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justgj's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
joaoluis's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
karinlib's review against another edition
I'm not going to rate this book, because I am really not sure how I feel about it. I liked the beginning, but then when it switched POVs, I started losing interest in the book. Instead of becoming immersed in the story, I had to encourage myself to pick it up.
gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
This was a great follow up to the Echoes of the Fall story.
I thought the concept of the plague people being soulless humans that are unable to step into an animal form and who of which acted as this dark entity, that was set on thwarting out the religion, culture and magic in the world was really thought provoking. It was quite a stark and frightening plot development.
The banding together of all the clans, despite their hatred of each other and personal grievances against others, against this larger all consuming threat was inspiring and well written. There were still loads of mini head butting and disputes when enemies became allies, which added a believable structure and dynamic to character development, especially.
I quite enjoyed having more of a varied perspective and not having a central character as such. I still missed seeing our main character from the first book as much but it gave a widened perspective this way.
This sequel did not fail to deliver the rich characters and lifestyles that book one explored, as well as deftly progressing the storyline. It was a great follow up.
I thought the concept of the plague people being soulless humans that are unable to step into an animal form and who of which acted as this dark entity, that was set on thwarting out the religion, culture and magic in the world was really thought provoking. It was quite a stark and frightening plot development.
The banding together of all the clans, despite their hatred of each other and personal grievances against others, against this larger all consuming threat was inspiring and well written. There were still loads of mini head butting and disputes when enemies became allies, which added a believable structure and dynamic to character development, especially.
I quite enjoyed having more of a varied perspective and not having a central character as such. I still missed seeing our main character from the first book as much but it gave a widened perspective this way.
This sequel did not fail to deliver the rich characters and lifestyles that book one explored, as well as deftly progressing the storyline. It was a great follow up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Colonisation, Genocide, Gore, Xenophobia, Stalking, Violence, War, Grief, Animal death, and Death
laura_302's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jesslynh's review against another edition
4.0
First, this is a series that gets to be in audiobook format, but it's not. Sad.
I have to say, after reading the author's previous series, NO ONE does the state of a were better, and this series so far is another great example. Calling it were is understating, the man is an expert at dual natures. I struggled with identifying a few of the animals and would love an appendix in the next book.
I have placed this series on my auto-buy list and really look forward to the next one. I also highly (highly) recommend to any fantasy fan. And for goodness sake, someone please get these into audio format!
I have to say, after reading the author's previous series, NO ONE does the state of a were better, and this series so far is another great example. Calling it were is understating, the man is an expert at dual natures. I struggled with identifying a few of the animals and would love an appendix in the next book.
I have placed this series on my auto-buy list and really look forward to the next one. I also highly (highly) recommend to any fantasy fan. And for goodness sake, someone please get these into audio format!
writerstears's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pip94's review against another edition
5.0
*I received a digital copy from Netgally in exchange for an honest review*
This is a fantastic sequel to the Tiger and the Wolf. I had high expectations for this book and it didn't disappoint. The world is so well written and so interesting. The development of the characters was great, the plot engaging throughout and the world is a new favourite of mine. There are so many amazing characters in this series and such a diverse range of people. I will say I would have liked more of Maniye but that is a minor complaint. Overall I highly recommend checking this series out, especially if you are a big fan of fantasy. I am very excited for the next book in the series.
This is a fantastic sequel to the Tiger and the Wolf. I had high expectations for this book and it didn't disappoint. The world is so well written and so interesting. The development of the characters was great, the plot engaging throughout and the world is a new favourite of mine. There are so many amazing characters in this series and such a diverse range of people. I will say I would have liked more of Maniye but that is a minor complaint. Overall I highly recommend checking this series out, especially if you are a big fan of fantasy. I am very excited for the next book in the series.
julicke95's review against another edition
2.0
DNF. I hate leaving books unfinished, but I just can't get my brain to pay attention to the story and I'm just done. Two thirds of the way through is close enough.
This is by no means a bad book (or bad series for that matter), but it's just not for me. Can't exactly put my finger on why, but part of it is definitely that the motivations of the characters just remain very unclear or unfounded. Sure, Asmander supports Tecumen because they were childhood friends. But he was friends with his twin all the same, so why the loyalty to one but not the other? Wouldn't it be more interesting if he was more torn up about the war between the rival monarchs instead of this blind loyalty? And what on earth is Shyri's motivation? I guess in the first book she went with Asmander because she was bored, but is that still the case? I just don't buy that she's become good enough friends with Asmander to risk her life in a war in a foreign nation. Same goes for Maniye. Also, the first book focused on Maniye's search for a place to belong, but that's just entirely gone now? She just seems to be going through the motions of a war she has nothing to do with and for what? And why the heck is Takes Iron with her? Loud Thunder's storyline was really the only one I was mildly interested in and what kept me going, because at least it was clear that he was only reluctantly uniting the tribes out of loyalty to the Mother of the bears.
I could go on, but the bottom line is that this seems like a very plot-driven series and I was hoping for a more character-driven one. The world is well-crafted and the pacing is fine, but I was just hoping for a bit... more I guess.
P.s. sorry if I misspelled any names. I read the audiobook and I'm not sure about some of the spellings.
This is by no means a bad book (or bad series for that matter), but it's just not for me. Can't exactly put my finger on why, but part of it is definitely that the motivations of the characters just remain very unclear or unfounded. Sure, Asmander supports Tecumen because they were childhood friends. But he was friends with his twin all the same, so why the loyalty to one but not the other? Wouldn't it be more interesting if he was more torn up about the war between the rival monarchs instead of this blind loyalty? And what on earth is Shyri's motivation? I guess in the first book she went with Asmander because she was bored, but is that still the case? I just don't buy that she's become good enough friends with Asmander to risk her life in a war in a foreign nation. Same goes for Maniye. Also, the first book focused on Maniye's search for a place to belong, but that's just entirely gone now? She just seems to be going through the motions of a war she has nothing to do with and for what? And why the heck is Takes Iron with her? Loud Thunder's storyline was really the only one I was mildly interested in and what kept me going, because at least it was clear that he was only reluctantly uniting the tribes out of loyalty to the Mother of the bears.
I could go on, but the bottom line is that this seems like a very plot-driven series and I was hoping for a more character-driven one. The world is well-crafted and the pacing is fine, but I was just hoping for a bit... more I guess.
P.s. sorry if I misspelled any names. I read the audiobook and I'm not sure about some of the spellings.
kuyemura's review against another edition
3.0
Please let it become standard in fantasy series to do as Tchaikovsky has done, where he presented a summary of the previous book before launching into his narrative. So helpful, for those of us who read the previous volume ages ago or had to wait for the next book to be published *tears up.
Beautifully executed fight scenes—he's got people shapeshifting left and right in mid-air, and it's never difficult to follow. The story meanders around quite a bit (winding around like a snake, you might say), but it's fun to parse through the descriptions and realize, oHO, dragons are komodo lizards! That monster from the deep is a SUBMARINE! etc.
Nothing to write home about per say, as none of the characters get too emotional even when they're on death's door and thus I felt emotionally disconnected from the narrative. But still, a very fun premise, and engaging.
Beautifully executed fight scenes—he's got people shapeshifting left and right in mid-air, and it's never difficult to follow. The story meanders around quite a bit (winding around like a snake, you might say), but it's fun to parse through the descriptions and realize, oHO, dragons are komodo lizards! That monster from the deep is a SUBMARINE! etc.
Nothing to write home about per say, as none of the characters get too emotional even when they're on death's door and thus I felt emotionally disconnected from the narrative. But still, a very fun premise, and engaging.