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3.59 AVERAGE
3.59 AVERAGE
No le doy las 5 estrellas por ciertos detalles que no me acabaron de convencer del todo.
Reseña en mi blog.
Reseña en mi blog.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
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**Eden Conquered comes out June 5, 2018**
Thank you Edelweiss and HarperCollins for this copy in exchange for an honest review
A princess on the run. Unknown assailants and spies lurking in the shadows of the court. Who to trust? And who will save Eden?
This sequel to Dividing Eden in ways did it justice, but likewise could have been better. Carys is terrified of the power she's uncovered within her. Andreus wants to prove himself as king, yet there's a nagging feeling that not all is right within the walls of his kingdom - let alone within his castle.
While the pacing lagged at times, the story alternates between Carys and Andreus for each chapter. Both the twins have no idea who they can fully trust in the aftermath of the Trials they were forced to take. Their storylines tried to develop their individual journey towards placing trust in the right people, and even taking steps to right wrongs that were done by their hand. Carys had escaped with two men with questionable pasts while Andreus almost had no one in the castle that may not have ulterior motives to setting him on the throne. Charbonneau did well in writing their fears, desires and other emotions into their POVs, yet at times this really slowed down the plot.
I can't say that action wasn't a pivotal component of the story. An imminent attack on Eden from their rival country was coming, and different groups had different agendas for who should be put on the throne. There was always an underlying sense of urgency - whether in Carys' return to the castle or Andreus' ability to outwit his shadowy enemies - but the action only packed the greatest punch in the last 25% or so of the novel.
And oh boy, was that something. Like a wind hurtling full force, all of a sudden a bunch of things were coming into play. Vague predictions/messages from the seers, monsters coming at full force out of the darkness, and the threat of war just amassed on these twins.
Unseen twists caught me by surprise, though I'm not sure in hindsight why I didn't see that coming. Yet now in hindsight, I can't help but feel somewhat cheated in the ending to this duology. Don't get me wrong, it was exciting in a way but it all happened so fast. Each "obstacle" was resolved in a way that didn't take the time to fully appreciate the climax of the story. Even the twins' reunion after the rocky way they left each other in book 1 all occurred so fast.
What I will say about the ending that redeemed this entire book for me was that it didn't wrap itself up in a very nice bow. Not completely at least. It's not a sad ending, but things are left somewhat open to the happiness and future of the protagonists. And while this entire series, including this sequel, only supplemented the story with romance, I felt it was the perfect amount to support the plot instead of overwhelm it. The highlight was kept on the twins' character development and unearthing the subterfuge amidst them.
Would I rather the novel was extended a bit more to really flesh out the climax, and maybe added to the plot a bit more? For sure. But as it stands, Eden Conquered managed to deliver an ending that I think was worthwhile in some way still.
Overall Recommendation:
Eden Conquered may not have packed as heavy of a punch as a final installment to this duology, but it made up for its lack of plot and sometimes slow pacing with a beautiful focus on character development. Both Carys and Andreus are flawed protagonists with their own inner demons, or curses, they had to face. With a kingdom depending on them working together instead of against one another, this sequel placed emphasis on all the right aspects that made it a worthy conclusion in the end. A surprise twist here and there, a touch of feels and an ending that was somewhat open to interpretation, I at least leave Eden with a smile on my face.
---------------------------------------------
For more of my reviews, check out Down the Rabbit Hole:
**Eden Conquered comes out June 5, 2018**
Thank you Edelweiss and HarperCollins for this copy in exchange for an honest review
A princess on the run. Unknown assailants and spies lurking in the shadows of the court. Who to trust? And who will save Eden?
This sequel to Dividing Eden in ways did it justice, but likewise could have been better. Carys is terrified of the power she's uncovered within her. Andreus wants to prove himself as king, yet there's a nagging feeling that not all is right within the walls of his kingdom - let alone within his castle.
While the pacing lagged at times, the story alternates between Carys and Andreus for each chapter. Both the twins have no idea who they can fully trust in the aftermath of the Trials they were forced to take. Their storylines tried to develop their individual journey towards placing trust in the right people, and even taking steps to right wrongs that were done by their hand. Carys had escaped with two men with questionable pasts while Andreus almost had no one in the castle that may not have ulterior motives to setting him on the throne. Charbonneau did well in writing their fears, desires and other emotions into their POVs, yet at times this really slowed down the plot.
I can't say that action wasn't a pivotal component of the story. An imminent attack on Eden from their rival country was coming, and different groups had different agendas for who should be put on the throne. There was always an underlying sense of urgency - whether in Carys' return to the castle or Andreus' ability to outwit his shadowy enemies - but the action only packed the greatest punch in the last 25% or so of the novel.
And oh boy, was that something. Like a wind hurtling full force, all of a sudden a bunch of things were coming into play. Vague predictions/messages from the seers, monsters coming at full force out of the darkness, and the threat of war just amassed on these twins.
Unseen twists caught me by surprise, though I'm not sure in hindsight why I didn't see that coming. Yet now in hindsight, I can't help but feel somewhat cheated in the ending to this duology. Don't get me wrong, it was exciting in a way but it all happened so fast. Each "obstacle" was resolved in a way that didn't take the time to fully appreciate the climax of the story. Even the twins' reunion after the rocky way they left each other in book 1 all occurred so fast.
What I will say about the ending that redeemed this entire book for me was that it didn't wrap itself up in a very nice bow. Not completely at least. It's not a sad ending, but things are left somewhat open to the happiness and future of the protagonists. And while this entire series, including this sequel, only supplemented the story with romance, I felt it was the perfect amount to support the plot instead of overwhelm it. The highlight was kept on the twins' character development and unearthing the subterfuge amidst them.
Would I rather the novel was extended a bit more to really flesh out the climax, and maybe added to the plot a bit more? For sure. But as it stands, Eden Conquered managed to deliver an ending that I think was worthwhile in some way still.
Overall Recommendation:
Eden Conquered may not have packed as heavy of a punch as a final installment to this duology, but it made up for its lack of plot and sometimes slow pacing with a beautiful focus on character development. Both Carys and Andreus are flawed protagonists with their own inner demons, or curses, they had to face. With a kingdom depending on them working together instead of against one another, this sequel placed emphasis on all the right aspects that made it a worthy conclusion in the end. A surprise twist here and there, a touch of feels and an ending that was somewhat open to interpretation, I at least leave Eden with a smile on my face.
---------------------------------------------
For more of my reviews, check out Down the Rabbit Hole:
2.5 stars.
I have to admit, this book wasn’t great. That said, I did finish it so it can’t have been terrible either. For the most part, it was simply too difficult to feel anything for the characters. The writing was too basic to create drama or suspense. Plus as with the first book, it felt like huge chunks of backstory were completely forgotten about or skipped over. Characters made reference to situations that we as the reader weren’t privy to, which only served to make the story confusing and much too “convenient” for want of a better word.
Every time I opened this book I told myself it wasn’t that good, considering when I started the series I felt it had a promising plot line. Unfortunately the writing style never drew me in so it became difficult to find things I liked about it. As with most cases, as soon as you start to dislike someone, everything about them bothers you!
I remember the first book was clumsy in its descriptions and confusing with its lack of backstory. There I was reading the sequel and literally rolled my eyes when I read “Carys yanked her arm free of Garret’s grip and pressed her knees into her mount’s flanks”. Has this author ever ridden a horse? Perhaps she should have done some research before writing something that is physically impossible if you’re sitting on a horse the right way. And to think I gave her the benefit of the doubt when she described one horse to be a “chestnut brown”. It’s either one or the other...
I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone else and I hope that my next library book captures my imagination better.
I have to admit, this book wasn’t great. That said, I did finish it so it can’t have been terrible either. For the most part, it was simply too difficult to feel anything for the characters. The writing was too basic to create drama or suspense. Plus as with the first book, it felt like huge chunks of backstory were completely forgotten about or skipped over. Characters made reference to situations that we as the reader weren’t privy to, which only served to make the story confusing and much too “convenient” for want of a better word.
Every time I opened this book I told myself it wasn’t that good, considering when I started the series I felt it had a promising plot line. Unfortunately the writing style never drew me in so it became difficult to find things I liked about it. As with most cases, as soon as you start to dislike someone, everything about them bothers you!
I remember the first book was clumsy in its descriptions and confusing with its lack of backstory. There I was reading the sequel and literally rolled my eyes when I read “Carys yanked her arm free of Garret’s grip and pressed her knees into her mount’s flanks”. Has this author ever ridden a horse? Perhaps she should have done some research before writing something that is physically impossible if you’re sitting on a horse the right way. And to think I gave her the benefit of the doubt when she described one horse to be a “chestnut brown”. It’s either one or the other...
I wouldn’t recommend this book to anyone else and I hope that my next library book captures my imagination better.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5 Stars
This duology was fine. If you're relatively new to YA fantasy I think it could be a fun read, but it felt a bit generic to me.
This duology was fine. If you're relatively new to YA fantasy I think it could be a fun read, but it felt a bit generic to me.
2.5***
This felt more like a middle book opposed to a finale. It was a lot of cheesy magic and lines, the reveals were very interesting and cool to learn but overall I was unimpressed with how the story wrapped up.
This felt more like a middle book opposed to a finale. It was a lot of cheesy magic and lines, the reveals were very interesting and cool to learn but overall I was unimpressed with how the story wrapped up.
This conclusion did satisfy me and I enjoyed the ending! There were some character growth and changes of heart, couple of secrets revealed and a bit of a love triangle. I did want to know about the curse and the secrecy surrounding the twins and their birth, but I was so shocked by the revelations! I also loved that the love triangle wasn't dragged throught the whole book and the fact that Carys had to question the motives of both men. Andreus' actions were strange at first, but I liked his ways of dealing with danger to his life and his secret plans. I did wish we heard more from Queen Betrice, but she did play her part in this book very well.
It's been a year since I read the first book, but I did remember quickly what happened and the characters mentioned the events from previous book often enough for me to remember the details. All in all, satisfying conclusion to she series!
It's been a year since I read the first book, but I did remember quickly what happened and the characters mentioned the events from previous book often enough for me to remember the details. All in all, satisfying conclusion to she series!
Eden Conquered is a book I read because I wanted closure. I have no strong feelings about any of the characters, and my enjoyment of reading the first novel was not high enough to ignore the large plot holes and poor character development within it. Yet, when presented with the opportunity to find out what happened to Carys and Andreus, I was curious and took advantage of it.
It turns out that Eden Conquered provides more of the same as Dividing Eden. Extremely rushed with holes the size of buses, the story moves forward at a frenetic pace – one that makes no sense and forces you to suspend disbelief on more than one instance. The characters remain weakly developed, although Carys continues to be the more developed of the two. There are one or two twists that may manage to surprise you, but the rest follows a predictable pattern. However, just like its partner in the duology, Dividing Eden is a novel meant to entertain rather than impress.
To expound upon specifics would be to give away any bit of excitement one may garner from the novel. Suffice it to say, there is the usual happenings within the story. There are battles – both external and internal. Hidden truths see the light of day. Difficult decisions made. There is the hint of a romance but no romantic triangle. Magic but no real technology outside of electric lights. Monsters both human and otherwise. Most of your questions get answers. Other than the fantastic cover (and it really is spectacular), Eden Conquered remains a middle-of-the-road young adult fantasy that fades into the background of the many, many similar novels that have come before it.
It turns out that Eden Conquered provides more of the same as Dividing Eden. Extremely rushed with holes the size of buses, the story moves forward at a frenetic pace – one that makes no sense and forces you to suspend disbelief on more than one instance. The characters remain weakly developed, although Carys continues to be the more developed of the two. There are one or two twists that may manage to surprise you, but the rest follows a predictable pattern. However, just like its partner in the duology, Dividing Eden is a novel meant to entertain rather than impress.
To expound upon specifics would be to give away any bit of excitement one may garner from the novel. Suffice it to say, there is the usual happenings within the story. There are battles – both external and internal. Hidden truths see the light of day. Difficult decisions made. There is the hint of a romance but no romantic triangle. Magic but no real technology outside of electric lights. Monsters both human and otherwise. Most of your questions get answers. Other than the fantastic cover (and it really is spectacular), Eden Conquered remains a middle-of-the-road young adult fantasy that fades into the background of the many, many similar novels that have come before it.