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alialu's review against another edition
4.0
I think it's the first time in a year I feel something while reading YA Fantasy.
This book, like the first one, captures attention due to its magical proposal, competition, and an entangled romantic story. Though this second instanllment was much more love centered than The First Year.
Apprentice was weird, and somehow different. Not because of the love story (that was kinda good). Not because of magic learning, which became less and less acknowledged as the book progressed. Not because of its sexist master character (that infuriated me).
For me what made this book special was its pacing. We follow Ryiah through not a slow year of apprentice and misfortune, and hard working like on the first book, which could have happened, making the story a lot longer. Instead, all of the four years of her studies are depicted in the book. That gave us a different angle, as the story moved faster since it's only a 300 pages book.
I appreciated this in terms of a light read and not to see the same kind of scenes over and over. The world building was also better than on First Year, since we start to grasp how this country runs, and the dangers awaiting on its door. I foresee there are going to be some much desired surprises in the next books.
I missed more character development though. Four years have gone by, and I honestly see every character exactly like they started (except Alex maybe). The only changes were ever to their magic and fighting skills. I wish to see this fixed on the future.
The romantic part also infuriated me at some points. I liked Darren, I liked his feelings. Ryiah was maddening in the "love triangle" part of the book. I hope we see some mature changes in her because otherwise she'll lower my rating for the third and fourth book.
Something I loved was Derrick and the siblings interactions in general.
In summary: very enjoyable pacing for me, and high expectations for the next book.
This book, like the first one, captures attention due to its magical proposal, competition, and an entangled romantic story. Though this second instanllment was much more love centered than The First Year.
Apprentice was weird, and somehow different. Not because of the love story (that was kinda good). Not because of magic learning, which became less and less acknowledged as the book progressed. Not because of its sexist master character (that infuriated me).
For me what made this book special was its pacing. We follow Ryiah through not a slow year of apprentice and misfortune, and hard working like on the first book, which could have happened, making the story a lot longer. Instead, all of the four years of her studies are depicted in the book. That gave us a different angle, as the story moved faster since it's only a 300 pages book.
I appreciated this in terms of a light read and not to see the same kind of scenes over and over. The world building was also better than on First Year, since we start to grasp how this country runs, and the dangers awaiting on its door. I foresee there are going to be some much desired surprises in the next books.
I missed more character development though. Four years have gone by, and I honestly see every character exactly like they started (except Alex maybe). The only changes were ever to their magic and fighting skills. I wish to see this fixed on the future.
The romantic part also infuriated me at some points. I liked Darren, I liked his feelings. Ryiah was maddening in the "love triangle" part of the book. I hope we see some mature changes in her because otherwise she'll lower my rating for the third and fourth book.
Something I loved was Derrick and the siblings interactions in general.
In summary: very enjoyable pacing for me, and high expectations for the next book.
smartinez9's review against another edition
1.0
DNF @ 69%
Aside from the absurdity of covering four years in one book for no discernible reason and with no cohesive plot of any kind, Ryiah’s devolution as a character is unbearable. My favorite things about the first book—her resourcefulness and integrity, her ambition, her unspoken but true connection with Darren—disappeared only to be replaced by an indecisive, shallow heroine who thinks nothing of stringing along someone she knows she doesn’t love, to get back at a prince who apparently doesn’t know how basic communication works. RIP to the semblance of a spine he used to possess.
Aside from the absurdity of covering four years in one book for no discernible reason and with no cohesive plot of any kind, Ryiah’s devolution as a character is unbearable. My favorite things about the first book—her resourcefulness and integrity, her ambition, her unspoken but true connection with Darren—disappeared only to be replaced by an indecisive, shallow heroine who thinks nothing of stringing along someone she knows she doesn’t love, to get back at a prince who apparently doesn’t know how basic communication works. RIP to the semblance of a spine he used to possess.
jessrolo's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lovedogs's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
medium-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
5.0
nyeran's review
3.0
"My apprenticeship was more important than stranglin Master Byron."
(Tu chiamala se vuoi..continuità)
4 stelle perché mi hai dato quello che mi è mancato nel primo.
2 stelle perché mi hai dato quello che non mi è mancato nel primo.
♠ A che cazzo serve il triangolo amoroso!?
Ma no, non è neppure questa la domanda che mi pongo perché al contrario di quanto possa sembrare io non ho niente contro i triangoli in se stessi. Ho qualcosa contro i triangoli allungati da pagine e pagine di tiri e molla e di pippe mentali sfiancanti.
E a questo proposito: per quale cazzo di motivo gli autori insistono a creare triangoli amorosi quando il lettore sa già perfettamente con chi finirà il/la protagonista!?
Suvvia, Ian non ha mai avuto la benché minima speranza. Fin dal primo scambio di sguardi tra Ryiah e Darren si sapeva che i due sarebbero prima o poi finiti insieme e durante la lettura non c'è mai un momento in cui sei li e pensi "oh ma magari Ryiah iniziano a provare qualcosa per Ian". No, Ian è uno zerbino ed esiste solo e soltanto per essere un cazzo di zerbino e per farsi prendere a pesci in faccia da Ryiah. Due volte. Che senso ha farmi sorbire piagnistei e angst inutili se già so che il tutto è solo un rimandare l'ovvio!?
Ian poi, oltre ad essere uno zerbino, ha anche la personalità di un mocio vileda. La sua unica caratteristica è l'essere il completo opposto di Darren IN TUTTO. Lui è sempre sorridente, carino, gentile, spiritoso, è bravissimo nel combattimento al contrario di Darren, fà schifo nel lanciare incantesimi al contrario di Darren, insomma è una sagoma di cartone. È evidente che tra i due Darren è quello che affascina di più, lui è quello altezzoso e arrogante che però mostra gentilezza e vulnerabilità alla protagonista. Ovvio che lui abbia gioco facile con tutte.
Con tutte e con Ryiah che qui avrei preso a schiaffi più volte perché tiene il piede in due scarpe per tipo 200 pagine. E lo fà coscientemente per ben due volte. Per due volte ha la possibilità di essere sincera e fare la cosa giusta e invece che fà!? Fà la stronza prendendo la stessa decisione sbagliata, decisione che lei stessa considera sbagliata eh, quindi entrambe le volte tu sei li a leggere quello che dice e pensa e l'unica cosa che ti viene in mente è: Ma che cazzo fai!? Ma che cazzo dici!? Però con voce esasperata, con le tue mani immaginarie strette intorno al suo collo immaginario.
♠ Ian ovviamente ci casca entrambe le volte perché CHE VE LO DICO A FARE.
È UN CAZZO DI ZERBINO.
Persino Priscilla ha più personalità e profondità psicologica di lui, e lei è la bitch della storia.
Salvo solo il rapporto tra Ryiah ed Ella che continua a restare perfetto, la storia ricca di azione e il cliff-hanger finale.
(Tu chiamala se vuoi..continuità)
4 stelle perché mi hai dato quello che mi è mancato nel primo.
2 stelle perché mi hai dato quello che non mi è mancato nel primo.
♠ A che cazzo serve il triangolo amoroso!?
Ma no, non è neppure questa la domanda che mi pongo perché al contrario di quanto possa sembrare io non ho niente contro i triangoli in se stessi. Ho qualcosa contro i triangoli allungati da pagine e pagine di tiri e molla e di pippe mentali sfiancanti.
E a questo proposito: per quale cazzo di motivo gli autori insistono a creare triangoli amorosi quando il lettore sa già perfettamente con chi finirà il/la protagonista!?
Suvvia, Ian non ha mai avuto la benché minima speranza. Fin dal primo scambio di sguardi tra Ryiah e Darren si sapeva che i due sarebbero prima o poi finiti insieme e durante la lettura non c'è mai un momento in cui sei li e pensi "oh ma magari Ryiah iniziano a provare qualcosa per Ian". No, Ian è uno zerbino ed esiste solo e soltanto per essere un cazzo di zerbino e per farsi prendere a pesci in faccia da Ryiah. Due volte. Che senso ha farmi sorbire piagnistei e angst inutili se già so che il tutto è solo un rimandare l'ovvio!?
Ian poi, oltre ad essere uno zerbino, ha anche la personalità di un mocio vileda. La sua unica caratteristica è l'essere il completo opposto di Darren IN TUTTO. Lui è sempre sorridente, carino, gentile, spiritoso, è bravissimo nel combattimento al contrario di Darren, fà schifo nel lanciare incantesimi al contrario di Darren, insomma è una sagoma di cartone. È evidente che tra i due Darren è quello che affascina di più, lui è quello altezzoso e arrogante che però mostra gentilezza e vulnerabilità alla protagonista. Ovvio che lui abbia gioco facile con tutte.
Con tutte e con Ryiah che qui avrei preso a schiaffi più volte perché tiene il piede in due scarpe per tipo 200 pagine. E lo fà coscientemente per ben due volte. Per due volte ha la possibilità di essere sincera e fare la cosa giusta e invece che fà!? Fà la stronza prendendo la stessa decisione sbagliata, decisione che lei stessa considera sbagliata eh, quindi entrambe le volte tu sei li a leggere quello che dice e pensa e l'unica cosa che ti viene in mente è: Ma che cazzo fai!? Ma che cazzo dici!? Però con voce esasperata, con le tue mani immaginarie strette intorno al suo collo immaginario.
♠ Ian ovviamente ci casca entrambe le volte perché CHE VE LO DICO A FARE.
È UN CAZZO DI ZERBINO.
Persino Priscilla ha più personalità e profondità psicologica di lui, e lei è la bitch della storia.
Salvo solo il rapporto tra Ryiah ed Ella che continua a restare perfetto, la storia ricca di azione e il cliff-hanger finale.
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
4.0
I'm on the fence for this one. Don't get me wrong, it was still really good and the action near the end was pretty intense, but the romance bothered me the whooooole way through. I'll come back to that in a minute. I liked how there was a passage of time, though that also made the book seem longer than I anticipated. Still, a good read with lots of trial and error, learning and deceiving. Like the previous book, there was very little by way of outward threat, mostly focusing on the characters and their relationships with each other. And this is why it kinda fell apart for me and I couldn't give it five stars. Good Lord, the DRAMA. It reminded me why there are so many older readers turned from this genre. It was just one thing after the other: First there was a love triangle, then there were breakups, then there were makeups, then there were REAL breakups, then there was hatred, then there were lies, then there was joy, then there was confusion and easy explanations. More often than not I wanted to yank Ian, Ryiah, and Darren into a room and lock them there until they sorted their sh*t out. I know this is par for course in YA fantasy, but come on. Ryiah whined through most of it (the only thing I didn't like about her, because otherwise she's great!), Ian got more than one bad turn, and Darren? UGH. I don't know why people are so obsessed with him. Such an asshole. There were many times where I was trying to talk to Ryiah through my ereader and say, "Get over him! He's not worth it!" I'm still not convinced, and if these books have taught me anything, it's that something will go horribly wrong for them––again––but all this nitpicking an opinion aside, I genuinely did have fun reading the books and was eager to get back into the story when I started it. If you like YA fantasy for the genre it is, this is definitely the series to pick up!
ms_chievous's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
Okay, I loved the first book in this series and I really enjoyed this one too. (now here is where the but comes in). I did find a great quantity of errors in this book (grammatical and plot). I found these errors to be highly distracting and made me second guess portions of the storytelling. I also found the book to be a bit rushed ( packing about four years into one book will do that). And the last problem I had was the predictability of what was going to happen. GRANTED, Rachel managed to get these characters to be so dynamic that they actually nullified a lot of my complaints. Damn. So regardless of my minor irritants, I really really really liked this book and I cant wait to read the next one!
Okay, I loved the first book in this series and I really enjoyed this one too. (now here is where the but comes in). I did find a great quantity of errors in this book (grammatical and plot). I found these errors to be highly distracting and made me second guess portions of the storytelling. I also found the book to be a bit rushed ( packing about four years into one book will do that). And the last problem I had was the predictability of what was going to happen. GRANTED, Rachel managed to get these characters to be so dynamic that they actually nullified a lot of my complaints. Damn. So regardless of my minor irritants, I really really really liked this book and I cant wait to read the next one!
mulang's review against another edition
1.0
200th book( ╹▽╹ )
*sigh* ooof prepare for a full-blown rant
it makes me sad to say this esp bc I adored the first book so much but this was seriously so disappointing :/
where do I even begin
- the pacing was so whack, I get that the author was trying to fit specific timelines in each book but its just too rushed and failed to establish a solid feel of things. certain things felt like a summary while lingering on other things,,,like the whole things was literally training, mock battle, petty stuff, serious fight against enemy but let's just skip all the explanation and go back to the petty unimportant drama the next day and more mock battles like aughasdfghjkl and thus leds me to my next point
- the lack of plot, worldbuilding, and explanation to much-needed things! Idk maybe it's just me but who the fuck is their enemy? who are their allies? why are they attacking? wtf is going on with the apprentice stuff? why do they keep moving and going back to their former school? and A WHOLE lotta other stuff that didn't stick to my brain bc it was so annoying
- and oh gawd the downfall of the whole book, the fucking love triangle!!! + ryiah!!!!! this in itself is a whole another thing! and more than anything im so mad at the fact that this book made me hate romance--something I cannot live without!! the blasphemy!!
where do I start with this
- first of all ryiah fucking ups and steals another girl's manz just like that! she literally fucking goes up to Ian while he's sitting with his girlfriend and asks to dance and flirts with him right there and steals him literally just like that and not to mention the said girlfriend was if not a friend, a mentor who's been nothing more than super nice to her and fucking ryiah!! doesn't even feel guilty or fucking apologize to her (they pretty much start dating the next day and never speak of the gf again)
- second! after going through such lengths (fighting for him as she claimed) to get Ian, you'd think she's gonna take good care of him and love him and such right ohhohoho but noo she still pines for the prince and FUCKING CHEATS ON HIM IN FRONT OF EVERYONE WITH THE PRINCE (who has a fiance who he's basically dating) AFTER ANNOUNCING HER LOVE FOR IAN IN FRONT OF EVERYONE!! mind you Ian loves her sincerely while she half-heartedly says it to prove a point
- and oh that's not all folks, our girl here at this point has both guys waiting for her to make her choice between the two! which if I were Ian I wouldn't even give her the time of the day but this boy just overlooks her cheating and waits for her asdfghjikl and GUESS WHAT!! STUPID FUCKING RHYEA PICKS IAN bc "oh the prince has a fiance and I will never be his but lemme just pick ian bc even tho im still in love with the prince and I don't really really want ian, its for the best bc that's my only choice" BITCH THE BEST FOR WHO?? honestly just give Ian up if only to spare him the heartbreak. you know you didn't pick him bc you loved him, you only picked him bc you couldn't have the prince. by choosing him, you made him believe the prince was just a mistake and you truly loved him instead of the prince. that's honestly so cruel and messed up esp bc Ian was a super close friend of hers. if she had given up both of the boys at that point hhohoho the story would have been already improved SO MUCH but nOoooo
-keep reading folks bc that's not fucking all, this fucking bitch, after all the drama and promise to not run back to the prince, ya you guessed it, she fucking runs back to the prince and that's not even the worst part THIS BITCH FUCKING CHEATS ON HIM AGAIN!!!! BC APPARENTLY SHE FINALLY REALIZES SHE LOVES THE FUCKING PRINCE, BITCHH! COULDN'T YOU HAVE WAITED UNTIL YOU BROKEN UP WITH THE DUDE YOU WERE STILL DATING BEFORE MAKING OUT WITH SOME OTHER DUDE asdfghjkl; I was so fucking done at this point I could barely get through it and oh gawd don't make me start on the prince asdfsdfghjkl;
I was honestly looking so forward to this book and I adored all the character in the previous book but this was a shithole. I had so much hope for ryiah. I only got through this bc I just wanted to hurry and get over with the book already; most disappointing books of the year and I'm not gonna continue with the rest of the series anymore :/ asdfghllagksl I really liked ryiah *sigh*
*sigh* ooof prepare for a full-blown rant
it makes me sad to say this esp bc I adored the first book so much but this was seriously so disappointing :/
where do I even begin
- the pacing was so whack, I get that the author was trying to fit specific timelines in each book but its just too rushed and failed to establish a solid feel of things. certain things felt like a summary while lingering on other things,,,like the whole things was literally training, mock battle, petty stuff, serious fight against enemy but let's just skip all the explanation and go back to the petty unimportant drama the next day and more mock battles like aughasdfghjkl and thus leds me to my next point
- the lack of plot, worldbuilding, and explanation to much-needed things! Idk maybe it's just me but who the fuck is their enemy? who are their allies? why are they attacking? wtf is going on with the apprentice stuff? why do they keep moving and going back to their former school? and A WHOLE lotta other stuff that didn't stick to my brain bc it was so annoying
- and oh gawd the downfall of the whole book, the fucking love triangle!!! + ryiah!!!!! this in itself is a whole another thing! and more than anything im so mad at the fact that this book made me hate romance--something I cannot live without!! the blasphemy!!
where do I start with this
- first of all ryiah fucking ups and steals another girl's manz just like that! she literally fucking goes up to Ian while he's sitting with his girlfriend and asks to dance and flirts with him right there and steals him literally just like that and not to mention the said girlfriend was if not a friend, a mentor who's been nothing more than super nice to her and fucking ryiah!! doesn't even feel guilty or fucking apologize to her (they pretty much start dating the next day and never speak of the gf again)
- second! after going through such lengths (fighting for him as she claimed) to get Ian, you'd think she's gonna take good care of him and love him and such right ohhohoho but noo she still pines for the prince and FUCKING CHEATS ON HIM IN FRONT OF EVERYONE WITH THE PRINCE (who has a fiance who he's basically dating) AFTER ANNOUNCING HER LOVE FOR IAN IN FRONT OF EVERYONE!! mind you Ian loves her sincerely while she half-heartedly says it to prove a point
- and oh that's not all folks, our girl here at this point has both guys waiting for her to make her choice between the two! which if I were Ian I wouldn't even give her the time of the day but this boy just overlooks her cheating and waits for her asdfghjikl and GUESS WHAT!! STUPID FUCKING RHYEA PICKS IAN bc "oh the prince has a fiance and I will never be his but lemme just pick ian bc even tho im still in love with the prince and I don't really really want ian, its for the best bc that's my only choice" BITCH THE BEST FOR WHO?? honestly just give Ian up if only to spare him the heartbreak. you know you didn't pick him bc you loved him, you only picked him bc you couldn't have the prince. by choosing him, you made him believe the prince was just a mistake and you truly loved him instead of the prince. that's honestly so cruel and messed up esp bc Ian was a super close friend of hers. if she had given up both of the boys at that point hhohoho the story would have been already improved SO MUCH but nOoooo
-keep reading folks bc that's not fucking all, this fucking bitch, after all the drama and promise to not run back to the prince, ya you guessed it, she fucking runs back to the prince and that's not even the worst part THIS BITCH FUCKING CHEATS ON HIM AGAIN!!!! BC APPARENTLY SHE FINALLY REALIZES SHE LOVES THE FUCKING PRINCE, BITCHH! COULDN'T YOU HAVE WAITED UNTIL YOU BROKEN UP WITH THE DUDE YOU WERE STILL DATING BEFORE MAKING OUT WITH SOME OTHER DUDE asdfghjkl; I was so fucking done at this point I could barely get through it and oh gawd don't make me start on the prince asdfsdfghjkl;
I was honestly looking so forward to this book and I adored all the character in the previous book but this was a shithole. I had so much hope for ryiah. I only got through this bc I just wanted to hurry and get over with the book already; most disappointing books of the year and I'm not gonna continue with the rest of the series anymore :/ asdfghllagksl I really liked ryiah *sigh*
naomiiixo's review against another edition
5.0
Fully deserved the 5 stars! This follow up was so exciting and fun and everything I wanted with the right amount of drama and romance! So so excited for the third!!!