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ten_telegrams's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
starlesscircus's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Gore, Violence, and Gun violence
heli1403's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Blood, Death, Gore, and Injury/Injury detail
lostpaperbacks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, and Murder
bookcaptivated's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Gore, Murder, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Torture, War, and Confinement
theespressoedition's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I gotta admit that this was a bit disappointing for me. After such a strong start in This Savage Song, I had high hopes for Our Dark Duet, but it wound up falling a bit flat.
Sure, the writing was just as superb as every other Schwab book, and for that, the book gets 3 stars. However, the story itself felt a bit repetitive and confusing. It seemed like I was reliving a lot of what happened in the first book but this time around, I liked the characters way less.
August was someone who I absolutely adored in the first book. I truly loved him and his almost chocolatey sweetness. However, in this book, he became almost villainous. I understand that was for his character to grow and change and grow again. But to see the roles reversed and have him be more on the morally gray side while Kate was almost a "damsel in distress," threw me for a loop. She was such a badass in the first book and was definitely the morally gray one. So yeah, the side-switching had me scratching my head a bit.
After the totally open end of the first book, I was excited to find out what would happen next in Verity and beyond. For the most part, things felt wrapped up, but I still had questions at the end. I guess that was so that I, as a reader, could kind of choose my own conclusion. I just hoped for a bit more finalization for everything.
Overall, the duology gets 3 stars from me. It was good, but it didn't completely blow me away or anything. I probably wouldn't read them again unless Schwab decides to add to them at some point.
Sure, the writing was just as superb as every other Schwab book, and for that, the book gets 3 stars. However, the story itself felt a bit repetitive and confusing. It seemed like I was reliving a lot of what happened in the first book but this time around, I liked the characters way less.
August was someone who I absolutely adored in the first book. I truly loved him and his almost chocolatey sweetness. However, in this book, he became almost villainous. I understand that was for his character to grow and change and grow again. But to see the roles reversed and have him be more on the morally gray side while Kate was almost a "damsel in distress," threw me for a loop. She was such a badass in the first book and was definitely the morally gray one. So yeah, the side-switching had me scratching my head a bit.
After the totally open end of the first book, I was excited to find out what would happen next in Verity and beyond. For the most part, things felt wrapped up, but I still had questions at the end. I guess that was so that I, as a reader, could kind of choose my own conclusion. I just hoped for a bit more finalization for everything.
Overall, the duology gets 3 stars from me. It was good, but it didn't completely blow me away or anything. I probably wouldn't read them again unless Schwab decides to add to them at some point.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Gore, Death, Blood, Gun violence, and Violence
rosenau's review against another edition
dark
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Gun violence, Cannibalism, Death, Murder, and Blood
blank_space_forever's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, War, Violence, and Death
lisa_m's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
I'm glad I read this book. I wasn't convinced after the first one in the series but I did enjoy reading it. I'm still not the biggest fan but I can appreciate it.
My main issue was that I pretty much hated everyone. I did like the friendship between August and Kate and my favourite character was definitely Ilsa. But I realised that I wasn't really attached to anyone or anything in this story because I wasn't sad even though many sad and horrible things happened.
I did really enjoy the philosophical aspect and the thoughts about humanity and what it means to be good or bad and if there even is a clear distinction. I also thought the concept of a war where one side cannot kill any humans on the other side very intriguing.
All in all I would say great plot, great world building and I totally get why people like this book but it just wasn't my cup of tea. It was incredibly violent and I was kind of mentally checked out.
My main issue was that I pretty much hated everyone. I did like the friendship between August and Kate and my favourite character was definitely Ilsa. But I realised that I wasn't really attached to anyone or anything in this story because I wasn't sad even though many sad and horrible things happened.
I did really enjoy the philosophical aspect and the thoughts about humanity and what it means to be good or bad and if there even is a clear distinction. I also thought the concept of a war where one side cannot kill any humans on the other side very intriguing.
All in all I would say great plot, great world building and I totally get why people like this book but it just wasn't my cup of tea. It was incredibly violent and I was kind of mentally checked out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Violence, and War
Moderate: Terminal illness and Kidnapping
wiktoria88's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Blood, Gore, and Death