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josi_129141's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Self harm, Abandonment, Animal cruelty, Blood, Bullying, Homophobia, and Injury/Injury detail
chloenfp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Homophobia, Deadnaming, Injury/Injury detail, Religious bigotry, Self harm, and Blood
thesapphiccelticbookworm's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is the sequel to O' Donoghue's fantastic YA debut, All Our Hidden Gifts. The gang are practicing their new found powers, but when school starts back, strange things start to happen and old enemies resurface. The stakes are higher than before. Who can they really trust?
They're all dealing with the everyday struggles and pressure that comes with being a teenager and having to decide your future, but that's the least of their problems.
This drama filled book kept me gripped the whole time, it's so much darker than the previous book and I loved it.
Can't wait for the next book.
This is the sequel to O' Donoghue's fantastic YA debut, All Our Hidden Gifts. The gang are practicing their new found powers, but when school starts back, strange things start to happen and old enemies resurface. The stakes are higher than before. Who can they really trust?
They're all dealing with the everyday struggles and pressure that comes with being a teenager and having to decide your future, but that's the least of their problems.
This drama filled book kept me gripped the whole time, it's so much darker than the previous book and I loved it.
Can't wait for the next book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Self harm, Homophobia, Transphobia, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
audreykerr's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm
Moderate: Abandonment, Panic attacks/disorders, and Mental illness
Minor: Transphobia, Homophobia, Sexual harassment, and Deadnaming
snowwhitehatesapples's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
Review can also be found at Snow White Hates Apples.
Friends, I think this sequel is perhaps the best sequel I’ve read in a long, long time. Seriously, there’s not one as brilliantly written as The Gifts That Bind Us, which not only enriches and builds upon the foundations in the first book but challenges it and expands.
After reading the first book (my review here) that left me slightly unsatisfied because of some loose ends, I’m delighted that those loose ends get picked up in the sequel. Continuing from the events of the first book, the group of friends is working on harnessing their magic and getting ready to move on to the next chapter of their lives. However, while Roe, Lily, and Fiona know how to proceed to that next chapter, our main character Maeve is floundering, unsure of what to do and fearing that she will lose them.
This sequel is more character-driven than plot-driven, allowing the characters space to grow and gain new depths. I liked the introspection in the book and the directions the friendships between Maeve, Lily, and Fiona went. There wasn’t as much Rose in this sequel, so I hope we get more of Maeve and them in the next book. Also, even though the drama wasn’t my cup of tea, it was executed well. Sure, there were some convenient moments, but it’s easy to ignore them because of the well-written characters.
Another thing I liked was how we got to learn more about Aaron and see different sides to him. Instead of the more defined black and white we had in the first book, things become greyer in this sequel, and I’m all for it!
By the end of The Gifts That Bind Us , we have a better understanding of how the magic system works, a complex main character facing the consequences of their actions, and an ending that compels you to read the next book. I cannot wait to find out where the third book takes us!
Friends, I think this sequel is perhaps the best sequel I’ve read in a long, long time. Seriously, there’s not one as brilliantly written as The Gifts That Bind Us, which not only enriches and builds upon the foundations in the first book but challenges it and expands.
After reading the first book (my review here) that left me slightly unsatisfied because of some loose ends, I’m delighted that those loose ends get picked up in the sequel. Continuing from the events of the first book, the group of friends is working on harnessing their magic and getting ready to move on to the next chapter of their lives. However, while Roe, Lily, and Fiona know how to proceed to that next chapter, our main character Maeve is floundering, unsure of what to do and fearing that she will lose them.
This sequel is more character-driven than plot-driven, allowing the characters space to grow and gain new depths. I liked the introspection in the book and the directions the friendships between Maeve, Lily, and Fiona went. There wasn’t as much Rose in this sequel, so I hope we get more of Maeve and them in the next book. Also, even though the drama wasn’t my cup of tea, it was executed well. Sure, there were some convenient moments, but it’s easy to ignore them because of the well-written characters.
Another thing I liked was how we got to learn more about Aaron and see different sides to him. Instead of the more defined black and white we had in the first book, things become greyer in this sequel, and I’m all for it!
By the end of The Gifts That Bind Us , we have a better understanding of how the magic system works, a complex main character facing the consequences of their actions, and an ending that compels you to read the next book. I cannot wait to find out where the third book takes us!
Thank you so much Pansing for sending me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review! The Gifts That Bind Us by Caroline O’Donoghue will be available at all good bookstores.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia and Transphobia
goldluula's review against another edition
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
Had an ARC of this book. I absolutely love the character development which happens in this, we see them acknowledging their flaws, we see them working to become better. It's less mystical than the last book, but I think that's perfect. These characters, Maeve, Roe, Lily and Fiona have so so so much healing to do.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry and Self harm
Moderate: Body shaming, Toxic friendship, and Transphobia
Minor: Bullying and Homophobia
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