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ali_k0's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Regardless, it is a stunning, terrifying sequel by all accounts. Kingsbane grabs your heart from the start and refuses to let go, tightening it's grip with every word until it finally rips it out from your chest at the very moment you think it will let you go.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Sexual content, Violence, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Torture, Child abuse, Pregnancy, and Infidelity
Minor: Medical content and Slavery
kayanoelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was gagged for the last 50 pages, what the hell did I just read???
Also, Audric is the incarnation of ‘work song’ by Hozier.
“No grave can hold my body down,
I’ll crawl home to her.”
That’s literally Audric.
There were so many plot twists, I could barely keep up. I’m still a little confused with the one right at the end.
This is one of the darkest books I’ve ever read, it’s crazy to see how Corien corrupts Rielle and makes her doubt everything. He always tells her exactly what she needs to hear to gain her trust and it’s working and the f#cked up thing is I UNDERSTAND WHY IT’S WORKING. Her situation is impossible to handle, she’s annoying and selfish sometimes but I do understand how difficult it is. Claire Legrand did a wonderful job of portraying the constant conflict in her mind.
What I find really impressive is when an author manages to convey feelings and boy did she succeed in that. The relationship between Eliana and Simon made me ache, I didn’t know what to do with my despair lmfao. Corien made me want to throw the book, Audric made me ehdbwjskbwwi because he’s just too good for the world. I was shocked, I cried, I laughed.
I’m very very excited for book 3!
Graphic: Violence, Death, Blood, Gaslighting, and War
Moderate: Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Murder, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Pregnancy and Cursing
kathrynleereads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
•
The world she built is so complex and ever-growing that I can’t help but marvel at the sheer size and genius of it.
•
Eliana - There was absolutely a lot more growth for Eliana in Furyborn, but she still made some pretty significant strides in Kingsbane.
Rielle - Rielle also has some pretty significant character development, but it was far from growth.
Audric, Ludivine, Tal, Evyline, Atheria.
Audric - While Audric does grow as a character in Kingsbane, I still find him a rather cookie-cutter character. Not necessarily in a bad way.
Ludivine - I honestly don’t trust my own thoughts on Ludivine anymore.
Simon - The true star of this book. I’m not even sure how I feel. Or where to start.
Remy - Remy frustrated me a bit during Kingsbane, especially when he decides to shun Eliana because of what happened with Rozen.
Zhara - Zhara is so pure in her love for Eliana, and I have to appreciate a (pretty much) eternal being who doesn’t gatekeep information. Every time Eliana had a question or wanted to know something, Zhara provided the information without hesitation.
Atheria - Every book needs a great fictional pet, and Atheria doesn’t disappoint. She makes it very clear when she doesn’t approve of Rielle’s actions, but is also there to support and defend her when needed.
Tal - While Tal on his own is tolerable, I find his relationship with Rielle very odd. The teacher/student sexual tension makes me uncomfortable, especially as Rielle views him as a sort of secondary father figure.
Evyline - Still very much a side character, but definitely one of my favorites. We don’t know much about her, but every time she shows up on the page I smile.
Time Travel
Obviously, time travel has been a part of this story from the very beginning, so I’m a little surprised that I didn’t see more of it coming.
•
Sexual Tension
After reading Furyborn, I specifically highlighted the sexual positivity. In Kingsbane, however, it was more like sexual tension.
Beyond the mere excitement, these parallels gave me each time I found one, I am astounded by Legrand’s skill.
•
After that ending, I could barely keep Lightbringer on my bookshelf long enough to write this review.
Graphic: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Gore, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Infidelity, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Kidnapping, Sexual content, and Sexual violence
Minor: Animal cruelty, Pregnancy, and Cursing
csmall73's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Grief, Incest, Self harm, Violence, War, Blood, Death of parent, Vomit, Alcoholism, Gaslighting, Murder, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Death, Child abuse, Classism, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
angstifies's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
one thing i don’t like about this series in general is how abusers get forgiven? this is the third time that happens, it really fucking bothers me.
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Cursing, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, War, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Vomit
leeang's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I still am invested in the characters, and the writing remains beautiful. Rielle's decent into madness is so well done and took me on a journey. The way that Rielle and Eliana mirror each other in the writing is exquisitely done.
And the last 50 or so pages felt like the action packed first book, with at least one twist I did not expect!
But all of it felt simultaneously like too much and too little.
I found the sex scenes gratuitous and awkward. The Audric one in the hall ... yikes. And the LGBTQ+ representation to be SO NICE TO SEE, but also felt ... lack luster.
It just felt like I was on the upward ramp of the rollercoaster where all you can do is look around at the scenery because nothing else is really happening yet. You feel the good part coming, but all this really served was to make me increasingly nervous.
I look forward to see how this story concludes. That will honestly depend on if I recommend this series or not to others.
Graphic: Death of parent, Sexual content, and Infidelity
Moderate: War, Violence, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and Mental illness
claudiamacpherson's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
As I had expected, my preference for Rielle's storyline in Furyborn was almost immediately reversed in Kingsbane. From reading others' reviews, I knew a lot of people were annoyed by Rielle...but I didn't realize how quickly I would come to agree with them. She was impulsive, violent, rude, and arrogant, and just generally an obnoxious character to follow. It was so frustrating to watch her push away all of the kindness and assistance those around her tried to give her. Eliana, on the other hand, did a 180 in the other direction and suddenly became a much more understandable character (at least for me). Though I thought the shift was a bit too abrupt to be realistic, I liked seeing her start to open up to people and allow herself to care for people besides Remy. I also enjoyed the occasional POVs of other characters interspersed throughout the book, especially Jessamyn's.
Happy ending meter (no spoilers, just the general vibe of the ending):
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Kidnapping, and Sexual content
Minor: Gun violence and Pregnancy