Reviews

Bitter Demons by Sarra Cannon

shesnicky's review against another edition

3.0

A little disappointed that my star rating never increased even through the reading of the first 3 books in the Shadow Demons Saga. I mean, I liked the story, it was an interesting read, and I like how we're slowly learning more about all the characters, but it's still not so amazing that I would give it four stars, let alone get the next 3 books with $$$.

kylieeason's review against another edition

5.0

My favorite so far! You get many answers to questions in books 1 & 2, and it's action packed! Really enjoyable read!!

michaelathebookish's review against another edition

mysterious fast-paced

3.25

guitarrafreak953's review against another edition

5.0

I loved this book, so far this is my favourite book in the Shadow Demons saga. I loved all the magic and the closeness of Harper and Jackson, and just the characters in general. All a perfect fit for such an amazing story.

lady_sapphire's review

adventurous dark emotional mysterious 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

4.0

caligurlreads's review

5.0

This series just keeps getting better with each book.

More to come.

kayleewrites's review against another edition

5.0

Story is getting so good!!

This story is getting to be so intense! I loved all of the details Sarra includes. Definitely a good read.

dtaylorbooks's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

At this point, I’m just kind of over these books. They’re dated (not surprising considering their pub date) and not really in any kind of positive, nostalgic way for me. The writing continues to be rather lackluster, the pacing was jagged, and I don’t see any reason to keep reading the series.

These books totally fit the market when they first came out. But now, I’m rather over the adversarial female relationships (mean girl cheerleaders) and how all the boys fall over themselves for the protagonist. Also, how Harper’s only perceived flaw is her not wanting to be the most popular person in town and how she’s fighting that (because as Prima, that’s what she’s destined to be). It’s just all rather tired ten-plus years down the road.

I also don’t find Harper to have all that much depth as a character. I’m not lying when I say her biggest flaw is not wanting to be popular. Looking back on my review of BEAUTIFUL DEMONS, I did have the same lack of character development issues as I do now. I just enjoyed the first book in the series enough that I could overlook it. Now, three books in, it’s created a rather shallow character who I’m just kind of bored with yet everyone within the story seems to be falling over themselves to cater to (whether it’s because they love her or hate her, she’s the sun in their universe).

The story still has that lack of depth that I was looking for when reading book one (in that it’s not a soul crusher story), but it’s really harping on outdated (now, anyway) YA tropes that make me roll my eyes more than I enjoy them. I think the writing style is playing into that, because it’s not a very deep story, the characters are underdeveloped, AND it’s checking off a trope list. It’s just all around tired. I can see how people like these books, but they’re not hitting the spot for me, not anymore.

The pacing was all over the place, too. At least I didn’t have to wait until halfway into the book for anything to happen (like I did in the last one), but it spiked and lulled a lot in a very uneven cadence that gave me a bit of whiplash.

I’m not going to write the author off just yet. These are older books and I recognize that. Since I won’t be reading on in the series, I do still have other books of hers readily available to read that I’ll give a shot. I’m hoping with a different story written much more recently (read: writing has improved, in theory) that I’ll be more into it.

2

apslp's review against another edition

5.0

Every book has me hooked even more into this series!!!! Really love the introduction of new characters and can't wait to see more of them in future books!

liwakla's review

dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0