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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall, this was a very interesting story but I just didn’t really emotionally connect with anyone in this story or any aspect of the story. I think the dual POVs were interesting, but somehow the timeline just got more and more confusing as the book went on. Maybe this is explained in later books, but I still don’t understand the relationships between some of these characters. I also don’t really understand the motivations for a lot of the villains. Is it just world domination? And if so, why?
To be honest, I didn’t really like any of the main characters. Both of the FMCs suffered from perfect and uber powerful main character syndrome. At least with Rielle we see evidence of her power but with Eliana we are just told that’s she’s an extremely talented bounty hunter, we don’t actually really ever see it. The chemistry with their male counterparts were also almost nonexistent. Again, at least with Rielle we see a little of the childhood friends to lovers, but I never bought the sudden chemistry between Eliana and Simon.
Looking back, I think the biggest saving grace of the book is the overall plot. It was pretty interesting (but nothing really new) and I liked the magic system. The action scenes were good and there were some touching moments between some of the characters, specifically Eliana and her brother. There are still some mysteries that need to be wrapped up that I’m dying to figure out. I’ll most likely continue the series, but I’ll probably check out the books from the library instead of spending money on them. Maybe I’m just getting a little tired of YA fantasy and this is just a very middle of the road representation of that genre.
Pretty classic start to a fantasy series, I tend to like the later books in series more once they have set up the world building with the first one so hoping that is the case here. I didn't enjoy how often the POV switched between the two main characters because every time I got sucked in to one story it jumped over to the other. Overall a little predictable and the magic system wasn't very unique but I am still looking forward to finishing out the series and hope it gets better!
Very confusing.
Hard to follow.
I have so many questions and I can't even articulate them all. I lost all interest at the over written jellyfish scene and limped through the rest of the book.
Hard to follow.
I have so many questions and I can't even articulate them all. I lost all interest at the over written jellyfish scene and limped through the rest of the book.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
*3.5/5 stars*
“Two Queens will rise.
One of blood. One of light.”
This was a really hard book for me to rate, on one hand I loved the concept of the story - some parts were really interesting and quite unique to read about - sadly didn't love the full execution.
The premise of this book is so interesting to me, the POVs of two female warriors set one thousand years apart, the parallels - the similarities and differences - between the stories, all the spoilery things I shall not name, the evil angels, and the great choice of a prologue.
The book was interesting to read, the originality of the idea behind it was definitely apparent and new and interesting while I was reading, my problem lies with the fact that:
1. It could reaaally drag
2. The execution wasn't all that great tbh
3. It was actually a bit confusing and messy (overfilled with ideas) from time to time
4. I wasn't entirely connected to any of the characters.
Also, I don't know where exactly I got the idea, but somewhere along the way when the book was first released and hyped as hell, I got the notion that this book will have a f/f ship between two warrior women, in at least one of the POVs. It's alluded to that both Rielle and Eliana are bisexual and that's beyond awesome, but I have to say I was somehow misinformed about the existing romances coming into this book.
In the end, there's a lot to love about this book despite some flaws (and slight false advertising):
The plot and overall story arc is new and intriguing, especially thinking where the story might go next in the sequel! I hope it will be even more dark, bloody and angry!
Rielle:
I really really enjoyed the way the two POVs were done. How different the two MC's voices were. How morally grey both Eliana and Rielle were. How they paralleled! I did slightly prefer reading Eliana's POV, but am so glad we got both POVs as it was definitely the best choice of storytelling for this book.
Eliana and Rielle as a characters: I liked them overall and was all for what the author is was trying to portray with them, but I think I lacked any kind of real connection to either, personally. It was interesting to follow both their perspectives through the book, but I just didn't really feel for either.
Eliana is what SJM tried (and failed) to do with Aelin in the later books imo.
Eliana:
There's also the plus that romance isn't on the forefront of this book. Rielle does have a romance with Prince Audric, it was ok-ish, but I didn't have any strong feels for them as a couple.
Eliana's side of story was more or less romance free, though there is one romance alluded to maybe happen in the sequels, and I'm not entirely sure if I ship it or not, though the male character involved is definitely an interesting one on his own.
All in all, original premise, interesting storyline, morally grey female MC's, but messy execution. Pretty much looking forward to the sequel!
“We all have darkness inside us, Rielle,” he said, his voice rough. “That is what it means to be human.”
I think that fans of Throne of Glass or The Queen of the Tearling (I'm neither fyi) may enjoy this book even more so than I did.
“Two Queens will rise.
One of blood. One of light.”
This was a really hard book for me to rate, on one hand I loved the concept of the story - some parts were really interesting and quite unique to read about - sadly didn't love the full execution.
The premise of this book is so interesting to me, the POVs of two female warriors set one thousand years apart, the parallels - the similarities and differences - between the stories, all the spoilery things I shall not name, the evil angels, and the great choice of a prologue.
The book was interesting to read, the originality of the idea behind it was definitely apparent and new and interesting while I was reading, my problem lies with the fact that:
1. It could reaaally drag
2. The execution wasn't all that great tbh
3. It was actually a bit confusing and messy (overfilled with ideas) from time to time
4. I wasn't entirely connected to any of the characters.
Also, I don't know where exactly I got the idea, but somewhere along the way when the book was first released and hyped as hell, I got the notion that this book will have a f/f ship between two warrior women, in at least one of the POVs. It's alluded to that both Rielle and Eliana are bisexual and that's beyond awesome, but I have to say I was somehow misinformed about the existing romances coming into this book.
In the end, there's a lot to love about this book despite some flaws (and slight false advertising):
The plot and overall story arc is new and intriguing, especially thinking where the story might go next in the sequel! I hope it will be even more dark, bloody and angry!
Rielle:
I really really enjoyed the way the two POVs were done. How different the two MC's voices were. How morally grey both Eliana and Rielle were. How they paralleled! I did slightly prefer reading Eliana's POV, but am so glad we got both POVs as it was definitely the best choice of storytelling for this book.
Eliana and Rielle as a characters: I liked them overall and was all for what the author is was trying to portray with them, but I think I lacked any kind of real connection to either, personally. It was interesting to follow both their perspectives through the book, but I just didn't really feel for either.
Eliana is what SJM tried (and failed) to do with Aelin in the later books imo.
Eliana:
There's also the plus that romance isn't on the forefront of this book. Rielle does have a romance with Prince Audric, it was ok-ish, but I didn't have any strong feels for them as a couple.
Eliana's side of story was more or less romance free, though there is one romance alluded to maybe happen in the sequels, and I'm not entirely sure if I ship it or not, though the male character involved is definitely an interesting one on his own.
All in all, original premise, interesting storyline, morally grey female MC's, but messy execution. Pretty much looking forward to the sequel!
“We all have darkness inside us, Rielle,” he said, his voice rough. “That is what it means to be human.”
I think that fans of Throne of Glass or The Queen of the Tearling (I'm neither fyi) may enjoy this book even more so than I did.
More like a true neutral 2.5– I’m trying to decide if I’ll just Wikipedia the summaries for the next two books
I had high hopes for this book and while they didn’t completely disappoint, it took me a while to actually be pulled into the story. I did like how the chapters went between the two main characters and I am looking forward to reading the other books in the trilogy (especially after how book one has been left), but I can’t bring myself to give this more than 3/5 stars
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Audiobook
Maybe it was the reader but I could not tell the difference between the two female main characters.
Maybe it was the reader but I could not tell the difference between the two female main characters.
It was really slow, and a little bit boring as we already knew how Rielle’s story ended at the start.