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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
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:
Complicated
This is more like a 3.5! Not as strong as the first (less twisty) but I still really enjoyed it and read it quickly. Violie as a POV is sadly no substitute for who she replaces (lol) - while there’s an attempt at giving her backstory and there’s a clear use/need in the story/narrative structure for it I didn’t feel like the emotional connection to her was there. She was a bit detached somehow. Goes back to the evident convenience in some of Sebastian’s choices rather than every element feeling 100% earned.
I thought Daphne’s arc was by far the most compelling and I’m excited for how her story develops. Beatriz is still engaging but Daphne’s development despite her more moral grayness really stood out to me. I’m excited for book 3!
I thought Daphne’s arc was by far the most compelling and I’m excited for how her story develops. Beatriz is still engaging but Daphne’s development despite her more moral grayness really stood out to me. I’m excited for book 3!
write faster maam ive been waiting since august of 2022
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Stardust in their Veins
Castles in their Bones #2
Fantasy
Laura Sebastian
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023. After reading the first book, Castle in their Bones, I just couldn't wait to read it and when I was invited to read an ARC, I was even more excited.
To begin with I was a little confused because it had been some time since I finished the first book but there were little recaps here and there which helped a lot. They were done really well too, they weren't info dumps but were instead told gradually by one character to another.
I really enjoyed the multiple POVs, especially Violie's. The extra POV at the end from Margaraux was a great touch, I'd love to read more from her POV.
I found the pacing a little slow despite there being plenty of action and clues to solve. As there are 3 main POVs, it was hard to keep track of things at times just because there's so many side characters, places and plot lines for each one and sometimes they intersect.
That being said I loved the plot itself. It had twists and turns and kept me guessing the whole way through. I found myself trying to uncover ulterior motives everytime something else was revealed.
I quite liked the ending too and I can't wait to see what the next book has in store.
*Thank you to @netgalley and the publishers for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
Castles in their Bones #2
Fantasy
Laura Sebastian
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
This was one of my most anticipated reads of 2023. After reading the first book, Castle in their Bones, I just couldn't wait to read it and when I was invited to read an ARC, I was even more excited.
To begin with I was a little confused because it had been some time since I finished the first book but there were little recaps here and there which helped a lot. They were done really well too, they weren't info dumps but were instead told gradually by one character to another.
I really enjoyed the multiple POVs, especially Violie's. The extra POV at the end from Margaraux was a great touch, I'd love to read more from her POV.
I found the pacing a little slow despite there being plenty of action and clues to solve. As there are 3 main POVs, it was hard to keep track of things at times just because there's so many side characters, places and plot lines for each one and sometimes they intersect.
That being said I loved the plot itself. It had twists and turns and kept me guessing the whole way through. I found myself trying to uncover ulterior motives everytime something else was revealed.
I quite liked the ending too and I can't wait to see what the next book has in store.
*Thank you to @netgalley and the publishers for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review*
I started this book right after finishing Castles in the bones and I'm so glad I did, reading them together was a fantastic experience and I can't wait for more.
At the end of Castles we're left with a loss so profound it could change everything, at the end of Stardust we're left with a lie so encompassing it could change the stars.
Through truth and lies, salvation and deceit Beatriz and Daphne have their hands, hearts, and minds full trying to figure out who is on their side, who is trying to kill them, and what they can do to stay alive while somehow saving their kingdoms.
While we're left with one heck of a cliffhanger, all I can think about is what will happen next, and how will it possibly live up to the bar that's been set, of course, that's what I thought after reading Castles in Their Bones and well here we are, me blown away again looking forward to every little tidbit I can get my hands on about what happens next.
Stardust in Their Veins is that book that makes you fall in love with fantasy, where every page draws you further and further into this world where the stars fall from the skies to grant wishes, and poison flows as freely as water.
Thank you to NetGalley, and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for providing a copy of this book. I have read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
At the end of Castles we're left with a loss so profound it could change everything, at the end of Stardust we're left with a lie so encompassing it could change the stars.
Through truth and lies, salvation and deceit Beatriz and Daphne have their hands, hearts, and minds full trying to figure out who is on their side, who is trying to kill them, and what they can do to stay alive while somehow saving their kingdoms.
While we're left with one heck of a cliffhanger, all I can think about is what will happen next, and how will it possibly live up to the bar that's been set, of course, that's what I thought after reading Castles in Their Bones and well here we are, me blown away again looking forward to every little tidbit I can get my hands on about what happens next.
Stardust in Their Veins is that book that makes you fall in love with fantasy, where every page draws you further and further into this world where the stars fall from the skies to grant wishes, and poison flows as freely as water.
Thank you to NetGalley, and Random House Children's, Delacorte Press for providing a copy of this book. I have read and reviewed it and all thoughts and opinions are my own.
An excellent continuation in a fascinating young adult political fantasy!
I especially enjoyed learning more about the magic system of stars, and the history surrounding the stars. The character growth, while frustrating at some points as the main characters accept their life of manipulation, was satisfying at the end.
While I thought the book was a bit long, the plot twists had me hanging onto every page! I’m excited to see how the author continues this story in the next book.
I especially enjoyed learning more about the magic system of stars, and the history surrounding the stars. The character growth, while frustrating at some points as the main characters accept their life of manipulation, was satisfying at the end.
While I thought the book was a bit long, the plot twists had me hanging onto every page! I’m excited to see how the author continues this story in the next book.
mysterious
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
Blame my devout obsession for Taylor Swift, but if the song Anti-Hero were a book character it would be Daphne.
I adored the political intrigue and scheming in Castles in Their Bones. Somehow, the sequel was even better. Laura Sebastian sure as hell knows how to write the perfect cliff hanger. She is a master of plot twists. Beatriz once described her mother as always being 5 steps ahead of her. As a reader, I felt like the author was always 5 steps ahead of me. Anytime I got comfortable and thought I knew what was going on, she was already ahead of me with another scheme.
The characters in this series are written so well. I found myself caring for nearly every one of them, with the exception of the empress. Man what a ruthless b*tch. She’s such a good villain.
The magic system in this series is so unique and my favorite I have come across. As someone who loves astrology, a magic system that uses constellations and stardust is my catnip.
*Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review!*
I adored the political intrigue and scheming in Castles in Their Bones. Somehow, the sequel was even better. Laura Sebastian sure as hell knows how to write the perfect cliff hanger. She is a master of plot twists. Beatriz once described her mother as always being 5 steps ahead of her. As a reader, I felt like the author was always 5 steps ahead of me. Anytime I got comfortable and thought I knew what was going on, she was already ahead of me with another scheme.
The characters in this series are written so well. I found myself caring for nearly every one of them, with the exception of the empress. Man what a ruthless b*tch. She’s such a good villain.
The magic system in this series is so unique and my favorite I have come across. As someone who loves astrology, a magic system that uses constellations and stardust is my catnip.
*Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for an ARC of the book in exchange for my honest review!*