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booksandladders's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted on Books and Ladders
I absolutely adored The First Year and immediately knew I had to read this one. The story picks up almost immediately where the last one finished off and I was happy to see that Ryiah was still having issues with those in power but still being herself. I was also super excited that there was more Ian because I loved Ian for the brief moments we saw him in The First Year. I did have some issues though.
The plot was very good. I liked that we saw all of Ryiah's apprenticeship in this one and that the whole book didn't take place over two months like the last. It made it fast paced and fun to read without it getting bogged down with day to day ramblings. I also really liked the new and improved training sessions that focused on expanding the magic rather than creating it. This really helped the world building and it was nice to get a taste of all of the country rather than just one place.
The overarching conflict of the brink of war was more prevalent this time and it made everything so much more tense and exciting. Until that first patrol battle, Ryiah (and the readers) were seeing the training as fun and exciting, but didn't see the consequences. I think this served as a good reminder that anything could happen to anyone at anytime. But I was saddened by the turn of events at this one. I think it served to grow Darren as a character, but it was also just sad.
Ryiah tried to come into her own, but I felt she was kind of static in this one. There was the ever present wit and snark that is her trademark, but she didn't seem to really grow as a person as much as she did with her magic and training. I think part of that was because of my biggest problem -- the love triangle.
Every young adult book seems to have them now, but this one irritated me. I think it as because I like Ian so much as a character and it felt like wasted potential for him to serve as Ryiah's other love interest and then barely be talked about after she chose Darren. And really, was she ever going to choose anyone other than Darren. I think what really irked me about this one was that to even start dating Ian, Ryiah had to steal him from Lynn. And she saw Lynn as a friend and still did this??? I was not impressed by that.
The worst part was the constant back and forth. One minute she loves Ian, the next she is kissing Darren, but can't because she is with Ian. I loved Darren and Ryiah in the last book and was wholeheartedly cheering for them, but adding Ian into the mix made me wish that Ryiah and Darren would go jump off of a cliff. I feel like I would have liked this book more had it only been the "forbidden romance" aspect of it and not the love triangle that ended in breaking Ian's heart and therefore writing him out of the novel basically.
Overall: 4/5. This one was SO good. I loved it but I was disappointed by some things. I would definitely recommend checking this series out though.
I absolutely adored The First Year and immediately knew I had to read this one. The story picks up almost immediately where the last one finished off and I was happy to see that Ryiah was still having issues with those in power but still being herself. I was also super excited that there was more Ian because I loved Ian for the brief moments we saw him in The First Year. I did have some issues though.
The plot was very good. I liked that we saw all of Ryiah's apprenticeship in this one and that the whole book didn't take place over two months like the last. It made it fast paced and fun to read without it getting bogged down with day to day ramblings. I also really liked the new and improved training sessions that focused on expanding the magic rather than creating it. This really helped the world building and it was nice to get a taste of all of the country rather than just one place.
The overarching conflict of the brink of war was more prevalent this time and it made everything so much more tense and exciting. Until that first patrol battle, Ryiah (and the readers) were seeing the training as fun and exciting, but didn't see the consequences. I think this served as a good reminder that anything could happen to anyone at anytime. But I was saddened by the turn of events at this one. I think it served to grow Darren as a character, but it was also just sad.
Ryiah tried to come into her own, but I felt she was kind of static in this one. There was the ever present wit and snark that is her trademark, but she didn't seem to really grow as a person as much as she did with her magic and training. I think part of that was because of my biggest problem -- the love triangle.
Every young adult book seems to have them now, but this one irritated me. I think it as because I like Ian so much as a character and it felt like wasted potential for him to serve as Ryiah's other love interest and then barely be talked about after she chose Darren. And really, was she ever going to choose anyone other than Darren. I think what really irked me about this one was that to even start dating Ian, Ryiah had to steal him from Lynn. And she saw Lynn as a friend and still did this??? I was not impressed by that.
The worst part was the constant back and forth. One minute she loves Ian, the next she is kissing Darren, but can't because she is with Ian. I loved Darren and Ryiah in the last book and was wholeheartedly cheering for them, but adding Ian into the mix made me wish that Ryiah and Darren would go jump off of a cliff. I feel like I would have liked this book more had it only been the "forbidden romance" aspect of it and not the love triangle that ended in breaking Ian's heart and therefore writing him out of the novel basically.
Overall: 4/5. This one was SO good. I loved it but I was disappointed by some things. I would definitely recommend checking this series out though.
irisviel's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hiiii3's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
ebooklivv's review
1.0
Just horrible. This book takes place during her four years in her apprenticeship and she doesn’t grow as a character AT ALL. She doesn’t pay attention in class and is reckless, but somehow is better than the others? By the end of the book she’s 20(?) and she still acts 16 like in her first year. The writing is horrible and the plot is skin and bones. Darren’s intentions are the only compelling aspect of the story, but that is no longer enough for me to continue. I will not be reading anymore books from this series.
kelz31's review
*sigh* this comes out soon but I'll have to wait a few weeks for the paperback...
emiann2023's review against another edition
5.0
That ending! <3 <3 <3.
I mean, the last five or so pages alone make this a five star for me, but really every page was wonderful.
I mean, the last five or so pages alone make this a five star for me, but really every page was wonderful.
miranda__'s review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
ladyknightmeg's review against another edition
5.0
After eagerly awaiting this book, I was not disappointed. I felt much more immersed in this world than I did in First Year, the first book in The Black Mage series. Perhaps because First Year did not move too much outside of the Academy walls.
Throughout this book, Ryiah, the leading lady, develops as a character, and as a mage. She encounters many frustrating situations that most teenage girls go experience (I had to constantly remind myself of her age when I would get frustrated with what I thought were terrible decisions on her part.) We watch her grow over a 4-year period of time, and learn (or not) from her mistakes along the way.
Quite a few of the characters frustrated me to no end - not because they were poorly characterized... but simply because of their personalities/actions. I'm sure that Carter had great fun creating scenes that made her readers seethe with indignation over what a certain someone was doing to our poor Ryiah's emotions.
All in all, this was an excellent sequel. There was more action, adventure and magic, and some steamy scenes mixed in for good measure. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Harry Potter or any books by my personal favorite, Tamora Pierce , and I look forward to reading more from Rachel E. Carter!!
Throughout this book, Ryiah, the leading lady, develops as a character, and as a mage. She encounters many frustrating situations that most teenage girls go experience (I had to constantly remind myself of her age when I would get frustrated with what I thought were terrible decisions on her part.) We watch her grow over a 4-year period of time, and learn (or not) from her mistakes along the way.
Quite a few of the characters frustrated me to no end - not because they were poorly characterized... but simply because of their personalities/actions. I'm sure that Carter had great fun creating scenes that made her readers seethe with indignation over what a certain someone was doing to our poor Ryiah's emotions.
All in all, this was an excellent sequel. There was more action, adventure and magic, and some steamy scenes mixed in for good measure. I would recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of Harry Potter or any books by my personal favorite, Tamora Pierce , and I look forward to reading more from Rachel E. Carter!!