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hazychapters's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I liked this sequel, it was an enjoyable read. I'm sure I would have read it in just a few days if I had more time for me these last few days 😅
Still, I found this book to go both too fast and too slow. The important events were flown over, so it lacked a little depth. I also had a harder time feeling connected to Maia, the main character, despite everything she has to go through.
Still, I found this book to go both too fast and too slow. The important events were flown over, so it lacked a little depth. I also had a harder time feeling connected to Maia, the main character, despite everything she has to go through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, Blood, Death, Gore, Murder, Torture, Emotional abuse, and Grief
elle_dee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, War, Blood, and Grief
hanarama's review
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
The Good:
- Fairytale, mythology inspired.
- Learn more about side characters.
The Bad:
- Very tell vs show.
- Stagnate main characters.
- Stale romance.
- Stakes don't feel high.
You Might Like this if You Like:
- Descent into darkness plots.
- Asian-inspired settings and mythologies.
I'm honestly so disappointed in this book. I liked Spin the Dawn alright. It didn't blow me away, but it was a nice, fairytale-esque ya. This sequel was a major downgrade.
To start, this is supposed to be a darker and edgier sequel where main character Maia grapples with her slow transformation into a demon. What should be exciting and introspective is anything but when all we get is Maia rehashing the same thoughts over and over and shunning anyone that tries to help her. The love interest Edan is reduced to a cheerleader, basically just saying how much he loves Maia and then sitting on the sidelines, which is a shame because they behaved like a team in the first book.
Unlike the first book which was naturally broken up into three distinct parts, this book feels more like a list of chores being checked off a list. Every issue has Maia come in and take care of it in a chapter or two while bemoaning her transformation.
Perhaps the most interesting part of the book is Lady Sarnai, but it feels as though she's been all but dropped by Lim until the last quarter of the story.
Overall, very different from Spin the Dawn and a disappointment.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Body horror, and Death
dhwani's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny and Physical abuse
frenchtoast_n_books's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Overall, a great sequel and end to a duology series.
I didn't connect with this book as much as I did it's predecessor. The writing wasn't has up to par with the first book in my opinion, and the overuse of the word "melted" in romatic contexts irked me, but I really enjoyed the journey Maia made.
I loved that characters weren't automatically forgiven for things that happened from the first book and this one. The romantic relationship was serious goals. The familial and friendship relationships were very well rounded and thought out in how they shape Maia's arc. The world, magic, and mythology were so fascinating. The duology conclusion felt complete and not too fast or "perfect".
I can't wait to read Elizabeth Lim's next story.
I didn't connect with this book as much as I did it's predecessor. The writing wasn't has up to par with the first book in my opinion, and the overuse of the word "melted" in romatic contexts irked me, but I really enjoyed the journey Maia made.
I loved that characters weren't automatically forgiven for things that happened from the first book and this one. The romantic relationship was serious goals. The familial and friendship relationships were very well rounded and thought out in how they shape Maia's arc. The world, magic, and mythology were so fascinating. The duology conclusion felt complete and not too fast or "perfect".
I can't wait to read Elizabeth Lim's next story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Blood, Death, Gore, and Violence
plumpaperbacks's review
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Spin the Dawn was one of my favorite reads of 2020, so I’ve been quite eager to read the sequel for some time now, especially after the first book’s ending. Unravel the Dusk was as brilliant as I’d hoped it would be, every bit as magical and thrilling as its predecessor, though much more nerve-wracking. It was also a very quick read; I sped through it in just a few hours, and finished it at about three in the morning.
Maia and Edan are definitely among my all-time favorite characters. Both are so well-written and three-dimensional. I love Maia’s determination and Edan’s poetic sweetness. The two of them are also an adorable couple that I had no problem rooting for from the very beginning.
Maia and Edan are definitely among my all-time favorite characters. Both are so well-written and three-dimensional. I love Maia’s determination and Edan’s poetic sweetness. The two of them are also an adorable couple that I had no problem rooting for from the very beginning.
Now that I’ve found you again, Maia, I will never leave you. I will stay by your side until the fire in the sun grows cold and the light in the moon is no more. Until time blots out the stars.
How could you not swoon over a relationship where one character talks to the other like that?! Relationship goals. Infinite heart eyes.
To be honest, Lim did a phenomenal job with every aspect of this sequel. Each side character is developed as well as the protagonists, and she built upon the already-rich world she set up in the first book. The mythology is fascinating. Everything—settings, outfits, food—is described beautifully, leaving little to the imagination and making it delightfully easy to imagine things as you read.
The Blood of Stars duology is wonderful and whimsical, and tragically underrated. These books are some of my absolute favorites, and Lim is one of my new favorite authors. I’ll be recommending these at every opportunity, and eagerly awaiting her next book.
Representation
- entirely Asian/POC cast
- gay minor side character
- minor side character that uses a cane
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Misogyny and Torture
Also contains scenes of war.
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