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valpyre's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
[audiobook]
[some spoilers ahead]
i don't even know what to say, because this book was 22 hours long, and the first two thirds-ish, were a slog.
although i understand that the happenings in this book were to show how rielle was mistaken as the prophesized sun queen and might actually be the blood queen instead, i found most of her chapters so hard to listen to. she is so arrogant and hot headed and always seems to get in her own way, and still, for the entire book, her friends are so fucking loyal and defend her till the very end, even though she doesn't treat them all that well. the plot line of travelling around to collect the castings was fairly interesting, and i definitely appreciated that it allowed us to learn more about the world and the different cultures in it. however, most of the political intrigue/going-ons were vaguely written about, yet i was supposed to believe that rielle was some mastermind of the court. instead, she was all tempted by corian, who i find incredibly dull. there is little establishment past insta-lust for their relationship, and i honestly just got increasingly frustrated with rielle as the lies piled up.
eliana's story was, in comparison, way more interesting, as she fought to save her friend (who confessed her love and then vanished off the face of the earth? i dont know how to feel about queer rep in this series :/), and worked at developing and using her magic. also the development of her and simon's relationship was a little sudden, but i did enjoy the feelings. the plot twist at the very end of eliana's chapter did actually get me, and its probably the one thing that's making me want to finish off the series, even though the next audiobook is 24 hours long, woof.
i'm really not sure the length of these books is necessary, frankly, considering how much this dragged. i definitely think there are good parts of the plot, but it took way too long to get there, imo.
[some spoilers ahead]
i don't even know what to say, because this book was 22 hours long, and the first two thirds-ish, were a slog.
although i understand that the happenings in this book were to show how rielle was mistaken as the prophesized sun queen and might actually be the blood queen instead, i found most of her chapters so hard to listen to. she is so arrogant and hot headed and always seems to get in her own way, and still, for the entire book, her friends are so fucking loyal and defend her till the very end, even though she doesn't treat them all that well. the plot line of travelling around to collect the castings was fairly interesting, and i definitely appreciated that it allowed us to learn more about the world and the different cultures in it. however, most of the political intrigue/going-ons were vaguely written about, yet i was supposed to believe that rielle was some mastermind of the court. instead, she was all tempted by corian, who i find incredibly dull. there is little establishment past insta-lust for their relationship, and i honestly just got increasingly frustrated with rielle as the lies piled up.
eliana's story was, in comparison, way more interesting, as she fought to save her friend (who confessed her love and then vanished off the face of the earth? i dont know how to feel about queer rep in this series :/), and worked at developing and using her magic. also the development of her and simon's relationship was a little sudden, but i did enjoy the feelings. the plot twist at the very end of eliana's chapter did actually get me, and its probably the one thing that's making me want to finish off the series, even though the next audiobook is 24 hours long, woof.
i'm really not sure the length of these books is necessary, frankly, considering how much this dragged. i definitely think there are good parts of the plot, but it took way too long to get there, imo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Gore
Moderate: Sexual harassment and Sexual content
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