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3.25 AVERAGE
3.25 AVERAGE
Again nothing much happens in this book, despite it being compelling to read like eating an entire bag of chips. Which means I think I'll have to pass on any further instalments in this series, especially if my library doesn't get audiobook copies.
But I'll especially pass if the ending in the bonus chapter comes to fruition. I want a beautiful tragedy, not an insipid happy ever after where Isolde is a 'good' queen and not a tyrant to those she rules. I want these characters to continue to have teeth once they've gotten what they want.
There's also a much more interesting version of this book left unwritten, and much better aligned to my YA fantasy plot sensitivities, where Because as much as I like feminism, it is frustrating it didn't happen until two of the female characters spoke to Isolde and revealed another part of her history. It does feel a bit like that was a bit too much plot or would have sped up the series a bit too quickly so that the earlier path wasn't taken, but it makes things a bit more boring.
2.5 disappointed stars rounded down.
But I'll especially pass if the ending in the bonus chapter comes to fruition. I want a beautiful tragedy, not an insipid happy ever after where Isolde is a 'good' queen and not a tyrant to those she rules. I want these characters to continue to have teeth once they've gotten what they want.
There's also a much more interesting version of this book left unwritten, and much better aligned to my YA fantasy plot sensitivities, where
Spoiler
Soren manages to convince Isolde that Dis is taking over Adrian much earlier in the story.2.5 disappointed stars rounded down.
The fighting and erm… other stuff did get kind of old, but this book is still 5 stars for me. The ending
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
In my initial review of the first book in this trilogy I expressed the concern that this story would fall off as the series continued and it absolutely did. While I appreciate (in theory) that characters are experiencing trauma and also exploring their wildly windy backstories, the characters felt incredibly inauthentic. This book was trying to be a feminist masterpiece with depth and history… but that’s a little hard to believe when Isolde is busy constantly throwing childish tantrums or thinking about the sex she wants to have with her husband. The “betrayal” could have been explored in a significantly less disjointed way, but we were too busy hearing about everyone’s relationship problems and the pacing was too chaotic to make it work. This was more of a series of tragedies linked together with relationship drama in all forms… unfortunately, it left me curious for how this train wreck is going to end but thankfully I have almost a full year to get over it and move on from this disappointment.
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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:
Complicated
Like others I just didn’t like this book as much. It feels like I’d we just had 3 or 4 extra chapters the author could’ve really wrapped this whole thing up. I’m not sure if I’ll read the 3rd book when it come out or not. Very meh experience.