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4.25 AVERAGE
4.25 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
I loved this book to bits. Beat read of the year. I was up until 4 am finishing it, and just couldn’t put it down.
99/100 sequels aren’t as good as the first book. This one was the exception. I adored it. It made me laugh, cry, and want to throw it across the room. I can barely think of any critiques. My only one would be that the book it missing some POC and disability rep.
The romances? On point. The character development? Amazing. The villain? Full of depth and character. I cannot recommend this book enough.
99/100 sequels aren’t as good as the first book. This one was the exception. I adored it. It made me laugh, cry, and want to throw it across the room. I can barely think of any critiques. My only one would be that the book it missing some POC and disability rep.
The romances? On point. The character development? Amazing. The villain? Full of depth and character. I cannot recommend this book enough.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Holy shit
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
slow-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:
No
Still fun, but slower than the first book.
If you loved the first book then prepare to fall head over heels in love with this sequel !
This book was much chunkier than the first book which alone is a major plus ! I loved the pacing of this book , fast paced but also not too fast that you miss out on key and important details or character development . There was a lot more political intrigue in this book, it was great to see more of the politics from the courts especially the drama and tensions .
Romance wise there is 1000% more in this book ! No spoilers but there are some very cute moments in this book . However at what cost ?! That ending was brutal and left me emotional .
All in all it's an amazing book which I loved even more than the first book and you should definitely go and grab yourself a copy .
This book was much chunkier than the first book which alone is a major plus ! I loved the pacing of this book , fast paced but also not too fast that you miss out on key and important details or character development . There was a lot more political intrigue in this book, it was great to see more of the politics from the courts especially the drama and tensions .
Romance wise there is 1000% more in this book ! No spoilers but there are some very cute moments in this book . However at what cost ?! That ending was brutal and left me emotional .
All in all it's an amazing book which I loved even more than the first book and you should definitely go and grab yourself a copy .
adventurous
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:
Complicated
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
All the gang from book one continue along the unknown plans already laid out for them whether or not they want to!
3.5 stars
Arlo is invited to spend her summer at the Seelie Summer Palace under Queen Riadne’s care. With Nausicaa in tow, Arlo experiences the Royal treatment she has been denied all her life and begins study in alchemy. Vehan and Aurelian are stuck in their dance of pretending they don’t like each other while trying to figure out what is wrong with Vehan’s magic. Celadon, however, is quickly able to see the larger picture and is determined to stop the plots from unfolding.
Characters: 5/5
I really love this cast of characters, honestly it’s what I like most about these books. Nausicaa is every bit the sword lesbian that I love in fantasy. Each character brings something to the table, even if it is just their complete naïveté *cough* Vehan.
As for villains, Riadne is an incredible foe. It’s clear she’s the one to watch for but you really hope that she might have a change of heart at several points. But she is nothing if not cruel.
Plot: 2/5
I think the plot left a little bit to be desired. With all the perspectives, time didn’t move all that fast so not much really happened. Nausicaa probably had the most in terms of things to do, with her hunt for the stones. Arlo was there for a lot of the hunt too but it felt like she did a lot of sitting around in between. Vehan and Aurelien barely did anything outside of pine after each other. Celadon had a bit too but he only had a few chapters.
In terms of the whole arc, also a little lack luster. Something big happening at the solstice was given from the second Riadne invited Arlo to attend. I still don’t know what anyone stood to gain from everything that transpired.
Writing: 3/5
Shuttleworth definitely has a distinct style which I can appreciate and a lot of skill in their own right. I think their editor let them down a bit though. There were several points where the language was very repetitive and not in an intentional way from what I could tell at least. The descriptions they give are clear, easy to visualize, and plentiful. I think just more attentive editing will help Shuttleworth’s writing shine.
Gayness: 5/5
Every rep you could ever want found it’s way into this book in some way. Xe/Xim pronouns, transgender, gender fluid, asexuality, pansexual. Seriously all of it was there!
I honestly think this was a classic middle book lull in a trilogy and the third book will be incredible. If you read ADAHS I hope you stick with the series so we can all experience e the conclusion together.
3.5 stars
Arlo is invited to spend her summer at the Seelie Summer Palace under Queen Riadne’s care. With Nausicaa in tow, Arlo experiences the Royal treatment she has been denied all her life and begins study in alchemy. Vehan and Aurelian are stuck in their dance of pretending they don’t like each other while trying to figure out what is wrong with Vehan’s magic. Celadon, however, is quickly able to see the larger picture and is determined to stop the plots from unfolding.
Characters: 5/5
I really love this cast of characters, honestly it’s what I like most about these books. Nausicaa is every bit the sword lesbian that I love in fantasy. Each character brings something to the table, even if it is just their complete naïveté *cough* Vehan.
As for villains, Riadne is an incredible foe. It’s clear she’s the one to watch for but you really hope that she might have a change of heart at several points. But she is nothing if not cruel.
Plot: 2/5
I think the plot left a little bit to be desired. With all the perspectives, time didn’t move all that fast so not much really happened. Nausicaa probably had the most in terms of things to do, with her hunt for the stones. Arlo was there for a lot of the hunt too but it felt like she did a lot of sitting around in between. Vehan and Aurelien barely did anything outside of pine after each other. Celadon had a bit too but he only had a few chapters.
In terms of the whole arc, also a little lack luster. Something big happening at the solstice was given from the second Riadne invited Arlo to attend. I still don’t know what anyone stood to gain from everything that transpired.
Writing: 3/5
Shuttleworth definitely has a distinct style which I can appreciate and a lot of skill in their own right. I think their editor let them down a bit though. There were several points where the language was very repetitive and not in an intentional way from what I could tell at least. The descriptions they give are clear, easy to visualize, and plentiful. I think just more attentive editing will help Shuttleworth’s writing shine.
Gayness: 5/5
Every rep you could ever want found it’s way into this book in some way. Xe/Xim pronouns, transgender, gender fluid, asexuality, pansexual. Seriously all of it was there!
I honestly think this was a classic middle book lull in a trilogy and the third book will be incredible. If you read ADAHS I hope you stick with the series so we can all experience e the conclusion together.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated