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booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
I am confused by this book. I honestly thought throughout it would be a trilogy because of the pacing, and this was massively enforced by the ending. While we get resolution on most of the storyline, there is a sort of epilogue moment that really lead me to think there should be more! This review is a little spoilery because I want to discuss some of this, so I've marked it for spoilers and beware if you read on.
So to start there is NO resolution on major life stuff for Maddie - who does she chose for romance? How does she handle all the innkeeper things? What happens with her parents? SO MANY QUESTIONS WTF.
Honestly, I'm getting a little mad about it, now I think back. Which is a shame because there are so many good things. We finally get to see another realm, we get some lovely moments around Maddie's family, and find out more about the soul trade.
I loved Havenfall so much and I wanted more from this. I would have rated it higher if there had been less resolution and a third book coming. I feel Sara struggles with duologies, as I really liked Everless but was let down by Evermore. Hopefully she'll try a standalone next!
3 stars.
I am confused by this book. I honestly thought throughout it would be a trilogy because of the pacing, and this was massively enforced by the ending. While we get resolution on most of the storyline, there is a sort of epilogue moment that really lead me to think there should be more! This review is a little spoilery because I want to discuss some of this, so I've marked it for spoilers and beware if you read on.
So to start there is NO resolution on major life stuff for Maddie - who does she chose for romance? How does she handle all the innkeeper things? What happens with her parents? SO MANY QUESTIONS WTF.
Honestly, I'm getting a little mad about it, now I think back. Which is a shame because there are so many good things. We finally get to see another realm, we get some lovely moments around Maddie's family, and find out more about the soul trade.
I loved Havenfall so much and I wanted more from this. I would have rated it higher if there had been less resolution and a third book coming. I feel Sara struggles with duologies, as I really liked Everless but was let down by Evermore. Hopefully she'll try a standalone next!
3 stars.
gracedwithbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I am unhappy with how this series ended. At first, I really liked this book better than Havenfall, but I guess I must have jinxed it because it quickly took a turn for the bad. The plot was so generic and rushed, the characters were predictable and undeveloped, and the ending did not create a sense of peace that usually comes with the ending of a series. So many characters fates were left in the air!
Maybe I just don't mesh well with Holland's writing because I had the same problem with her other series Everless. I think this book could have been great and interesting but it seemed as everything remotely fascinating was rushed through or ignored.
And don't even get me started on the lack of romantic chemistry between the characters, it was like she put in a love triangle JUST TO PUT IN A LOVE TRIANGLE.
If I had to describe the book in one word, it would be: Unfinished.
Maybe it will go through more edits before its publication in March, and maybe I will read it again then to see if anything changed but honestly, the chances for that are slim.
Maybe I just don't mesh well with Holland's writing because I had the same problem with her other series Everless. I think this book could have been great and interesting but it seemed as everything remotely fascinating was rushed through or ignored.
And don't even get me started on the lack of romantic chemistry between the characters, it was like she put in a love triangle JUST TO PUT IN A LOVE TRIANGLE.
If I had to describe the book in one word, it would be: Unfinished.
Maybe it will go through more edits before its publication in March, and maybe I will read it again then to see if anything changed but honestly, the chances for that are slim.
gracedwithbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I am unhappy with how this series ended. At first, I really liked this book better than Havenfall, but I guess I must have jinxed it because it quickly took a turn for the bad. The plot was so generic and rushed, the characters were predictable and undeveloped, and the ending did not create a sense of peace that usually comes with the ending of a series. So many characters fates were left in the air!
Maybe I just don't mesh well with Holland's writing because I had the same problem with her other series Everless. I think this book could have been great and interesting but it seemed as everything remotely fascinating was rushed through or ignored.
And don't even get me started on the lack of romantic chemistry between the characters, it was like she put in a love triangle JUST TO PUT IN A LOVE TRIANGLE.
If I had to describe the book in one word, it would be: Unfinished.
Maybe it will go through more edits before its publication in March, and maybe I will read it again then to see if anything changed but honestly, the chances for that are slim.
Maybe I just don't mesh well with Holland's writing because I had the same problem with her other series Everless. I think this book could have been great and interesting but it seemed as everything remotely fascinating was rushed through or ignored.
And don't even get me started on the lack of romantic chemistry between the characters, it was like she put in a love triangle JUST TO PUT IN A LOVE TRIANGLE.
If I had to describe the book in one word, it would be: Unfinished.
Maybe it will go through more edits before its publication in March, and maybe I will read it again then to see if anything changed but honestly, the chances for that are slim.
izzyproudfoot's review against another edition
1.0
I feel like there is so much missing from the story. It's so to the point most the time there isn't any building. The story for this one annoyed me so much too. I feel let down as this had so much potential.
usako's review
3.0
I am so disappointed with this book. Every single thing that I loved from Havenfall was completely GONE.
Maddie was insufferable. Her inner monologue was repetitive and boring. She had absolutely ZERO character development, and she learned nothing from the events of Havenfall.
The "romance" also went down the drain in this book. Brekken was a likable character in Heavenfall but suddenly became an @$$ for no reason. The potential with Taya was thrown out the window, again, for no reason. It got so bad I actually legitimately felt queerbaited.
The ending was abrupt, and offered no earned resolution to a massive conflict such as a possible war between realms. It felt so rushed I couldn't help but think that maybe Sara Holland had better things to do and she just wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.
All in all, this felt like a sad, half-assed continuation to what was an incredible first book. What a shame.
Maddie was insufferable. Her inner monologue was repetitive and boring. She had absolutely ZERO character development, and she learned nothing from the events of Havenfall.
The "romance" also went down the drain in this book. Brekken was a likable character in Heavenfall but suddenly became an @$$ for no reason. The potential with Taya was thrown out the window, again, for no reason. It got so bad I actually legitimately felt queerbaited.
The ending was abrupt, and offered no earned resolution to a massive conflict such as a possible war between realms. It felt so rushed I couldn't help but think that maybe Sara Holland had better things to do and she just wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible.
All in all, this felt like a sad, half-assed continuation to what was an incredible first book. What a shame.
beesirius's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
atwrm's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-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
3.0
stxrlight's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
I absolutely adore the storyline, the different worlds and characters. That said, I'm giving it 4 instead of 5 stars because this is the last book of the duology, it definitely has the potential for more books given it leaves so much open and unanswered. It feels unfinished in a way, and for the ending of a series I would have liked all the answers instead of being left with so many. It had and still has so much potential but it wasn't executed in the best way, leaving so much open.
I also would have liked to read more about the other worlds (and how they solve some specific things), as well as what would happen if one of the closed worlds opens, and they reconnect with it. Especially now that they have a way to travel everywhere (though that in itself leaves questions too, given the risk/danger that was described in doing so).
Also would have liked to know how it ends with Brekken, and who Maddie ends up with in the end. How her father responded to it all? How Nate deals with his traumas and well, all the other unanswered things.
This duology would make a great film or tv show to be honest, and if that ever happens maybe they can include the answers to the things the books didn't cover.
I also would have liked to read more about the other worlds (and how they solve some specific things), as well as what would happen if one of the closed worlds opens, and they reconnect with it. Especially now that they have a way to travel everywhere (though that in itself leaves questions too, given the risk/danger that was described in doing so).
Also would have liked to know how it ends with Brekken, and who Maddie ends up with in the end. How her father responded to it all? How Nate deals with his traumas and well, all the other unanswered things.
This duology would make a great film or tv show to be honest, and if that ever happens maybe they can include the answers to the things the books didn't cover.
caraloveskitties's review against another edition
1.0
I picked the first book up in the station library and thought it was an easy read and it’s got a cosy, foresty American premise. This book was a mess and wasn’t nearly as good as the first one. The LGBTQ+ element felt forced and missed its mark!