Scan barcode
red10meg's review against another edition
5.0
Another masterpiece
I am truly obsessed with this series! It’s so creative and feels so new. It does an excellent job drawing in tropes and classic storylines. Honestly I recommend this book to everyone!
I am truly obsessed with this series! It’s so creative and feels so new. It does an excellent job drawing in tropes and classic storylines. Honestly I recommend this book to everyone!
bassgirl456's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bahnhofsblumen's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 ⭐️
The ending of this was JUICY.
Give me assassination attempts and poisonings and I'm in. Bonus points that this one was very obviously modelled after Sherlock Holmes; a master detective with a sibling heavily involved in the British government, a mastermind criminal back from the dead taking over London's criminal network and a massive showdown at the climax?? Give it to me. Loved it, no notes.
Also, for the record, I saw that reveal about Irene coming 4 books ago.
The ending of this was JUICY.
Give me assassination attempts and poisonings and I'm in. Bonus points that this one was very obviously modelled after Sherlock Holmes; a master detective with a sibling heavily involved in the British government, a mastermind criminal back from the dead taking over London's criminal network and a massive showdown at the climax?? Give it to me. Loved it, no notes.
Also, for the record, I saw that reveal about Irene coming 4 books ago.
whatamidoing_rn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
waywordxwitch's review against another edition
3.0
~ ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion ~
3.5 ☆
I really enjoy this series it's very engaging. That being said, this being the 7th book in the series it reminded me of The Masked City (book 2). It did lag a little for me and the end is where it became really interesting. It did leave me on an ending that I look forward to the next book.
3.5 ☆
I really enjoy this series it's very engaging. That being said, this being the 7th book in the series it reminded me of The Masked City (book 2). It did lag a little for me and the end is where it became really interesting. It did leave me on an ending that I look forward to the next book.
thefragranthand's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Another great book from a favorite series
mycupoftealcsw's review against another edition
5.0
This book went by fast. This one is action packed and sets things up for the final conflict. This was a great penultimate story that didn’t waste any time getting Irene and the gang ready for the final book.
I generally don’t like when they add new major-ish characters towards the end of a series, but Catherine didn’t bother me and actually added to the overall story.
I am enjoying watching Kai find his own sense of identity and voice outside of his family. I also appreciate that he values his friendship with Irene above all the other ways he relates to her.
Much of the tension of the books comes from Irene’s general paranoia that calls everything into question and makes the reader also have a general sense of “how is this all about to go wrong?” which I think is a great way to keep the reader engaged even when there may be a lull in the action or when things are going somewhat well.
The big reveal at the end wasn’t surprising, but I don’t think it was meant to be. It was handled very well, however, which gave it weight even if it was something that was obvious from the end of book 1.
I generally don’t like when they add new major-ish characters towards the end of a series, but Catherine didn’t bother me and actually added to the overall story.
I am enjoying watching Kai find his own sense of identity and voice outside of his family. I also appreciate that he values his friendship with Irene above all the other ways he relates to her.
Much of the tension of the books comes from Irene’s general paranoia that calls everything into question and makes the reader also have a general sense of “how is this all about to go wrong?” which I think is a great way to keep the reader engaged even when there may be a lull in the action or when things are going somewhat well.
The big reveal at the end wasn’t surprising, but I don’t think it was meant to be. It was handled very well, however, which gave it weight even if it was something that was obvious from the end of book 1.
wachewl's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
So this series is a rollercoaster of spying and intrigue from early on, but this book is definitely ramping up the action! I thoroughly enjoyed it, even if it had less time for us to sit and rest and figure out what was going on.
Irene is thrown in at the deep end from the start, with a bombing attempt, and it continues from there. This is probably the book that is the least concerned with Irene's "acquisitions" and more about the politics of the wider universes, especially for those who don't like the treaty. We get to see factions on both sides who are unhappy, and the consequences of having signed it. We also get to see some things play out from earlier in the series that I think a number of fans like me will have been waiting for! Well played, Ms Cogman :D
In addition, this time around we fold in Kai's brother and Catherine, who actually both worked really well by representing the dragons and the fae more on page. Despite having a regular in Kai, his brother really brought to bear the wider dragon politics and sterner beliefs. And Catherine provided a much needed gentler fae experience, despite being caught up in wanting to play out her own story.
I'm really enjoying the action this brought, and the twists and revelations at the end. The next book can't come fast enough. 4.5 stars.
So this series is a rollercoaster of spying and intrigue from early on, but this book is definitely ramping up the action! I thoroughly enjoyed it, even if it had less time for us to sit and rest and figure out what was going on.
Irene is thrown in at the deep end from the start, with a bombing attempt, and it continues from there. This is probably the book that is the least concerned with Irene's "acquisitions" and more about the politics of the wider universes, especially for those who don't like the treaty. We get to see factions on both sides who are unhappy, and the consequences of having signed it. We also get to see some things play out from earlier in the series that I think a number of fans like me will have been waiting for! Well played, Ms Cogman :D
In addition, this time around we fold in Kai's brother and Catherine, who actually both worked really well by representing the dragons and the fae more on page. Despite having a regular in Kai, his brother really brought to bear the wider dragon politics and sterner beliefs. And Catherine provided a much needed gentler fae experience, despite being caught up in wanting to play out her own story.
I'm really enjoying the action this brought, and the twists and revelations at the end. The next book can't come fast enough. 4.5 stars.