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lizzzz's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I wanted to dnf this book a lot of times. The only reason why I didn't were the 22€ I spent on it (btw, how did that happen? I know it's not the authors fault, but 22€ for a paperback? Come on...).
The plot was nearly non existent through 80% of the book. I liked the end battle part, the ending itself was super corny. I mostly felt like the characters were super immature while facing a f-ing world ending and most of their own problems just didn't seem very important or were described in a superfical way which left me not really caring.
The plot was nearly non existent through 80% of the book. I liked the end battle part, the ending itself was super corny. I mostly felt like the characters were super immature while facing a f-ing world ending and most of their own problems just didn't seem very important or were described in a superfical way which left me not really caring.
ashley_apairofreaders's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5
I was a little nervous to read this one because I have a few other series that disappointed me this year. They were good, but they didn't quite deliver for me. But...BUT Emily Thiede wrote a conclusion to her The Last Finestra duology that is packed with themes of sacrifice, belonging, and a whole lot of heart.
I'd forgotten how much I missed Alessa, Dante, and the rest of the gang. The continuation of their story was powerful and bittersweet. Theide did a nice job of balancing the heavier subjects with cute interjections of Alessa and Dante's flirting as well as humor from some of my favorite side characters (Kamaria and Kaleb).
The plot moved along pretty quickly. It dipped a couple of times, but Theide always made sure to pepper in moments of action to keep the story lively. The conclusion of the story did a nice job of wrapping up some unanswered questions.
I can't wait to see what Emily Theide does next, but I am a fan. Definitely add this duology to your list if you haven't already.
I was a little nervous to read this one because I have a few other series that disappointed me this year. They were good, but they didn't quite deliver for me. But...BUT Emily Thiede wrote a conclusion to her The Last Finestra duology that is packed with themes of sacrifice, belonging, and a whole lot of heart.
I'd forgotten how much I missed Alessa, Dante, and the rest of the gang. The continuation of their story was powerful and bittersweet. Theide did a nice job of balancing the heavier subjects with cute interjections of Alessa and Dante's flirting as well as humor from some of my favorite side characters (Kamaria and Kaleb).
The plot moved along pretty quickly. It dipped a couple of times, but Theide always made sure to pepper in moments of action to keep the story lively. The conclusion of the story did a nice job of wrapping up some unanswered questions.
I can't wait to see what Emily Theide does next, but I am a fan. Definitely add this duology to your list if you haven't already.
ashley_apairofreaders's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5
I was a little nervous to read this one because I have a few other series that disappointed me this year. They were good, but they didn't quite deliver for me. But...BUT Emily Thiede wrote a conclusion to her The Last Finestra duology that is packed with themes of sacrifice, belonging, and a whole lot of heart.
I'd forgotten how much I missed Alessa, Dante, and the rest of the gang. The continuation of their story was powerful and bittersweet. Theide did a nice job of balancing the heavier subjects with cute interjections of Alessa and Dante's flirting as well as humor from some of my favorite side characters (Kamaria and Kaleb).
The plot moved along pretty quickly. It dipped a couple of times, but Theide always made sure to pepper in moments of action to keep the story lively. The conclusion of the story did a nice job of wrapping up some unanswered questions.
I can't wait to see what Emily Theide does next, but I am a fan. Definitely add this duology to your list if you haven't already.
I was a little nervous to read this one because I have a few other series that disappointed me this year. They were good, but they didn't quite deliver for me. But...BUT Emily Thiede wrote a conclusion to her The Last Finestra duology that is packed with themes of sacrifice, belonging, and a whole lot of heart.
I'd forgotten how much I missed Alessa, Dante, and the rest of the gang. The continuation of their story was powerful and bittersweet. Theide did a nice job of balancing the heavier subjects with cute interjections of Alessa and Dante's flirting as well as humor from some of my favorite side characters (Kamaria and Kaleb).
The plot moved along pretty quickly. It dipped a couple of times, but Theide always made sure to pepper in moments of action to keep the story lively. The conclusion of the story did a nice job of wrapping up some unanswered questions.
I can't wait to see what Emily Theide does next, but I am a fan. Definitely add this duology to your list if you haven't already.
culturekath's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
kirstenf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Violence, Death of parent, War, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Sexual content, Torture, Physical abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Mental illness, Abandonment, and Religious bigotry
chaitai00's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
chelcadventures's review against another edition
3.0
After finishing This Vicious Grace, I needed the second book. To say I was ecstatic to have the opportunity to read and review This Cursed Light would be a colossal understatement. I enjoy Emily Thiede’s writing style and couldn’t wait to tear into this book. There were definitely aspects of this story that resonated with me, but overall the journey was a bit of a rollercoaster.
Things I loved:
Things I loved:
brittanya's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
mweir710's review against another edition
4.0
(3.5/5 stars, rounded up) Honestly, I was a tad disappointed in the second book of this series. I LOVED the premise of the magic system and Thiede's world-building, but I felt a bit let down by this second book. Let me start by saying that I don't love miscommunication tropes and that's all that seemed to fill This Cursed Light. Someone, or multiple someones, inevitably hold back information to "protect" others and it ultimately creates tension and disastrous outcomes that could have otherwise been avoided. Call it the drama that brings the reader into the story, but I call it an unnecessary way to draw out a book that doesn't have a ton of fulfilling content. I think I just found this book to be a bit "young" in the way the main characters pine after each other, don't communicate, and complicate literally everything.
I will say I loved the inclusion of the Ghiotte and the twists that Thiede took when talking about Crollo's army. I felt like the ending was a bit of a reach though.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Emily Thiede for allowing me access to an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!
I will say I loved the inclusion of the Ghiotte and the twists that Thiede took when talking about Crollo's army. I felt like the ending was a bit of a reach though.
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Emily Thiede for allowing me access to an advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review!