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chickwen's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
In this second book, Kara has come to terms with the fact that she's the Vagabond and she's decided to jump into her task of uniting the people of Ourea wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, not everyone in Ourea is on board. Most people simply want to use Kara, and the betrayals in this book just keep coming. To make things more complicated, she's falling in love with Braeden, and these feeling can be used against her. Even the original Vagabond isn't above threatening Braeden and he does everything he can to keep Kara and Braeden apart. The stakes are way higher in this second installment of the series, and both Kara and Braeden are put through some pretty horrible things. The pacing is fantastic in this book, and I often found myself wanting to listen just a little bit extra so that I could find out what was going to happen next. I loved the characters in the first book, but Braeden captured my heart even more in this second installment. And then there's Kara - I love that every time I thought there was going to be a cliché plot point or Kara was going to agree to something way out of character, Boyce surprised me. Kara is intelligent and strong-willed, but that doesn't mean she never makes a mistake - she falls prey to trusting people occasionally who she shouldn't and she gave into demands once or twice - but it all felt very within her character. Toward the end of the book, there's a major twist that I didn't see coming at all - it completely changes a LOT of things! Loved this book - 5/5 Stars.
NARRATION: I thought that Kara Kovacich Stewart did a fantastic job with the narration of these books. I especially loved her accents for many of the Oureans.
In this second book, Kara has come to terms with the fact that she's the Vagabond and she's decided to jump into her task of uniting the people of Ourea wholeheartedly. Unfortunately, not everyone in Ourea is on board. Most people simply want to use Kara, and the betrayals in this book just keep coming. To make things more complicated, she's falling in love with Braeden, and these feeling can be used against her. Even the original Vagabond isn't above threatening Braeden and he does everything he can to keep Kara and Braeden apart. The stakes are way higher in this second installment of the series, and both Kara and Braeden are put through some pretty horrible things. The pacing is fantastic in this book, and I often found myself wanting to listen just a little bit extra so that I could find out what was going to happen next. I loved the characters in the first book, but Braeden captured my heart even more in this second installment. And then there's Kara - I love that every time I thought there was going to be a cliché plot point or Kara was going to agree to something way out of character, Boyce surprised me. Kara is intelligent and strong-willed, but that doesn't mean she never makes a mistake - she falls prey to trusting people occasionally who she shouldn't and she gave into demands once or twice - but it all felt very within her character. Toward the end of the book, there's a major twist that I didn't see coming at all - it completely changes a LOT of things! Loved this book - 5/5 Stars.
NARRATION: I thought that Kara Kovacich Stewart did a fantastic job with the narration of these books. I especially loved her accents for many of the Oureans.
jjjasper12's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
miztrebor's review
5.0
*This is a review of an ARC copy of Treason
I don’t think I’ve had as great of a reaction to any book as I have this one; well not since I read The Grimoire: Lichgates back in February. S.M. Boyce comes back with book two of the Grimoire trilogy, and comes back STRONG! I honestly didn’t think Lichgates could be topped on my all-time favorites list. Treason surpassed it with flying colors.
For those readers who have read Lichgates already, they know how talented Boyce is in creating the world of Ourea. For those who don’t know, let me tell you. Boyce’s world-building skills haven’t diminished since book one. They may even have gotten better. Ourea, all of its kingdoms, hidden nooks and crannies, the glimpses of the real world that the reader gets, they all show such beauty while having constant danger everywhere. Ourea is a dangerous place. It goes with the territory. Despite the danger it’s a place I’d love to visit if it were to be real.
What I also enjoyed were the new characters in Treason. All the old favorites from Lichgates are back as well, don’t worry about missing them. They come back even better this time! The complexities of all S.M.’s characters allow for plot twists, extensive and unfolding histories, hope and fear for the future. Each character has an agenda and each character influences others whether they know it or not.
It’s this complex world and character system that makes Treason, and The Grimoire Trilogy in general, what it really is. It’s an epic movie unfolding before the reader’s eyes. I don’t know if I was really reading the words on a page, as much as I was watching vivid images play in my head. I couldn’t not turn the page even when a chapter was over. I wanted to keep reading in order to find out what was in store for Kara, Braeden, and the rest of my favorite characters (especially the adorable fur-ball Flick).
I could go on for hours pointing out what I loved about this book. I also am confident in saying I have nothing negative to say…nothing at all…about this book. There are plot twists galore. There’s also one MAJOR twist that even after reading it a few times to make sure I read it correctly I still didn’t see coming. I can’t believe it really. It was so seamlessly and stealthily thrown in there, it was like “*POW* I’m a ninja.” If I had the space to do so, I would have been flipping and bouncing off the walls of my room. No lie.
I only have one last thing to say. Boyce, please for the love of all things bookily holy…please go write Heritage. I NEED to complete my journey through Ourea with Kara!!!!!
I don’t think I’ve had as great of a reaction to any book as I have this one; well not since I read The Grimoire: Lichgates back in February. S.M. Boyce comes back with book two of the Grimoire trilogy, and comes back STRONG! I honestly didn’t think Lichgates could be topped on my all-time favorites list. Treason surpassed it with flying colors.
For those readers who have read Lichgates already, they know how talented Boyce is in creating the world of Ourea. For those who don’t know, let me tell you. Boyce’s world-building skills haven’t diminished since book one. They may even have gotten better. Ourea, all of its kingdoms, hidden nooks and crannies, the glimpses of the real world that the reader gets, they all show such beauty while having constant danger everywhere. Ourea is a dangerous place. It goes with the territory. Despite the danger it’s a place I’d love to visit if it were to be real.
What I also enjoyed were the new characters in Treason. All the old favorites from Lichgates are back as well, don’t worry about missing them. They come back even better this time! The complexities of all S.M.’s characters allow for plot twists, extensive and unfolding histories, hope and fear for the future. Each character has an agenda and each character influences others whether they know it or not.
It’s this complex world and character system that makes Treason, and The Grimoire Trilogy in general, what it really is. It’s an epic movie unfolding before the reader’s eyes. I don’t know if I was really reading the words on a page, as much as I was watching vivid images play in my head. I couldn’t not turn the page even when a chapter was over. I wanted to keep reading in order to find out what was in store for Kara, Braeden, and the rest of my favorite characters (especially the adorable fur-ball Flick).
I could go on for hours pointing out what I loved about this book. I also am confident in saying I have nothing negative to say…nothing at all…about this book. There are plot twists galore. There’s also one MAJOR twist that even after reading it a few times to make sure I read it correctly I still didn’t see coming. I can’t believe it really. It was so seamlessly and stealthily thrown in there, it was like “*POW* I’m a ninja.” If I had the space to do so, I would have been flipping and bouncing off the walls of my room. No lie.
I only have one last thing to say. Boyce, please for the love of all things bookily holy…please go write Heritage. I NEED to complete my journey through Ourea with Kara!!!!!
karlou's review
4.0
I enjoyed this second book in the saga more than the first (Lichgates), there is still plenty of world building but this time it didn't detract from the pace of the plot as much as I found previously. It is also a darker read which I prefer although there are a few points where it was so obvious something bad was going to happen I did question the rationale behind Kara and Braeden's decisions. The romance between the two finally makes some progress, I was beginning to feel frustrated with them both so was pleased to see the author isn't stringing that plotline out still further.
In all there are plenty of twists in an exciting and well structured story. I'm looking forward to reading more about Ourea soon.
In all there are plenty of twists in an exciting and well structured story. I'm looking forward to reading more about Ourea soon.
ayanamifaerudo's review
4.0
First read: July 3, 2014
This was better than the first book. The power play, the politics, the betrayal! You can't trust anyone!
This was better than the first book. The power play, the politics, the betrayal! You can't trust anyone!
littlesundae's review
5.0
The big question is: is it as good as the first book? The answer is yes, yes it is.
I feel that the second book includes a lot more characters and we get a much better feel for characters beside Kara and Braedon. With all the sinister plots that go on, I am less optimistic about Ourea uniting.Finally the Bloods truly seem self interested and unable to pull together for any good cause. I liked this because it means the books aren’t heading in a predictable, rosy direction.
This second book has all the good stuff from the first – it’s got the vivid description, the personal struggles, betrayal, self discovery, interesting characters and enough happening ‘unseen’ by the reader to leave lots of surprising reveals. This book has a lot more danger in it than the first.Kara loses allies, is left alone and turned upon by Bloods. It makes this book a lot tenser than the first one which makes it all the more thrilling. The inevitable romance between Kara and Braedon is also refreshing with the constant push/pull dynamics. Are they both doomed to unhappiness?
(Read my full review on my blog)
I feel that the second book includes a lot more characters and we get a much better feel for characters beside Kara and Braedon. With all the sinister plots that go on, I am less optimistic about Ourea uniting.
This second book has all the good stuff from the first – it’s got the vivid description, the personal struggles, betrayal, self discovery, interesting characters and enough happening ‘unseen’ by the reader to leave lots of surprising reveals. This book has a lot more danger in it than the first.
(Read my full review on my blog)
niebieskie2's review
5.0
This second book in The Grimoire Saga was not a disappointment at all. What a great adventure! I don't even know how to describe it without spoling.
I really, really enjoyed it. Here is why:
Protagonist: kick ass girl, makes mistakes, owns them, not whiny. Also the guy, can we say dreamy? I'm so glad we could find out more about him.
Other characters: developed, and not black and white. Like as life is gray
World: awesome, original ( with as much as I read it's hard to find original) no fairies even though it's fantasy
Plot: was great!
I really, really enjoyed it. Here is why:
Protagonist: kick ass girl, makes mistakes, owns them, not whiny. Also the guy, can we say dreamy? I'm so glad we could find out more about him.
Other characters: developed, and not black and white. Like as life is gray
World: awesome, original ( with as much as I read it's hard to find original) no fairies even though it's fantasy
Plot: was great!
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