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tovetott's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
Okay, first of all, this is probably not gonna be a very objective view of the quality of this book. My phone background is a picture of a purple night sky. One of my favorite movies of all time is Treasure Planet. My favorite BTS song is Mikrokosmos. My favorite, most comfort-YouTuber out there is Markiplier, who made an entire series on Youtube Originals about travelling together with him In Space.
So, when a book comes along with its lead words of hope as magical as "may the stars keep you steady, and the iron keep you safe" and follow a found-family group of people trying to help each other find themselves among the stars and planets and spaceships with solar powered sails, I already know I won't be able to put it down.
Does this book have some flaws? Absolutely. It is incredibly, almost dizzingly fast-paced, and sometimes I wished it would have lingered a little on the scenes at hand, but I can't describe what it should have been filled with. There are a lot of things that are repeated multiple times, and even though it is good stuff, it gets a little drawn out at times. The actual main plot feels a little all-over-the-place and is a little confusingand sometimes makes little sense or is left unexplained. It's a lot of back and forth and it's all tightly squeezed together back-to-back like a pack of sardines. And just like I said in the review for the first book, the entire back summary is basically dealt with/introduced within the first 50 pages of the book, and the remaining 370 or so pages are the aftermath up until the "final stand", instead of it being 370 pages of buildup to a 50 page resolution where the "mystery is resolved" like what I'm used to with other books. It is however, better this time around! Not sure if it's just because I'm more prepared this time tho, lol
But, despite these (maybe) quite major cons, the pros HEAVILY outweigh these (again, I am quite literally the exact audience for this series, so take it with a grain of salt I guess LOL). Poston has such a way with words when describing things that I want to keep the books just to be able to reference and get inspired by her incredible usage of metaphors and similies.
Examples;
"Familiarity scratched at the back of his head like a dog at a door."
"He stumbled like a pebble tripples across a pond."
Just to name two "spoiler-free" ones at the top of my head that stuck. And apart from this, the way she handles the AI-controlling HIVE and the perspective from someone inside it is just... perfect? To be able to convey such an intricate, complex and otherwordly concept in a way that made me feel what it was like is so so SO cool. (To be fair though, I am no programmer and so some of the words and phrases might be completely off LOL) I hope to the Goddess herself that someone in my friend group I've thrown, and will be throwing, this book at reads is soon so I can rant about it incoherently. Absolutely stunning and terrifying and just incredible.
And of course, the main thing that outshines all of the liiittle off dialogue and repeats of metaphors and fast pace is of course the characters. Oh god the characters. Without a doubt the most diverse cast I've ever read about, everything from skin tone to sexuality to gender to disabilities, this series has everything. And every single one of them are uniquely crafted and carved out of the most beautiful crystals and geodes that sparkle (and glow, wink wink) together in the most beautiful shades, both personality and looks wise, because DAMN. (Like, Elara's introduction ??? HELLO ????) Absolutely obsessed, and devastatingly heartbroken that I don't possess the artistic skills to bring them to life on a canvas.
Additionally, the fact that Poston just casually opens her acknowledgements with the statement that she writes them with Comic Sans makes me adore her all the more, to be honest. LOL
I know these books are some of her first ones, and that makes me all the more curious to see what her writing style has evolved into with her (mainly) romance books (even though sci-fi and fantasy will always have a special place in my heart 💔). Maybe she'll come back to it again one day.
I genuinely had an amazing time with this series, and still can't believe I just stumbled upon Heart of Iron in a thrift store in Zürich, Switzerland. If I hadn't, I would have missed out on this. I guess I have to thank my lucky stars for that one ✨️✨️
So, when a book comes along with its lead words of hope as magical as "may the stars keep you steady, and the iron keep you safe" and follow a found-family group of people trying to help each other find themselves among the stars and planets and spaceships with solar powered sails, I already know I won't be able to put it down.
Does this book have some flaws? Absolutely. It is incredibly, almost dizzingly fast-paced, and sometimes I wished it would have lingered a little on the scenes at hand, but I can't describe what it should have been filled with. There are a lot of things that are repeated multiple times, and even though it is good stuff, it gets a little drawn out at times. The actual main plot feels a little all-over-the-place and is a little confusingand sometimes makes little sense or is left unexplained. It's a lot of back and forth and it's all tightly squeezed together back-to-back like a pack of sardines. And just like I said in the review for the first book, the entire back summary is basically dealt with/introduced within the first 50 pages of the book, and the remaining 370 or so pages are the aftermath up until the "final stand", instead of it being 370 pages of buildup to a 50 page resolution where the "mystery is resolved" like what I'm used to with other books. It is however, better this time around! Not sure if it's just because I'm more prepared this time tho, lol
But, despite these (maybe) quite major cons, the pros HEAVILY outweigh these (again, I am quite literally the exact audience for this series, so take it with a grain of salt I guess LOL). Poston has such a way with words when describing things that I want to keep the books just to be able to reference and get inspired by her incredible usage of metaphors and similies.
Examples;
"Familiarity scratched at the back of his head like a dog at a door."
"He stumbled like a pebble tripples across a pond."
Just to name two "spoiler-free" ones at the top of my head that stuck. And apart from this, the way she handles the AI-controlling HIVE and the perspective from someone inside it is just... perfect? To be able to convey such an intricate, complex and otherwordly concept in a way that made me feel what it was like is so so SO cool. (To be fair though, I am no programmer and so some of the words and phrases might be completely off LOL) I hope to the Goddess herself that someone in my friend group I've thrown, and will be throwing, this book at reads is soon so I can rant about it incoherently. Absolutely stunning and terrifying and just incredible.
And of course, the main thing that outshines all of the liiittle off dialogue and repeats of metaphors and fast pace is of course the characters. Oh god the characters. Without a doubt the most diverse cast I've ever read about, everything from skin tone to sexuality to gender to disabilities, this series has everything. And every single one of them are uniquely crafted and carved out of the most beautiful crystals and geodes that sparkle (and glow, wink wink) together in the most beautiful shades, both personality and looks wise, because DAMN. (Like, Elara's introduction ??? HELLO ????) Absolutely obsessed, and devastatingly heartbroken that I don't possess the artistic skills to bring them to life on a canvas.
Additionally, the fact that Poston just casually opens her acknowledgements with the statement that she writes them with Comic Sans makes me adore her all the more, to be honest. LOL
I know these books are some of her first ones, and that makes me all the more curious to see what her writing style has evolved into with her (mainly) romance books (even though sci-fi and fantasy will always have a special place in my heart 💔). Maybe she'll come back to it again one day.
I genuinely had an amazing time with this series, and still can't believe I just stumbled upon Heart of Iron in a thrift store in Zürich, Switzerland. If I hadn't, I would have missed out on this. I guess I have to thank my lucky stars for that one ✨️✨️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Death and Fire/Fire injury
justlily's review against another edition
I'm just a different reader now than I was when I read book #1. I stand by how much I love and adored that book, I have just PERSONALLY grown out of finding enjoyment in a YA fantasy/sci fi. Really recommend trying the series if that IS your speed though, I bet you'll love it.
ellenmc07's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
I knew as soon as I put down the first book that this one wouldn't be far behind. It's a stellar sequel and worthy ending to a series that has swept me off my feet. The action is great, the suspense is great and it's in space! What more could a reader ask for? Definitely a favourite series I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
I knew as soon as I put down the first book that this one wouldn't be far behind. It's a stellar sequel and worthy ending to a series that has swept me off my feet. The action is great, the suspense is great and it's in space! What more could a reader ask for? Definitely a favourite series I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.
bertie1903's review against another edition
5.0
I can’t believe I actually finished this duology. I waited for almost a year after getting this book to read it because I was so scared but it was so good!!!
ladywestfall's review against another edition
3.0
I'm really sorry that I had to rate this 3 stars. I'm not actually sure if the problem was me not being in the mood to read or if it's actually the book? It took me such a long time to finish this and that is very unusual. Though I am totally sure I enjoyed reading book 1 more.
The characters are okay. I love Di. I just didn't feel so attached to any of them to actually be hyped about everything happening to them except Di. Also, I was still so confused about all the iron thingy and kingdom. How power works or the fcking HIVE. All I got is the HIVE putting souls in a robot and that's it. The goddess shits are just all over the place. Or as I said, maybe it's just me. Clearly, majority loved the book so it's possible I am just not in the mood when I read this which is unfortunate because I wanted to enjoy it as much as other readers had.
But the ending was actually a little vague, idk. It felt rushed too. I wasn't that into the book so it's not too disappointing.
The characters are okay. I love Di. I just didn't feel so attached to any of them to actually be hyped about everything happening to them except Di. Also, I was still so confused about all the iron thingy and kingdom. How power works or the fcking HIVE. All I got is the HIVE putting souls in a robot and that's it. The goddess shits are just all over the place. Or as I said, maybe it's just me. Clearly, majority loved the book so it's possible I am just not in the mood when I read this which is unfortunate because I wanted to enjoy it as much as other readers had.
But the ending was actually a little vague, idk. It felt rushed too. I wasn't that into the book so it's not too disappointing.
isabro414's review against another edition
5.0
Held up very well to the first book. I ended up loving each of the characters and how creative the concept of the story was. It felt like there was a cohesive plan throughout the writing process and the truth was slowly revealed to reader.
This series has an amazing plot that just gets better the deeper you get into it.
This series has an amazing plot that just gets better the deeper you get into it.
whitreadslit's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book. I really liked the first book in this duology, Heart of Iron, but this one was not quite as good in my opinion. It was still a good read, and I loved getting to spend more time with the characters I loved from the first book. It is worthwhile if you really liked the first book. ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2