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mary_soon_lee's review against another edition
3.0
This is the second book in the second science-fiction trilogy about Hail. Major spoilers ahead....
Hail is grieving, abused, and manipulated. Her captors repeatedly kill her and bring her back to life, while training her to fight even more viciously than she already could. She has suicidal thoughts and engages in self-harm. Along the way, she finds herself sympathetic to both of her principal captors (Aiz and Mia) and sexually attracted to one of the pair. This might be interpreted as Stockholm syndrome, except that the remainder of the book reads as if the reader, like Hail, should come to like Aiz and Mia. I, however, remained skeptical.
I found myself reading in a more critical mode than I'd been in for the first four books. Rather than accepting improbabilities because I was having fun, they made me cranky. For instance, a race of aliens have been prophesying Hail's arrival for thousands of years, up to and including having built numerous statues of her. I could not reconcile the universe of branching possibilities which this book posits with Hail's birth being foreseen centuries before her parents meet and a particular sperm fuses with a particular ovum to produce her.
Enough of my grumbling. On the plus side, I remain very fond of several of the supporting cast, most notably Emmory, Zin, and Hao, and enjoyed all their appearances.
I may have been in a sour mood, so let's call it three and a half out of five foretold stars, rounded down because I am still somewhat sour.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Spoiler
Hail began the first book of the first trilogy as a princess-turned-gunrunner and now begins this book as an imprisoned Empress. I enjoyed this book less than the preceding volumes. The first third, while Hail is imprisoned, is dark....Hail is grieving, abused, and manipulated. Her captors repeatedly kill her and bring her back to life, while training her to fight even more viciously than she already could. She has suicidal thoughts and engages in self-harm. Along the way, she finds herself sympathetic to both of her principal captors (Aiz and Mia) and sexually attracted to one of the pair. This might be interpreted as Stockholm syndrome, except that the remainder of the book reads as if the reader, like Hail, should come to like Aiz and Mia. I, however, remained skeptical.
I found myself reading in a more critical mode than I'd been in for the first four books. Rather than accepting improbabilities because I was having fun, they made me cranky. For instance, a race of aliens have been prophesying Hail's arrival for thousands of years, up to and including having built numerous statues of her. I could not reconcile the universe of branching possibilities which this book posits with Hail's birth being foreseen centuries before her parents meet and a particular sperm fuses with a particular ovum to produce her.
Enough of my grumbling. On the plus side, I remain very fond of several of the supporting cast, most notably Emmory, Zin, and Hao, and enjoyed all their appearances.
I may have been in a sour mood, so let's call it three and a half out of five foretold stars, rounded down because I am still somewhat sour.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
grid's review
2.0
I really liked the first three books. The thing that turned me off the most about this one was not necessarily the first half being entirely about mental and physical abuse of the main character, (at the hands of two people we are very predictably meant to forgive as easily as the main character does), but rather the fact that somewhat believable science fiction was turned into fantasy with magic in it. And it’s the worst kind of magic, the kind that has rules rendering it unbelievable. If anyone can learn magic, why doesn’t everyone know how to use it? If your explanation is “because they haven’t been taught”, go back to the drawing board. You haven’t been trying hard enough. And if this makes it into your published novel.. shame on not only you, but on your editors too. It’s lazy writing and just… sad.
I’m going to read the last book in the series, but only because it’s right there on the shelf waiting for me. :P
I’m going to read the last book in the series, but only because it’s right there on the shelf waiting for me. :P
rynaissanceenby's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This books come with massive trigger warnings for self harm, suicidal ideation, and gaslighting. These things are described in extreme detail in really triggering ways. That being said, if you can handle those things, it's quite a good book. As painful as it is to read about Hail's response to all the trauma she's been through, it feels very authentic and realistic. It's nice to have a sci-fi book where at least one of the characters isn't magically amazing at dealing with all the horrific things happening, and instead of being this perfect hero, she's a flawed human in pain and suffering.
I was also surprised at how innovative the world building felt. It's somewhat difficult to do something new in sci-fi, but I felt like there were a lot of unique features about this world and plot twists I really wasn't expecting.
I was also surprised at how innovative the world building felt. It's somewhat difficult to do something new in sci-fi, but I felt like there were a lot of unique features about this world and plot twists I really wasn't expecting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Blood, Emotional abuse, Gore, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
Moderate: War and Torture
Minor: Kidnapping
bcbirrer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
What more can I say about K.B. Wagers' books? What stands out to me about this series is how much it dives into mental health, dealing with trauma, and bonds with found family.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
mferrante83's review
3.0
A little slower than the previous novels and probably the weakest I've listened too so far. Hail spends far too much time in her own head in this one.
psykobilliethekid's review against another edition
1.0
Wasn't able to finish this one. Couldn't get into it like I did the previous book. Probably not going to finish the series either. I really enjoyed the previous series but this one feels a little forced.
jennms_qkw's review against another edition
5.0
Wow and How
I love Hail. I love this universe. I’m in the edge of my seat. Great adventure and story. I will need to re-read the series leading up to the final. The start was a bit disorienting because it’s been a while since There Before The Chaos.
I love Hail. I love this universe. I’m in the edge of my seat. Great adventure and story. I will need to re-read the series leading up to the final. The start was a bit disorienting because it’s been a while since There Before The Chaos.
annarella's review against another edition
4.0
I think it's exciting, gripping and well written. It can't be read as a stand-alone but, if you read the previous installment, it's a highly entertaining story.
Good world building and character development, a tightly knitted and fast paced plot.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Good world building and character development, a tightly knitted and fast paced plot.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
maeve_spry's review against another edition
5.0
Energetic sequel
Second books in a trilogy often disappoint as too much time is spent recalling the first novel or preparing for the third. This? This kicks ass as a great, un-put-downable slalom between plot twists. Excellent read.
Second books in a trilogy often disappoint as too much time is spent recalling the first novel or preparing for the third. This? This kicks ass as a great, un-put-downable slalom between plot twists. Excellent read.
r2wend2's review against another edition
3.0
This was the weakest of this series so far. The first half was hard to get through and it ends on a bit of a cliffhanger.