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robin_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Death, Blood, and Violence
yourfellowbookworm22's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.0
This book was really good I honestly couldn’t put it down and really fell for the plot and characters, beautiful development and I loved the different POVS that were newly represented. :)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Confinement, Blood, and Cursing
dontwritedown's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I have been blazing through this series and for good reason, it's enjoyable and has decent word-building.
That being said while the Red Queen series didn't suffer from the second book syndrome in Glass Swors, King's Cage DEFINITELY suffered. There were multiple times were I suffered from what I call a reader's block, where I can pinpoint the part in the story where the author works themselves into a corner and desperately tries to claw out of it.
Secondly, where I feel Glass Sword makes up for lack of representation in Red Queen, I feel like King's Cage takes a few steps back seeing as only villans are portrayed as being LGBT .
But it's still worth a read and it's a highly enjoyable one too!
That being said while the Red Queen series didn't suffer from the second book syndrome in Glass Swors, King's Cage DEFINITELY suffered. There were multiple times were I suffered from what I call a reader's block, where I can pinpoint the part in the story where the author works themselves into a corner and desperately tries to claw out of it.
Secondly, where I feel Glass Sword makes up for lack of representation in Red Queen, I feel like King's Cage takes a few steps back seeing as
But it's still worth a read and it's a highly enjoyable one too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Medical trauma, Blood, Death, and Xenophobia
Minor: Pregnancy
freyacarol's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The writing flips between good and bad. A lot of the metaphors are repeated and the writer tends to drag out parts where characters are explaining their feelings in an attempt to give them more depth, but it reads as clunky and overdone. That being said, I still do enjoy some of the characters, possibly because we haven't had to hear them explain the same thing over and over again. The main characters have made too many stupid decisions and the love story part of it feels forced. The main character can't seem to decide whether she's a strong female protagonist or a simpering, helpless mess.
The plot has some complexity, though it annoys me that a lot of the reasoning behind certain events is because the villain has this weird obsession with the main character that also perhaps could have been explained differently.
The plot has some complexity, though it annoys me that a lot of the reasoning behind certain events is because the villain has this weird obsession with the main character that also perhaps could have been explained differently.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Violence, and War
kinsportch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
King’s cage was definitely a better read than Glass Sword, but does not quite add up to Red Queen. Mare Barrow is consistently an unlikable character focused primarily on herself the majority of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, War, Kidnapping, and Torture
Moderate: Confinement, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Cursing, Lesbophobia, Pregnancy, and Sexual content
emmaopaline's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Child death, Death, Murder, Racism, Violence, and War
readwithde's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.25
I really enjoyed this book. Having the characters split gave them some extra time for progression (both character and plot).
While I get why Mare would be kept prisoner for so long, I would have preferred more interactions with the court, if not with Maven. Even bringing in Evangeline's POV chapters earlier would have helped that section fill out a bit more, even if it tipped her family's hand a bit.
Cameron was an interesting POV for the Scarlet Guard/red side of things, which again left much of the political machinations off the page, but at least gave the basics. Even Kilorn would have been a better choice, in my opinion.
I feel like the final third of the book dragged a bit, at least up until the climax, the second battle at Corvium. It just felt like the pacing was off after Mare was rescued by the Scarlet Guard. I think there was too much build up in the beginning that didn't leave enough room for the three bigger battles.
Finally, I know we should want Cal to choose Mare, but I don't think he's wrong to ask Mare to choose him instead. I'm hoping there is a way for compromise in the final book, but I'm happy that each of them are actually dealing with what they want instead of throwing away their convictions, training, or lives.
Overall, this was a strong sequel, and I was surprised by a few things; I'm very excited to read the final book and the short stories.
While I get why Mare would be kept prisoner for so long, I would have preferred more interactions with the court, if not with Maven.
Cameron was an interesting POV for the Scarlet Guard/red side of things, which again left much of the political machinations off the page, but at least gave the basics. Even Kilorn would have been a better choice, in my opinion.
I feel like the final third of the book dragged a bit, at least up until the climax,
Finally,
Overall, this was a strong sequel, and I was surprised by a few things; I'm very excited to read the final book and the short stories.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Gaslighting, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Infidelity, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Pregnancy, Racial slurs, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Torture, and Vomit
readwithzoe_'s review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Pregnancy and Torture
Minor: Vomit
trulydevious's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, War, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Torture, Self harm, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, and Medical content
Minor: Sexual content, Fire/Fire injury, Pregnancy, Gore, and Child abuse
charhollyx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.25
A better book than the first two in my opinion.
This book both develops the world, plot and characters in much more depth. We see a different side to unexpected characters which I really liked and didn’t expect, to the extent of appreciating their perspective and even liking them as much as the main characters.
what I really did not enjoy reading was the last 30 or so pages. The last two chapters and the plot twist felt like a backtrack of character arc and a little unlike Cal’s growth and personality. Although I saw the situation in his eyes, he only wants to save and transform his brother and kingdom; I thought he had changed more than that, as it was seemingly written. A disappointing end which I hope will be redeemed in the final book.
This book both develops the world, plot and characters in much more depth. We see a different side to unexpected characters which I really liked and didn’t expect, to the extent of appreciating their perspective and even liking them as much as the main characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, and War