoured the rest of it one sitting (starting at the 25% mark). I seriously cannot wait to see what else Frankie Diane Mallis has in store for the third book because this series has become one of my favorites. It will definitely be a comfort/constant reread for me! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I want to like this book, I really do. The plot is sooooo close to being really stellar and it's just not. I literally had to go back and reread parts because big climatic moments are glossed over so I didn't even realize I was supposed to be paying attention. We have the same conversation between Lyr and Rhyan 15 times. And let's not even talk about how we have a 20 page recap and then 20 more pages of more different recap written through the guise of chapter 1. I thought book 1 was decent enough I wanted to keep reading to see what happens. I'm not sure that's the case for book 2. 2.2
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Violence, Grief
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Torture, Blood, Death of parent
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Finally we got some spice! I found the pacing to be better this book. I still feel that a lot could have been condensed but definitely enthralling!
This is book 2, so you MUST have head book one to appreciate the journey the characters are on.
In book one we are treated to excellent world building, character arcs, slow burn and FABULOUS storytelling.
A world where EVERYONE has magic, but some are forbidden, and secrets must be kept to keep safe…
In book two the story goes deeper into the factions and movements within the political environment and the changing relationships of the characters.
It builds brilliantly in the strong foundation of book 1.
It’s a fabulous tale with twists and turns and good and evil and right and wrong and ALL the good stuff.
Read it if you liked ACOTAR or FBAA :)
In book one we are treated to excellent world building, character arcs, slow burn and FABULOUS storytelling.
A world where EVERYONE has magic, but some are forbidden, and secrets must be kept to keep safe…
In book two the story goes deeper into the factions and movements within the political environment and the changing relationships of the characters.
It builds brilliantly in the strong foundation of book 1.
It’s a fabulous tale with twists and turns and good and evil and right and wrong and ALL the good stuff.
Read it if you liked ACOTAR or FBAA :)
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
On the plus side, this was an extremely easy read especially for its length. By no means did I feel like I was suffering through it. But on the other hand, so little actually happens in this book, and Daughter and Guardian should absolutely have been one story. The front half of this one was repetitive as hell, and they could’ve easily been 1, 5-600 page book instead of 2, 400s.
Beyond that my central complaint is that this world didn’t make sense. I’m sorry, but if your ruling family isn’t supported by the populace, not the nobility, nor supported by an outside power, WHY the fuck are they still in power at all? It felt like narratively the author needed Lyr to feel powerless in every aspect, but she’s a literal princess and it was nonsense that she had no political or social power. Also, the choice to have her dad, the king, basically not exist as a character in a political fantasy was a wild choice. Ultimately it just seemed like if Lyr’s family was as powerless as they were portrayed to be, then there really was no reason to jump through all these hoops to keep them alive— and the Imperator probably would’ve just had Lyr killed as soon as she was revealed to be powerless. Who would’ve complained about it? Her dad? Mr “Im not narratively important enough to have lines”? Her bratty sisters who can barely leave their bedrooms? Hm, yeah, somehow I think the emperor wouldn’t have cared that much.
Also, yeah I’m just gonna say it, Tristan is a lil pissbaby and I don’t LIKE him but it still sucks to use him for his position and then cheat on him for the entirety of this book. It was shitty of her to treat him like trash.
Beyond that my central complaint is that this world didn’t make sense. I’m sorry, but if your ruling family isn’t supported by the populace, not the nobility, nor supported by an outside power, WHY the fuck are they still in power at all? It felt like narratively the author needed Lyr to feel powerless in every aspect, but she’s a literal princess and it was nonsense that she had no political or social power. Also, the choice to have her dad, the king, basically not exist as a character in a political fantasy was a wild choice. Ultimately it just seemed like if Lyr’s family was as powerless as they were portrayed to be, then there really was no reason to jump through all these hoops to keep them alive— and the Imperator probably would’ve just had Lyr killed as soon as she was revealed to be powerless. Who would’ve complained about it? Her dad? Mr “Im not narratively important enough to have lines”? Her bratty sisters who can barely leave their bedrooms? Hm, yeah, somehow I think the emperor wouldn’t have cared that much.
Also, yeah I’m just gonna say it, Tristan is a lil pissbaby and I don’t LIKE him but it still sucks to use him for his position and then cheat on him for the entirety of this book. It was shitty of her to treat him like trash.