Scan barcode
pixellatxd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Blood, Confinement, Death of parent, Death, Torture, and Violence
niatella's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-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
4.0
I enjoyed this book more so than the first, probably because the plot has already been established, making easier to understand some of the complex explanations.
I understand that the MC's character-development is part of the plot, though I would like to say I don't really enjoy it. She can be a bit too stubborn and overbearing to read.
The romance is fine, simply, WHERE CAN I GET MYSELF A TAKKAN?!?!?!?!
I understand that the MC's character-development is part of the plot, though I would like to say I don't really enjoy it. She can be a bit too stubborn and overbearing to read.
The romance is fine, simply, WHERE CAN I GET MYSELF A TAKKAN?!?!?!?!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Torture and Death
Minor: Death of parent
the_books_music_life's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Now I have some spoiler questions I need answers to at the very bottom of my review.
I really enjoyed this book though, not as much as the first. I love all the characters, places, and don't get me started on the food description 🤤.
If I wasn't so in love with Shirori and Takkan's relationship I wouldn't have minded if the relationship between Shirori and Seryu happened. I adore Seryu, he is one of my favorite characters and I wish we got to see more of him in the latter half of the book
While I enjoyed Shiori’s reunion with her brothers I thought it felt a little lack luster, though a lot has obviously happened in the months she’s been gone and she showed up with not so great timing. Shirori's reunion with her father however angered me. I have very mixed feelings for her father's character. You would think he'd be happy to see his ONLY daughter after so long and after her being lost with her brothers but instead he berates her....Wth?
I adore Shirori and Takkan's relationship. It is equal parts sweet and romantic while also being passionate and shows how much they deeply care for each other. Also How many times can two people be almost married?!
I adored Qinnia. Even though we don't see her very much or learn much about her, what we do see and what we got made me love her. It didn't feel like she was added just to be added, she had a place in the book and it wasn't forced.
Now onto my dislikes.
I didn't enjoy how long and dragged out the trip to the Dragon's kingdom was. While I enjoy Seryu I thought the whole thing could have been shorter and it would have gotten the same point across about her misadventures and adventures there.
(This is going to be so hard to explain my feelings without spoilers)
While I enjoyed the ending I was worried about certain things happening and my fears were partially true. I didn't really care for the solution that ended up taking place, but I rather that than the worse thing I thought was going to happen. I do like how the author incorporates Seryu into the ending and the solution that is figured out for Shirori.
I felt like the ended was a little rushed and I wanted to see more from the epilogue.
For some reason I cried like a little baby at the end of this book and I have no clue why. Yes some things that happened were sad but jeez I didn't think it was all that sad.
My spoilerly questions
Who tricked the guardian demon/dragon (I can't remember his name) into killing Vanna?
And why does Hasho still have a bird arm and can talk to birds. Is it because he was cursed by Bandur? But if that's so wouldn't it heave been fixed when the demon/dragon changed her brothers back into humans?
I really enjoyed this book though, not as much as the first. I love all the characters, places, and don't get me started on the food description 🤤.
If I wasn't so in love with Shirori and Takkan's relationship I wouldn't have minded if the relationship between Shirori and Seryu happened. I adore Seryu, he is one of my favorite characters and I wish we got to see more of him in the latter half of the book
While I enjoyed Shiori’s reunion with her brothers I thought it felt a little lack luster, though a lot has obviously happened in the months she’s been gone and she showed up with not so great timing. Shirori's reunion with her father however angered me. I have very mixed feelings for her father's character. You would think he'd be happy to see his ONLY daughter after so long and after her being lost with her brothers but instead he berates her....Wth?
I adore Shirori and Takkan's relationship. It is equal parts sweet and romantic while also being passionate and shows how much they deeply care for each other. Also How many times can two people be almost married?!
I adored Qinnia. Even though we don't see her very much or learn much about her, what we do see and what we got made me love her. It didn't feel like she was added just to be added, she had a place in the book and it wasn't forced.
Now onto my dislikes.
I didn't enjoy how long and dragged out the trip to the Dragon's kingdom was. While I enjoy Seryu I thought the whole thing could have been shorter and it would have gotten the same point across about her misadventures and adventures there.
(This is going to be so hard to explain my feelings without spoilers)
While I enjoyed the ending I was worried about certain things happening and my fears were partially true. I didn't really care for the solution that ended up taking place, but I rather that than the worse thing I thought was going to happen. I do like how the author incorporates Seryu into the ending and the solution that is figured out for Shirori.
I felt like the ended was a little rushed and I wanted to see more from the epilogue.
For some reason I cried like a little baby at the end of this book and I have no clue why. Yes some things that happened were sad but jeez I didn't think it was all that sad.
My spoilerly questions
And why does Hasho still have a bird arm and can talk to birds. Is it because he was cursed by Bandur? But if that's so wouldn't it heave been fixed when the demon/dragon changed her brothers back into humans?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Blood
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Body horror
Minor: Death of parent
lanid's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, Violence, and Body horror
pastelmeganes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I think the magic of the first book didn’t transition well into the sequel. I think the whole plot of her navigating this world unable to communicate enticed me to pick up the series in the first place. Without that there anymore, a little of the magic was faded.
The first third of the book was a little odd for me personally. We spent so much time in the dragon realm and i just didn’t feel connected with anybody but Seryu (whom is by far my favorite character).
The book definitely picked up my interest again in the middle when were back in the human realm. Learning about Raikama’s past was my favorite part of the story by far.
My least favorite character of the main cast was Takkan. He just didn’t add anything in for me and was pretty boring, in a way he made Shiori a lot more boring in my opinion. I found myself rolling my eyes a few times at their interactions. I mean it’s cute but lacked elements that made me want to ve interested in their relationship.
If i were to do anything to make the book better for me personally, id change out the Dragon realm arc for something different, make Raikama’s home a bigger portion of the book, have shiori learn more magic and abilities, keep Gen more in the story, and have Seryu end up with Shiori instead of Takkan.
I will say Shiori choosing to free the demons was an interesting choice which i appreciated. It was some nice growth.
The first third of the book was a little odd for me personally. We spent so much time in the dragon realm and i just didn’t feel connected with anybody but Seryu (whom is by far my favorite character).
The book definitely picked up my interest again in the middle when were back in the human realm. Learning about Raikama’s past was my favorite part of the story by far.
My least favorite character of the main cast was Takkan. He just didn’t add anything in for me and was pretty boring, in a way he made Shiori a lot more boring in my opinion. I found myself rolling my eyes a few times at their interactions. I mean it’s cute but lacked elements that made me want to ve interested in their relationship.
If i were to do anything to make the book better for me personally, id change out the Dragon realm arc for something different, make Raikama’s home a bigger portion of the book, have shiori learn more magic and abilities, keep Gen more in the story, and have Seryu end up with Shiori instead of Takkan.
I will say Shiori choosing to free the demons was an interesting choice which i appreciated. It was some nice growth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Grief, Violence, and War
Moderate: Torture and Body horror
Minor: Physical abuse
mpbookreviews's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
yaoipaddle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I preferred the first book. I felt like the pacing was not as well done as the first book. Too much time was taken up by Shiori pining over her boyfriend or rehashing the same things she has done in the last book. The few new and interesting settings or concepts were far too brief.
I'm just a little tired of Shiori being head over heels for Takkan when he does not show himself to be outstandingly amazing in this book more than other characters. I do appreciate that there is no Twilight/Hunger Games level pandering over who has Shiori's love though.
The further exploration into Shiori's feelings over her stepmother are sweet and some of my favorite parts of the latter part of the book. I like how towards the end Shiori showed a lot of maturity and the theme of "what is 'home'" really came around neatly. So for general themes and concepts I felt a nice closure.
As for the actual nitty gritty details and actions...
The ending felt rushed and parts of it were poorly explained to the point where I had to stop reading and try to piece it together myself before continuing.
I would say this is an OK end to the series but could have been better. Feel free to pass on it and make up your own ending tbh.
I'm just a little tired of Shiori being head over heels for Takkan when he does not show himself to be outstandingly amazing in this book more than other characters. I do appreciate that there is no Twilight/Hunger Games level pandering over who has Shiori's love though.
The further exploration into Shiori's feelings over her stepmother are sweet and some of my favorite parts of the latter part of the book. I like how towards the end Shiori showed a lot of maturity and the theme of "what is 'home'" really came around neatly. So for general themes and concepts I felt a nice closure.
As for the actual nitty gritty details and actions...
The ending felt rushed and parts of it were poorly explained to the point where I had to stop reading and try to piece it together myself before continuing.
I would say this is an OK end to the series but could have been better. Feel free to pass on it and make up your own ending tbh.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Confinement, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Death
Minor: Alcohol
kirstenf's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Religious bigotry, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, and Grief
Minor: War
kbairbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
Wow! The imagery, the colors, the scenery, the outfits, the food. This book is so rich with culture and flavors and texture it’s just so good. I am really enjoying Elizabeth Lims writing style and I currently have her other duology in my library audiobooks holds which I’m super excited to read as well. It was just such a lovely story. Though there were moments where I would fall out of intrigue and there were moments of dullness for me I guess… I did really enjoy it and my fairyloot edition is absolutely stunning.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Grief, Blood, Torture, Cursing, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
cinnabagel's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
so much was packed into 600 pages it left me reeling at the end. speaking of, the ending was absolutely beautiful. i feel like this book kinda unnecessarily went on forever, but i didn’t mind too much as i absolutely adore the writing of this book and the one that came before it. i appreciate how well the characters were thought out as well. i don’t think the plot was as interesting a concept as the book before it, though.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, and Blood
Minor: Animal death