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quinzelle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
I don’t think I’ve placed a hold on a book’s sequel as fast as I did for this one. Keera’s journey in this book was heartbreaking to follow and the ENDING!! I genuinely didn’t expect the book to end the way it did. There is romance and lately, I’ve found romantasy to be too formulaic but Blair writes the romance between characters as secondary to everything that’s happening. It’s not their focus and their personalities don’t become their partners.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation and Slavery
Moderate: War, Self harm, Violence, and Torture
Minor: Misogyny, Sexual violence, and Murder
All of the triggering content that Blair incorporates is done with purpose and is not poorly represented. Colonialism and the effects of colonization are themes that are the focus of novel.kowhaiii's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Fantastic. Much more character focused than the last book, which is great because these characters are wonderful! I can't wait for book three. The worldbuilding is so enthralling and it feels so tangible on the pages. The characters really drive it home for me and we get some backstory for them all in this book. Yay!
I do have a few bones to pick with this installent of the series, unfortunately. There are quite a few typos and simple mistakes in this book, which was surprising considering how polished the previous one was. I was sometimes confused by the sentences and had to reread them a few times, and in places the writing was simply incorrect. This took away from the reading experience for me. I'm a stickler for spelling errors and grammar mistakes, alas.
I have mixed feelings on the ending of this book. No spoilers, but there is a big reveal that I didn't think was foreshadowed in a satisfying way. To me the ending was a bit rushed and felt disjointed from the remainder of the narrative. The ending made sense in theory, but is just didn't feel "right", for lack of a better word. Definitely the weakest point in the story for me. I understand fast pacing, but as a reader I needed more time to digest the newly revealed information before the big finale kicked off. Overall this book was great and tore at my heartstrings in all the best ways. I think the ending was a bit of a let down and thus this book pales in comparison compared to A Broken Blade. Great series, great author, and I cannot wait for the next one!
I do have a few bones to pick with this installent of the series, unfortunately. There are quite a few typos and simple mistakes in this book, which was surprising considering how polished the previous one was. I was sometimes confused by the sentences and had to reread them a few times, and in places the writing was simply incorrect. This took away from the reading experience for me. I'm a stickler for spelling errors and grammar mistakes, alas.
I have mixed feelings on the ending of this book. No spoilers, but there is a big reveal that I didn't think was foreshadowed in a satisfying way. To me the ending was a bit rushed and felt disjointed from the remainder of the narrative. The ending made sense in theory, but is just didn't feel "right", for lack of a better word. Definitely the weakest point in the story for me. I understand fast pacing, but as a reader I needed more time to digest the newly revealed information before the big finale kicked off. Overall this book was great and tore at my heartstrings in all the best ways. I think the ending was a bit of a let down and thus this book pales in comparison compared to A Broken Blade. Great series, great author, and I cannot wait for the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Violence, Self harm, Murder, Sexual content, War, Confinement, Alcoholism, and Death
Minor: Vomit, Police brutality, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Alcohol, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, War, Misogyny, and Death of parent
booksalacarte's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
3.25
A Shadow Crown-3.25⭐️ 3🌶️
To the kingdom, Keera is the king’s Blade, his most feared and trusted spy and assassin. But in the shadows, she works with Prince Killian and his Shadow—the dark, brooding Fae, Riven, who sets her blood on fire. Together, they plot to topple the crown that sits upon the king’s head.
A secret can only survive as long as its conspirators, and when nothing is as it seems, all are in danger. Keera swore she would never open her heart again after a loss she barely survived. But she will soon find she has more to lose than she ever imagined . . .
✨My Opinion✨
I’m enjoying this series!
There are nods to the authors indigenous background, a LOT of inter world diversity that makes the cultures and magic systems very interesting and compelling.
The writing seemed a bit more disjointed than the last book. I often found gaps mid-chapter where I needed to go back and try to reconfigure my mind’s picture of what was going on. But over all, I am really enjoying the series!
With this the second book, there was a huge betrayal and the MC’s were separated. I’m hoping that we get more of the reason behind all of that and get back to the romance!
Found family
One bed
Fated mates
Betrayal
Bi rep
Assassin
Shadow magic
Grief
Political intrigue
Thank you Union Square & Co, Sterling Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Colonisation, Cursing, Genocide, Misogyny, Murder, Gore, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and War
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