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3.86 AVERAGE
3.86 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder
Minor: Confinement, Cursing, Gun violence, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Death of parent, Alcohol
I love these books. I love the drama, the comedy, the writing, the characters, the fact that it takes place in Victorian England, and the fact that the majority of these characters have amazing powers. They are way better then normal people but they are restrained by societies rules. Not to mention I am in love with Mr.Kent! Sebastian is amazing and I love the man as well (I did wish there were more Mr.Kent/Sebastian moments, though when they happened they were amazing) these books are perfect and now I'm desperately waiting for the next one.
This was a very solid sequel. It picked up a few weeks after the events of the first book, and we got into the intrigue right away. I don't want to get too carried away with details, since this is the second book in the series, but I loved all the new characters we got to meet and was glad that we were able to still see the old characters we loved from the first book (some more..ahem...surprising than others).
This part of the story takes the Society from something intrinsically evil to something that could be used for good--as long as the right people are in charge. However, that's part of the mystery--who is in control, and why are they making the choices they are? Are they here to help powered people, or use the powered for their own gains?
Oh man, though. Just when you think everything is going according to our protagonists' plans, STUFF. GOES. DOWN. That ending, O.M.G.
Like...I cannot and do not want to give away ANY spoilers for that ending because holy Moses, it's CRAZY, in a terrible but also so unexpected and just--wow. These authors are evil geniuses, I think.
So listen, go do yourself a favor. Go read These Vicious Masks, then read this one, then cry because we don't have the third book yet and WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?!?!?!
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I. HAVE. CHILLS. Oh my god did that take a turn right at the end! Review coming tomorrow!
This part of the story takes the Society from something intrinsically evil to something that could be used for good--as long as the right people are in charge. However, that's part of the mystery--who is in control, and why are they making the choices they are? Are they here to help powered people, or use the powered for their own gains?
Oh man, though. Just when you think everything is going according to our protagonists' plans, STUFF. GOES. DOWN. That ending, O.M.G.
Like...I cannot and do not want to give away ANY spoilers for that ending because holy Moses, it's CRAZY, in a terrible but also so unexpected and just--wow. These authors are evil geniuses, I think.
So listen, go do yourself a favor. Go read These Vicious Masks, then read this one, then cry because we don't have the third book yet and WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT?!?!?!
----------------
I. HAVE. CHILLS. Oh my god did that take a turn right at the end! Review coming tomorrow!
I absolutely loved the first book in this series, and I liked this book. It was a good continuation of the story.
First my complaint, and the reason for 4 stars instead of 5 - a cliffhanger. I understand that a series needs to set up plot lines for the next book, but I hate being completely left hanging at the end of a book, when I know I'm going to wait at least a year for the next book. Normally, I don't start a series unless all - or at least most - of the books are already out so I can avoid that, but in this case the hold on the second book from my library arrived faster than I expected, so I went ahead and read it anyway. Now I'm anxiously awaiting the next book.
That out of the way, I still love the world building the authors have done here. I think this world is creative and different and clever, and it really gives the characters something to sink their teeth into in terms of drama, suspense and action. There is also plenty of character building and the development of pretty much all the main characters in the second book was well-thought out and entertainingly delivered.
I also still love Evelyn. She is a complex, conflicted interesting character, and while I wouldn't have made the same romantic decision she does [which is all I'll say to avoid spoilers] in terms of her special talent and how she helps others, I completely relate to, and root for all her actions. Even when she has hard choices to make, Evelyn has character and honour and I love that in a character, especially a female character.
Really, I loved everything about this book except the cliffhanger, and I will definitely read the next book . . . as soon as it is available - note to the authors and publishers: could you hurry it up, PLEASE?!
First my complaint, and the reason for 4 stars instead of 5 - a cliffhanger. I understand that a series needs to set up plot lines for the next book, but I hate being completely left hanging at the end of a book, when I know I'm going to wait at least a year for the next book. Normally, I don't start a series unless all - or at least most - of the books are already out so I can avoid that, but in this case the hold on the second book from my library arrived faster than I expected, so I went ahead and read it anyway. Now I'm anxiously awaiting the next book.
That out of the way, I still love the world building the authors have done here. I think this world is creative and different and clever, and it really gives the characters something to sink their teeth into in terms of drama, suspense and action. There is also plenty of character building and the development of pretty much all the main characters in the second book was well-thought out and entertainingly delivered.
I also still love Evelyn. She is a complex, conflicted interesting character, and while I wouldn't have made the same romantic decision she does [which is all I'll say to avoid spoilers] in terms of her special talent and how she helps others, I completely relate to, and root for all her actions. Even when she has hard choices to make, Evelyn has character and honour and I love that in a character, especially a female character.
Really, I loved everything about this book except the cliffhanger, and I will definitely read the next book . . . as soon as it is available - note to the authors and publishers: could you hurry it up, PLEASE?!
The things I appreciate:
▪︎the characters remained themselves. Often in a second book, the heroine becomes more flaky and ridiculous because "love" and that trope really agitates me. I was happy that this did not happen to Evelyn....or so I thought.
▪︎the changes the characters do experience are in direct relation to rhier experiences and accurate representations of what would alter a person (IE the grief and wttitude Evelyn adopts after Rose. The way Rose becaomes less open a d more cateful and timid after abuse)
▪︎the writing remains clever and concise, with enough detail to give context but enough action to move the plot. All while not using cheap means to move the plot.
Things I did not enjoy:
▪︎the.freaking.ending
Evelyn chose to let 100 people die because she couldn't bear to let her sister die. Even though she had already experienced that. Even though her sister would carey that burden of guilt. Evelyn then goes over the top in torturing Captain Goode because he hurt her sister.
Everyone lost their loved ones. Mr Kent now gets to mourn his sister. Mr. Braddock Mae. Rose her parents. But that is somehow ok because at least Evelyn doesn't have to mounr her sister...? And no one is going to faukt her for choosing that? They all are going to forgive and forget?
▪︎Mr Braddock. He just keeps running. It makes no sense that after everyone dies, he would run out into town to kill more people. This is the man for intelligent Evelyn? (though her last choices do not give credit that..mote like an abscence of brains.)
The whole ending made me uoset I wasted time reading this book. I don't understand how letting everyone die can be justified and forgiven. Ridiculous
▪︎the characters remained themselves. Often in a second book, the heroine becomes more flaky and ridiculous because "love" and that trope really agitates me. I was happy that this did not happen to Evelyn....or so I thought.
▪︎the changes the characters do experience are in direct relation to rhier experiences and accurate representations of what would alter a person (IE the grief and wttitude Evelyn adopts after Rose. The way Rose becaomes less open a d more cateful and timid after abuse)
▪︎the writing remains clever and concise, with enough detail to give context but enough action to move the plot. All while not using cheap means to move the plot.
Things I did not enjoy:
▪︎the.freaking.ending
Evelyn chose to let 100 people die because she couldn't bear to let her sister die. Even though she had already experienced that. Even though her sister would carey that burden of guilt. Evelyn then goes over the top in torturing Captain Goode because he hurt her sister.
Everyone lost their loved ones. Mr Kent now gets to mourn his sister. Mr. Braddock Mae. Rose her parents. But that is somehow ok because at least Evelyn doesn't have to mounr her sister...? And no one is going to faukt her for choosing that? They all are going to forgive and forget?
▪︎Mr Braddock. He just keeps running. It makes no sense that after everyone dies, he would run out into town to kill more people. This is the man for intelligent Evelyn? (though her last choices do not give credit that..mote like an abscence of brains.)
The whole ending made me uoset I wasted time reading this book. I don't understand how letting everyone die can be justified and forgiven. Ridiculous
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8EniFAvNf8
I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK! It's like if Magnito or Umbridge ran an institution of people with powers in Victorian England and then threw in the Red Wedding.
This book convinced me that if I had a super power...I'd want it to be that everyone would have to truthfully answer my questions. The trolling and blackmail material you could get with that!
The romance...spider web? is absolutely amazing and I just want more of it! I am so incredibly excited for the third book!
I AM OBSESSED WITH THIS BOOK! It's like if Magnito or Umbridge ran an institution of people with powers in Victorian England and then threw in the Red Wedding.
This book convinced me that if I had a super power...I'd want it to be that everyone would have to truthfully answer my questions. The trolling and blackmail material you could get with that!
The romance...spider web? is absolutely amazing and I just want more of it! I am so incredibly excited for the third book!
A bit of a let down after the previous installment. It just didn't hold my interest.
It's been a few days and I completely forgot I had picked this up. The first book was only a three-star read anyway, so I'm not too bothered.