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3.92 AVERAGE
3.92 AVERAGE
I went into this series without really knowing anything about it at all. In book one, I found a gripping, well-written, loose retelling of Anastasia set in a fantastical world. After reading book one, I said fans of Six of Crows or Children of Blood and Bone should like this one.
This book picks up right where book one left off. It was action-packed and even better than book one that I loved. I'm definitely dying to read book three after the way this one ended. This series (so far) is one of my favorites I've read in a while in this genre. This novel did feel a bit like a bridge novel (like many sequels can), but it did not drag or suffer for it. I'm very curious to see how the author resolves everything in book three, and I'm really hoping it ends the way I hope it will.
Fun story.
Fairly tame across the board. 14/15+ I'd say.
This book picks up right where book one left off. It was action-packed and even better than book one that I loved. I'm definitely dying to read book three after the way this one ended. This series (so far) is one of my favorites I've read in a while in this genre. This novel did feel a bit like a bridge novel (like many sequels can), but it did not drag or suffer for it. I'm very curious to see how the author resolves everything in book three, and I'm really hoping it ends the way I hope it will.
Fun story.
Fairly tame across the board. 14/15+ I'd say.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This was quite enjoyable and I like the characters a lot. It could be predictable at times, but I didn’t mind. I am excited for the final installation.
I really enjoyed the first book and was really caught by the interesting magical system, as well as several of the characters, even the "evil" ones. There were times in the first book where I could tell it was a debut book, but overall, the book left me wanting more. That "sophomore" book can often be hit or misses for an author, especially if the first book is well-received. Expectations are often higher for the second book, and sometimes the author just can't seem to find their stride. This is absolutely not the case here, and if anything, this book had me on the edge of my seat and wanting more, more, more! This book was full of action, twists, tragic and painful moments, and pretty crazy manifestations of power. And yet it was the characters themselves that really had me hooked as they find out more about themselves as well as surprises in their allies. The diversity is wonderful, and I loved learning more about the different cultures of the various countries. I especially love how Kais has developed, especially considering his role in the first book. My only disappointment is what has happened with Ransom and Ana's relationship, but I suppose you have to allow further trials and tribulations to occur in the third book! I'm definitely thinking all their paths will diverge and then converge in what should be an exciting finale in the third book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Merged review:
I really enjoyed the first book and was really caught by the interesting magical system, as well as several of the characters, even the "evil" ones. There were times in the first book where I could tell it was a debut book, but overall, the book left me wanting more. That "sophomore" book can often be hit or misses for an author, especially if the first book is well-received. Expectations are often higher for the second book, and sometimes the author just can't seem to find their stride. This is absolutely not the case here, and if anything, this book had me on the edge of my seat and wanting more, more, more! This book was full of action, twists, tragic and painful moments, and pretty crazy manifestations of power. And yet it was the characters themselves that really had me hooked as they find out more about themselves as well as surprises in their allies. The diversity is wonderful, and I loved learning more about the different cultures of the various countries. I especially love how Kais has developed, especially considering his role in the first book. My only disappointment is what has happened with Ransom and Ana's relationship, but I suppose you have to allow further trials and tribulations to occur in the third book! I'm definitely thinking all their paths will diverge and then converge in what should be an exciting finale in the third book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Merged review:
I really enjoyed the first book and was really caught by the interesting magical system, as well as several of the characters, even the "evil" ones. There were times in the first book where I could tell it was a debut book, but overall, the book left me wanting more. That "sophomore" book can often be hit or misses for an author, especially if the first book is well-received. Expectations are often higher for the second book, and sometimes the author just can't seem to find their stride. This is absolutely not the case here, and if anything, this book had me on the edge of my seat and wanting more, more, more! This book was full of action, twists, tragic and painful moments, and pretty crazy manifestations of power. And yet it was the characters themselves that really had me hooked as they find out more about themselves as well as surprises in their allies. The diversity is wonderful, and I loved learning more about the different cultures of the various countries. I especially love how Kais has developed, especially considering his role in the first book. My only disappointment is what has happened with Ransom and Ana's relationship, but I suppose you have to allow further trials and tribulations to occur in the third book! I'm definitely thinking all their paths will diverge and then converge in what should be an exciting finale in the third book!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
After reading Blood Heir recently I was really enjoying sinking my teeth into it’s sequel Red Tigress and it didn’t disappoint! I would say the pacing is a little unbalanced, with the first half being quite slow, however commit to it and the second half will reward you with a lot of quality action scenes. I do feel like possibly this could have been a duology, if the pacing had been changed, although I find Ana a really interesting character so I don’t mind getting to spend another book with her :)
Amélie Wen Zhao has created some really strong female characters in this series, there are many fascinating or promising ones, Ana and Linn in particular go on a real process of healing and inner discovery, understanding who they are and what keeps them going and I adore both of them. The male characters are less interesting to me, although I am always drawn and relate to female characters a lot more as a habit, and I may be biased but they feel like they have less substance, the I could be biased. While Ana and Linn are loyal and focused and you feel like you understand them,, Ramson, and new character Kaïs, for example, feel like they have less solidity to them as they flip flop quite often in terms of actions and beliefs and it’s hard to get a grasp of them. Ramson in particular is infuriating (while loveable), while I like that 2 characters can care for each other and yet don’t, like most YA romances, make each other their world and abandon and ignore everything else far more important, the boy gives me whiplash - just commit to something already!!
Thank you NetGalley for the early copy, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to the final instalment.
Amélie Wen Zhao has created some really strong female characters in this series, there are many fascinating or promising ones, Ana and Linn in particular go on a real process of healing and inner discovery, understanding who they are and what keeps them going and I adore both of them. The male characters are less interesting to me, although I am always drawn and relate to female characters a lot more as a habit, and I may be biased but they feel like they have less substance, the I could be biased. While Ana and Linn are loyal and focused and you feel like you understand them,, Ramson, and new character Kaïs, for example, feel like they have less solidity to them as they flip flop quite often in terms of actions and beliefs and it’s hard to get a grasp of them. Ramson in particular is infuriating (while loveable), while I like that 2 characters can care for each other and yet don’t, like most YA romances, make each other their world and abandon and ignore everything else far more important, the boy gives me whiplash - just commit to something already!!
Thank you NetGalley for the early copy, I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to the final instalment.
It’s not a bad book. It’s ok, but I thought I was going to rage if I heard “Action and counter action. Yin and Yang” one more time…. It’s repeated so much in this book that I was screaming “I GET IT, ALREADY!”
The story in this second book was so compelling! The world building mainly happened in the first book, so this one was more free to connect with the characters! I cried as the battles raged!
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-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