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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
the parental relationships in this book are as healthy as the ones in riverdale.
Beautiful world building amazing characters and a plot gripping enough that I binged this book in a day. You can also see how the authors descriptions have grown and changed from the last book which is what really bumps this books rating up from a 4 to a 5.
I don't know if it was because I ended up finishing this book during a pandemic, and the topic hits close to home, or if I just couldn't vibe with this book.
I bought DECK OF OMENS after feeling on/off reading THE DEVOURING GRAY. The ending picked up in the first book, prompting me to buy the second. The characters are the driving force of this story, for me, but even they seemed to lose themselves in the second book.
The description was fairly repetitive, and the end-game relationship between Isaac and Violet seemed forced, like the founder kids had to be paired up because there was potential. There was potential, but I didn't root for them--the dynamic just didn't seem as authentic as it was maybe meant to seem.
There were several logic/continuity questions, like when Violet was impaled during the ending battle but could sit up, and May considered her "seemed to be injured". I'm pretty sure she'd look extremely injured. Justin was looking to die whilst possessed but then simply described as sick, and that fact seemed to have been forgotten during the battle because he wasn't there, but for all what they thought was his impending death, he was barely thought of during the finale.
I thought the ending was anticlimatic and the battle was kind of messily done.
However, the plot twists in this book were many and impactful, and the atmosphere was done much better than everything else. It took me a while to keep reading this, to be truly gripped, and I know Christine Lynn Herman wrote this from a personal perspective, and I respect that. For me, personally, I just couldn't vibe with the story but I'd love to see future books.
I bought DECK OF OMENS after feeling on/off reading THE DEVOURING GRAY. The ending picked up in the first book, prompting me to buy the second. The characters are the driving force of this story, for me, but even they seemed to lose themselves in the second book.
The description was fairly repetitive, and the end-game relationship between Isaac and Violet seemed forced, like the founder kids had to be paired up because there was potential. There was potential, but I didn't root for them--the dynamic just didn't seem as authentic as it was maybe meant to seem.
There were several logic/continuity questions, like when Violet was impaled during the ending battle but could sit up, and May considered her "seemed to be injured". I'm pretty sure she'd look extremely injured. Justin was looking to die whilst possessed but then simply described as sick, and that fact seemed to have been forgotten during the battle because he wasn't there, but for all what they thought was his impending death, he was barely thought of during the finale.
I thought the ending was anticlimatic and the battle was kind of messily done.
However, the plot twists in this book were many and impactful, and the atmosphere was done much better than everything else. It took me a while to keep reading this, to be truly gripped, and I know Christine Lynn Herman wrote this from a personal perspective, and I respect that. For me, personally, I just couldn't vibe with the story but I'd love to see future books.
medium-paced
4/5 stars.
Sad to see this duology come to an end, but what an ending it was! Deck of Omens offers a great conclusion to the Devouring Gray duo, rounding the story off with great closure for all the characters.
It was nice seeing the developments from Devouring Gray with Harper now with her powers back and Violet in the know, suddenly there being a more even playing field for the Founder kids and giving more room for the plot to grow and up the ante – which is certainly does. There are more secrets, more powers, more things lurking in the dark. It definitely delved more into horror than its predecessor, but not as much mystery as it since, as I mentioned, more of an even playing field especially with the main characters trying to work together this time.
I enjoyed May being a bigger part in this book. She irked me in the first one, the annoying little sister trying too hard, but we really got to see her personality here and see her shine. Her abilities, which I thought powerful but not as interesting as the others, played a big role and it was exciting seeing where her story went. Her interactions with her mother grinded my gears but in the best way because I really connected with May’s story in just wanting to impress her and not be the forgotten younger sibling.
Once again I did not care much for Justin, but it was sad seeing the fallout of his secret and how the town turned on him. No longer the Golden Child, people could see that he was basically as bland as I thought. It was sad seeing him lose not only that but Isaac as well, but I was so happy for Isaac trying to stand on his own two feet and stop being co-dependent on Justin. I adored all of Isaac’s development, learning more about what happened to his family and his ritual, and it was wonderful seeing him connect with Violet about their losses and them forming a beautiful relationship.
Violet had less development than in the first book, now she knew about the town secrets and was coming into her powers, but nonetheless she still was great, and I enjoyed her and her mother becoming closer and forming a bond, and seeing the friendships she made blossom. Her and Harper being best friends was so sweet and wonderful, I loved how they looked out for each other. Harper was amazing too, having been through so much and slowly coming to terms with it and gaining control over her powers.
I don’t think it was essentially as good as Devouring Gray, but still great writing and ominous nonetheless, especially finding out that the monster was even more threatening than the gray. I’m glad we got to learn even more about the town and the magic, and see the main characters come together once and for all to put a stop to the evil.
Sad to see this duology come to an end, but what an ending it was! Deck of Omens offers a great conclusion to the Devouring Gray duo, rounding the story off with great closure for all the characters.
It was nice seeing the developments from Devouring Gray with Harper now with her powers back and Violet in the know, suddenly there being a more even playing field for the Founder kids and giving more room for the plot to grow and up the ante – which is certainly does. There are more secrets, more powers, more things lurking in the dark. It definitely delved more into horror than its predecessor, but not as much mystery as it since, as I mentioned, more of an even playing field especially with the main characters trying to work together this time.
I enjoyed May being a bigger part in this book. She irked me in the first one, the annoying little sister trying too hard, but we really got to see her personality here and see her shine. Her abilities, which I thought powerful but not as interesting as the others, played a big role and it was exciting seeing where her story went. Her interactions with her mother grinded my gears but in the best way because I really connected with May’s story in just wanting to impress her and not be the forgotten younger sibling.
Once again I did not care much for Justin, but it was sad seeing the fallout of his secret and how the town turned on him. No longer the Golden Child, people could see that he was basically as bland as I thought. It was sad seeing him lose not only that but Isaac as well, but I was so happy for Isaac trying to stand on his own two feet and stop being co-dependent on Justin. I adored all of Isaac’s development, learning more about what happened to his family and his ritual, and it was wonderful seeing him connect with Violet about their losses and them forming a beautiful relationship.
Spoiler
and him going to therapy in the end with his brother was amazing!! I love the mental health help representationViolet had less development than in the first book, now she knew about the town secrets and was coming into her powers, but nonetheless she still was great, and I enjoyed her and her mother becoming closer and forming a bond, and seeing the friendships she made blossom. Her and Harper being best friends was so sweet and wonderful, I loved how they looked out for each other. Harper was amazing too, having been through so much and slowly coming to terms with it and gaining control over her powers.
I don’t think it was essentially as good as Devouring Gray, but still great writing and ominous nonetheless, especially finding out that the monster was even more threatening than the gray. I’m glad we got to learn even more about the town and the magic, and see the main characters come together once and for all to put a stop to the evil.
This was equally as good as the first book I am so thankful for that. Some stupid decisions were made in this one in order to advance the plot but luckily everything was nicely wrapped up in the end.
Satisfied with the ending!
Still in love with Isaac
Would have liked a little more character development from Justin but overall super fun to read and I rly rly like that the author had Justin and Harper kinda not have a happily ever after, that even though they knew they loved each other it wasn’t smart to be together that really struck me personally. But still giving the two “bisexual disaster” characters a sort of happy ending was a really sweet way to end it. So overall very pleased with how the duology ended and I will miss the characters.
Still in love with Isaac
Would have liked a little more character development from Justin but overall super fun to read and I rly rly like that the author had Justin and Harper kinda not have a happily ever after, that even though they knew they loved each other it wasn’t smart to be together that really struck me personally. But still giving the two “bisexual disaster” characters a sort of happy ending was a really sweet way to end it. So overall very pleased with how the duology ended and I will miss the characters.
What an absolutely WILD ride. I absolutely loved this book, it made me laugh and cry and I related to it on Such a deep level. Christine tells girls things in her writing that sometimes we just need to hear. Maybe we don’t have a friend willing to say them so directly, but we need to hear it. You’re enough. Love yourself. It’s ok to be sad. It’s ok to be happy. I love this duology and I love the woods kids.
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
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