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gwyyy's review against another edition
4.0
The story does a very good job of blurring myth, history, fantasy and the current world. Some aspects may seem less than credible at times, such as entire nations seeming to succumb to the Enemy in a matter of months, but honestly with magic and power hungry politicians I suppose most things are possible.
The new characters are really awesome. I always love Neff's characters, as they have a very real quirkiness about them.
With the revelation of secrets, Neff expertly guides the reader beyond our world and back without once being inconsistent or choppy.
Clearly, he is a brilliant story teller and can appreciate characters' eccentricities as compelling rather than off-putting. There are even moments of sheer brilliance, and it was great to see Max feel safe enough to be vulnerable with David.
Bravo. 3.5/5 (rounded to 4) stars because of the aspects that need to be worked upon.
Character Development
- Max's character seems to shift without much explanation, or at least reflection. It is not until the very end of the book that Neff focuses on the shift between the Max of Hound of Rowan and that of Second Siege. I literally am referring to the very end of the book. He's still courageous and a lover of personal and universal justice, but any quirks are non-existent. Perhaps this is simply the nature of the protagonist?
- David's character and his constant quirkiness and chronic cold is dimmed and at the same time called to the forefront. He plays a very large role in the story, which he deserves, yet I feel he gets the short end of the stick. David is admittedly my favorite character, and I was annoyed at how very unmoved he was at the loss of his dominant right hand. I would have been appeased by one moment of weakness from the strong, wonderful boy, but he only once mentioned that it was strange to not have his hand, claiming he could feel his nonexistent fingers itching. Bah, come on Davie. You're a frail little blonde with enormous power, but you're still 13. You wouldn't be so unaffected that you'd fail to realize that something very much a part of you such as your dominant hand would be stripped away.
- And don't worry about most other characters, they simply aren't developed, save Miss Boon and Cooper. As a word of encouragement, Neff portrays very interesting villains, who are equally well-developed.
Relationship Development
- The only potential relationship done right was that of Miss Boon and Cooper. I was thoroughly annoyed when Max kisses Sarah's hand—the girl he did not even want to consider going to the dance with the previous year—and even more enraged when Cynthia was decidedly thrust upon David as a consolation prize.
- In terms of non-romantic relationships, I was disappointed that Miss Boon never made an appearance or even was mentioned after the group had returned. She never visisted David in the medical wing or anything. She just faded to the background. I was annoyed simply because she seemed to be stepping in as one of the most central characters, only to shuffle back once characters with great potential like Lucia, Cynthia, Sarah, and Connor took her place at Max's side.
The new characters are really awesome. I always love Neff's characters, as they have a very real quirkiness about them.
With the revelation of secrets, Neff expertly guides the reader beyond our world and back without once being inconsistent or choppy.
Clearly, he is a brilliant story teller and can appreciate characters' eccentricities as compelling rather than off-putting. There are even moments of sheer brilliance, and it was great to see Max feel safe enough to be vulnerable with David.
Bravo. 3.5/5 (rounded to 4) stars because of the aspects that need to be worked upon.
Character Development
- Max's character seems to shift without much explanation, or at least reflection. It is not until the very end of the book that Neff focuses on the shift between the Max of Hound of Rowan and that of Second Siege. I literally am referring to the very end of the book. He's still courageous and a lover of personal and universal justice, but any quirks are non-existent. Perhaps this is simply the nature of the protagonist?
- David's character and his constant quirkiness and chronic cold is dimmed and at the same time called to the forefront. He plays a very large role in the story, which he deserves, yet I feel he gets the short end of the stick. David is admittedly my favorite character, and I was annoyed at how very unmoved he was at the loss of his dominant right hand. I would have been appeased by one moment of weakness from the strong, wonderful boy, but he only once mentioned that it was strange to not have his hand, claiming he could feel his nonexistent fingers itching. Bah, come on Davie. You're a frail little blonde with enormous power, but you're still 13. You wouldn't be so unaffected that you'd fail to realize that something very much a part of you such as your dominant hand would be stripped away.
- And don't worry about most other characters, they simply aren't developed, save Miss Boon and Cooper. As a word of encouragement, Neff portrays very interesting villains, who are equally well-developed.
Relationship Development
- The only potential relationship done right was that of Miss Boon and Cooper. I was thoroughly annoyed when Max kisses Sarah's hand—the girl he did not even want to consider going to the dance with the previous year—and even more enraged when Cynthia was decidedly thrust upon David as a consolation prize.
- In terms of non-romantic relationships, I was disappointed that Miss Boon never made an appearance or even was mentioned after the group had returned. She never visisted David in the medical wing or anything. She just faded to the background. I was annoyed simply because she seemed to be stepping in as one of the most central characters, only to shuffle back once characters with great potential like Lucia, Cynthia, Sarah, and Connor took her place at Max's side.
oldcrow1111's review against another edition
5.0
This series is just incredible so far. I can’t believe this is only the second book! Character development and world building is much stronger in this one, and the themes are far darker. I’ve never seen heroes “lose” so badly either. Brilliant.
vitaminemgee's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-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
4.0
anaidelawless's review against another edition
5.0
Actually I always loved this book a lot more than the first one.
First of all Cooper, I always enjoyed his character so much and I ship him so badly with a certain lady and I am pretty sure my ship practically sailed - I mean what more than handholding do you need?
Secondly I always enjoyed how much more Max becomes sure in his own powers and how he trains. Also we finally learn what happened to Max´s mother.
And like the whole world kind of falls apart. Interesting to watch. And even more interesting are the people during the war. Interests clash and betrayal to one might mean loyalty to others. I really liked the difference between people, small moments of heroism from unlikely places, weird alliances, that get broken and restored based on circumstances and so much more.
Among the betrayals one stood up as being the worst. Should have burned the traitor while we could.
And like Max is really cool in this book. Seriously overpowered even though he still does not have his legendary weapon.
Last of all I remembered why I stopped reading at this book. The end is not a cliffhanger. Of course many more battles will be fought, but we are ending a bit more peacefully. I intended to wait for the rest of the series to get translated, but it never happened.
Also I wanna see Astaroth die so badly it is not even funny. How can he be so freaking sleazy?
First of all Cooper, I always enjoyed his character so much and I ship him so badly with a certain lady and I am pretty sure my ship practically sailed - I mean what more than handholding do you need?
Secondly I always enjoyed how much more Max becomes sure in his own powers and how he trains. Also we finally learn what happened to Max´s mother.
And like the whole world kind of falls apart. Interesting to watch. And even more interesting are the people during the war. Interests clash and betrayal to one might mean loyalty to others. I really liked the difference between people, small moments of heroism from unlikely places, weird alliances, that get broken and restored based on circumstances and so much more.
Among the betrayals one stood up as being the worst. Should have burned the traitor while we could.
And like Max is really cool in this book. Seriously overpowered even though he still does not have his legendary weapon.
Last of all I remembered why I stopped reading at this book. The end is not a cliffhanger. Of course many more battles will be fought, but we are ending a bit more peacefully. I intended to wait for the rest of the series to get translated, but it never happened.
Also I wanna see Astaroth die so badly it is not even funny. How can he be so freaking sleazy?
julesrules526's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
aoosterwyk's review against another edition
4.0
This series continues to engage me. There is lots of action, treachery, friendship, loyalty, and strategy. I love that different mythologies and creatures are woven into the story and am already onto #3.
sclinch915's review against another edition
4.0
I knew Neff had somewhere interesting to go. Yes, the similarities are there in the beginning, but once it gets going, it veers off in a completely different direction. I really liked it.
orcaseatingstrawberries's review against another edition
2.0
There were a couple pentacles and things, went farther than JK Rowling did; I think just over the edge most parents would be comfortable with. It's a shame cause it's interesting (though this second book wandered all over).