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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
About halfway through, I found out this is a trilogy and not a stand alone. I don't usually like reading the first in a series because I'm impatient for book 2. I am definitely looking forward to Lady Smoke. Theo's responses to her surroundings made sense to me based on her history and relationships. I like that the love triangle exists but isn't the most important theme.
Loved it! If you like 'Red Queen'then you will definitely love this book.♥️♥️
Este livro prometia ser algo que me encantaria e prenderia por completo na leitura. Em parte, conseguiu realmente fazê-lo, até que a leitura se tornasse um tanto maçante para aquilo a que estou habituada e começasse a desistir de a continuar, dando lugar a novas atividades e outras leituras em vez desta. A protagonista tem uma história interessante e a abordagem psicológica sobre como é viver com o inimigo promete ser algo cativante, além de um gatilho para ação em si. No entanto, e à medida que se iniciam os capítulos seguintes e a realidade se abate por completo sobre a personagem, vemos que esta busca arrastar as suas decisões como se a autora não quisesse simplesmente oferecer já tudo de bandeja. Ao início, isso é bom. Demonstra que há um cuidado e reflexão de consequências. Mas quando a própria leitora percebe que não há nada a ponderar mais, que a personagem em si está apenas a ser chata e a criar mais problemas do que aqueles que já tem, bate uma raiva…
Felizmente, para o final do livro, tudo voltou aos eixos e recuperei o ânimo para continuar a leitura. Por isso acho que as emoções que se sente ao ler este livro serão muito âmbiguas. Ou gostam imediatamente da Theo, ou vão necessitar levar as coisas com calma e aceitar o quão insegura esta personagem é ao início e vai aprendendo que, por vezes, para se ser uma boa rainha e líder do seu povo, não se pode ter o luxo de tomar decisões amigáveis. Bem como talvez sirva de lição para quem tiver uma amiga interesseira e oportunista (sinceramente, quando essa personagem aparecia nos capítulos batia-me aqui um ranço que só me apetecia agarrar na Theo e perguntar-lhe se a companhia da Crescentia valia a pena a futilidade e oportunismo dela).
Felizmente, para o final do livro, tudo voltou aos eixos e recuperei o ânimo para continuar a leitura. Por isso acho que as emoções que se sente ao ler este livro serão muito âmbiguas. Ou gostam imediatamente da Theo, ou vão necessitar levar as coisas com calma e aceitar o quão insegura esta personagem é ao início e vai aprendendo que, por vezes, para se ser uma boa rainha e líder do seu povo, não se pode ter o luxo de tomar decisões amigáveis. Bem como talvez sirva de lição para quem tiver uma amiga interesseira e oportunista (sinceramente, quando essa personagem aparecia nos capítulos batia-me aqui um ranço que só me apetecia agarrar na Theo e perguntar-lhe se a companhia da Crescentia valia a pena a futilidade e oportunismo dela).
I found myself not caring enough to pick the book back up. The story seems promising but also finding out it's the first book in a series makes me wanna read it less
The other reviews aren’t wrong, this book is heavily similar to other popular YA/NA novels. It’s hard to ignore some of the parallels to Throne of Glass and Red Queen. I mean the whole idea of a multi-name character who keeps saying “my name is ____ and I will not _____” can’t be a coincidence. You also have the theme of the prince who knows his kingdom is evil, but is willing to let the evil king keep doing his thang. That is, until he sees a pretty damsel in distress with secret powers who is playing a coward but then suddenly gets the strength to rebel once she knows there’s a movement behind her. You also have the overtaken kingdom, dead royal parents, elements of magic that only half the population has, etc. I could go on.
BUT here’s the thing, it worked for me. I enjoyed the book. I like books in this category and it doesn’t really bother me to listen to different versions of the Dystopian Princess Rebellion story. I could have used some more passion in the romance aspects too honestly.
I don’t read these type of books for literary genius, I listen to them on audible during my commute so that I can destress and get lost in a different world. If you’re looking for books that follow the same general formula of Throne of Glass and Red Queen (which I specifically was), then this is for you.
BUT here’s the thing, it worked for me. I enjoyed the book. I like books in this category and it doesn’t really bother me to listen to different versions of the Dystopian Princess Rebellion story. I could have used some more passion in the romance aspects too honestly.
I don’t read these type of books for literary genius, I listen to them on audible during my commute so that I can destress and get lost in a different world. If you’re looking for books that follow the same general formula of Throne of Glass and Red Queen (which I specifically was), then this is for you.
3.5
An interesting take on some typical YA tropes. Lots of build up for book 2.
An interesting take on some typical YA tropes. Lots of build up for book 2.
This one took me some time to really get into, something I didn’t expect, but I kept going through it because I was intrigued to know how Thora’s (Theodosia’s) story would end. Once I really got into though, it was easy to continue to read. The movement through the story was one that had some twists and turns and it ultimately ended in a way that I only semi saw coming.
I honestly think the character I like the least is surprisingly not the Kaiser, it is instead, Cress. She is a selfish, vain, spoiled brat who only really cared about herself and her own self serving interests. I wanted to believe that she really thought of Thora as more than just the Ash Princess, but at the end of the day, she wasn’t.
Now on the opposite side, Søren just may be one of my favorite characters. He’s not without his flaws but he did what he did out of love for Thora (not Theodosia) even if she’s correct and he doesn’t know her, not really. I just wish sometimes they could get through it together still. Although I understand why they can’t, war is messy at the end of the day.
Blaise, Heron, and Artemisia are all good but there seems to be more to their stories that will hopefully be revealed during the subsequent books.
This story got very interested right towards the middle and at that point I couldn’t put it down. While it’s not without its’ flaws, I am happy that I continued with it because it truly is an interesting and captivating read.
I honestly think the character I like the least is surprisingly not the Kaiser, it is instead, Cress. She is a selfish, vain, spoiled brat who only really cared about herself and her own self serving interests. I wanted to believe that she really thought of Thora as more than just the Ash Princess, but at the end of the day, she wasn’t.
Now on the opposite side, Søren just may be one of my favorite characters. He’s not without his flaws but he did what he did out of love for Thora (not Theodosia) even if she’s correct and he doesn’t know her, not really. I just wish sometimes they could get through it together still. Although I understand why they can’t, war is messy at the end of the day.
Blaise, Heron, and Artemisia are all good but there seems to be more to their stories that will hopefully be revealed during the subsequent books.
This story got very interested right towards the middle and at that point I couldn’t put it down. While it’s not without its’ flaws, I am happy that I continued with it because it truly is an interesting and captivating read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was such a page turner! Following and rooting for characters while also hate some of them was very entertaining for me. I didn’t want to put the book down because I had to know what she would choose and how it would play out.