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sznnbrgrn's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
tani's review against another edition
4.0
In some ways, this was a better book than the first in the series. The pacing was mostly better. The character relationships, being already established, were better. Although I missed the interactions between Cecelia and Heris, I enjoyed the split story lines, and I thought that Cecelia's story, in particular, was well-done. I was also very interested in the plot involving the prince, although the resolution suffered from the rushed ending. Oh, and Brun has turned into a wonderful character.
On the down side, the ending of this one felt very rushed to me. It felt like it should have been a bit longer because after good pacing throughout the book, suddenly we were rushing around from point A to point B, without a second to breathe in between. Also, Heris does suffer as a character. She's very bland, and I can't pinpoint why. She takes action and thinks, and sometimes she's mischievous, and sometimes she's sarcastic, and yet she just feels bland. There was also some seriously heavy-handed writing at some points. I believe another reviewer described it as being like a pantomime, where the viewer is screaming at the hero to look one way, and the stupid hero looks the other. I'm not good at catching these kinds of things, and yet it was painfully obvious.
Onward to the third book!
On the down side, the ending of this one felt very rushed to me. It felt like it should have been a bit longer because after good pacing throughout the book, suddenly we were rushing around from point A to point B, without a second to breathe in between. Also, Heris does suffer as a character. She's very bland, and I can't pinpoint why. She takes action and thinks, and sometimes she's mischievous, and sometimes she's sarcastic, and yet she just feels bland. There was also some seriously heavy-handed writing at some points. I believe another reviewer described it as being like a pantomime, where the viewer is screaming at the hero to look one way, and the stupid hero looks the other. I'm not good at catching these kinds of things, and yet it was painfully obvious.
Onward to the third book!
studaslop's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
This sequel expands in scope and complexity fairly considerably from the first novel, but Moon does a great job keeping things focused and moving. The level of detail in the worldbuilding is very impressive, and the space encounters are incredibly fun despite being superficially slow and much more methodical than something like Star Wars.
The character work in this novel (as with Hunting Party) is stellar. The POV characters have distinct voices, viewpoints, and stories, and the supporting cast is extremely well written.
I had a ton of fun with this book—probably more than the first—and might’ve rated it even higher, but I found the ending too quick to be very satisfying. Because the politics of the world largely go unexplained, some of the political ramifications of the story don’t have the impact it seems they could.
The character work in this novel (as with Hunting Party) is stellar. The POV characters have distinct voices, viewpoints, and stories, and the supporting cast is extremely well written.
I had a ton of fun with this book—probably more than the first—and might’ve rated it even higher, but I found the ending too quick to be very satisfying. Because the politics of the world largely go unexplained, some of the political ramifications of the story don’t have the impact it seems they could.
telerit's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
snazel's review against another edition
Definitely classified under "guilty pleasure" reading, cause there are some attitudes around disability, genetics, assault, hereditary inheritance, which are not QUITE as deeply interrogated as I'd like. But it's still very fun to read about competent people (that hospital heist was a thing of beauty) defeating nefarious poisoner villains.
firesong711's review
5.0
I am quickly becoming very hooked on the series. I started reading the third one as soon as I think finished the second. It's a very lighthearted read it first, humorous, but very suspenseful throughout. It is also filled with very very wonderful characters.
majkia's review
5.0
Great second in series. Horsey space opera with lots of action and great characters
majkia's review against another edition
5.0
Great second in series. Horsey space opera with lots of action and great characters