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4.13 AVERAGE
4.13 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
Overall 3 stars, ending is 4 stars.
I really loved the first book, but this one really suffered from second book syndrome. It meandered a LOT, and much of the time I felt like crucial character moments were skipped and then I was told that characters had developed the found family relationships in all this time that had passed, but I didn’t get to see any of it so it made their growth moments really hard to believe. I wish I’d seen more of those moments rather than just being told about them having happened.
I will definitely read the next book, the ending is really interesting and the last 150 pages definitely picked up, but I really hope it will linger on the character moments more. And I also can’t wait for the crossovers between the storylines, I live for those.
I really loved the first book, but this one really suffered from second book syndrome. It meandered a LOT, and much of the time I felt like crucial character moments were skipped and then I was told that characters had developed the found family relationships in all this time that had passed, but I didn’t get to see any of it so it made their growth moments really hard to believe. I wish I’d seen more of those moments rather than just being told about them having happened.
I will definitely read the next book, the ending is really interesting and the last 150 pages definitely picked up, but I really hope it will linger on the character moments more. And I also can’t wait for the crossovers between the storylines, I live for those.
adventurous
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
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slow-paced
adventurous
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
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
A wonderful sequel! There wasn’t a ton of overall plot progression, but I loved the strong character development and the story was still very well paced and kept me engaged. Eagerly awaiting the final installment later this year!
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Super happy to be in this world and reading about these characters again. I loved this second book so much. It really not only lived up to my love of the first book, but also surpassed it. My only complaint is that one character death didn’t quite work for me completely. It wasn’t a problem for me that the character died. More that the build up and how they died didn’t fully work for me. However, I otherwise really enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for the next one.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Xenophobia, Colonisation
Minor: Child death
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.
This book has been very conflictive for me as I reflect on it after finishing the novel. It has some stuff I like and some I wished was explored more.
As usual Wesley Chu has written some of the best action scenes I’ve seen on paper. With the most impressive final act that left me on the edge of my seat. His ability to draw these separate story lines to one interwoven conclusion will never cease to amaze me.
We follow the four heroes of The Art of Prophecy and how their journey has progressed since we last saw them. We have martial arts, old masters passing on their knowledge to their students, and surprisingly political intrigue. If you were hoping for Jian to have a training arc it is not the focus of his story arc. Taishi’s arc is full of the martial art action readers are looking for and the threat of fate looming over her. Sali has some world altering revelations that will surely influence the third book. And sweet sweet Qisami is taken from her comfort zone and placed in a tense situation.
I would say Taishi’s storyline while full of action and master martial artists was the least impressive of the four. While it is action-packed I felt her character was pulled all over the place when she should have stayed still for moments longer, but that might actually be the intention. Jian’s, while I have liked a training arc has some satisfying personal reflection and mentors and friends to help him in his journey. Sali, while I felt slightly bored has some of the biggest world lore drops of the story that is amazing setup for times to come not to mention the most hyped action scene of the book. Qisami, with bias attached once again stole the show. The choice to take the fish out of water was absolutely perfect for our ruthless assassin.
Not to mention the one who stood out being the Lioness herself. Politics, assassins, and being cornered by three haughty men who want to claim the throne. She held our beloved characters by the throats and stole the show despite her sparse actual presence.
Overall, I would not rate this book higher than The Art of Prophecy but if this is the weakest book in the series it is built on good foundations to make a jaw-dropping third.
This book has been very conflictive for me as I reflect on it after finishing the novel. It has some stuff I like and some I wished was explored more.
As usual Wesley Chu has written some of the best action scenes I’ve seen on paper. With the most impressive final act that left me on the edge of my seat. His ability to draw these separate story lines to one interwoven conclusion will never cease to amaze me.
We follow the four heroes of The Art of Prophecy and how their journey has progressed since we last saw them. We have martial arts, old masters passing on their knowledge to their students, and surprisingly political intrigue. If you were hoping for Jian to have a training arc it is not the focus of his story arc. Taishi’s arc is full of the martial art action readers are looking for and the threat of fate looming over her. Sali has some world altering revelations that will surely influence the third book. And sweet sweet Qisami is taken from her comfort zone and placed in a tense situation.
I would say Taishi’s storyline while full of action and master martial artists was the least impressive of the four. While it is action-packed I felt her character was pulled all over the place when she should have stayed still for moments longer, but that might actually be the intention. Jian’s, while I have liked a training arc has some satisfying personal reflection and mentors and friends to help him in his journey. Sali, while I felt slightly bored has some of the biggest world lore drops of the story that is amazing setup for times to come not to mention the most hyped action scene of the book. Qisami, with bias attached once again stole the show. The choice to take the fish out of water was absolutely perfect for our ruthless assassin.
Not to mention the one who stood out being the Lioness herself. Politics, assassins, and being cornered by three haughty men who want to claim the throne. She held our beloved characters by the throats and stole the show despite her sparse actual presence.
Overall, I would not rate this book higher than The Art of Prophecy but if this is the weakest book in the series it is built on good foundations to make a jaw-dropping third.