Reviews - The Oleander Sword

Tasha Siri’s greatest strength, in my opinion, is her world building. I love the magic system, the religions, how everything feels lived in. That said, I think this book could have used another round of editing to catch some minor formatting mistakes and whatnot. I am looking forward to book 3!

macbrilliance's review against another edition

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5.0

Ive found it a little hard to get into this series, and i’m not sure why, but 1/4 of the way into this book I thought: why not let it consume my soul? And then i discovered that the 3rd instalment isn’t out yet.
Rich world building. Character development. Gays! Mythology. Creeping horror. Ugh yes. Twists! More please.

thenichinu's review

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adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

pinenoodle's review against another edition

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2.0

And yet...

"And yet" is the most overused phrase in this series, or any book that I've read recently. And it's just gotten on my nerves.

I didn't like this book as much as the first, though I will say that I'm not sure how much that's a problem with this series so much as how sff trilogies are being done these days. The first book introduces a lot, makes us really explore the characters, see their problems.

This book just runs from there. There are problems that these characters face, but by and large it isn't on the same, get to know the characters, get to see them wrestle with their issues kind of level. Instead, the stakes become huge and world bending, and our main characters are playing their parts. And its less interesting.

This is a book that you'll love if you loved everything in the first book, if you want to be in this world. But if you thought it was intriguing and had promise? Maybe not so much.

I will say as well that this book continues the issues of timing that buggest me about the first book.