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endiamon's review against another edition
2.0
A profoundly unsympathetic protagonist, a deeply unlikable love interest, and a deus ex machina of an unsatisfying climax add up to an extremely disappointing follow-up to the wonderful Mystic and Rider and a rare miss for Sharon Shinn. The supporting cast are the only saving grace and the only reason I didn't drop this book 1/3 in.
kitschykatey's review against another edition
5.0
I was both pleasantly surprised and blown to bits by the second installment of the Twelve Houses series. I had heard mixed reviews about this particular book, but I have to say I loved it and loved Kirra more and more as the story evolved. These six characters are just too perfect, and I have already snatched up book three.
katleap's review against another edition
4.0
4 stars.
The first time I read this book I was very very harsh in my thinking. I've changed my mind. I love Mystic and Rider. Senneth and Tayse are my favorites and then Justin. I like Kirra but I have a hard time in this book.
Kirra makes some choices that I think are stupid and down right selfish. However they are learning points for her. The consequences have to be harsh because its the only way she really learns. Her station and her father have cushioned her and in this book most of that gets stripped away. Its about Kirra finally growing up and doing something for someone besides herself.
The end is the hardest part of this book and also my favorite. The first time I read it, I absorbed that she had an affair with a married man (knowingly and also knowing that he would never leave his wife for her). That was the biggest think I remember. However there are lots of other things going on. Justin and Cammon both start to come into their own. There is lots of Senneth and Tayse. It was worth the reread and I'll reread it again.
6/30/2015
I think that Romar shades the whole book. I dislike him from the moment we are introduced to him and his taint really stops me from loving the whole story. In actuality Kirra's affair is only the last 1/3 of the book. Not the whole thing even though it feels like it.
The first time I read this book I was very very harsh in my thinking. I've changed my mind. I love Mystic and Rider. Senneth and Tayse are my favorites and then Justin. I like Kirra but I have a hard time in this book.
Kirra makes some choices that I think are stupid and down right selfish. However they are learning points for her. The consequences have to be harsh because its the only way she really learns. Her station and her father have cushioned her and in this book most of that gets stripped away. Its about Kirra finally growing up and doing something for someone besides herself.
The end is the hardest part of this book and also my favorite. The first time I read it, I absorbed that she had an affair with a married man (knowingly and also knowing that he would never leave his wife for her). That was the biggest think I remember. However there are lots of other things going on. Justin and Cammon both start to come into their own. There is lots of Senneth and Tayse. It was worth the reread and I'll reread it again.
6/30/2015
I think that Romar shades the whole book. I dislike him from the moment we are introduced to him and his taint really stops me from loving the whole story. In actuality Kirra's affair is only the last 1/3 of the book. Not the whole thing even though it feels like it.
aamccartan's review against another edition
I can't mark this book totally down because I still love all the characters so much. However, Kirra's choices makes it much less enjoyable than Mystic & Rider.
waterfairy's review against another edition
2.0
SO, this is a cheating book. Kirra, the MC was one of my favorite characters from the first book which I loved too. I hate cheating so I was really hesitant about picking this one up. But I really wanted to continue the series (as in progress to book 3) so I picked up this book.
The main cheater was Romar Brendy, acting Regent for the princess. He's married to a sweet lady but she doesn't "understand" him. The cheating part was horrible. I couldn't buy into any of the so-called justification by either Romar or Kierra. The worst thing was the treatment of Donnal. It just showed how selfish Kierra was. I still don't and will never get behind cheating. Kierra in the process hurt 4 people including her. Oh, her friends tried to tell her but she was too far gone to listen. Ugh. The end of the book resolves the cheating (obv) but it was very unsatisfactory. Donnal was treated as a consolation price. He deserved better than this. Way better.
Moving on to the best part of the book, the world. There's political unrest building against the king with a religious fanatic plotting against the king and mystics in particular. The book fairly flowed; I was completely engrossed whenever I started reading. If the cheating couple was a tertiary couple, I definitely would have given a higher rating. As it is, that part really bought the book down.
The main cheater was Romar Brendy, acting Regent for the princess. He's married to a sweet lady but she doesn't "understand" him. The cheating part was horrible. I couldn't buy into any of the so-called justification by either Romar or Kierra. The worst thing was the treatment of Donnal. It just showed how selfish Kierra was. I still don't and will never get behind cheating. Kierra in the process hurt 4 people including her. Oh, her friends tried to tell her but she was too far gone to listen. Ugh. The end of the book resolves the cheating (obv) but it was very unsatisfactory. Donnal was treated as a consolation price. He deserved better than this. Way better.
Moving on to the best part of the book, the world. There's political unrest building against the king with a religious fanatic plotting against the king and mystics in particular. The book fairly flowed; I was completely engrossed whenever I started reading. If the cheating couple was a tertiary couple, I definitely would have given a higher rating. As it is, that part really bought the book down.
kpbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
purple_rose_kat93's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shai3d's review against another edition
3.0
This is actually my least favorite of the series. It furthered the plot line but is all about the character that I find I don't really care about.
jamessbren1's review against another edition
4.0
least favorite of this series because why does she make such bad decisions :( and yet the heartbreak is so good so it’s kinda worth it. also i find the title extremely funny for some reason (the thirteenth house, a novel of the twelve houses)
marymary91's review against another edition
5.0
Gosh, I just love Kirra! I love these characters and the love that they have for each other! I cannot wait to read the next one in the series! I don’t want it to end ♥️