Reviews with content warning for Child abuse - The Prisoner's Throne

Reviews tagging 'Child abuse'

The Prisoner's Throne by Holly Black

10 reviews

ayah_reads's review against another edition

2.5

It's the way this book has literally the flimsiest plot I think I've ever read in a fantasy book. If not for those final chapters that had some action (though barely), I was genuinely saying that this book literally has no plot.

Funnily enough I did still enjoy this because I do like the characters and the world, and it thankfully had enough character interactions to keep me going. If not for the character interactions, I don't know how I would have gotten through it. Thankfully it's also very easy to read.

I just think Holly Black had no idea what to write for this book, book 1 had something at least even if I'm not a big fan of quest stories, it still had an arc and a climax. This barely there plotline of the novel is literally just based on multiple misunderstandings?? Like yes Bogdana was the villain but she wouldn't have gotten this far if there weren't so many misunderstandings between Wren, Oak, Jude, and the rest of Oak's family ??? Like you're all on the same side ??? Just communicate ???

I liked Jude's twist at the end but it wasn't satisfying at all cos there was just nothing there to this book.

I like Oak but for some reason something about his pov felt off and I still don't know what it is. Maybe it's because this book had no plot 🤣 I read a review that pointed out this is the only book in the series that is written from a third person pov and honestly maybe thats it?? But I like third person pov in fantasy so I don't really know.

I like Wren and Oak, and was keen for their arc after book 1's ending. Their interactions did keep me going but they weren't strong enough to be a supplement for having an actual plot in this book especially because it's like girl Wren he loves you please stop. I do appreciate some of the emotional development on Oak's side, but again not enough and not enough depth to it.

Overall, this is definitely my least favourite book in the whole series. I enjoyed seeing Jude and Cardan but because the plot was just based on misunderstandings with Oak and his family, it was kinda annoying what Jude was doing cos the plot in general was just getting annoying the more it went on.

I feel like maybe Holly Black is setting up another book with Jude and Cardan going to the Undersea, but maybe that's just me reading into it but why we should she mention it + possible conflict in the Undersea 👀 I would read another Elfhame book if it comes out cos I do genuinely like the characters and the world and the series is fun. But let's hope if that comes out it actually has a plot! Otherwise, I'm good!

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imcourtneymarie's review against another edition

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fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

I hate how bored I was throughout the whole thing. I know that the rest of the Elfhame are billed as YA but this one felt truly for children.

The internal warring from Oak was fine the first time, but quickly grew old.

It was also very difficult to jump back into this tale months after finishing the first part of Wren and Oak’s story. There weren’t any reminders or call backs. It felt like I was expected to just remember every single character and plot point that had happened in the past 4 books.

I was left finishing it just to finish it (and it IS an easy read if that’s what you’re after) but I am left uninspired and (sadly) uninterested in further Elfhame tales.

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norastasia's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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callidoralblack's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense

Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

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anne_racovita's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional relaxing 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

4.75

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alyb_batgirl's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective 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

5.0

I think a new threshold for how much I love a book or its characters is how strong my urge to cosplay said characters is. And let me tell you, I did just buy a pot of blue body paint so that should tell you how I feel.

In all honesty, I don't really remember that much from The Stolen Heir, the first book in the duology, but this book was so much better. I think partially because a lot of the basic plot was laid out in the first book (which made it drag in terms of characters and things happening), so this book was able to move things along faster. I liked that we got to see Oak's point of view and feel like the characterization of his growth/self realization was interesting and relatable. I also loved that we got to see more of the Greenbriar family dynamics, including Jude and Cardan.

So anyway, if you see me colored blue, you'll know why.

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