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la_vampiresa's review
5.0
Heart of the Sungem is the continuation in the Reapers of Veltuur series.
***synopsis ahead***
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In SOTC, we were left off with a massive cliffhanger that left you wanting more. Our young prince had to do the unthinkable in order to save his sister. While he became a reaper, Sinisa became a guardian. The struggles these characters endure proves they are both strong. Prince Acari, adjusting to his new job as a reaper and collecting souls, the internal conflict with his memories, and newly crowned king; and Sinisa, with embracing her past, adjusting to becoming a mortal again, learning how to be a guardian and new powers, and finding a way to save Prince Acari from Veltuur.
It was an emotional rollercoaster ride this has been. This world building has been absolutely phenomenal. Also, I will never look at crows the same again lol. Fantastic job!!
I received an ARC and voluntarily gave my honest opinion and review
***synopsis ahead***
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*
*
*
*
*
*
In SOTC, we were left off with a massive cliffhanger that left you wanting more. Our young prince had to do the unthinkable in order to save his sister. While he became a reaper, Sinisa became a guardian. The struggles these characters endure proves they are both strong. Prince Acari, adjusting to his new job as a reaper and collecting souls, the internal conflict with his memories, and newly crowned king; and Sinisa, with embracing her past, adjusting to becoming a mortal again, learning how to be a guardian and new powers, and finding a way to save Prince Acari from Veltuur.
It was an emotional rollercoaster ride this has been. This world building has been absolutely phenomenal. Also, I will never look at crows the same again lol. Fantastic job!!
I received an ARC and voluntarily gave my honest opinion and review
tabatha_shipley's review
4.0
But, while I have your attention, GO BUY SOUL OF THE CROW BECAUSE IT WAS ONE OF MY FAVORITE BOOKS OF 2020.
What I Did Like:
-The characters. These two major characters, Acari and Sinisa, are AMAZING. You know I like characters that grow and change, characters that are real, and characters I can relate to. These two are ALL THAT and MORE. I absolutely adore them.
-Emotional punches. I felt honest-to-goodness stress when the characters did something questionable and dangerous (I think I even posted about it on IG). I had heartbreak. The writing is done so well that you don’t just understand they’re experiencing these emotions … you feel them with the characters.
-The big themes coming. Oh, I see them and I’m HERE for it. I love when a YA series hits BIG GIANT THEMES and we’re building to some of those with this trilogy. I’m anticipating that AND enjoying the journey, which is YA series GOLD.
Who Should Read This One:
-YA Fantasy fans.
-Fans of the first book (AHEM: If you haven’t read the first book yet … READ IT).
-Readers who like realistic characters to fall in love with in fantastical situations.
My Rating: 4 stars. This book is great, this series is AMAZING, and I highly recommend you check it out!
For Full Review (including what I didn’t love): https://youtu.be/1uoYpVzux5c
What I Did Like:
-The characters. These two major characters, Acari and Sinisa, are AMAZING. You know I like characters that grow and change, characters that are real, and characters I can relate to. These two are ALL THAT and MORE. I absolutely adore them.
-Emotional punches. I felt honest-to-goodness stress when the characters did something questionable and dangerous (I think I even posted about it on IG). I had heartbreak. The writing is done so well that you don’t just understand they’re experiencing these emotions … you feel them with the characters.
-The big themes coming. Oh, I see them and I’m HERE for it. I love when a YA series hits BIG GIANT THEMES and we’re building to some of those with this trilogy. I’m anticipating that AND enjoying the journey, which is YA series GOLD.
Who Should Read This One:
-YA Fantasy fans.
-Fans of the first book (AHEM: If you haven’t read the first book yet … READ IT).
-Readers who like realistic characters to fall in love with in fantastical situations.
My Rating: 4 stars. This book is great, this series is AMAZING, and I highly recommend you check it out!
For Full Review (including what I didn’t love): https://youtu.be/1uoYpVzux5c
jessaca_with_an_a's review
5.0
I never expected to care so much about these characters when I first started writing about them, but Acari and Sinisa have really left a lasting mark on my heart.
Heart of the Sungem, book 2 of my Reapers of Veltuur series, picks up just moments after where book 1 ended (sorry about that cliffhanger lol). Sinisa's and Acari's lives have been turned completely upside down.
Sinisa had been a Reaper and mostly loved it. It gave her purpose and drive. But now she's a Guardian, a mysterious and mostly unknown type of magic-wielder, and she doesn't know how to fit into this new world.
Acari was to be the future king, until he became a Reaper instead. And though the underrealm takes a lot from a person, he's still just awkward enough that he feels a little out of place there.
I never want to give spoilers in these, so I'll just say this: buckle in tight because it's about to be a bumpy ride! Heart of the Sungem is a rollercoaster of emotions. It is a volcanic explosion of reveals and a gut-wrenching journey of self-discovery and growth.
Enjoy! lol
Heart of the Sungem, book 2 of my Reapers of Veltuur series, picks up just moments after where book 1 ended (sorry about that cliffhanger lol). Sinisa's and Acari's lives have been turned completely upside down.
Sinisa had been a Reaper and mostly loved it. It gave her purpose and drive. But now she's a Guardian, a mysterious and mostly unknown type of magic-wielder, and she doesn't know how to fit into this new world.
Acari was to be the future king, until he became a Reaper instead. And though the underrealm takes a lot from a person, he's still just awkward enough that he feels a little out of place there.
I never want to give spoilers in these, so I'll just say this: buckle in tight because it's about to be a bumpy ride! Heart of the Sungem is a rollercoaster of emotions. It is a volcanic explosion of reveals and a gut-wrenching journey of self-discovery and growth.
Enjoy! lol
bekkabergamot's review
4.0
I oftentimes enjoy the second book in a series just as much or more than the first book. This is where character back stories and growth are further developed and I am comfortable enough with the story to sink into it and enjoy. Jessaca Willis' Heart of the Sungem lives up to all of this and more!
Please note, I received an e-ARC of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
In this book, the second book in The Reapers of Veltuur series, Sinisa Strigidae's journey to save Prince Acari continues. With help from new friends, Sinisa is left considering what she wants her new life to be with the new responsibilities she had accepted through her choices. Jessaca Willis crafts an intriguing storyline which bounces back and forth from Sinisa and Acari's perspectives. I find Willis' twist on reapers, the fates, and souls to be an exciting twist; The Reapers of Veltuur series continues to pull me in and keeps me wanting more.
This is definitely a series to read, and one that will soon be completed in Fate of the Vulture (expected publication: October 26th).
Please note, I received an e-ARC of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
In this book, the second book in The Reapers of Veltuur series, Sinisa Strigidae's journey to save Prince Acari continues. With help from new friends, Sinisa is left considering what she wants her new life to be with the new responsibilities she had accepted through her choices. Jessaca Willis crafts an intriguing storyline which bounces back and forth from Sinisa and Acari's perspectives. I find Willis' twist on reapers, the fates, and souls to be an exciting twist; The Reapers of Veltuur series continues to pull me in and keeps me wanting more.
This is definitely a series to read, and one that will soon be completed in Fate of the Vulture (expected publication: October 26th).
sincerelyabiblio's review
5.0
I received a copy of this arc in exchange for an honest review! *Spoilers for book one*
I loved the first book, Soul of the Crow, and was super excited to read the sequel. Sequels are obviously a hit or miss. Either they make the story come alive more or almost seem to hold it back. But Heart of the Sungem did not disappoint!
This sequel had everything I love. The characters remained who they were but we also saw them grow. Sinisa especially we got to watch and she starts to remember how to be human again. It picked up right where it left off and was full of twists and turns that kept my attention and really added to the overall plot of the story.
Pros/Cons:
Pros:
1. The new twists in this book really made the world feel more complete. I think I always felt that there was something missing and then to find out everything that we did was incredible. Such good storytelling!
2. Watching Sinisa come to terms with her new humanity was really well done.
3. Acari makes a very interesting reaper as he has maintained his overall personality which I really liked. I was hoping he wouldn’t suddenly become a hardened reaper so I was happy about that!
Cons: (I couldn’t think of a third con this time because this book was just that good!)
1. We did lose a few characters in this one. But I feel like we didn’t know them well enough to truly feel their loss. Except for one of them.
2. I wish we would have gotten more of Sinisa and Gem but I have a feeling that will be brought back in the third book!
Overall I loved this sequel and am super excited for book three! I highly recommend this to all lovers of YA fantasy.
I loved the first book, Soul of the Crow, and was super excited to read the sequel. Sequels are obviously a hit or miss. Either they make the story come alive more or almost seem to hold it back. But Heart of the Sungem did not disappoint!
This sequel had everything I love. The characters remained who they were but we also saw them grow. Sinisa especially we got to watch and she starts to remember how to be human again. It picked up right where it left off and was full of twists and turns that kept my attention and really added to the overall plot of the story.
Pros/Cons:
Pros:
1. The new twists in this book really made the world feel more complete. I think I always felt that there was something missing and then to find out everything that we did was incredible. Such good storytelling!
2. Watching Sinisa come to terms with her new humanity was really well done.
3. Acari makes a very interesting reaper as he has maintained his overall personality which I really liked. I was hoping he wouldn’t suddenly become a hardened reaper so I was happy about that!
Cons: (I couldn’t think of a third con this time because this book was just that good!)
1. We did lose a few characters in this one. But I feel like we didn’t know them well enough to truly feel their loss. Except for one of them.
2. I wish we would have gotten more of Sinisa and Gem but I have a feeling that will be brought back in the third book!
Overall I loved this sequel and am super excited for book three! I highly recommend this to all lovers of YA fantasy.
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