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4.41 AVERAGE
4.41 AVERAGE
I promised myself after "The Broken Earth" trilogy I wasn't getting involved in another unfinished trilogy-- this is the perfect example as to why. I will spent the next months frantically hypothesizing with fellow readers and find, as with this one, that my best-thought-out theories are expanded to new heights of detail and nuance while at the same time shouting BUT OF COURSE IT WAS HER ALL ALONG!!!
Chakraborty deserves great praise for her utter refusal to allow anyone in her novels the moral high ground no matter how loudly they lay claim to that geography. At the same time she allows virtually no one to go un-redeemed such that--in spite of oneself-- the reader holds their breath for the fratricide, crosses their fingers for the would-be assassin, and wishes devoutly for the happy ending for the war criminal. Utterly brilliant and deserving of all of the accolades that have been heaped upon this series so far.
....is book three out yet?
Chakraborty deserves great praise for her utter refusal to allow anyone in her novels the moral high ground no matter how loudly they lay claim to that geography. At the same time she allows virtually no one to go un-redeemed such that--in spite of oneself-- the reader holds their breath for the fratricide, crosses their fingers for the would-be assassin, and wishes devoutly for the happy ending for the war criminal. Utterly brilliant and deserving of all of the accolades that have been heaped upon this series so far.
....is book three out yet?
I would give this a hundred million stars if I could. A bit of a slow start, but that might have been due to how much time passed between reading the first book and this one. But the second half. My god. Elevated pulse. Rapid breathing. Gut-wrenching unintentional betrayal after gut-wrenching unintentional betrayal. The build up. The pay off. The heart break. The cliffhanger. 500,000,000 stars.
adventurous
emotional
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
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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:
Complicated
Well, this was way better than the first and I just can't make up my mind if I hate Muntadhir or not because he's so wishy washy and I know he's just taking to make his dad like him....but when he is giving directions to Dara I was losing it. I had to stop and just laugh and was like ok fine I like him. I need more answers tho. And just I can't say too much without giving things away but just I'm glad I have the ARC of empire of gold so I can start it immediately.
Oh also this book takes place 5 years after it goes down....well after the first few chapters.
Oh also this book takes place 5 years after it goes down....well after the first few chapters.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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:
No
Loved this rich world of humans, djinn, ifrit and water spirits. I'm a sucker for the "young person, down on their luck, goes on a dangerous journey and discovers her true worth" plot line!
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
As good as the first book, this second installment in the Daevabad trilogy had even more character development and political intrigue – while still being really action-packed. Dara's back, and it was interesting to get inside his head in this book. Though it's still Nahri and Ali's story. The friction between characters who love each other (just about everyone in the book, lol) was really compelling and I loved how the usual messy family tensions get much higher stakes in a ruling royal family like Ali's. This book really dives into the themes of religious and racial prejudice, genocide, and the perpetual cycle of revenge that can last generations. Super thought-provoking and with clear allusions to real-life Middle Eastern strife both past and present without ever being overt or judgmental.
It’s not necessarily a perfect book but I can’t give it any less than five stars because I was fully unable to tear myself away from this story. I already have the third book sitting in my holds from the library. It’s a truly thrilling adventure, the likes of which I have never read before.