Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.2 AVERAGE
4.2 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
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:
No
Welp. If you, like me, were hoping for Lyr to find answers and get revenge and figure her shit out in this sequel, then you are also extremely disappointed. Its unfortunate that such a great premise and world-building is lessened by a lack of plot progression and a ridiculous amount of suffering for the main character.
This is very much a filler book - everything that happens in this book has already happened in the first book - there is nothing new here. This book basically encompasses a lot of terrible and depressing things happening again...and again...and again. There is no vindication at all. None. There is nothing to make you feel like all that Lyr has suffered has been worth it. Nothing.
As a reader, this basically feels like I'm wasting my time. Sure, in a series you want there to be conflict, but you have to throw your readers a few bones - a victory here and there, a little consolation at some point. Lyr gets nothing and is left with nothing. I sit here filled with nothingness - after listening to a 16 hour audiobook.
The second major issue here is that its big "reveals" (which happen at the end, literally the last 10 pages) have been obvious from early on in the first book. Extremely obvious, and this makes Lyr come off as stupid, which she is not. Lyr would've figured this shit out already - it feels like the author is deliberately ignoring Lyr's characterization in an effort to presumably get more books out of this story. And it shows. The drag is this book feels like being in a Calculous class for 8 hours.
I know this review is harsh and I wish it wasn't because this series had so much potential. I want to give this series 5 stars but I can't. When a book is painful to read in every bad way then good world-building isn't enough.
A REALLY good example of a series that balances suffering and vindication is Plated Prisoner by Raven Kennedy. The first book is tough to get through but the 2nd had me in a chokehold. I wish this series had been similar.
This is very much a filler book - everything that happens in this book has already happened in the first book - there is nothing new here. This book basically encompasses a lot of terrible and depressing things happening again...and again...and again. There is no vindication at all. None. There is nothing to make you feel like all that Lyr has suffered has been worth it. Nothing.
As a reader, this basically feels like I'm wasting my time. Sure, in a series you want there to be conflict, but you have to throw your readers a few bones - a victory here and there, a little consolation at some point. Lyr gets nothing and is left with nothing. I sit here filled with nothingness - after listening to a 16 hour audiobook.
The second major issue here is that its big "reveals" (which happen at the end, literally the last 10 pages) have been obvious from early on in the first book. Extremely obvious, and this makes Lyr come off as stupid, which she is not. Lyr would've figured this shit out already - it feels like the author is deliberately ignoring Lyr's characterization in an effort to presumably get more books out of this story. And it shows. The drag is this book feels like being in a Calculous class for 8 hours.
I know this review is harsh and I wish it wasn't because this series had so much potential. I want to give this series 5 stars but I can't. When a book is painful to read in every bad way then good world-building isn't enough.
A REALLY good example of a series that balances suffering and vindication is Plated Prisoner by Raven Kennedy. The first book is tough to get through but the 2nd had me in a chokehold. I wish this series had been similar.
Okay, whew, this book. Frankie really upped the ante with this book and I freaking loved it. Book 1 was good, but this one had some amazing character growth with plenty of twists and turns. I devour this book in an afternoon.
The characters:
I love that Frankie pulled back the curtain a bit more on Lyr's character. You see this underpinning of why she makes the choices she makes in book two, but I think that message becomes even clearer in book two. It really helped with Lyr's character arc in these best ways. I am so excited to see where her story goes next.
Rhyan, Rhyan, Rhyan. This man has a special place in my heart. He is damaged and a little bit broken, but he never lets it stop him. The care he shows as a character. He really is truly one of my favorites. I just let him live rent free in my head.
I freaking love the relationship between Rhyan and Lyr. It is a slow burn, but it is so good - especially when contrasted with her relationship with Tristan. The consent, the communication, the tension. So freaking good.
The plotline:
Damn, but do I love where this plot is headed. Frankie sprinkled in these amazing twists and turns -- some that you could see coming like a slow motion train crash (that you screamed "stoppp, stoppppp" at to no avail) and then others that were perfectly woven into the story. Ther cliffhanger had be cursing because dammit, I knew it, but also dammit, I can't wait to see where this all goes next.
The characters:
I love that Frankie pulled back the curtain a bit more on Lyr's character. You see this underpinning of why she makes the choices she makes in book two, but I think that message becomes even clearer in book two. It really helped with Lyr's character arc in these best ways. I am so excited to see where her story goes next.
Rhyan, Rhyan, Rhyan. This man has a special place in my heart. He is damaged and a little bit broken, but he never lets it stop him. The care he shows as a character. He really is truly one of my favorites. I just let him live rent free in my head.
I freaking love the relationship between Rhyan and Lyr. It is a slow burn, but it is so good - especially when contrasted with her relationship with Tristan. The consent, the communication, the tension. So freaking good.
The plotline:
Damn, but do I love where this plot is headed. Frankie sprinkled in these amazing twists and turns -- some that you could see coming like a slow motion train crash (that you screamed "stoppp, stoppppp" at to no avail) and then others that were perfectly woven into the story. Ther cliffhanger had be cursing because dammit, I knew it, but also dammit, I can't wait to see where this all goes next.
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I absolutely loved this book. It does a fantastic job at using politics to push the plot and with the use of unexpected twists and revelations I can safely say this is one of my favourite books of the year, highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
The second half of the book was enjoyable. The first half was painfully slow and the author retold almost all the plot points of the first book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Death of parent, Alcohol, Classism
Minor: Addiction, Animal death, Drug use, Fire/Fire injury
Book 2 takes the promises of the first and oh hot d@mn does it deliver on that and more!!! So much momentum, so many gasp-worthy moments, and SO much swoon. The plot unfolds with constant twists and reveals that are unbelievably exciting and satisfying as puzzle pieces click into place. Lyr goes through hell and back. And the END! Just enough resolution to close some doors and answer big questions, but opens this series up to such possibility! Cannot wait to see where Lyr’s story goes next.
—✨5✨stars—
“No rope can hold you. No cage can trap you.”
————about the book————
Age: NA
Genres: Fantasy,
Cliffhanger: YEP
Writing: 8/10
Quotes: 9/10
World building: 8/10
Characters: 9/10
Romance: 10/10
My rating: 10/10
‼️spoilers below‼️
———my feelings———
Most of you should know me well enough by now to know that when I post a ridiculous amount of updates (I’m sorry) with squealing and heart emojis, I LOVE THE BOOK.
“No rope can hold you. No cage can trap you.”
————about the book————
Age: NA
Genres: Fantasy,
Cliffhanger: YEP
Writing: 8/10
Quotes: 9/10
World building: 8/10
Characters: 9/10
Romance: 10/10
My rating: 10/10
‼️spoilers below‼️
———my feelings———
Most of you should know me well enough by now to know that when I post a ridiculous amount of updates (I’m sorry) with squealing and heart emojis, I LOVE THE BOOK.
“Hello, Lover.”
This series has truly surpassed my expectations thus far. I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy it based off the first book but WOW was I wrong.
This series is just giving everything I needed:
- slow burn
This series has truly surpassed my expectations thus far. I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy it based off the first book but WOW was I wrong.
This series is just giving everything I needed:
- slow burn
I cannot get these characters out of my head! Politics always infuriate me (in books and in real life!) And it was written so well to make me so mad! Plus Rhyan