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trashhuman's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
among_the_stacks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and War
theresajeanauthor's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
I loved the first book so much that I had really high hopes going into book two. I still enjoyed the story, I loved a lot of the characters, and I'm interested to see what happens if she does continue (I hope she does). I loved that we got some glimpses into our book one characters without them taking over this story. I think the pace of the novel was off. A lot happened but it was stretched out so much that it almost felt like two huge plots were being forced into one novel. This one was much more graphic than Winter King so fair warning for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault and Violence
caitybell's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
While I found its predecessor to be superior, The Sea King was still an immensely enjoyable, and at times a heart wrenching read!
The expansion of the world and pantheon of gods (with their respective, gifted magics) was the best part of this book. The world just keeps growing and the magic keeps getting more and more intriguing—I can’t wait for Wilson to keep expanding the Mystral world.
This book was if Aquaman was in a pure fantasy setting, and I loved every second of it. I imagined a lovely kingdom like that of the planet of Naboo from Star Wars. Calberna is a kingdom where the people can control water, commune with the creatures within it, and are governed by a matriarchal hierarchy. Splendid!
The expansion of the world and pantheon of gods (with their respective, gifted magics) was the best part of this book. The world just keeps growing and the magic keeps getting more and more intriguing—I can’t wait for Wilson to keep expanding the Mystral world.
This book was if Aquaman was in a pure fantasy setting, and I loved every second of it. I imagined a lovely kingdom like that of the planet of Naboo from Star Wars. Calberna is a kingdom where the people can control water, commune with the creatures within it, and are governed by a matriarchal hierarchy. Splendid!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Blood, Torture, Violence, Sexual violence, Grief, Sexual content, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, and Trafficking
Moderate: Animal death, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Suicidal thoughts, Xenophobia, Abandonment, Body horror, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Cursing, Confinement, and Alcohol
dovahkiin_shea's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Kidnapping, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
p3ach's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Rape
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Slavery, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Trafficking, and Murder
hooligan's review against another edition
I enjoyed most of this book but after they get together (before the final confrontation) the book is just dragging and I lost interest. The two main characters have retread the same issues and trauma many times at this point and it’s tedious. I think actually cutting down on the first half where she’s getting wooed would help a lot, it was cute but went on way too long.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
madmordigan's review
The relationship between Gabriella and Dilys treads water, at best.
For most of the novel, Gabriella resists Dilys, refusing to acknowledge their fated connection. Dilys, on the other hand, refuses to take no for an answer, trying to woo her over and over and over again. This woo-rejection circle spins too long. Gabriella's motivations make less sense as the novel progresses, yet she continues to staunchly refuse to acknowledge her feelings for Dilys to the point the slow burn is not slow, but entirely stagnant.
When she finally does decide to recognize her feelings for Dilys and consummate their relationship, it's after being kidnapped, repeatedly sexually assaulted and learned her sisters died in an explosion. Really sets the scene for some steam.
I had such high expectations because I enjoyed the first book, but I couldn't get through this one. Wilson needs TWs for sexual assault and rape.
For most of the novel, Gabriella resists Dilys, refusing to acknowledge their fated connection. Dilys, on the other hand, refuses to take no for an answer, trying to woo her over and over and over again. This woo-rejection circle spins too long. Gabriella's motivations make less sense as the novel progresses, yet she continues to staunchly refuse to acknowledge her feelings for Dilys to the point the slow burn is not slow, but entirely stagnant.
I had such high expectations because I enjoyed the first book, but I couldn't get through this one. Wilson needs TWs for sexual assault and rape.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
ivegotyourpaperback's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
Woah! That was an intense ride.
In the beginning I wasn’t enjoying the story because I was finding it hard to follow. The first couple of chapters felt like a lot of info dumping and I struggled to keep up. Perhaps because I stupidly didn’t realise that this was the second book in a series - it’s possible that having read the first book would have prepared me for the rich world created by C.L. Wilson.
I’m saying all that, once I got into the story, it was fantastic (however, don’t ever ask me to explain Calbernan succession because all of that went completely over my head). The world building was incredibly distinct and beautifully crafted. I particularly loved the focus on the importance of women in the Calbernan culture, and the fierce protection high regard displayed by the male Calbernans.
The romance was equally well done. It’s absolutely a slow-burn though, so if that’s not your jam, I’d hazard a guess you may not find this as enjoyable as I did. There was a lot of back and forth during the courtship between our two main characters, which occasionally became grating, but I understood the purpose for it.
While I saw the twists coming, I was along for the ride the whole time, and felt a sense of accomplishment upon the reveals.
The narrator, Heather Wilds, did a wonderful job. Her clear diction made for excellent storytelling and her distinctions between characters was well done.
Tropes:
💘Fated Mates
⚔️Possessive hero
Content warnings:
⚠️mention of murder & torture
⚠️violence
⚠️drugging
⚠️kidnapping
⚠️sexual assault
In the beginning I wasn’t enjoying the story because I was finding it hard to follow. The first couple of chapters felt like a lot of info dumping and I struggled to keep up. Perhaps because I stupidly didn’t realise that this was the second book in a series - it’s possible that having read the first book would have prepared me for the rich world created by C.L. Wilson.
I’m saying all that, once I got into the story, it was fantastic (however, don’t ever ask me to explain Calbernan succession because all of that went completely over my head). The world building was incredibly distinct and beautifully crafted. I particularly loved the focus on the importance of women in the Calbernan culture, and the fierce protection high regard displayed by the male Calbernans.
The romance was equally well done. It’s absolutely a slow-burn though, so if that’s not your jam, I’d hazard a guess you may not find this as enjoyable as I did. There was a lot of back and forth during the courtship between our two main characters, which occasionally became grating, but I understood the purpose for it.
While I saw the twists coming, I was along for the ride the whole time, and felt a sense of accomplishment upon the reveals.
The narrator, Heather Wilds, did a wonderful job. Her clear diction made for excellent storytelling and her distinctions between characters was well done.
Tropes:
💘Fated Mates
⚔️Possessive hero
Content warnings:
⚠️mention of murder & torture
⚠️violence
⚠️drugging
⚠️kidnapping
⚠️sexual assault
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping, Sexual assault, and Violence
Minor: Torture and Murder
chandelierskies's review
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault