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cassidy_rain's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I’m having such a fun time with this series. This second book in the series picks up right where the first book left off and in it’s aftermath. While the first book feels somewhat wrapped up by the end, we learn here that it was truly just the beginning and lotsss of things were left unanswered.
I continued to love the characters. Bryce and Hunt are so sweet and I love seeing their relationship grow. Though I do wish we could see more of them being together and getting to know one another without everything turning into sex. I enjoyed meeting Cormac and getting to see more of Ithan. I love the dynamic of all the characters working together. Ruhn and Agent Day was unexpected but I loooved it. The chemistry was top tier.
"Everything that ever happened to me, it was all so I could meet you, Quinlan. Be here with you. I'm yours. Forever.”
A few reasons I didn’t like this quite as much as the first- some parts were more confusing. More than once the writing felt a bit choppy, like it would jump into a topic without warning and I almost felt like I missed a chapter or paragraph. Also all the H names (the Harpy, the Hind, the Hammer, the Helhound, etc. most of whom have real names too) was difficult for me to keep track of. I *think* by the end of the novel I have them straightened out but don’t test me on this. Some things are starting to feel a bit repetitive to ACOTAR and TOG (though that comes with the genre typically)- perfect mates, developing an insane amount of power, coming into a position of power…
Unfortunately, reading a popular book well after it’s release has some disadvantages and I had seen some spoilers ahead of time, despite my best efforts. This didn’t ruin my experience but I definitely don’t think I would have seen either coming had I not seen the spoiler. (Ending and Agent Day’s real identity). Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t exactly sure how the ending would occur, only that it would happen so it was still shocking and exciting!
”Hard to enjoy being free if you’re dead” … “I can think of no better reason to yield my life.”
What a great ending with two cliffhangers, definitely excited to pick up the next book!
Graphic: Death, Violence, Sexual content, and Torture
Moderate: War and Slavery
jeanettesreadingcorner's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Violence, Child abuse, Torture, Grief, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, War, Blood, Murder, Body shaming, Death, Colonisation, and Confinement
daniofthewood's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Moderate: Torture, Cursing, Murder, Physical abuse, Violence, War, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Blood, Confinement, Death, and Misogyny
Minor: Suicide, Gun violence, Child abuse, Sexual violence, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
likeasloth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: War
ladynigelia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: War and Sexual violence
bookswithniizzze's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Violence and War
barbarianmissy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was a rollercoaster start to finish. I loved seeing everyone’s personalities truly unfold and the relationships build. I really loved the scooby gang camaraderie between all the main group.
Also, SJM seriously knows how to turn out a PLOT TWIST! I gasped “WHAT?!?” In happiness, anger, surprise, and disgust multiple times!
Although, I was quite pleased with myself that I was able to figure out a big twist in who Day was pretty early on!
A few new favs worth honourable mention:
- I will always and forever be obsessed with fire sprites, they’re my girlies. The triplets have taken my whole heart.
-Ithan, you sweet little man, you. I hope you and no-name-dunk-tank-alpha-mystic-wolf-lady are mates, I’d love that for you.
-Baxian, don’t die even though I feel like you will. I want you to find happiness again pls. Don’t make the next book a puppy snuff book, SJM (I’m aware it’s already written, but I’m manifesting)
I want to put Cormac on my list but I honestly never took to him. He was meh. Tamlin vibes are never good vibes. Glad he took about Pippi Longstocking though, she was a BEEEEYOTCH!
Side note: Danika was not a good friend??? Like Bryce didn’t even know her in the least bit. She didn’t even share that she had a friggin mate with Bryce in idle girl talk???? Like???? I feel bad for Bryce who literally told her absolutely everything, her deepest, darkest secrets, and loved her so much and she pretty much got a hollow party girl stranger who didn’t trust her in return.
IN CONCLUSION! I can’t wait for book 3!!! I can’t believe all of my old imaginary friends may be becoming friends with my new imaginary friends. We should all have a sleepover!
🕺💃
Anywho! HOUSE OF FLAME AND SHADOW IM COMING FOR YOU!
Moderate: Misogyny, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Alcohol, Animal death, Violence, War, Cannibalism, Cursing, Death, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Child abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Torture
picaresquedreamer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Gun violence, Police brutality, Genocide, Violence, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Torture, Toxic relationship, Death, Confinement, Murder, Classism, Colonisation, Sexual content, Racism, and Slavery
Moderate: Grief, Drug use, War, and Gaslighting
Minor: Child abuse
tjandjamiestephens1291's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Graphic: War, Violence, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Kidnapping, Blood, and Trafficking
Minor: Alcoholism, Addiction, and Alcohol
jackiepreston's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Violence, Blood, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Torture and War