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aapasara's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
pleasantbastard's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
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? Yes
5.0
kammikim's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This was a fantastic extension of the story started in "The Killing Moon" - the events taking place years later but feeling like a logical development from where things left off. Old characters reappear in ways that are consistent yet showing growth, and the new (or newly central) characters provide the basis for a compelling sequel. I was impressed with how Jemisin developed both these characters and their story arcs - I found myself surprised by the events as they unfolded, and by how my feelings toward the characters shifted over time. I loved the dream magic and world of Gujaareh as they were introduced in the first book, and this one added even more power and interest to those elements without feeling redundant. Both books were quick and engrossing reads for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Child death, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Incest, Pedophilia, Rape, and Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, and War
futurememory's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.0
What a conclusion! Probably 4.5 stars.
This installment of the Dreamblood Duology is very, very different from the first, with a fairly new cast of characters, and a storyline that takes place 10 years after the events of the first novel.
It's by far the stronger of the two novels, with the first almost feeling like a... prequel. N. K. Jemisin's worldbuilding is spectacular here. The worldbuilding is so well thought-out, and the magic system, based on Egyptian medicine and science and religion, is endlessly fascinating. There was almost not enough. I could have lived in this unique and satisfying world for another few books.
The new characters are fantastic. Hanani, especially. Jemisin's women are wonders, they're complicated, strong, full of emotion and subtlety and just wholly three-dimensional. We get far more of them than we got in the first book, and this book is all the richer for it.
The plotting here is great, and I almost needed to put the book down several times and stop reading, or else I would have stayed up into the middle of the night. The only reason it took me so long to finish this one was because it was my bedtime book, and because my kids have both been viciously sick. Otherwise, I would have flown through this with ease.
My only quibbles have to deal with the romantic aspects of this book, and the violence of this book. I didn't anticipate there to be SO much sexual violence, in graphic detail, on the page. I don't like the way it served the story, and that took me out of the novel quite a few times. I also don't love the romance at the heart of this particular book.
But what a ride, I'm so sad that it's over.
This installment of the Dreamblood Duology is very, very different from the first, with a fairly new cast of characters, and a storyline that takes place 10 years after the events of the first novel.
It's by far the stronger of the two novels, with the first almost feeling like a... prequel. N. K. Jemisin's worldbuilding is spectacular here. The worldbuilding is so well thought-out, and the magic system, based on Egyptian medicine and science and religion, is endlessly fascinating. There was almost not enough. I could have lived in this unique and satisfying world for another few books.
The new characters are fantastic. Hanani, especially. Jemisin's women are wonders, they're complicated, strong, full of emotion and subtlety and just wholly three-dimensional. We get far more of them than we got in the first book, and this book is all the richer for it.
The plotting here is great, and I almost needed to put the book down several times and stop reading, or else I would have stayed up into the middle of the night. The only reason it took me so long to finish this one was because it was my bedtime book, and because my kids have both been viciously sick. Otherwise, I would have flown through this with ease.
My only quibbles have to deal with the romantic aspects of this book, and the violence of this book. I didn't anticipate there to be SO much sexual violence, in graphic detail, on the page. I don't like the way it served the story, and that took me out of the novel quite a few times. I also don't love the romance at the heart of this particular book.
But what a ride, I'm so sad that it's over.
mxknits's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jenhurst's review against another edition
4.0
Really more of a 3.75. I liked the world building still but it felt very different tone wise then the first and I really liked that part of the first! N.Kz Jemisin’s writing is so good though.
kocherreads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Incest, and Pedophilia