Scan barcode
_camk_'s review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed The Mirror King and wished I had read it once it came out.
I had to go back and read the 4 chapters of The Orphan Queen to refresh my memory.
I thought this was a great sequel.
I really love the characters in this series. Wil and Tobiah's relationship is fun to read with their banter.
I liked Meredith because Meadows did not write her to be the bad wannabe Queen that you hate. She was written in a way that made me believe that she would be most appropriate person to be a Queen and you could not dislike her for being in the way Tobiah and Wil.
The ending was good and I'm glad this was not drawn out into a trilogy. However, saying that
I had to go back and read the 4 chapters of The Orphan Queen to refresh my memory.
I thought this was a great sequel.
I really love the characters in this series. Wil and Tobiah's relationship is fun to read with their banter.
Spoiler
I really wanted them to be together but it was also sad that Meredith had to die for them to be able to be.The ending was good and I'm glad this was not drawn out into a trilogy. However, saying that
Spoiler
I wonder how Wil and Tobiah plan to rule together once married as the wraith receded from the Indigo Kingdom, I assume Tobiah will go back to rebuild his kingsom and with Wil ruling Aecor - will there be time for little vigilantes?hbbtfdlr's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. There were twists that I never saw coming. My heart broke for so many of the characters because they were dealing with incredibly difficult, and often relatable circumstances. Dealing with a polluted and dangerous world is not easy when you're also surrounded by vengeful politicians. Sometimes I felt as if I were in portions of Anne McCaffrey or Frank Herbert (seriously, the politics were that good!) Jodi has pulled flavors and influences from many places, authors, and genre's to weave together this beautiful story.
Wil is wonderfully complex. The way she deals with mistakes, self-doubt, and relationship conflict are so very human. She's far from perfect and it makes her incredibly real. I'll be recommending this book to friends for years to come.
Wil is wonderfully complex. The way she deals with mistakes, self-doubt, and relationship conflict are so very human. She's far from perfect and it makes her incredibly real. I'll be recommending this book to friends for years to come.
pixelski's review against another edition
4.0
Excuse me as I’m still wiping the tears from my face. FUQQQQQ The Mirror King was so brilliant. That ending. THAT DAMN ENDING. I am so shook. The Orphan Queen ended on a cliffhanger and I haven’t been so desperate to read a sequel that I’d buy the ebook in like ever? But The Mirror King was so worth it, I finished it in a day I was gripped.
So much happened I wasn’t even concerned about the world-building anymore (something I raised in TOQ) because it was all about the characters and the wraith.
I fell HARD for these wonderful characters and their unique personalities, their motivations and drive.
TMK was all about strategy, war, manipulation and it was so well crafted I loved the scheming, the way that Meadows ensured the reality of war - it wasn’t glorified. War is about loss and there was so much. It’s not celebrated, it’s met with fear and death and so much grief.
Also my ships. My smol children. Excuse me I’m going back to crying.
So much happened I wasn’t even concerned about the world-building anymore (something I raised in TOQ) because it was all about the characters and the wraith.
I fell HARD for these wonderful characters and their unique personalities, their motivations and drive.
TMK was all about strategy, war, manipulation and it was so well crafted I loved the scheming, the way that Meadows ensured the reality of war - it wasn’t glorified. War is about loss and there was so much. It’s not celebrated, it’s met with fear and death and so much grief.
Also my ships. My smol children. Excuse me I’m going back to crying.
kaylabix's review against another edition
4.0
A perfect conclusion to a duology with characters I couldn't help but love.
aneeqah's review against another edition
4.0
Says a lot about my self control that I: 1.) Read this book far too much in advance 2.) Read it in one night.
Had some pacing issues, but overall such a feels packed book. Review to come far closer to pub date.
Had some pacing issues, but overall such a feels packed book. Review to come far closer to pub date.
maryfaithreads's review against another edition
4.0
3.75/5 stars
So. Many. Feels.
This was not as good as [b:The Orphan Queen|18081228|The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen, #1)|Jodi Meadows|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402927856s/18081228.jpg|25389909], but I still liked it a lot. It was a nice resolution for the characters I've come to love.
There were a few things that bothered me, though.
There were some parts in the middle of the book that seemed unnecessary and like they could have been omitted. Basically I was just impatiently waiting for Tobiah to show back up. Speaking of Tobiah, I absolutely adore him and Wilhelmina. That proposal was the cutest thing ever.
Overall, I did enjoy this. I really loved this duology, and I'm super sad that I've finished it.
So. Many. Feels.
This was not as good as [b:The Orphan Queen|18081228|The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen, #1)|Jodi Meadows|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402927856s/18081228.jpg|25389909], but I still liked it a lot. It was a nice resolution for the characters I've come to love.
There were a few things that bothered me, though.
Spoiler
For example, Meredith's death. She wasn't really a main character, but it was just glossed over. Also, I am still beyond confused about the wraith. I expected this book to have more answers and more of an explanation about it, but I'm still lost. I have very conflicted feelings about Chrysallis. I feel kind of bad for him and thought everyone should cut him some slack, but he was also insane and dangerous and his actions weren't really dealt with. I really wanted more of a resolution with Patrick too. I wanted him and Wil to talk things out, which obviously didn't happen. I feel like what happened to both him and Prince Colin was a little too easy. And, of course, I am heartbroken that James died. I loved him so much. I do feel like the truth about who/what he was was a nice (but sad) surprise though. I knew something was going on, but I didn't expect it to be that.There were some parts in the middle of the book that seemed unnecessary and like they could have been omitted. Basically I was just impatiently waiting for Tobiah to show back up. Speaking of Tobiah, I absolutely adore him and Wilhelmina. That proposal was the cutest thing ever.
Overall, I did enjoy this. I really loved this duology, and I'm super sad that I've finished it.
maddiepalmer443's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mollymortensen's review
3.0
I hate it when the first book is amazing and the second is just mediocre. It felt like nothing good happened.
The first half was slow and boring! Too much romance and politics. Then we have a little excitement, followed by more boredom.
Wil was so stupid! The wraith boy potentially has all the answers, why ignore him? She's scared of him, so she keeps being cruel to him?
Prince Collin and Patrick are both willing to do anything it takes to get/keep the kingdom. She knows they're plotting against her but doesn't do anything, not even spy on them. So frustrating!
I agree with Wil, I loved Black Knife but didn't care for Tobiah. Unfortunately, in this book it's almost all Tobiah. He was okay in the beginning, but then he had a 180 in personality and I rather hated him. Luckily, it didn't last and he was back to normal but still.
Most of the drama in this book could've been solved if Tobiah had just declared he'd marry Wil at the beginning. He loves her, she's a princess, there's a war brewing they can't afford. It would've solved so many problems!
The best part about the first book was the relationship between Wil & Knife. Unfortunately, it turned into your typical frustrating YA romance. All stolen glances and "oh we can't". Then they're fighting and I just didn't care anymore.
There were great moments near the end, proving what a excellent writer she is, but why wasn't the whole book like this! (Instead of just the last 15 ish %)
I doubted how she'd be able to wrap everything up in one book but she succeeded. It was a bit sad but was a satisfying conclusion.
Who dies?
Meredith
Chrysalis
James
Patrick
Prince Collin
Prince Herman
Guard Wallace
The first half was slow and boring! Too much romance and politics. Then we have a little excitement, followed by more boredom.
Wil was so stupid! The wraith boy potentially has all the answers, why ignore him? She's scared of him, so she keeps being cruel to him?
Spoiler
It's obvious Prince Collin put the wraith boy up to the murder. Why didn't she just ask the boy why he attacked?Prince Collin and Patrick are both willing to do anything it takes to get/keep the kingdom. She knows they're plotting against her but doesn't do anything, not even spy on them. So frustrating!
I agree with Wil, I loved Black Knife but didn't care for Tobiah. Unfortunately, in this book it's almost all Tobiah. He was okay in the beginning, but then he had a 180 in personality and I rather hated him. Luckily, it didn't last and he was back to normal but still.
Spoiler
Most of the drama in this book could've been solved if Tobiah had just declared he'd marry Wil at the beginning. He loves her, she's a princess, there's a war brewing they can't afford. It would've solved so many problems!
The best part about the first book was the relationship between Wil & Knife. Unfortunately, it turned into your typical frustrating YA romance. All stolen glances and "oh we can't". Then they're fighting and I just didn't care anymore.
There were great moments near the end, proving what a excellent writer she is, but why wasn't the whole book like this! (Instead of just the last 15 ish %)
I doubted how she'd be able to wrap everything up in one book but she succeeded. It was a bit sad but was a satisfying conclusion.
Who dies?
Spoiler
Meredith
Chrysalis
James
Patrick
Prince Collin
Prince Herman
Guard Wallace
lostinafairytale's review against another edition
4.0
What an absolutely amazing ending! I loved it!!
bookish_notes's review against another edition
2.0
To say [b:The Mirror King|22909838|The Mirror King (The Orphan Queen, #2)|Jodi Meadows|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1432742476s/22909838.jpg|42473707] was a disappointment would be an understatement. I didn't have much expectations for this book after reading [b:The Orphan Queen|18081228|The Orphan Queen (The Orphan Queen, #1)|Jodi Meadows|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402927856s/18081228.jpg|25389909], but somehow I still winded up frustrated and disappointed with this book and the overall duology. The story started off ambitious, perhaps too ambitious, so solving a kingdom's worth of problems was too much to only be contained within two books.
The story picks up right after the events in The Orphan Queen and Wil is forced to make a decision about whether or not she should reveal herself as a flasher in order to save Tobias. Where James had a miraculous recovery, it soon becomes evident that Tobias cannot hope for the same miracle that saved his cousin.
There's war and the impending wraiths upon the land, but everything about this story just felt so lacking of substance. The world-building was just...there. And the character development..was there any? Wilhelmina seems more childish in this book than the first and her idea of ruling a kingdom only seems to manifest when she addresses her people in one speech or another. She treats her creation, the wraith boy, horribly and the neglect is quite sad to read. The secondary characters are barely given any time to shine. Meredith is the kindest soul who deserved better than Tobias as her fiancé and Wil as a friend. It's like the story was trying to lead into a love triangle in the worst way possible. If anything, Prince Colin and Patrick were the only ones that kept the story interesting enough to keep reading even though they are seen as the villains of the story. There's a big reveal near the end and there are some devastating scenes, but by the time I read them, I found it hard to care about the deaths and the sacrifices made.
The Mirror King should be classified as a fantasy-lite novel. Everything about this world is still very vague and underdeveloped. The ending was anticlimactic after reading a little more than 80% of a novel where hardly anything really seemed to happen. There were scenes that just served to move the plot from point A to point B, but nothing of real importance happened that looked like it would resolve the Wraith story that's been building throughout the two books. It's disheartening that I didn't find myself liking this duology because I truly, truly really wanted to love it.
The story picks up right after the events in The Orphan Queen and Wil is forced to make a decision about whether or not she should reveal herself as a flasher in order to save Tobias. Where James had a miraculous recovery, it soon becomes evident that Tobias cannot hope for the same miracle that saved his cousin.
There's war and the impending wraiths upon the land, but everything about this story just felt so lacking of substance. The world-building was just...there. And the character development..was there any? Wilhelmina seems more childish in this book than the first and her idea of ruling a kingdom only seems to manifest when she addresses her people in one speech or another. She treats her creation, the wraith boy, horribly and the neglect is quite sad to read. The secondary characters are barely given any time to shine. Meredith is the kindest soul who deserved better than Tobias as her fiancé and Wil as a friend. It's like the story was trying to lead into a love triangle in the worst way possible. If anything, Prince Colin and Patrick were the only ones that kept the story interesting enough to keep reading even though they are seen as the villains of the story. There's a big reveal near the end and there are some devastating scenes, but by the time I read them, I found it hard to care about the deaths and the sacrifices made.
The Mirror King should be classified as a fantasy-lite novel. Everything about this world is still very vague and underdeveloped. The ending was anticlimactic after reading a little more than 80% of a novel where hardly anything really seemed to happen. There were scenes that just served to move the plot from point A to point B, but nothing of real importance happened that looked like it would resolve the Wraith story that's been building throughout the two books. It's disheartening that I didn't find myself liking this duology because I truly, truly really wanted to love it.