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court728's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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? No
5.0
I was really happy to complete the story of Alisa and Vali. Well written, good story build, some spice and a good character tie ins with other story archs. My first set of diaries in dealing with norae mythology but definitely will be hard to top.
annettebooksofhopeanddreams's review against another edition
4.0
It's been a while since I read the first book in this series and ever since I read that first book I've been reading more Norse mythology inspired stories. I was therefore incredibly curious if I'd recognize more names, themes and events this time around. I was mostly curious to discover what this second book would be about, especially since the last chapter of the first book was quite a cliffhanger. I was therefore really happy that I found an arc on BookSirens.
I really profited from having a little more knowledge when it comes to Norse mythology. Just like the first book this second book is filled with names, events and talk about previous events. It really does help if some of those names and events ring familiar. Although in this case it also made me a little anxious of the finale of the book. After all, I did know that Ragnarok is not the best thing main characters can end up in.
For a little moment I was afraid that a big part of this book would be a repetition of the first book. Memory loss is often handled as some sort of reset device after all. However, the author did an amazing job making sure that despite the memory loss the story never fells like more of the same. It felt more like the memory loss was helping our characters to discover who they could be without the other. Luckily, minor spoiler, the reunion does happen at some point.
At times this book feels like a little much and yet I'm incredibly thankful that the author gave so many characters a voice and the chance to tell their story. Just like I love all the side adventures our characters had to go on to reach their goal. Those side adventures were showing us this rich world and were telling us as many stories as possible. If you're familiar with Norse mythology it will be a joy to recognize so much. If you're new to it this series will certainly make you curious to read more.
I really profited from having a little more knowledge when it comes to Norse mythology. Just like the first book this second book is filled with names, events and talk about previous events. It really does help if some of those names and events ring familiar. Although in this case it also made me a little anxious of the finale of the book. After all, I did know that Ragnarok is not the best thing main characters can end up in.
For a little moment I was afraid that a big part of this book would be a repetition of the first book. Memory loss is often handled as some sort of reset device after all. However, the author did an amazing job making sure that despite the memory loss the story never fells like more of the same. It felt more like the memory loss was helping our characters to discover who they could be without the other. Luckily, minor spoiler, the reunion does happen at some point.
At times this book feels like a little much and yet I'm incredibly thankful that the author gave so many characters a voice and the chance to tell their story. Just like I love all the side adventures our characters had to go on to reach their goal. Those side adventures were showing us this rich world and were telling us as many stories as possible. If you're familiar with Norse mythology it will be a joy to recognize so much. If you're new to it this series will certainly make you curious to read more.
cladis's review against another edition
3.0
It’s not a bad book, but I was counting down the hours to finish it and that’s not how I like reading.
andrea4's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
5.0
atrailofpages's review against another edition
4.0
Since this is a sequel, I will just say that I loved the first book so so much, and loved the way Ailsa’s and Vali’s story comes together and their beautiful romance
booked_up_nixi's review against another edition
5.0
The end of an epic saga!
This book was absolutely amazing!
Carrying on from where the first book ends, this epic conclusion is a must read if you read the first book (and if not, read them both!)
The story is based on Norse Mythology and might seem complicated but it adds so much more to the experience! (Plus, there is a glossary)
This story is exceptionally well told and filled with action, violence, humor, true love, twists and unwavering characters that must make the choice between what’s hard and what’s right.
This story has something of everything and the duet is definitely recommended!
I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of this book through Booksirens and willingly leave this honest review.
This book was absolutely amazing!
Carrying on from where the first book ends, this epic conclusion is a must read if you read the first book (and if not, read them both!)
The story is based on Norse Mythology and might seem complicated but it adds so much more to the experience! (Plus, there is a glossary)
This story is exceptionally well told and filled with action, violence, humor, true love, twists and unwavering characters that must make the choice between what’s hard and what’s right.
This story has something of everything and the duet is definitely recommended!
I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of this book through Booksirens and willingly leave this honest review.
booked_up_nixi's review
5.0
The end of an epic saga!
This book was absolutely amazing!
Carrying on from where the first book ends, this epic conclusion is a must read if you read the first book (and if not, read them both!)
The story is based on Norse Mythology and might seem complicated but it adds so much more to the experience! (Plus, there is a glossary)
This story is exceptionally well told and filled with action, violence, humor, true love, twists and unwavering characters that must make the choice between what’s hard and what’s right.
This story has something of everything and the duet is definitely recommended!
I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of this book through Booksirens and willingly leave this honest review.
This book was absolutely amazing!
Carrying on from where the first book ends, this epic conclusion is a must read if you read the first book (and if not, read them both!)
The story is based on Norse Mythology and might seem complicated but it adds so much more to the experience! (Plus, there is a glossary)
This story is exceptionally well told and filled with action, violence, humor, true love, twists and unwavering characters that must make the choice between what’s hard and what’s right.
This story has something of everything and the duet is definitely recommended!
I was fortunate enough to receive a copy of this book through Booksirens and willingly leave this honest review.
dragonlibrary84's review against another edition
5.0
Alexis has once again reminded me why she’s one of my favorite authors and I devour every single book she writes. I’d been (semi) patiently waiting for The Silent Son to come out and that wait was absolutely worth it!
The Last Daughter is one of my top 5 books and The Silent Son was just as fantastic, if not a little more-so. The Silent Son kept me enthralled to the very end. Chapter 26 alone took me through one of the best emotional roller coasters a book has taken me on.
Ailsa is one of the most badass heroines in any book I’ve read. She knows who she is, doesn’t apologize or bend for anyone (well maybe to one person in a spicy way), but still keeps her heart for those she loves. The retribution she takes on those who took her memories was so satisfying. Vali, sweet Vali, will forever remain one of my fav book boyfriends. I hate to see their story end but I loved every moment of it.
Having the addition of Seela’s POV was great and her own relationship in this book was just as supportive and gratifying as Alisha & Vali’s. “Fly high sweetheart. You were made to touch the stars” had me melting.
Thank you Alexis for an ARC of this book. I can’t wait to see what you read next!
The Last Daughter is one of my top 5 books and The Silent Son was just as fantastic, if not a little more-so. The Silent Son kept me enthralled to the very end. Chapter 26 alone took me through one of the best emotional roller coasters a book has taken me on.
Ailsa is one of the most badass heroines in any book I’ve read. She knows who she is, doesn’t apologize or bend for anyone (well maybe to one person in a spicy way), but still keeps her heart for those she loves. The retribution she takes on those who took her memories was so satisfying. Vali, sweet Vali, will forever remain one of my fav book boyfriends. I hate to see their story end but I loved every moment of it.
Having the addition of Seela’s POV was great and her own relationship in this book was just as supportive and gratifying as Alisha & Vali’s. “Fly high sweetheart. You were made to touch the stars” had me melting.
Thank you Alexis for an ARC of this book. I can’t wait to see what you read next!
jillsbooknook's review against another edition
5.0
5 - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"My world begins and ends with you, Ailsa. It always has and always will."
The Silent Son is the second and final novel in the Last Daughter Duology, a High Fantasy Romance following the characters Aisla and Vali as they face the oncoming threat of Ragnorak. Yet more insidious threats loom far closer around the lover and threaten to tear them apart. There is hope that lies in a prophecy about a powerful son and he may be the key to bring them back together...if they are able to find him.
When I read The Last Daughter I was enthralled with this series. It grew into this beautiful fantasy journey with a powerful romance and I was so excited to dive into this one. This conclusion does not disappoint.
Aisla continues to be a strong and fierce character. Her love of Vali in unquestionable but her connection to her past puts things into question as she struggles with finding her place. There were elements left unresolved that no amount of love could fix. I also understood her motives and admired her tenacity and independence as she is forced to find answers in a place unfamiliar with people who are hiding things from her. She grew in this novel in ways I hadn't expected but I felt it did her justice.
Vali pulled on my heartstrings so much. Despite being this powerful figure there are some innate vulnerabilities in him. I loved seeing this balance of vulnerability and power as it made me feel really connected to his journey and success. I never doubted his love of Aisla and he gave me the same delicious feelings as his did in the first novel. He is forced to confront his actions in the past and I enjoyed this slight redemptive aspect.
We get additional POVs of Erik and Seela in the novel which helped broaden the world. I felt Erik was a good contrast to the love we see in Vali and Aisla and it made them appreciate me their love so much more. Seela's journey was also really engaging as we got to see her stand on her own and it rounded out her ending so well to see how to evolved.
This novel does contain spice. I would say around 2 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers as we get a few beautiful scenes between the characters. The romance is a journey in this novel and pulled on my heart so many times. There is spicy within the first 15% as these characters are in an established relationship but there is a chunk of text where they are separated so you still has this gradual romance ebb and flow. I love Vali and Ailsa and I want more of these two as these two books was not enough!
"I fell for Aisla like rain falls for the earth. Slowly, gradually, drop by drop over time, then all at once in a downpour..."
The lore and world in this story grew throughout the journey. I loved exploring Ragnorak and the prophecies around it. I also enjoyed adventuring into the different locations of Nordic mythology and engaging with different figures. This lore and world building flowed well into the story and I felt I had a good understanding of the world created without any info dumping.
The story itself has branches going off for different characters and I really loved seeing the characters be able to make these journeys. There is tension, action, betrayal, and twists that were a delight to confront as we get this end of the world prophecy mixed with search for knowledge that infused Nordic mythology well into the book. I appreciated the separation but yearned for the reconciliation that was just beautiful at the end. The payout was incredibly worth it! There was this fascinating twist at the end I wasn't expecting that made the ending so sweet for Vali and Aisla. I would love to have some slices of life for these two in the future because I am not ready to let go.
This series was an absolute delight. The fantasy, the romance, the lore, and the conflict blended so well and had me devouring this novel in a single evening. I am very quickly becoming an avid Alexis L. Menard fan.
Thank you Alexis for the ARC!
P.S. Check out the amazing art on Alexis' IG page after you read the book because it will give you so many feels when you realize the significance!
"My world begins and ends with you, Ailsa. It always has and always will."
The Silent Son is the second and final novel in the Last Daughter Duology, a High Fantasy Romance following the characters Aisla and Vali as they face the oncoming threat of Ragnorak. Yet more insidious threats loom far closer around the lover and threaten to tear them apart. There is hope that lies in a prophecy about a powerful son and he may be the key to bring them back together...if they are able to find him.
When I read The Last Daughter I was enthralled with this series. It grew into this beautiful fantasy journey with a powerful romance and I was so excited to dive into this one. This conclusion does not disappoint.
Aisla continues to be a strong and fierce character. Her love of Vali in unquestionable but her connection to her past puts things into question as she struggles with finding her place. There were elements left unresolved that no amount of love could fix. I also understood her motives and admired her tenacity and independence as she is forced to find answers in a place unfamiliar with people who are hiding things from her. She grew in this novel in ways I hadn't expected but I felt it did her justice.
Vali pulled on my heartstrings so much. Despite being this powerful figure there are some innate vulnerabilities in him. I loved seeing this balance of vulnerability and power as it made me feel really connected to his journey and success. I never doubted his love of Aisla and he gave me the same delicious feelings as his did in the first novel. He is forced to confront his actions in the past and I enjoyed this slight redemptive aspect.
We get additional POVs of Erik and Seela in the novel which helped broaden the world. I felt Erik was a good contrast to the love we see in Vali and Aisla and it made them appreciate me their love so much more. Seela's journey was also really engaging as we got to see her stand on her own and it rounded out her ending so well to see how to evolved.
This novel does contain spice. I would say around 2 spicy peppers out of 5 spicy peppers as we get a few beautiful scenes between the characters. The romance is a journey in this novel and pulled on my heart so many times. There is spicy within the first 15% as these characters are in an established relationship but there is a chunk of text where they are separated so you still has this gradual romance ebb and flow. I love Vali and Ailsa and I want more of these two as these two books was not enough!
"I fell for Aisla like rain falls for the earth. Slowly, gradually, drop by drop over time, then all at once in a downpour..."
The lore and world in this story grew throughout the journey. I loved exploring Ragnorak and the prophecies around it. I also enjoyed adventuring into the different locations of Nordic mythology and engaging with different figures. This lore and world building flowed well into the story and I felt I had a good understanding of the world created without any info dumping.
The story itself has branches going off for different characters and I really loved seeing the characters be able to make these journeys. There is tension, action, betrayal, and twists that were a delight to confront as we get this end of the world prophecy mixed with search for knowledge that infused Nordic mythology well into the book. I appreciated the separation but yearned for the reconciliation that was just beautiful at the end. The payout was incredibly worth it! There was this fascinating twist at the end I wasn't expecting that made the ending so sweet for Vali and Aisla. I would love to have some slices of life for these two in the future because I am not ready to let go.
This series was an absolute delight. The fantasy, the romance, the lore, and the conflict blended so well and had me devouring this novel in a single evening. I am very quickly becoming an avid Alexis L. Menard fan.
Thank you Alexis for the ARC!
P.S. Check out the amazing art on Alexis' IG page after you read the book because it will give you so many feels when you realize the significance!