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jecinwv's review against another edition
3.0
I finally read The Belles in January. It had been a book on my to read list for quite a while. At that time the mystery, magic, and unique imagery of the tale drew me in. I loved that book and awaited its sequel. I've put off reading this book for months. I wasn't so impressed. This book might have completed the plot but it was dull and confusing. The main character never finds out why her sister betrayed her, what plans evil Sophia has, and falls in "love" with too many men. I was highly disappointed. The plot felt rushed to me and I was unsatisfied with the ending, even if it tied most of things up. I wanted something deeper. I wanted to know more about Amber. More about the Belles secrets and their blood. I would have given this 2 stars but having read that the author was ill while writing this book I felt moved. The way she describes her health and its connection to this world she made intrigued me. I loved The Belles and the world of The Belles. I'll never regret having read this.
enchanteddroppings's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.0
powisamy's review against another edition
4.0
After reading the Belles last year I was interested in finishing the series to see
where it goes so when an opportunity to read the next book in the series came
up I was excited to pick it up. The Everlasting Rose is a good follow up to The
Belles with the same great writing and characters.
I think that because I read the Belles so long ago I had basically forgotten a lot
that happened but after reading a couple of summaries I was back on track.
This did hinder my enjoyment a little but I don't think that this is the fault of the
book so I can't fault it for that.
The book does follow on straight from the last which leaves us straight into the
action which works for a really engaging book straight away and makes it
really fast paced meaning that I raced through most of this book. This is in part to
Dhionelle Clayton's writing which is so compulsively readable.
Although I did like the plot a have seen a couple of reviews that mention that the
book packs a lot into the story and that it seems like this book should have been
made into two. I think that I do agree with this. I think the overarching story does
seem like it has been put into one which can leave a lack of room for
development at times. It does, however, make it the part which is clearly quite
good for reading.
I also think that the characters were also quite good for the story but again I did
forget who was who in many parts which did let the story down a touch but
overall I did really enjoy them.
The Verdict:
The Everlasting Rose is a good sequel which has an engaging plot and kept me
reading until the last page.
where it goes so when an opportunity to read the next book in the series came
up I was excited to pick it up. The Everlasting Rose is a good follow up to The
Belles with the same great writing and characters.
I think that because I read the Belles so long ago I had basically forgotten a lot
that happened but after reading a couple of summaries I was back on track.
This did hinder my enjoyment a little but I don't think that this is the fault of the
book so I can't fault it for that.
The book does follow on straight from the last which leaves us straight into the
action which works for a really engaging book straight away and makes it
really fast paced meaning that I raced through most of this book. This is in part to
Dhionelle Clayton's writing which is so compulsively readable.
Although I did like the plot a have seen a couple of reviews that mention that the
book packs a lot into the story and that it seems like this book should have been
made into two. I think that I do agree with this. I think the overarching story does
seem like it has been put into one which can leave a lack of room for
development at times. It does, however, make it the part which is clearly quite
good for reading.
I also think that the characters were also quite good for the story but again I did
forget who was who in many parts which did let the story down a touch but
overall I did really enjoy them.
The Verdict:
The Everlasting Rose is a good sequel which has an engaging plot and kept me
reading until the last page.
girlinthepages's review against another edition
2.0
It pains me to rate The Everlasting Rose this way. If you've been around my blog the past couple of years, you've likely heard me shout about my love for The Belles, and my proclamations that it's one of my favorite fantasy novels at all time. So it's heartbreaking for me to report that the sequel fell so flat for me, especially as one of my most anticipated 2019 titles. My husband pre-ordered it for me as a birthday gift, and right away I was surprised to see that it looked significantly shorter than its predecessor. Picking up after the conclusion of The Belles, the story mostly featured Camille on the run from Sophia and her tyrannical government. I was personally hoping that this novel would go more into the backstory of the Belles, how their powers worked, etc. However, it was mostly just Camille running from place to place, a underdeveloped feeling romance, and a rushed conclusion that brought it a secret society that felt very rushed. I simultaneously felt like barely anything happened yet it dragged and I wasn't motivated to pick it up.
Overall: While I still stand by the incredible writing and lush descriptions of The Belles, The Everlasting Rose proved disappointing and not memorable in comparison.This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
Overall: While I still stand by the incredible writing and lush descriptions of The Belles, The Everlasting Rose proved disappointing and not memorable in comparison.This review was originally posted on Girl in the Pages
whitreadslit's review against another edition
4.0
*I received this book for free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.*
After reading and loving the first book in this series, The Belles, I was thrilled to get an advance copy of The Everlasting Rose. It certainly did not disappoint. All of the characters that I loved from the first book made an appearance, and we got to dive deeper into the fascinating world of Orleans.
Whereas the first book really painted the picture of what this world is like, the second was full of action and intrigue. We got to see more of the world itself, traveling between several of the various islands that make up the kingdom. Getting to travel to the different locales was fun because Clayton’s writing makes the world come alive for her readers. In some books I find a lot of description tedious and unnecessary, but I absolutely love Clayton’s prose.
It was fun getting to dive deeper into the relationships that Camille has with those closest to her, mainly with Remy and Edel. Edel was spunky and impulsive, and it made for a very interesting dynamic between the two Belles. And Remy…I love him so. Getting to know him better and see the relationship between he and Camille grow was one of my favorite parts of this book.
The threat of Sophia’s tyrannical rule was ever-present…but also not quite as terrifying as the first book. I think the fact that for the majority of the book she is not physically present made it feel a little less unnerving for me than the first book was. She was still a terror, but not in the same way.
I enjoyed the message that there should be less of an emphasis on outer beauty. It was subtle but powerful. I like when a moral issue isn’t shoved in your face. This was done very well here.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Everlasting Rose! It was fast paced, beautifully written, and a wonderful companion to the first book in the series.
My Rating:
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2
I gave The Everlasting Rose 4.5 STARS! If you enjoyed The Belles, you will not want to miss this one!
After reading and loving the first book in this series, The Belles, I was thrilled to get an advance copy of The Everlasting Rose. It certainly did not disappoint. All of the characters that I loved from the first book made an appearance, and we got to dive deeper into the fascinating world of Orleans.
Whereas the first book really painted the picture of what this world is like, the second was full of action and intrigue. We got to see more of the world itself, traveling between several of the various islands that make up the kingdom. Getting to travel to the different locales was fun because Clayton’s writing makes the world come alive for her readers. In some books I find a lot of description tedious and unnecessary, but I absolutely love Clayton’s prose.
It was fun getting to dive deeper into the relationships that Camille has with those closest to her, mainly with Remy and Edel. Edel was spunky and impulsive, and it made for a very interesting dynamic between the two Belles. And Remy…I love him so. Getting to know him better and see the relationship between he and Camille grow was one of my favorite parts of this book.
The threat of Sophia’s tyrannical rule was ever-present…but also not quite as terrifying as the first book. I think the fact that for the majority of the book she is not physically present made it feel a little less unnerving for me than the first book was. She was still a terror, but not in the same way.
I enjoyed the message that there should be less of an emphasis on outer beauty. It was subtle but powerful. I like when a moral issue isn’t shoved in your face. This was done very well here.
Overall, I really enjoyed The Everlasting Rose! It was fast paced, beautifully written, and a wonderful companion to the first book in the series.
My Rating:
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 1/2
I gave The Everlasting Rose 4.5 STARS! If you enjoyed The Belles, you will not want to miss this one!
carmiendo's review against another edition
3.0
how much time is in an hourglass? who knows~~
anyway I wasn't feeling this one as much as the first one. stuff just kept happening but not in a good way
anyway I wasn't feeling this one as much as the first one. stuff just kept happening but not in a good way
saint_sunlight's review against another edition
3.0
A 3.5. The end battle felt anticlimactic, but the story overall is pretty good
princeeskeleton's review against another edition
3.0
Was a solid 4 star till the ending happened and everything just wrapped up too quick and open ended for my liking. I'm glad there is going to be a 3rd book because I think the story will benefit from it greatly. The writing was still very beautiful and the setting still very imaginative and lush with descriptions, and I still enjoyed a lot of the characters and love Camille as a main character. I just was left wondering how Camille and her sisters were after the novels close as a lot of questions were left unanswered. Will be reading the 3rd installment but feel like the first book had a lot more spunk than the 2nd book.