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alexthelibrarian's review
4.0
Better than the first book in the series. The characters became much more interesting and the action scenes were good fun. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
mmelibertine's review
5.0
This book, this SERIES, is so good I think I'm going to be sick. I didn't want it to end, least of all where it DID. Lane, sweet Lane, WHAT HAPPENS, I MUST KNOW.
In all seriousness, BLIGHTBORN is as well paced and tightly plotted as its predecessor. The characters are remarkable. They're deep and complex and difficult, and they tug at my heartstrings and surprise me in the best and most painful of ways.
I have to comment on the wonderful representation in the book, too. There's no punching down to be found here. There's a fat kid who isn't craven and cowardly, but brave, steadfast, strong, and a quick thinker. There's a gay kid who's multidimensional and not demonized or mocked by the narrative (though yes, he does face the fears and lashing-out of those who don't understand). And people of color! Who aren't cannon fodder! Confetti everywhere!
I'm literally salivating over the thought of the next book. I can't even deal, you guys.
In all seriousness, BLIGHTBORN is as well paced and tightly plotted as its predecessor. The characters are remarkable. They're deep and complex and difficult, and they tug at my heartstrings and surprise me in the best and most painful of ways.
I have to comment on the wonderful representation in the book, too. There's no punching down to be found here. There's a fat kid who isn't craven and cowardly, but brave, steadfast, strong, and a quick thinker. There's a gay kid who's multidimensional and not demonized or mocked by the narrative (though yes, he does face the fears and lashing-out of those who don't understand). And people of color! Who aren't cannon fodder! Confetti everywhere!
I'm literally salivating over the thought of the next book. I can't even deal, you guys.
ruhlen's review
3.0
While I felt this book was better than the first, it did seem to take a really roundabout way to get to the climax. It definitely had more drive than the first - a stronger end-goal, but I was ready to be done with it just over half way through. it just kept going. Still, a good follow-up to the first book, and I look forward to the next.
angrywombat's review against another edition
4.0
OK, that was probably the first book in a long time that kept me reading.
Pretty much finished this in a single (long) sitting. Something about the way it is written just lends a great sense of immediacy and tension. This has everything from the first book, but now we get to see the privileged people of the floating cities in all their (disgusting) glory.
The plot deepens - the hints from the first book are exposed a little more. Who was Cael's father, what happens to the people who "win" the lottery to go up and live in the floating cities? Yes, it is explained. What is "the Blight" that everyone was so fearful of?
Part of what I like about this series, and what makes it easy to read, is that it is so easy to see the real-world analogies of what is being described.
The ONLY thing I didn't like was the weird religion of the Flotilla people. Odd thing to get stuck on, but it just didn't seem to fit.
3rd book already locked and loaded.
Pretty much finished this in a single (long) sitting. Something about the way it is written just lends a great sense of immediacy and tension. This has everything from the first book, but now we get to see the privileged people of the floating cities in all their (disgusting) glory.
The plot deepens - the hints from the first book are exposed a little more. Who was Cael's father, what happens to the people who "win" the lottery to go up and live in the floating cities? Yes, it is explained. What is "the Blight" that everyone was so fearful of?
Part of what I like about this series, and what makes it easy to read, is that it is so easy to see the real-world analogies of what is being described.
The ONLY thing I didn't like was the weird religion of the Flotilla people. Odd thing to get stuck on, but it just didn't seem to fit.
3rd book already locked and loaded.
shaanananaaa's review
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
cj_jones's review against another edition
3.0
When I finished this, I went back and checked my review of the first book. This wasn't a bad story, I enjoyed it and all, the characters were good, but I wasn't burning to read the third book, and I was curious as to why I had burned so to read the second. I dunno.
EDIT: a couple of days ago Amazon sent me a direct mailing offering me the third book for 99p. And I shrugged and said why the hell not? I can give this a dollar and a few days of reading to get to the end of the story.
EDIT: a couple of days ago Amazon sent me a direct mailing offering me the third book for 99p. And I shrugged and said why the hell not? I can give this a dollar and a few days of reading to get to the end of the story.
ampersammich's review against another edition
4.0
I read this entire book on a long plane ride, so maybe I was just feeling in tune with Wendig. The second in this series flowed so much better than the first. The characters were much more fleshed out and the story sucked me right in. If you were indifferent to the first, don't worry, out gets better!
gudzilla's review
3.0
ARC received in exchange of an honest review.
The story picks up where it has left on 1st part - Under the Empyrean Sky.
I was so excited to read on and was glad that I had entire series but as story continues, and switches between Cael and Gwennies minds alternatively, I found myself distracted. As soon as it gets nail biting exciting at Cael's end, author switches it to Gwennie's mind - bah! I know Chuck has to cover threads simultaneously but it leaves readers frustrated after every chapter. That is the reason it took me this long to finish it.
More cursing - seriously! Chuck's writing really takes huge affort to digest. For example -
The camera hangs limp now, like a dog's wounded paw.
or
Cael scowls. "Her being a girl doesn't matter. My girl back home could've kicked my ass three ways from a dog's day."
Unnecessary roughness. The entire novel progress like this.
At the end, after like 67%, things starts really exciting and I find it hard to put it down.
I already started with 'The harvest' so I want to know what is going to happen but mellower version of Chuck would be welcomed :)
I enjoyed love triangles between Cael - Gwennie - Barnes and Wanda - Cael - Gwennie, it gives more edge to story and conveys life's complexity.
But what is this - 'it is what it is'
Every few chapters, this phrase is being repeated like this is Chuck's favorite tag line and as soon as you forget that fact - here it is.
I have deducted 1 star for that because I don't enjoy repeating phrases on any novel. It really gets irritating.
So, Chuck can read this and can again say that 'Oh entire star deducted for that! But it is what it is' :D
The story picks up where it has left on 1st part - Under the Empyrean Sky.
I was so excited to read on and was glad that I had entire series but as story continues, and switches between Cael and Gwennies minds alternatively, I found myself distracted. As soon as it gets nail biting exciting at Cael's end, author switches it to Gwennie's mind - bah! I know Chuck has to cover threads simultaneously but it leaves readers frustrated after every chapter. That is the reason it took me this long to finish it.
More cursing - seriously! Chuck's writing really takes huge affort to digest. For example -
The camera hangs limp now, like a dog's wounded paw.
or
Cael scowls. "Her being a girl doesn't matter. My girl back home could've kicked my ass three ways from a dog's day."
Unnecessary roughness. The entire novel progress like this.
At the end, after like 67%, things starts really exciting and I find it hard to put it down.
I already started with 'The harvest' so I want to know what is going to happen but mellower version of Chuck would be welcomed :)
I enjoyed love triangles between Cael - Gwennie - Barnes and Wanda - Cael - Gwennie, it gives more edge to story and conveys life's complexity.
But what is this - 'it is what it is'
Every few chapters, this phrase is being repeated like this is Chuck's favorite tag line and as soon as you forget that fact - here it is.
I have deducted 1 star for that because I don't enjoy repeating phrases on any novel. It really gets irritating.
So, Chuck can read this and can again say that 'Oh entire star deducted for that! But it is what it is' :D
vailynst's review
4.0
Notes:
3.5 Stars for Story
4.5 Stars for Narration by Nick Podehl
A few fun twists but overall progression felt chunky. I'm looking forward to seeing how the trilogy will (explode) end.
3.5 Stars for Story
4.5 Stars for Narration by Nick Podehl
A few fun twists but overall progression felt chunky. I'm looking forward to seeing how the trilogy will (explode) end.