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jen1804's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.25
“They said his kiss was fatal to all but her - his only weakness - and as he’d sought her, he’d left a trail of corpses.” Chapter 1.
I really enjoyed this book. What I will say is the writing is quite young/YA but I didn’t hate that about it and it made it really easy to digest.
It’s been ages since I’ve read a fantasy novel and I have missed it so much so this definitely filled a hole! The world building was well created and I felt able to imagine the scenery and the atmosphere. And I loved all the magic.
I didn’t realise this series was a spin-off of the Caraval series which is on my TBR so I wish I’d therefore read those books first.
I love love love Jacks’ character, he is unapologetically untrustworthy, uncaring and morally grey and I’m so here for it. We still don’t know how to accurately judge his character even now. I loved the premise of Evangeline making a deal with him, the Prince of Hearts, a magical Fate, and then being locked into repaying with three kisses of his choosing.
I’m not yet IN LOVE with Evangeline’s character though I think she has potential and I’m sure she will continue to develop as the series continues.
Also the telekinesis between them is a yes from me.
I really loved the scene in the mausoleum, give me more of that oh hell!
I love that as this book ends, the murder mystery element of it is wrapped up but there is still so much we don’t know. I bloody love a cliffhanger and can’t wait to see what happens next, I’ve heard such good things about The Ballad of Never After.
Satisfactory ending? Yes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent and Torture
julianavaz's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death, Murder, Torture, Sexual content, and Grief
karapillar's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Grief, Murder, Violence, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Torture, and Gaslighting
frantically's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Torture and Violence
Minor: Self harm
leahlovesloslibros's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
It honestly breaks my heart (truly, no pun intended) that I didn't absolutely adore this book. Stephanie Garber is hands-down one of my favorite authors. I had been waiting for her to announce her next book for so long after the Caraval series ended and when she finally did, I was immediately obsessed. I don't even really love Jacks (one of the MCs of this book, who is from the Caraval series), but I was still so looking forward to being thrust back into the Caraval universe.
When the book started, it showed promise. For the most part, I enjoyed the first good chunk. Once it got to the part about vampires, though, she totally lost me. It seemed like she started writing a totally different storyline. I know Garber is a huge fan of vampires, so I'm guessing she just really wanted to put them in the story, but it really just turned me off. It went on for quite some time, too, and it just didn't seem like it fit with the rest of the world she had created in the Magnificent North.
Personal feelings on the vampire section aside, Garber still worked her writing magic in terms of the world that she created. I love her descriptions; they make you feel like you're really there. She paints a gorgeous picture for her readers. I will likely still buy and read the sequel in hopes that it is better than this one, but I'm going to be cautious with my excitement towards it.
When the book started, it showed promise. For the most part, I enjoyed the first good chunk. Once it got to the part about vampires, though, she totally lost me. It seemed like she started writing a totally different storyline. I know Garber is a huge fan of vampires, so I'm guessing she just really wanted to put them in the story, but it really just turned me off. It went on for quite some time, too, and it just didn't seem like it fit with the rest of the world she had created in the Magnificent North.
Personal feelings on the vampire section aside, Garber still worked her writing magic in terms of the world that she created. I love her descriptions; they make you feel like you're really there. She paints a gorgeous picture for her readers. I will likely still buy and read the sequel in hopes that it is better than this one, but I'm going to be cautious with my excitement towards it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Toxic relationship, Blood, Torture, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent
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