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izziede's review against another edition
3.0
This book is much better than book 1.
I think part of it is the introducing of the new world is already set up from book 1, that's always a difficult balance to make sure the reader has enough understanding of the new culture, world, language, customs plus the new characters with their history and relationship dynamic with the actual plot.
It still deals with the four couples at once and I still get a bit confused who is with who.
In the audible version, each chapter is preceded with a clear description of whose POV, location and setting.
Multiple POV including enemy. Different voices with different accents to convey the various cultures.
None of the couples are getting on at all during the first quarter of the book.
This is something I feel KA excels at, to me she is at her best writing male/female conflict.
As an example, one couple haven't spoken for days due to an action one of them made. He's avoiding her. She is ready to sort things out. He comes in late, she tries he shuts her down. She leaves for a bit, he has time to think, she spends time with a friend who says he's being an idiot. When she returns he accepts her apology which she now wants to withdraw as she now feels she shouldn't have apologized in the first place.
He thinks they have made up and she wonders if they are having the same conversation as each other.
Some parts between the couples are hilarious.
Some are very touching and some hurtful.
The Hero and heroines are not perfect. As a reader you can see both sides.
Some conversations you really wanted to happen from situations book 1 happen others are shelved, with such a long series some things will have to be held back for a later time.
The enemy threat builds. There is some violence, some detail, including one with an axe.. ew.... The enemies seem to relish in it and some scenes are gruesome.
Possible triggers with those depending on your level of sensitivity.
There are also references to m/m and ménage but the scenes come later in the book this time in the second half of the book.
Most of the relationship dynamic and even conversations or phrases used have appeared in KA's previous work if you are a fan but i enjoyed though I haven't reread her work in some time.
In many ways it feels slow burn between the couples, we have the old Rock Chick maneuver where the Hero has a reason to sleep in the same bed as the heroine though there are various situations as to why they are not having sex yet.
There are is some intimacy, eventually sexual scenes for the couples.
True to me is developing as backbone but it may be a journey we take with him as he seems a bit of a wimp at times though under the title of a 'gentleman'. I am hoping to see him develop during the rest of the series as he has some good qualities and his role is yet to be.
I have found the name of some of the characters don't work for audible, for example True and Silence.
When the character Silence is said it's hard to work out for a minute if someone is asking for the room to be quiet or calling one of the heroines. Same with True, are they talking to him, about him or proclaiming a statement is accurate. To me not the best choice considering this is primarily an audible project.
I have enjoyed this as an audible, which I am new to but I do think it may not have been the best choice of books to introduce as an audible first as the sheer immense number of characters involved can make it a challenge for the listener
We also see odd scenes here and there from the other four couples from the original Fantasyland series, as if the original four couples weren't enough to get your head around.
As well as developing the couples relationships or not as in the case of some we are also introduced to more of the magic of the land as the couples travel and visit various areas.
Gnomes, pixies, mermaids and some that are from the authors imagination.
There are a few references to the ménage relationship, redemption for one man involved in that which is a bit bizarre as it seems his bad family background is going to excuse him for his involvement in the Rising.
Serena situation is a bit bizarre too. She is quite the b**** at times but the treatment of her in putting her in her place shows a very unpleasant side to the Heroes who either know about it or have organised it.
Cassius and Aramus can be particularly unpleasant and cruel at times, sometimes it goes a bit too far to be forgiven and Mars I felt played games a bit with Silence over sex. She is naive and innocent and he is widely experienced but although he eventually sorts things out he flirts with others at times when if she had played games like that he would not have stood for it.
But this can be typical KA character Hero behaviour at times.
Ends on a cliffhanger as it's part of a four part book series.
Tbc
I think part of it is the introducing of the new world is already set up from book 1, that's always a difficult balance to make sure the reader has enough understanding of the new culture, world, language, customs plus the new characters with their history and relationship dynamic with the actual plot.
It still deals with the four couples at once and I still get a bit confused who is with who.
In the audible version, each chapter is preceded with a clear description of whose POV, location and setting.
Multiple POV including enemy. Different voices with different accents to convey the various cultures.
None of the couples are getting on at all during the first quarter of the book.
This is something I feel KA excels at, to me she is at her best writing male/female conflict.
As an example, one couple haven't spoken for days due to an action one of them made. He's avoiding her. She is ready to sort things out. He comes in late, she tries he shuts her down. She leaves for a bit, he has time to think, she spends time with a friend who says he's being an idiot. When she returns he accepts her apology which she now wants to withdraw as she now feels she shouldn't have apologized in the first place.
He thinks they have made up and she wonders if they are having the same conversation as each other.
Some parts between the couples are hilarious.
Some are very touching and some hurtful.
The Hero and heroines are not perfect. As a reader you can see both sides.
Some conversations you really wanted to happen from situations book 1 happen others are shelved, with such a long series some things will have to be held back for a later time.
The enemy threat builds. There is some violence, some detail, including one with an axe.. ew.... The enemies seem to relish in it and some scenes are gruesome.
Possible triggers with those depending on your level of sensitivity.
There are also references to m/m and ménage but the scenes come later in the book this time in the second half of the book.
Most of the relationship dynamic and even conversations or phrases used have appeared in KA's previous work if you are a fan but i enjoyed though I haven't reread her work in some time.
In many ways it feels slow burn between the couples, we have the old Rock Chick maneuver where the Hero has a reason to sleep in the same bed as the heroine though there are various situations as to why they are not having sex yet.
There are is some intimacy, eventually sexual scenes for the couples.
True to me is developing as backbone but it may be a journey we take with him as he seems a bit of a wimp at times though under the title of a 'gentleman'. I am hoping to see him develop during the rest of the series as he has some good qualities and his role is yet to be.
I have found the name of some of the characters don't work for audible, for example True and Silence.
When the character Silence is said it's hard to work out for a minute if someone is asking for the room to be quiet or calling one of the heroines. Same with True, are they talking to him, about him or proclaiming a statement is accurate. To me not the best choice considering this is primarily an audible project.
I have enjoyed this as an audible, which I am new to but I do think it may not have been the best choice of books to introduce as an audible first as the sheer immense number of characters involved can make it a challenge for the listener
We also see odd scenes here and there from the other four couples from the original Fantasyland series, as if the original four couples weren't enough to get your head around.
As well as developing the couples relationships or not as in the case of some we are also introduced to more of the magic of the land as the couples travel and visit various areas.
Gnomes, pixies, mermaids and some that are from the authors imagination.
There are a few references to the ménage relationship, redemption for one man involved in that which is a bit bizarre as it seems his bad family background is going to excuse him for his involvement in the Rising.
Serena situation is a bit bizarre too. She is quite the b**** at times but the treatment of her in putting her in her place shows a very unpleasant side to the Heroes who either know about it or have organised it.
Cassius and Aramus can be particularly unpleasant and cruel at times, sometimes it goes a bit too far to be forgiven and Mars I felt played games a bit with Silence over sex. She is naive and innocent and he is widely experienced but although he eventually sorts things out he flirts with others at times when if she had played games like that he would not have stood for it.
But this can be typical KA character Hero behaviour at times.
Ends on a cliffhanger as it's part of a four part book series.
Tbc
patsycathcart's review against another edition
4.0
A bit better than the first one… at least I’m figuring out who is who. I’m not a fan of the violent sexual scenes and am skipping those. They are pretty rough.
whatcha_listening_to's review against another edition
4.0
Things are getting intense the Beast is making more noise.
All the couples are coupling but they are also learning about each other and I am loving that.
I really do love the narrators they are giving each person a voice and it is helping to keep things separate in my brain.
The one sister has me hmmming I want to see what is going to happen with that.
The kids are awesome and I hope we see more of them in the books to come.
All the couples are coupling but they are also learning about each other and I am loving that.
I really do love the narrators they are giving each person a voice and it is helping to keep things separate in my brain.
The one sister has me hmmming I want to see what is going to happen with that.
The kids are awesome and I hope we see more of them in the books to come.
aboutthatstory's review against another edition
5.0
This series is my new addiction! Intense, captivating, and intriguing, I was on the edge of my seat the entire time. I loved listening to everything play out, there were fantastic world-building scenes happening! There are multiple characters and narrators that I’m really enjoying. The way some scenes are delivered, the power behind the voices, is just amazing!
Each couple really grows and I love that character development, every time a couple starts up again in the story, I think they’re my new favorite. They’re each so distinct and can be frustrating and intense all rolled into one. I love how the women challenge the men and the men’s seriously alpha ways. Watching the couple's feelings grow and them come together has me extremely happy. I love the women and the bonds they’re forming together and the interactions with the men. I still have questions so I know some things have yet to be revealed, so I am looking forward to that. There are some other stories happening that I’m excited about as well, they’re all just intertwined so well. I love all the politics and different dynamics in play. I love all the characters, even the bad ones because I am a fan of a well written bad guy that elicits so much emotion out of me. There were also some people touched upon from the original series (this is a spinoff), and while I figured out what was going on, it took a minute since I haven’t read those books yet.
I am a Kristen Ashley fan and have long thought she was a brilliant storyteller; this totally reinforces that for me. She writes with details, depth, and so many layers, it’s hard not to be pulled into the world. There is a lot going on but I was invested the entire time. The ending was killer! I can’t wait for the next installment.
Each couple really grows and I love that character development, every time a couple starts up again in the story, I think they’re my new favorite. They’re each so distinct and can be frustrating and intense all rolled into one. I love how the women challenge the men and the men’s seriously alpha ways. Watching the couple's feelings grow and them come together has me extremely happy. I love the women and the bonds they’re forming together and the interactions with the men. I still have questions so I know some things have yet to be revealed, so I am looking forward to that. There are some other stories happening that I’m excited about as well, they’re all just intertwined so well. I love all the politics and different dynamics in play. I love all the characters, even the bad ones because I am a fan of a well written bad guy that elicits so much emotion out of me. There were also some people touched upon from the original series (this is a spinoff), and while I figured out what was going on, it took a minute since I haven’t read those books yet.
I am a Kristen Ashley fan and have long thought she was a brilliant storyteller; this totally reinforces that for me. She writes with details, depth, and so many layers, it’s hard not to be pulled into the world. There is a lot going on but I was invested the entire time. The ending was killer! I can’t wait for the next installment.
lilybear's review
4.0
Not a stand alone. This sequel continues with our previous royal couples and resolves some of their issues. I loved bonding more with the cast and getting a better feel for their characters. Once again Mars and Silence are my favorite and I laughed a good deal at Mar's frustrations as they finally clear their misunderstandings. The unlikable characters keep being uncooperative dingle-heads without the slightest bit of communication skills. The Sea King has my eternal sympathies drawing the short end of that. And I still occasionally forget who the fuck is who as the already big cast increases with the addition of new characters and their POV's. On the positive side one of them is a dragon king so that should be cool. We got more sword fights and more creepy cult drama as the overarching plot of evil rising finally seems to be picking up some steam! I'm super excited to continue the adventure in the next book. If Toddrea dies I'll never forgive this fictional world!!
tlandrews's review
2.0
I can't bring myself to finish this.
1.) WAY too many POVs. Maybe reading and not listening makes it easier?
2.) The focus is on all 4 couples at once, which means we don't get to know them very well.
3.) The m/m scenes aren't making a ton of sense. It's not the m/m, I like that, but it's like the author threw them in the book to just have them there.
4.) Because of what I said in #2, means I could care less what happens to the couples.
5.) Each couple should've gotten their own book.
1.) WAY too many POVs. Maybe reading and not listening makes it easier?
2.) The focus is on all 4 couples at once, which means we don't get to know them very well.
3.) The m/m scenes aren't making a ton of sense. It's not the m/m, I like that, but it's like the author threw them in the book to just have them there.
4.) Because of what I said in #2, means I could care less what happens to the couples.
5.) Each couple should've gotten their own book.
bodebeabay's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars
So Good!
I ate it up like candy.
Review later
So Good!
I ate it up like candy.
Review later
book_bums_and_coffee_hugs's review against another edition
5.0
Binge read/listened to this entire series in April/June 2020 and was blown away
The audiobook for this series was probably the absolute best I’ve ever heard. Hands down.
The audiobook for this series was probably the absolute best I’ve ever heard. Hands down.
ccoleman813's review
3.0
Did not finish.
I really tried to give this series a chance. It sounded so cool and I pushed through the first book even though I wanted to stop. But the second is no different and I just couldn't do it anymore.
I really tried to give this series a chance. It sounded so cool and I pushed through the first book even though I wanted to stop. But the second is no different and I just couldn't do it anymore.