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rosieclaverton's review against another edition
4.0
The latest Split Worlds novel builds brilliantly on the previous books to make a compelling narrative. I was particularly impressed at how Max and Sam's plotlines have developed, and how the wider political landscape is slowly shifting.
I wasn't entirely happy with the ending, but that's what good series fiction is made of. Can't wait to see what's lurking in Book 4.
I wasn't entirely happy with the ending, but that's what good series fiction is made of. Can't wait to see what's lurking in Book 4.
patchworkbunny's review against another edition
4.0
Cathy’s just starting to settle into her life with William and now she’s Duchess of Londinium, with all the excruciating social engagements that brings. But she’s not got time to socialise, she’s got to free her old governess, Miss Rainer and take on The Agency, who are extorting money from all of fae-touched society in the name of housekeeping. Meanwhile Max is still trying to find out who killed his chapter with the gargoyle at his side.
Argh, William seems to make so much headway and then will go a think or say something drenched in fae-touched misogyny. He gives her a library! But he’s really not keen on Cathy making waves and Cathy is hellbent on her mission to make life better for women in their world. He also appoints her a bodyguard, Carter, who turned into a character I loved despite him being a man of few words.
As always, Max the arbiter and the gargoyle were my favourites and oh my god, they actually made me cry. When you get there, you’ll know which bit. The Battenberg. Sob. There was more of a sense of them being two sides of the same person in this instalment too. Ekstrand is losing it and there’s the introduction of another sorcerer who I really liked, even if just for his grasp of modern life. There are also glimpses that the magical world is maybe not so antiquated all over the country.
The pace was a bit slow for much of the story. I think this is caused by so many different plot threads going on. Sam’s involvement with Lord Iron doesn’t seem relevant to Cathy’s story for the most part and it broke up the pace. And there's still plenty of political manoeuvring and sneaking about. It does all speed up towards the climax and it suddenly became gripping. I do love the unique world Emma has created in this series, where two cultures collide, and there’s some great bits of humour.
Argh, William seems to make so much headway and then will go a think or say something drenched in fae-touched misogyny. He gives her a library! But he’s really not keen on Cathy making waves and Cathy is hellbent on her mission to make life better for women in their world. He also appoints her a bodyguard, Carter, who turned into a character I loved despite him being a man of few words.
As always, Max the arbiter and the gargoyle were my favourites and oh my god, they actually made me cry. When you get there, you’ll know which bit. The Battenberg. Sob. There was more of a sense of them being two sides of the same person in this instalment too. Ekstrand is losing it and there’s the introduction of another sorcerer who I really liked, even if just for his grasp of modern life. There are also glimpses that the magical world is maybe not so antiquated all over the country.
The pace was a bit slow for much of the story. I think this is caused by so many different plot threads going on. Sam’s involvement with Lord Iron doesn’t seem relevant to Cathy’s story for the most part and it broke up the pace. And there's still plenty of political manoeuvring and sneaking about. It does all speed up towards the climax and it suddenly became gripping. I do love the unique world Emma has created in this series, where two cultures collide, and there’s some great bits of humour.
crimsonsparrow's review against another edition
5.0
This book - and this series - were not at all what I expected. Newman has a way with characters, a brilliance even, and the cast for these stories endeared themselves to me - almost addictively. But the author's skills do not end there, and I found myself most enamored with the message of strength and integrity that played out in these pages. This was a most satisfying read. Cheers.
blue124's review against another edition
5.0
Actual rating: 5
(Possible spoilers!)
I'm so glad this wasn't the last book in the series. Truthfully, I started the series because I was avoiding romance, but in the end the giddy little girl inside me won over. This was one of the series that I didn't get tired of reading all over again. I LOVED how the development between Cathy and Will progressed in this book. Oh, god. I ship them so much.
Since the first book, I was very perceptive of the small details that was meant to be overlooked so some revelations wasn't surprising to me. In All is Fair, there's a sentence here that foreshadows a possible future revelation (though, I could probably making a deal out nothing). Lastly,I'm still a bit bothered that things just conveniently fell into place. Something is bound to go wrong on the fourth book.
(Possible spoilers!)
I'm so glad this wasn't the last book in the series. Truthfully, I started the series because I was avoiding romance, but in the end the giddy little girl inside me won over. This was one of the series that I didn't get tired of reading all over again. I LOVED how the development between Cathy and Will progressed in this book. Oh, god. I ship them so much.
Since the first book, I was very perceptive of the small details that was meant to be overlooked so some revelations wasn't surprising to me. In All is Fair, there's a sentence here that foreshadows a possible future revelation (though, I could probably making a deal out nothing). Lastly,I'm still a bit bothered that things just conveniently fell into place. Something is bound to go wrong on the fourth book.
waclements7's review against another edition
4.0
Oooh, this is starting to get really good. (not that it wasn’t before). Things are _happening_! Big things.
zivan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Things are starting to look up as Cathy gains some agency.
I loved spending more time with The Gargoyle and Max.
I loved spending more time with The Gargoyle and Max.
ginnikin's review against another edition
2.0
I have very mixed feelings about this. In some ways it was quite satisfying. In some ways it was very unsatisfying. I really don't like I guess we're supposed to come around to Will and how "trapped" he is in society, but given the view that the reader gets of just how not trapped he is, I don't see how we can think he's anything but a prat. Sure, his eyes are starting to open, but I see a whole lot of freaking out in his near future.
I also hoped that this would be the end of the trilogy, but it clearly isn't. Yes, there's something of a resolution to Cathy's storyline, but there's clearly a lot more to come.
In a book with a character so invested in women's rights, it's difficult to see gender issues like this. Clearly there's something to. Combine that with and Amelia, and there's a whole lot of questionable gender stuff going on.
I'm confused by how I've devoured these books. There's a lot I didn't like. But they're compelling reading. That said, I don't know if I'll be continuing with the series.
Spoiler
that Cathy and William are now "in love" without his use of whatever it was on her not coming out. Clearly, this is setting up future strife in their marriage, and I just… no.I also hoped that this would be the end of the trilogy, but it clearly isn't. Yes, there's something of a resolution to Cathy's storyline, but there's clearly a lot more to come.
In a book with a character so invested in women's rights, it's difficult to see gender issues like this. Clearly there's something to
Spoiler
Petra surviving the attack on EkstrandSpoiler
Dante's sister being behind the magical attacks storylineI'm confused by how I've devoured these books. There's a lot I didn't like. But they're compelling reading. That said, I don't know if I'll be continuing with the series.
geekcliche's review against another edition
5.0
Just as [b:Any Other Name|17162377|Any Other Name (The Split Worlds, #2)|Emma Newman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1365831631s/17162377.jpg|23587899] was a step change in momentum from [b:Between Two Thorns|15797394|Between Two Thorns (The Split Worlds, #1)|Emma Newman|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355162536s/15797394.jpg|21520287], All Is Fair raises the stakes again.
The surprising way in which Lord Iron becomes involved in kickstarting a rapid change in plot strands established way back in chapter one of book one drives through All Is Fair and there's more than a few unexpected changes to the status quo established so far.
Rupert is a delightfully sweary contrast to the Society manners of the Split Worlds and the eccentric Ekstrand and, let's face it, who can fail to enjoy a sweary, gadget-loving, take-away eating sorceror.
My only disappointment is that it ended so soon - I have to know what happens next.
The surprising way in which Lord Iron becomes involved in kickstarting a rapid change in plot strands established way back in chapter one of book one drives through All Is Fair and there's more than a few unexpected changes to the status quo established so far.
Rupert is a delightfully sweary contrast to the Society manners of the Split Worlds and the eccentric Ekstrand and, let's face it, who can fail to enjoy a sweary, gadget-loving, take-away eating sorceror.
My only disappointment is that it ended so soon - I have to know what happens next.
magdon's review against another edition
3.0
I like that things moved forward but they felt a bit contrived as well.
bellatora's review against another edition
5.0
This doesn't feel like the end. There's still much more to explore! Alas, this appears to be it for now and it was satisfying even as I was left wanting more.
This is a series I know I will return to again and again over the years as a comfort read.
This is a series I know I will return to again and again over the years as a comfort read.