Scan barcode
irismens's review
5.0
Listened to this on audio while reading along.
I very much enjoyed the sidestep to a different part of the world. Also the development of relationships between Alyssa, Zusa and Hearn were great.
Definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
I very much enjoyed the sidestep to a different part of the world. Also the development of relationships between Alyssa, Zusa and Hearn were great.
Definitely looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
disastrouspenguin's review
5.0
4.5/5
It's this book's fault that I forgot to go grocery shopping this morning. I picked up the book, just to pass some time until Aldi's opened. The next thing I know, the book is done and it's 1:00 pm. Oops.
Dalglish takes a giant leap in terms of plot in this novel. Characters and events are more believable, and I found myself rooting for even some of the most flawed of characters. Some oversimplifications, some Elven trope, but worth reading.
It's this book's fault that I forgot to go grocery shopping this morning. I picked up the book, just to pass some time until Aldi's opened. The next thing I know, the book is done and it's 1:00 pm. Oops.
Dalglish takes a giant leap in terms of plot in this novel. Characters and events are more believable, and I found myself rooting for even some of the most flawed of characters. Some oversimplifications, some Elven trope, but worth reading.
woolyj's review against another edition
5.0
This was the best out of the so far. I love the characters especially Azusa and Alyssa.
This book has some of the characters taken away from Veldaren. The whole thing was fast paced and page turning with it going till the last chapter. I really love this series so far and was really excited to find out there are more after this one.
This book has some of the characters taken away from Veldaren. The whole thing was fast paced and page turning with it going till the last chapter. I really love this series so far and was really excited to find out there are more after this one.
ccpprrjj's review
adventurous
dark
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
3.5
I was unpleasantly surprised by this book. I gave the second book five stars, but I just didn't love this one. I couldn't get into the writing style and I wish we had gotten more time with our main characters instead of spending time chasing after side characters who were horrible people and were pretty much all dead by the end of the book anyways. There were also some parts that felt unnecessarily gross and gory. Although I did enjoy Madelyn's arc. It was horrifying to read about, but also fascinating. Additionally, the whole 'mirror' concept was well done in a way that wasn't cheesy, and Haern's internal conflict was enjoyable to read about, as always. I also really want Zusa and Alyssa to get together. I just think they'd be really cute. Overall, I'm not sure if this book just wasn't written as well as the others, or if my tastes have changed that much since I read the second one (last summer). This book just didn't do it for me. I'll give the series another chance, though, and read book four in hopes of getting some Haern/Thren drama.
nicole_nicole's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ghostmuppet's review
3.0
Third book in the series is a lot better than the other 2, with a fairly standard story and better characters. However, its just still too violent for my liking. I will look at getting the other books in the series - but only if they are on offer.
thinde's review
2.0
DNF 42%
I've continued with this series despite the stupidity of most of the characters. One flaw doesn't make a book unreadable. However, it's getting worse and now I have to put up with 50% of the narrative being told from the point of view of assh*les. I want to occupy the protagonist's POV. Is that so hard?
Haern has spent the last decade killing criminals and corrupt oligarchs, outside of the law. Now he's asked to kill an assassin that supposedly murdered the heir to one of those oligarchies. Does he stop for one second to consider if the "victims" were actually deserving of death? Of course not. The mother of the slain couple offers no word of condemnation for the assassin, instead pitting herself against the people that have come to hunt him down. The Wraith wants to recruit someone to his murderous cause but offers no logic, facts, or arguments... just threats.
This disconnect, between a character's good sense and the actual narrative, is typically a sign that the author is forcing the plot. A thing needs to happen, therefore the characters will bring it about, regardless of whether it suits their self-interest, common-sense or prior behavior. When the reader's internal dialogue seems to be running on a loop crying out, "But why didn't they just..." then you know something's wrong. The frustration builds until it's just not worth continuing.
I've continued with this series despite the stupidity of most of the characters. One flaw doesn't make a book unreadable. However, it's getting worse and now I have to put up with 50% of the narrative being told from the point of view of assh*les. I want to occupy the protagonist's POV. Is that so hard?
Haern has spent the last decade killing criminals and corrupt oligarchs, outside of the law. Now he's asked to kill an assassin that supposedly murdered the heir to one of those oligarchies. Does he stop for one second to consider if the "victims" were actually deserving of death? Of course not. The mother of the slain couple offers no word of condemnation for the assassin, instead pitting herself against the people that have come to hunt him down. The Wraith wants to recruit someone to his murderous cause but offers no logic, facts, or arguments... just threats.
This disconnect, between a character's good sense and the actual narrative, is typically a sign that the author is forcing the plot. A thing needs to happen, therefore the characters will bring it about, regardless of whether it suits their self-interest, common-sense or prior behavior. When the reader's internal dialogue seems to be running on a loop crying out, "But why didn't they just..." then you know something's wrong. The frustration builds until it's just not worth continuing.