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4.32 AVERAGE
4.32 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like the book was a bit slow, or more internal conflicts and emotions for the main character. Not for the actual story, only the last 100 pages was more action.
Well… I have some things to say.
In my last review I called Diem “as sharp as a butter knife,” and honestly? She hasn’t gotten any sharper. If anything, her catty, petty nastiness has levelled up. What should feel like a flaw is starting to feel like a full-time personality trait, and not in a good way. More than once I caught myself rolling my eyes and muttering “just grow up already.”
But here’s the thing..... I listened to this on audiobook, and it had me hooked. More than once I found myself sitting in the car, refusing to get out because I was laughing at the jokes and one-liners from the side characters. The cast is big, but they’re introduced gradually enough that I never had that “who is this again?” moment or needed to flick back. And the gryvern? Obsessed. I want one as a pet, no question.
The story itself is addictive, full of twists, drama, and just the right amount of chaos. By the end I was thanking the Everflame that I’d had the foresight to grab Book 3 in the Big W half-price sale this week, because there is no way I’m stopping now.
So yes, Diem drives me up the wall, but the world, the humor, and the sheer entertainment factor? Totally worth it. Five stars, because when a series has me laughing, cursing, and already lining up the next book, it’s doing something right.
In my last review I called Diem “as sharp as a butter knife,” and honestly? She hasn’t gotten any sharper. If anything, her catty, petty nastiness has levelled up. What should feel like a flaw is starting to feel like a full-time personality trait, and not in a good way. More than once I caught myself rolling my eyes and muttering “just grow up already.”
But here’s the thing..... I listened to this on audiobook, and it had me hooked. More than once I found myself sitting in the car, refusing to get out because I was laughing at the jokes and one-liners from the side characters. The cast is big, but they’re introduced gradually enough that I never had that “who is this again?” moment or needed to flick back. And the gryvern? Obsessed. I want one as a pet, no question.
The story itself is addictive, full of twists, drama, and just the right amount of chaos. By the end I was thanking the Everflame that I’d had the foresight to grab Book 3 in the Big W half-price sale this week, because there is no way I’m stopping now.
So yes, Diem drives me up the wall, but the world, the humor, and the sheer entertainment factor? Totally worth it. Five stars, because when a series has me laughing, cursing, and already lining up the next book, it’s doing something right.
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Very few questions from the first book were answered and now there are even more from the second book. I like the story a lot, but this is annoying as hell lol. I've noticed that Diem seems to get A LOT of hate from readers and while I've had my moments of calling her a dumbass and being annoyed with her, I haven't seen why she deserves the hate she gets yet. Luther, of course, is absolute perfection and I do understand why so many people say she doesn't deserve him. Diem has the biggest case of denial I've ever freaking seen and it borders pathetic. The slow burn in this series in painstakingly slow. The tension and angst was like non-existent. It was pretty much just Luther always staring at her and pining for her while she constantly pushed him away because she's "engaged." I about went mad over her and all the Henri bullshit We are two full books in, the first over 400 pages and the second over 600 there is no damn reason the insignificant first love interest should still be apart of the story. Ugh. Moving on. Taran quickly became a favorite, and I mean from the moment he was introduced to the story I knew I was going to love him. I was a little iffy about Eleanor at first, but I don't trust women lol but she has proven to be invaluable. I love the found family aspect, especially since it was unexpected (from her perspective). Overall, I am enjoying the story so I'm going to continue reading.
"Burn, my Queen. Glow so bright, the darkness trembles."
"Burn, my Queen. Glow so bright, the darkness trembles."
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This series might not be for me. There are aspects I still like about the story but I really dislike the FMC. I continue to find the commentary around violent resistance to be troubling. I know the author supports Gaza which gives me hope that she is building up a great story arc. If not though, it fear the author didn’t adequately research and craft an honest story about how oppressive regimes are taken down. It often looks very ugly. That’s not to say civilians should be targeted but the FMC and her found family (which I personally found to be a very underwhelming and annoying group) are extremely naive.
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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