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sydneyjclifford's review against another edition
I'm so excited for this next installment in this series! I really hope that it's going to be a series, not a trilogy. But can we stop for a moment to looks at this gorgeous cover?!
singsthewren's review against another edition
5.0
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh so good. I cannot express how much I adored this book. The first one was good, but this was SUCH a satisfying conclusion. I'm not sure whether there will be a third, but I got a feeling this wrapped it up.
The prose was so beautiful, the writing lovely, the characterizations amazing. I really enjoyed the emotional journeys of both the characters, and I found myself with tears in my eyes more than once. Okay, with tears streaming down my face more than once!!
It's such a rich world that she's created, and at first I was a little skeptical as the world opened up a little more than I was comfortable with, but I thought she brought it back on track really smartly and I enjoyed it enough that by the end I wasn't bothered.
Can't wait to see what she does next.
The prose was so beautiful, the writing lovely, the characterizations amazing. I really enjoyed the emotional journeys of both the characters, and I found myself with tears in my eyes more than once. Okay, with tears streaming down my face more than once!!
It's such a rich world that she's created, and at first I was a little skeptical as the world opened up a little more than I was comfortable with, but I thought she brought it back on track really smartly and I enjoyed it enough that by the end I wasn't bothered.
Can't wait to see what she does next.
michael_martinez's review against another edition
3.0
I gave Magonia 3 stars, and I feel this book was an equal sequel. I don't know if I like the character direction as much as the first one, but at the same time I might have liked the actual "mission" more in this one. Overall i found it decent, and a pretty easy read. I feel this may just be a duology. So if you have already read Magonia I would recommend reading this as well.
hrh_victoria's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Magonia and was enthusiastic about a sequel. While I appreciated the opportunity to return to the world and characters of the first book, I think I could have been content with the first book as a stand-alone. Maybe this is best read directly after the joy of reading Magonia, though.
aylea's review against another edition
2.0
Aza Ray is on earth living a normal life for the first time. Her boyfriend, Jason, and her family are happy to have her back, but part of Aza still wants to be involved in the amazing invisible world of Magonia in the sky. When Jason's worry about protecting Aza causes him to accidentally give the enemy exactly what they need to control Aza, she becomes a fugitive in Magonia and needs to find a way to stop her mother's terrible plan. She searches the world for a legendary weapon called the Flock that can help her find her place between Magonia and earth and save the lives of her friends and family.
Aerie is a strange fantasy that relies on usual tropes, but tries to create a unique angle with the world in the sky and the singing abilities of Magonians. Aza is a savior with special abilities and is the chosen one to save the world. In spite of the things that could be exciting, most of the book is about Aza singing a song only she can sing and feels things deeply enough to impact her song. The world and characters had a lot to give, but it focuses too much on a main character who is only interesting because she has intense emotions and is no longer dying. The beginning of the book moves very slowly, and the relationship drama becomes laughable at parts of the story. The world has interesting elements, but they often aren't explained enough and become confusing instead of intriguing. Aerie does a decent job bringing the story to a close, but the overall book is not an exciting read and has too many weaknesses to let the stronger points succeed.
Aerie is a strange fantasy that relies on usual tropes, but tries to create a unique angle with the world in the sky and the singing abilities of Magonians. Aza is a savior with special abilities and is the chosen one to save the world. In spite of the things that could be exciting, most of the book is about Aza singing a song only she can sing and feels things deeply enough to impact her song. The world and characters had a lot to give, but it focuses too much on a main character who is only interesting because she has intense emotions and is no longer dying. The beginning of the book moves very slowly, and the relationship drama becomes laughable at parts of the story. The world has interesting elements, but they often aren't explained enough and become confusing instead of intriguing. Aerie does a decent job bringing the story to a close, but the overall book is not an exciting read and has too many weaknesses to let the stronger points succeed.
jpanslabyrinthofbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Although I am giving this the same rating as the first novel in the duology, I did find Aerie to be a more complex and fleshed out narrative.
Following on from the events of Magonia, Aza Ray has taken a new skin and assimilated life back on earth to rekindle her relationship with the beloved Jason. However, the threat of her mother, Zal, and elongation, Dai, remain. And to what extent are they willing to go to being about destruction across both dimensions.
Jason is committed and loving, but how far is he willing to go to protect Aza? Losing her once, means he takes extra measures to secure her safety by entrusting security in the hands of a militarism group known as SWAB, who seem to have further plans for the duo.
A concept I adored in this novel was the characterisation of Flock - someone who can control multiple birds, and a wise character that promotes peace and serenity by projecting songs of healing and prosperity. Aza also developed a kindred relationship and became someone with confidence and independence to be admired. Add the committed Jason, and badass sister Eli and there is a much more diverse cast.
I also enjoyed learning of the sea dwelling creatures that sung amoulngst the birds, the kraken for instance. There is still so much much that could have been developed in the world building and description, and that is where the true let down is with these books. The content is on the mark, but I needed more development and description to really invest and believe this world.
Following on from the events of Magonia, Aza Ray has taken a new skin and assimilated life back on earth to rekindle her relationship with the beloved Jason. However, the threat of her mother, Zal, and elongation, Dai, remain. And to what extent are they willing to go to being about destruction across both dimensions.
Jason is committed and loving, but how far is he willing to go to protect Aza? Losing her once, means he takes extra measures to secure her safety by entrusting security in the hands of a militarism group known as SWAB, who seem to have further plans for the duo.
A concept I adored in this novel was the characterisation of Flock - someone who can control multiple birds, and a wise character that promotes peace and serenity by projecting songs of healing and prosperity. Aza also developed a kindred relationship and became someone with confidence and independence to be admired. Add the committed Jason, and badass sister Eli and there is a much more diverse cast.
I also enjoyed learning of the sea dwelling creatures that sung amoulngst the birds, the kraken for instance. There is still so much much that could have been developed in the world building and description, and that is where the true let down is with these books. The content is on the mark, but I needed more development and description to really invest and believe this world.
scythefranz's review against another edition
3.0
Aerie started where Magonia left and continued to tell the story of Aza Ray Quel as she face the adventure of her life and her heart.
It is a great adventure. I felt like I'm flying with the birds when I'm reading this book. The picture the author has shown through her words are majestic, magical and dumbfounding. I am speechless.
But sometimes, I did feel a bit overwhelmed with all the descriptions, and sometimes, I did feel that it's kind of lacking. Seriously though, I am in awe.
Why 3 stars is because of the characters and totality of this book. I like the main characters but I also find them annoying sometimes, especially Jason. And I know that his decisions, even the wrong ones, are part of the story, I still got angry with him at times. He quite redeemed himself at the end, though, but still.
The totality, however, is unsatisfying. The plot is unoriginal. And the pace is less engaging and compelling. The writing style is quite confusing and sometimes, boring.
Nonetheless, I like the message the author paints in this book. In my own perception, I think it's about individuality and climate change.
Aerie, may not be as compelling as Magonia, is still a good book after all.
It is a great adventure. I felt like I'm flying with the birds when I'm reading this book. The picture the author has shown through her words are majestic, magical and dumbfounding. I am speechless.
But sometimes, I did feel a bit overwhelmed with all the descriptions, and sometimes, I did feel that it's kind of lacking. Seriously though, I am in awe.
Why 3 stars is because of the characters and totality of this book. I like the main characters but I also find them annoying sometimes, especially Jason. And I know that his decisions, even the wrong ones, are part of the story, I still got angry with him at times. He quite redeemed himself at the end, though, but still.
The totality, however, is unsatisfying. The plot is unoriginal. And the pace is less engaging and compelling. The writing style is quite confusing and sometimes, boring.
Nonetheless, I like the message the author paints in this book. In my own perception, I think it's about individuality and climate change.
Aerie, may not be as compelling as Magonia, is still a good book after all.
merethebookgal's review against another edition
3.0
While I love the voices of Aza and Jason, I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first (Magonia). Headley most definitely knows how to write the feelings associated with being completely and hopelessly in love- sooo many feels- but the plot didn't totally hold my attention. I would definitely pick up another book following these characters if Headley decides to write any others, but overall I was left wanting a little more.
thebookishmel's review against another edition
2.0
If I didn't own the second book, I wouldn't have read it. I gave Aerie a shot, to hopefully answer the things I needed and give me what I wanted from Magonia, but this was equally, if not worse, than Magonia. The plot was confusing and I couldn't fully grasp the antagonists goals for being "evil" until the end??? It's not like it needs to be spelled out but there wasn't enough build up for it to be anything relevant. Any minor character added ended up playing a major role for literally 2 seconds and then they died ???? I'm not pleased. I legitimately have never wanted a book to end more in my entire reading career.
luna_rondo's review against another edition
2.0
The book this should have been deserved to be four stars. It was beautifully written, a sequel to a great story and yet, it's lucky it did not get a 0 star review and then torched.
Another problem I had was Aza. She didn't really do much this book. Or what she did seemed to pale in comparison to what she was supposed to do? It's hard to explain, but the whole book was about chasing her mother and then when confronted with her mother, she had a bird in her throat. LITERALLY. This whole 'take down Zal' thing was done by her father.
And last little bit of hatred goes for taking two interesting characters and killing them. Grimm? What was the point of introducing how important he could be and then killing him in the same fucking chapter? And Heyward? Come on, Heyward had turned into something so interesting and then she was dead.
To end my review, read the first and pretend the second doesn't exist.
Spoiler
Do you know what ruined this book? Well, a lot of things ruined this book for me, but one of them was Jason. To be fair, I didn't like Jason in the first book but I can accept when people compliment each other. Jason does not compliment Aza at all and is so disgustingly secretive that I wanted to create him in real life so that I could beat him with this book. He literally took away Aza's freedom and then Aza took him back asking for forgiveness. (I know they both forgave each other, but I literally don't see where Aza needed forgiveness.)Another problem I had was Aza. She didn't really do much this book. Or what she did seemed to pale in comparison to what she was supposed to do? It's hard to explain, but the whole book was about chasing her mother and then when confronted with her mother, she had a bird in her throat. LITERALLY. This whole 'take down Zal' thing was done by her father.
And last little bit of hatred goes for taking two interesting characters and killing them. Grimm? What was the point of introducing how important he could be and then killing him in the same fucking chapter? And Heyward? Come on, Heyward had turned into something so interesting and then she was dead.
To end my review, read the first and pretend the second doesn't exist.