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euanbrook's review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- 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
This was an interesting sequel because it felt like a conclusion to the first book, The Serpent. That book's ending was dramatic but rather anticlimactic. This book's ending feels like an actual ending, even as it teases at later stories to come.
So this book is very fast-paced and adventurous. Where the first book is slow and characte-driven, with half of the drama taking place in an army camp, this is very fast-paced as Cija runs as a fugitive first from the enigmatic General, then the clutches of a tyrannous regime until she finally sets out on a mission to warn Atlan(tis) of its impending invasion.
What makes it work is Cija's loveable jadedness. She's already done it all, seen it all, nothing phases her. This book details her first engagement in combat (within a strictly patriarchal world) and she discovers she rather enjoys it. This completely fits because why would blood and death bother her when she's already been through so much?
So I was critical of the last book for its rapey elements but what's fascinating is that Gaskell seems totally aware of it. The previous book's love interest, Smahill, is a tiresome creep compared to the General, who it becomes increasingly apparent is the true love interest.
This is good because he's far more interesting and a lot more chivalrous, at least towards Cija.
I did miss the previous book's questioning, curious Cija. In this she's far more determined while in survival mode. This makes sense and works as great development, but it felt like we've now discovered the mysteries of this world and there's not much more to see.
It does end on a surprising note however, so I am still intrigued to see where the story goes.
So this book is very fast-paced and adventurous. Where the first book is slow and characte-driven, with half of the drama taking place in an army camp, this is very fast-paced as Cija runs as a fugitive first from the enigmatic General, then the clutches of a tyrannous regime until she finally sets out on a mission to warn Atlan(tis) of its impending invasion.
What makes it work is Cija's loveable jadedness. She's already done it all, seen it all, nothing phases her. This book details her first engagement in combat (within a strictly patriarchal world) and she discovers she rather enjoys it. This completely fits because why would blood and death bother her when she's already been through so much?
So I was critical of the last book for its rapey elements but what's fascinating is that Gaskell seems totally aware of it. The previous book's love interest, Smahill, is a tiresome creep compared to the General, who it becomes increasingly apparent is the true love interest.
This is good because he's far more interesting and a lot more chivalrous, at least towards Cija.
I did miss the previous book's questioning, curious Cija. In this she's far more determined while in survival mode. This makes sense and works as great development, but it felt like we've now discovered the mysteries of this world and there's not much more to see.
It does end on a surprising note however, so I am still intrigued to see where the story goes.
gallydoll's review
4.0
I really like where this book went. It isn't a typical romance, I personally think it isn't a romance at all but a book about a woman trying to survive in a male dominant world. This was the second part of the Serpent which it was obvious that they split that book up into two by where they ended the first half. I sympathized with the character as she went through a lot and her attitude toward life is more like live for the day kind of attitude. Every time she is hit by a challenge she takes it with a grain of salt and moves on. I read in a couple of nights because I couldn't put it down. The ending was anticlimactic though.
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