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katherina_lei's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-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
I was very taken aback when this book started out with different characters than the first one, but liked it once I figured out what was going on. My biggest complaint is that I still don't understand when this war that is being fought started. Despite being confused for much of the book, I actually really liked it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
booktalkwithrae's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
I have to admit, when I started this book and realize that it did not follow Marcus and Terianna I was heartbroken. I was really excited to see how their relationship was going to continue moving forward, and if the West was truly going to be conquered. However, I was pleasantly surprised how much I loved Lydia and. Killian.
This was an excellent opportunity to see more of the west in a different light, and to see some of the conquests that were happening that were mentioned in the first book, but we didn’t really have a full understanding of. There’s definitely more evil than just the east.
The romance was just as good however, a lot more frustrating in terms of waiting for something to happen. Definitely a very slow burn romance for this one.
As with Dark Shores, there is a lots of politics and play with this book. As well as magic, adventure, battles, and more. What I love with this author is that, even though there is a strong, romance, plot line, it does not overshadow the main fantasy plotline. There’s a lot more going on than just the romance and it is a perfect balance.
I honestly did not expect this book to go in the direction that I did. And I officially have no idea what to expect for the next one.
It has been recommended to me that I read Tarnished Empire (which is the novella) first as there is an important character that we meet in that one before going into the third book. So I will be starting that one next.
Also, I highly recommend the audiobook. I like that this book had two different narrators from the first book to really solidify the two different characters that we follow in this book.
This was an excellent opportunity to see more of the west in a different light, and to see some of the conquests that were happening that were mentioned in the first book, but we didn’t really have a full understanding of. There’s definitely more evil than just the east.
The romance was just as good however, a lot more frustrating in terms of waiting for something to happen. Definitely a very slow burn romance for this one.
As with Dark Shores, there is a lots of politics and play with this book. As well as magic, adventure, battles, and more. What I love with this author is that, even though there is a strong, romance, plot line, it does not overshadow the main fantasy plotline. There’s a lot more going on than just the romance and it is a perfect balance.
I honestly did not expect this book to go in the direction that I did. And I officially have no idea what to expect for the next one.
It has been recommended to me that I read Tarnished Empire (which is the novella) first as there is an important character that we meet in that one before going into the third book. So I will be starting that one next.
Also, I highly recommend the audiobook. I like that this book had two different narrators from the first book to really solidify the two different characters that we follow in this book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
aklovekorn's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Gore, Religious bigotry, Classism, Medical content, and Violence
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Blood, Child death, Death, Gore, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Grief, Cursing, Alcohol, Genocide, Sexism, and Slavery
Minor: Kidnapping, Vomit, and Confinement
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