Scan barcode
cam_twad's review
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
potatooftheworld's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The character development feels very off. The plot twists felt like they had no proper development. A lot of the same subplot keep being used with no one trusting Lysander. I feel like there’s such a heavy emphasis on war and fighting and the characters convincing other people when we don’t really care about others? I don’t understand any of the side characters motivations. Like Akiem does one thing but then acts brotherly towards lysander which I kinda get that Akiem is trying to use his brother but it comes off as he actually cares which is confusing. I also wish the PTSD was properly addressed. There’s just a lot going on and it feels like nothing got finished the way it should have
drzero's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? No
4.5
saraxuherondale's review
challenging
dark
sad
tense
medium-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
3.75
3.75 stars
Lysander 🫶 Eroan. I love them so much, and their interactions were EVERYTHING (for the most part). Even though I quite liked their moments and some plot points, there were also a few moments that made me so angry and like WHY. I really wanted one of the characters to die here but my prayers didn't become truth (FOR NOW), and I just wished some things went a tiny bit differently, but overall, I quite enjoyed this book. Can't wait to suffer more in the next book
Lysander 🫶 Eroan. I love them so much, and their interactions were EVERYTHING (for the most part). Even though I quite liked their moments and some plot points, there were also a few moments that made me so angry and like WHY. I really wanted one of the characters to die here but my prayers didn't become truth (FOR NOW), and I just wished some things went a tiny bit differently, but overall, I quite enjoyed this book. Can't wait to suffer more in the next book
venusofthesnakes's review against another edition
4.0
I am not sure how to rate this.
Is this better than the first? Yes.
Is there just as much gratuitous rape and violence? Also yes. But a bit different because it didn't quite stutter the plot as much as the previous book.
I also enjoyed the story and couldn't put it down, even when I needed a break bc I wasn't in the mood to listen to angsty gore, I still went back easily.
Is this better than the first? Yes.
Is there just as much gratuitous rape and violence? Also yes. But a bit different because it didn't quite stutter the plot as much as the previous book.
I also enjoyed the story and couldn't put it down, even when I needed a break bc I wasn't in the mood to listen to angsty gore, I still went back easily.
- There is still so much sex and rape.
- The lore is barely expanded on, by the end of the book we know only a smidgen more.
- Cultural plot holes got me in this one.
- The romance is very cute. A little baseless on the elf's side, but very cute.
- Never leave your enemies alive.
kzimm2024's review
4.0
This one was slightly better because the characters actually spent some time together, but why did it have to be 3 days? Too much longer and they wouldn't have been able to be separated?
Lots of travelling, betrayal, blood, dragons and elves dying, missed connections and yet they mysteriously find each other with little effort?
I don't know, the best part of the story for me is Seraph.
Lots of travelling, betrayal, blood, dragons and elves dying, missed connections and yet they mysteriously find each other with little effort?
I don't know, the best part of the story for me is Seraph.
lifeinthebooklane's review
4.0
Who needs Game of Thrones when you have this dark fantasy epic to enjoy?
Oh Lydander and Eroan, you can stick your swords in me any day! I don't think I've read such an incredibly sexy yet tortured pair. This is a classic tale of love against the divide, set against a background of war and survival. You don't just read this book, you step into it's pages, touch the soil of the forest, soar the air on leathery wings, hide in the ramshackle shelters, feel the heat of the fire and smell the scent of hope, despair and love.
Pippa Dacosta is the most evil of authors, delighting in the pain and suffering of her characters. The pain, hurt and trials she put Eroan through were bad enough, but I might never forgive her for how she tortured Lysander. I'm just hoping, to quote Yoda, "Only through fire is a strong sword forged." 'Cos, boy, did Lysander get thrown into the fires of hell, again and again and again.
We get some wonderful moments between Eroan and Lysander, though boy do they fight tooth and claw to either avoid them or to get to them. Eroan in particular struggles with his feelings for and attraction to Lysander, after all his whole life has been dedicated to the destruction of dragons, not loving them.
This is a story of epic proportions, the plot unfolding, twisting and morphing so that just as one obstacle is overcome another 5 arise in its place. The lies, the deceit, the pigheaded ignorance and jealousy - and that was just amongst the elves and humans! If it hadn't been for Seraph and Trey I'd have encouraged Eroan to find a warm cave, on a nice secluded mountainside, that he and Lysander could live out their days in. Nye needs stabbing in the eye with a sharp stick! So jealous that he refused to see the truth that was in front of his eyes. So stuck in his ways that he could never see another path. Despite Lysander showing his heart again and again.
It was much more subtle but we also started to learn more about the dragons. There were definitely breadcrumbs there, that will no doubt become glaringly obvious beacons on a second read through after the series is complete! I always suspected there was more to Carline than we had been told, but I was at least a galaxy away from guessing the actual truth. Hmm, perhaps I need to read Silk & Steel for clues I'm sure will be there. Just what are those secrets you hold so close to your chest, Akiem? What does it mean to be Emerald?
I loved every moment spent in this book, even though I had my heart and soul wrenched out and smashed to smithereens repeatedly. The next book can't come soon enough!
"Afraid to get up close and personal with a dragon without sticking your sword in it?"
Oh Lydander and Eroan, you can stick your swords in me any day! I don't think I've read such an incredibly sexy yet tortured pair. This is a classic tale of love against the divide, set against a background of war and survival. You don't just read this book, you step into it's pages, touch the soil of the forest, soar the air on leathery wings, hide in the ramshackle shelters, feel the heat of the fire and smell the scent of hope, despair and love.
Pippa Dacosta is the most evil of authors, delighting in the pain and suffering of her characters. The pain, hurt and trials she put Eroan through were bad enough, but I might never forgive her for how she tortured Lysander. I'm just hoping, to quote Yoda, "Only through fire is a strong sword forged." 'Cos, boy, did Lysander get thrown into the fires of hell, again and again and again.
Save him. Like he saved us.
The seconds raced along with him and he feared, with every beat of his heart, that he was already too late.
We get some wonderful moments between Eroan and Lysander, though boy do they fight tooth and claw to either avoid them or to get to them. Eroan in particular struggles with his feelings for and attraction to Lysander, after all his whole life has been dedicated to the destruction of dragons, not loving them.
"What is this thing between us?"
"You come alive in my hands..." Lysander breathed, setting free the words he'd so long wanted to speak.
This is a story of epic proportions, the plot unfolding, twisting and morphing so that just as one obstacle is overcome another 5 arise in its place. The lies, the deceit, the pigheaded ignorance and jealousy - and that was just amongst the elves and humans! If it hadn't been for Seraph and Trey I'd have encouraged Eroan to find a warm cave, on a nice secluded mountainside, that he and Lysander could live out their days in. Nye needs stabbing in the eye with a sharp stick! So jealous that he refused to see the truth that was in front of his eyes. So stuck in his ways that he could never see another path. Despite Lysander showing his heart again and again.
He was fairly certain this decision would get him killed but there was nothing and no one else he'd gladly die for.
It was much more subtle but we also started to learn more about the dragons. There were definitely breadcrumbs there, that will no doubt become glaringly obvious beacons on a second read through after the series is complete! I always suspected there was more to Carline than we had been told, but I was at least a galaxy away from guessing the actual truth. Hmm, perhaps I need to read Silk & Steel for clues I'm sure will be there. Just what are those secrets you hold so close to your chest, Akiem? What does it mean to be Emerald?
I loved every moment spent in this book, even though I had my heart and soul wrenched out and smashed to smithereens repeatedly. The next book can't come soon enough!
He was afraid, he realized. Not of them,..not anymore. Nothing back there could hurt him. He was afraid of himself and what he was becoming - what he needed to become to survive the war to come.