Scan barcode
lpcoolgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Man, i loved reading this book, loved the continuation of the story, it was so good!
sarahthenerd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
This one is a lot better than the first book. But it is still lacking. The first few chapters were a bit hard bcs there are so many long description of smth that shouldn't be even described that long. However, it is interesting to see the different view or how a character described of smth. I guess bcs the first book is from Kol's POV and he's a boring character and in this book it's from Mya's POV and everything seems less boring and bearable. The way she describesd Kol was interesting. It made me somehow misjudged his character LOL.
Content Warnings
Minor: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, and Child abuse
christajls's review against another edition
2.0
I was surprised to find out that Ivory & Bone (the first book in this series) has a sequel as it felt like a pretty complete/contained story when I finished it earlier this month. But I picked up Obsidian and Stars because I was curious where else Julie Eshbaugh would go with the story.
I liked the way this installment switched perspective to tell the story from Mya's POV rather than Kol. I felt like she never really got to shine in Ivory & Bone. But in this POV switch, we also lose one of the elements that made Ivory & Bone so unique - it's written in the first person but most of the novel is Kol telling Mya the story of how they met (rather than telling the reader). "I saw you coming over the hill..." etc. Obsidian & Stars is told in traditional first-person and as a result, it doesn't have the same intimate feel.
Beyond that, I also felt like the story of Obsidian and Stars just wasn't as strong as Ivory and Bone. The conflicts/obstacles felt forced and the will-they-won't they of Mya and Kol's betrothal was repetitive.
Julie Eshbaugh has created a unique world in this series but it would have worked better as a standalone. That being said I think she has interesting ideas and I'll be curious to see what she comes up with next.
I liked the way this installment switched perspective to tell the story from Mya's POV rather than Kol. I felt like she never really got to shine in Ivory & Bone. But in this POV switch, we also lose one of the elements that made Ivory & Bone so unique - it's written in the first person but most of the novel is Kol telling Mya the story of how they met (rather than telling the reader). "I saw you coming over the hill..." etc. Obsidian & Stars is told in traditional first-person and as a result, it doesn't have the same intimate feel.
Beyond that, I also felt like the story of Obsidian and Stars just wasn't as strong as Ivory and Bone. The conflicts/obstacles felt forced and the will-they-won't they of Mya and Kol's betrothal was repetitive.
Julie Eshbaugh has created a unique world in this series but it would have worked better as a standalone. That being said I think she has interesting ideas and I'll be curious to see what she comes up with next.
luna_rondo's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Stars.
Here's the thing - please never tell your story in second person. It was literally my biggest criticism from Ivory and Bone and probably why I felt so more invested in Obsidian and Stars. That and Mya was the character I was most interested in.
That being said, there were still a lot of issues and most of them came down to poor decision's on the characters part. Usually, one character in particular - I'm looking at you, Lees.
I did enjoy this book in the end and am excited to see where Eshbaugh takes the next book.
Here's the thing - please never tell your story in second person. It was literally my biggest criticism from Ivory and Bone and probably why I felt so more invested in Obsidian and Stars. That and Mya was the character I was most interested in.
That being said, there were still a lot of issues and most of them came down to poor decision's on the characters part. Usually, one character in particular - I'm looking at you, Lees.
I did enjoy this book in the end and am excited to see where Eshbaugh takes the next book.
shellycampbellauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Brimming with Emotion and Action
This is such a gripping, emotional sequel to Ivory and Bone. Mya as a main character is compelling and easy to feel empathy with. Seeing the world and Kol through her eyes was the perfect counterbalance to the first book in the series—although I’m sure this reads equally well as a stand alone story. I couldn’t put this one down. It was such an action-packed emotional ride. Loved it!
This is such a gripping, emotional sequel to Ivory and Bone. Mya as a main character is compelling and easy to feel empathy with. Seeing the world and Kol through her eyes was the perfect counterbalance to the first book in the series—although I’m sure this reads equally well as a stand alone story. I couldn’t put this one down. It was such an action-packed emotional ride. Loved it!
r3ader's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
jenbsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
While I liked the story in book one ... the different narrative voice drove me crazy (first person, but talking TO "you" ... to Mya, but unless she was in a coma or suffering from amnesia at the end and he WAS actually telling this story to her, and not to us, the reader. It just jolted me out of the story every time). I really wasn't sure I could get through another book with that. But I gave it a try and was so relieved when not only the POV switched (Mya telling the story this time) ... but she told it normally, not TO Kol, but to us, the reader.
I must admit I really wasn't sure where the story was heading. There were so many twists and turns along the way. So often I'm guessing things that might happen, but here I really had no idea, so I just listened (audiobook edition again) and relaxed into the story (as that "you" wasn't jolting me out of it).
I really liked all the names ... while Kol and Mya aren't that unusual even today, many of the others were (well, Siri is common thanks to Apple, but Peck, Lees, Rune, etc ... forgive misspellings as I only heard the names, didn't see them in print). The names of the different clans as well. It helped to keep it in the primitive setting. So did the similes! The language and comparisons kept things uniquely in the time period (I don't have specific examples as I can't highlight text in an audio edition, but things like "the boat slipped into the water smoothly, like a knife cutting away the skin of a seal" ...
I felt this book wrapped things up quite well, I was a little surprised to hear there is a third book. I was thinking this was just the two. I would be willing to continue on with the story ... I'll be watching for the next one.
I must admit I really wasn't sure where the story was heading. There were so many twists and turns along the way. So often I'm guessing things that might happen, but here I really had no idea, so I just listened (audiobook edition again) and relaxed into the story (as that "you" wasn't jolting me out of it).
I really liked all the names ... while Kol and Mya aren't that unusual even today, many of the others were (well, Siri is common thanks to Apple, but Peck, Lees, Rune, etc ... forgive misspellings as I only heard the names, didn't see them in print). The names of the different clans as well. It helped to keep it in the primitive setting. So did the similes! The language and comparisons kept things uniquely in the time period (I don't have specific examples as I can't highlight text in an audio edition, but things like "the boat slipped into the water smoothly, like a knife cutting away the skin of a seal" ...
I felt this book wrapped things up quite well, I was a little surprised to hear there is a third book. I was thinking this was just the two. I would be willing to continue on with the story ... I'll be watching for the next one.
shirleonelsie's review against another edition
5.0
I hate that this series is a duology.
I want more.
That is all.
I want more.
That is all.