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jesslynn2000's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
booklovingredhead's review against another edition
4.0
When I tell you I was excited for this book, I meant it. I was waiting for it to be released. I couldn’t wait. The first book was a five star read for me while this one, not so much
This book had multiple POVs which is fine but I felt like it was jumping around too much, it was hard to focus
The plot of this book was also really slow compared to the first but I think this book is there to build up the part book. It felt like a lot of world building, so I’m hoping the last book is going to be full of action
Some quick bullet points:
-Isla is a badass still, need more of it though
-Guardians still have my heart, like I could just read about them and be happy
-Allister is a brat and self-centred
-Rian & Matthieu are MEH right now but I see potential. The whole Isla being their mate is throwing me for a loop because she is true mates with the guardians but still their mate but I think it will make more sense (hopefully) in the third book
Im still excited about the last book because I do love this world and I also need to know what happens next
This book had multiple POVs which is fine but I felt like it was jumping around too much, it was hard to focus
The plot of this book was also really slow compared to the first but I think this book is there to build up the part book. It felt like a lot of world building, so I’m hoping the last book is going to be full of action
Some quick bullet points:
-Isla is a badass still, need more of it though
-Guardians still have my heart, like I could just read about them and be happy
-Allister is a brat and self-centred
-Rian & Matthieu are MEH right now but I see potential. The whole Isla being their mate is throwing me for a loop because she is true mates with the guardians but still their mate but I think it will make more sense (hopefully) in the third book
Im still excited about the last book because I do love this world and I also need to know what happens next
sass_sass's review against another edition
4.0
It was fun to read Isla and Alistair's story from Alistair's perspective in this book and to also catch up with Isla and her mates. I'm looking forward to the next installment. ❤
sovaria's review against another edition
5.0
I've been impatiently waiting for this book since the second I finished book 1 a year ago. Literally stalked the authors social media for months until I came across a WIP and tentative release date and I've been sitting on my hands since then!
Gah, so worth the wait! And I don't say that lightly, I hate waiting for things. It's my least favorite thing ever. I'm the fast walker on the sidewalk who cannot understand WHAT THE HELL YOU'RE WALKING SO SLOW FOR!?! I pay extra for fast shipping. If I can't have it now, I don't want it. It's a toxic trait, to be sure. Anyway, here I am after finishing this book in hours because nothing else existed outside of me and these characters. Kids who? House what? Nope, I was in Briya.
I've got a shit ton of spoilers I want to yell about but I won't. I love these characters and this story. I love the different plot elements that keep me on the edge of my seat. I LOVE Maalik even more now than I did in book 1. I'm so into this world that now I'm mad I gotta wait AGAIN!
P. S.
That last chapter??? Ughhhh. Everything.
Gah, so worth the wait! And I don't say that lightly, I hate waiting for things. It's my least favorite thing ever. I'm the fast walker on the sidewalk who cannot understand WHAT THE HELL YOU'RE WALKING SO SLOW FOR!?! I pay extra for fast shipping. If I can't have it now, I don't want it. It's a toxic trait, to be sure. Anyway, here I am after finishing this book in hours because nothing else existed outside of me and these characters. Kids who? House what? Nope, I was in Briya.
I've got a shit ton of spoilers I want to yell about but I won't. I love these characters and this story. I love the different plot elements that keep me on the edge of my seat. I LOVE Maalik even more now than I did in book 1. I'm so into this world that now I'm mad I gotta wait AGAIN!
P. S.
That last chapter??? Ughhhh. Everything.
keikiqueen's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
staciexx's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars i think? read in one go might switch to a 3.5 later but am invested in the conclusion (whenever that is)
sarahb_'s review against another edition
2.0
Not as good as book one. Isla and her mates not being able to understand each other got old fast. I also did not care for Alistairs pov. Too whiny
alydez's review against another edition
4.0
If I could give a 4.5 I would. I really enjoy stories where you are seeing others perspectives on a scenario and it helped me recollect the first book a bit since it's been a while. It also tied together pieces of the first book I had questions about. Overall I love the direction and that it's so different from everything else I have been reading. I can't wait to hear when the next book will be out.
Bonus points for MC (Isla) because she is strong, smart and witty.
Bonus points for MC (Isla) because she is strong, smart and witty.
unlimitedhappylife's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I enjoyed the first book and was hoping that Isla and her men would figure out a way around their communication issue and wanted to see what would happen. Unfortunately, I found this installment disappointing and the only characters I enjoyed and kept me reading were Reule, Caelan, Maalik, and Audun.
Let's start with Allistair, he is a selfish and self-pitying character that made me want to scream. I am assuming the mention of his problems with addiction and his unknown power is supposed to make me sympathize for him and to an extent I do, but it got to a point where I saw him as the toxic friend you need to cut out of your life lest they bring you down with them. I felt like he only cared about Isla because she was his caretaker and put up with his crap.
My next problem was Isla, I did not mind her in the first book, but she started to give me internalized misogyny and pick me girl vibes. The fact that her only friends and people she gets along with, for the most part, are the men she's sleeping with and gay men left a bad taste in my mouth. Then there was a specific scene that really made me dislike her and made any time after that when she was angered by injustice feel disingenuous. She sees the other girls that were taken, one might be as young as seventeen. She notices them looking at one of her mates, and she snaps at them and yells at them to get back to work. The fact that she snapped at this teenager and woman who are basically indentured servants, alone in an unknown world and obviously not living a grand new life as she is, felt wrong. Later she gets pissed when it looks like some guardians have collars around their neck attached to a leash. Which tells me she will only sympathize with people who she doesn't think are competition for her men. She also snapped and disliked Auduns female relatives until she realized that they were relatives. Makes her super insecure and unlikable to me.
Reule, Caelan, Maalik, and Audun were the only saving grace to me. I liked the plot of them learning that not all "dark" creatures are evil, and they might have been misled. The men start to question everything and self reflect on the pain they caused which was interesting and the only reason I might choose to continue the series.
Let's start with Allistair, he is a selfish and self-pitying character that made me want to scream. I am assuming the mention of his problems with addiction and his unknown power is supposed to make me sympathize for him and to an extent I do, but it got to a point where I saw him as the toxic friend you need to cut out of your life lest they bring you down with them. I felt like he only cared about Isla because she was his caretaker and put up with his crap.
My next problem was Isla, I did not mind her in the first book, but she started to give me internalized misogyny and pick me girl vibes. The fact that her only friends and people she gets along with, for the most part, are the men she's sleeping with and gay men left a bad taste in my mouth. Then there was a specific scene that really made me dislike her and made any time after that when she was angered by injustice feel disingenuous.
Reule, Caelan, Maalik, and Audun were the only saving grace to me. I liked the plot of them learning that not all "dark" creatures are evil, and they might have been misled. The men start to question everything and self reflect on the pain they caused which was interesting and the only reason I might choose to continue the series.