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rwatkins's review
1.0
I did not like it. Overall: 1.5/5 (7/25)
There is no plot, little is done to expand the setting and the characters are either whiney or legit evil. I do not recommend this book to anyone.
Spoilers Below.
Plot: 1/5
The first 2/3 of this book is build-up to a magical tournament. Kell and Rhy argue endlessly as Rhy acts uncharacteristically ungrateful for Kell's saving the prince's life. They also have lots of bad dreams. Lila is not just a thief, but now a pirate. And magical. She's going to interact with a privateer crew during these chapters (notice how I didn't say bond with). Holland gets one or two scenes, they were the most interesting, and basically contained the setup for the plot of the last book.
The last 1/3 is the magical tournament... just kidding! The book has so far been about the events leading up to this grand tournament and Schwab could focus on it. But now that it's happening, Schwab instead turns her attentions to endless parties, royal balls, hangovers, flashbacks to Lila's training sessions, changing rules for the tournament every chapter, Alucard and Lila stalking each other, oh, and Lila's multiple shopping excursions. All of the partying and dancing could have been combined into one event. The training montage could have been part of the first 2/3's of the book, as it followed Lila most of that time, while she would have been training. And how is everyone surprised about the changing rules of the tournament, even the main characters who put it together?!
I am extremely disappointed in this ramble.
Setting: 1.5/5
I really liked the world-building of the four Londons in the first installment. Three of those Londons get mostly ignored this time around. Which leaves a LOT of time spent in Red London. In all those pages, we learn very little. Magic is supposed to be abundant here, but who can use it? How does it work? What can it do? None of these questions are answered after two books. It's supposed to be elemental-based, but also sometimes ritualistic, sometimes runic and sometimes involves magic items. Which elements are involved in crafting the talismans and magical items, or the wards on the shops and prison? With all of the main characters being magic-users, and the plot sort of centered around a magical dueling tournament, the magic system needs more clarification.
There is the tournament, and the two new kingdoms added to Red London. But if you've read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, you already know about them. One has big people and the other has graceful people. As for the tournament, don't expect to understand the rules because they are constantly changing to create new plot shifts anyway.
One luxury of a second book in a series is that an author gets to add a couple new flourishes to an already established world. This book does not do that.
Characters: 1.5/5
Sorry Kell, you're out and Lila's in as the Main Character. She has somehow gotten even more insufferable since the first book. She is still a thief and murderer and cruel to almost everyone, making it impossible to connect with or root for her. But now, she's extra arrogant and powerful/special. Am I supposed to hate her? Because I do.
Kell is a moody boy still and constant frowner. He still wants his freedom from the palace, so I guess that's something.
Rhy complains about getting saved by Kell through most of the book. Then, as an apology/thanks, he goes behind Kell's back and throws his name in the Goblet of Fi, er, I mean enters him into the magic fights. Then tells Kell he has to get beat-up and throw the fight. All of this threatens international war, the corruption of a religion, and disobedience to the King. Why does Rhy think he's doing a good thing for Kell here? None of this makes any sense. By the end, Rhy's sorry, and even scars Kell to show him. Best Brother Ever!
Alucard is a new character, who basically has Rhy's playboy talents and noble status, Kell's magical prowess, and Lila's roguish leanings. He doesn't get many original traits of his own, except being captain and having a cat.
Again, no character arcs, as characters don't learn lessons or grow in these books. They are miserable and determined to remain that way.
Style: 1.5/5
With a rambling plot, obviously the pacing isn't great.
The buildup to the first tournament match is 359 pages. Each duel lasts 2-4 pages. Then the story detours to something else, usually much less interesting, for 20 pages before returning to the tournament. Action scenes are brief and written poorly, frequently summarized through Lila instead of experienced first-hand through the actual pov character in the magic duels.
Switching to Lila as the MC over Kell was not my favorite choice.
Making Lila best at everything, with no consequences for all her garbage behaviors and decisions, is not my favorite choice.
The training flashbacks during the tournament, on top of all the detours during and between matches, also not my favorite choice.
Themes: 1.5/5
Kell's wish for freedom to make his own choices and not be under constant watch is the only positive use of themes. Any other lessons, especially anything involving Lila, is not something to learn from. The only questions spawned by this nonsense are What?! and Why?!
There is no plot, little is done to expand the setting and the characters are either whiney or legit evil. I do not recommend this book to anyone.
Spoilers Below.
Plot: 1/5
The first 2/3 of this book is build-up to a magical tournament. Kell and Rhy argue endlessly as Rhy acts uncharacteristically ungrateful for Kell's saving the prince's life. They also have lots of bad dreams. Lila is not just a thief, but now a pirate. And magical. She's going to interact with a privateer crew during these chapters (notice how I didn't say bond with). Holland gets one or two scenes, they were the most interesting, and basically contained the setup for the plot of the last book.
The last 1/3 is the magical tournament... just kidding! The book has so far been about the events leading up to this grand tournament and Schwab could focus on it. But now that it's happening, Schwab instead turns her attentions to endless parties, royal balls, hangovers, flashbacks to Lila's training sessions, changing rules for the tournament every chapter, Alucard and Lila stalking each other, oh, and Lila's multiple shopping excursions. All of the partying and dancing could have been combined into one event. The training montage could have been part of the first 2/3's of the book, as it followed Lila most of that time, while she would have been training. And how is everyone surprised about the changing rules of the tournament, even the main characters who put it together?!
I am extremely disappointed in this ramble.
Setting: 1.5/5
I really liked the world-building of the four Londons in the first installment. Three of those Londons get mostly ignored this time around. Which leaves a LOT of time spent in Red London. In all those pages, we learn very little. Magic is supposed to be abundant here, but who can use it? How does it work? What can it do? None of these questions are answered after two books. It's supposed to be elemental-based, but also sometimes ritualistic, sometimes runic and sometimes involves magic items. Which elements are involved in crafting the talismans and magical items, or the wards on the shops and prison? With all of the main characters being magic-users, and the plot sort of centered around a magical dueling tournament, the magic system needs more clarification.
There is the tournament, and the two new kingdoms added to Red London. But if you've read Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, you already know about them. One has big people and the other has graceful people. As for the tournament, don't expect to understand the rules because they are constantly changing to create new plot shifts anyway.
One luxury of a second book in a series is that an author gets to add a couple new flourishes to an already established world. This book does not do that.
Characters: 1.5/5
Sorry Kell, you're out and Lila's in as the Main Character. She has somehow gotten even more insufferable since the first book. She is still a thief and murderer and cruel to almost everyone, making it impossible to connect with or root for her. But now, she's extra arrogant and powerful/special. Am I supposed to hate her? Because I do.
Kell is a moody boy still and constant frowner. He still wants his freedom from the palace, so I guess that's something.
Rhy complains about getting saved by Kell through most of the book. Then, as an apology/thanks, he goes behind Kell's back and throws his name in the Goblet of Fi, er, I mean enters him into the magic fights. Then tells Kell he has to get beat-up and throw the fight. All of this threatens international war, the corruption of a religion, and disobedience to the King. Why does Rhy think he's doing a good thing for Kell here? None of this makes any sense. By the end, Rhy's sorry, and even scars Kell to show him. Best Brother Ever!
Alucard is a new character, who basically has Rhy's playboy talents and noble status, Kell's magical prowess, and Lila's roguish leanings. He doesn't get many original traits of his own, except being captain and having a cat.
Again, no character arcs, as characters don't learn lessons or grow in these books. They are miserable and determined to remain that way.
Style: 1.5/5
With a rambling plot, obviously the pacing isn't great.
The buildup to the first tournament match is 359 pages. Each duel lasts 2-4 pages. Then the story detours to something else, usually much less interesting, for 20 pages before returning to the tournament. Action scenes are brief and written poorly, frequently summarized through Lila instead of experienced first-hand through the actual pov character in the magic duels.
Switching to Lila as the MC over Kell was not my favorite choice.
Making Lila best at everything, with no consequences for all her garbage behaviors and decisions, is not my favorite choice.
The training flashbacks during the tournament, on top of all the detours during and between matches, also not my favorite choice.
Themes: 1.5/5
Kell's wish for freedom to make his own choices and not be under constant watch is the only positive use of themes. Any other lessons, especially anything involving Lila, is not something to learn from. The only questions spawned by this nonsense are What?! and Why?!
sydverse's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I like this series as a whole and enjoyed seeing these characters again, as well as the new characters that were introduced. They were basically the only reason I stuck through this book. It felt quite superfluous in relation to the first book, and was basically just all set up for the last book in the trilogy, which is frustrating. It’s not bad by any means, VE Schwab’s writing itself is great here, but nothing that happened felt all that necessary aside from the last part which establishes what the next book is going to be about. Will definitely still continue the series, and I really like this world as a whole, but this book is definitely a major lull in the pacing of the trilogy.
ardoreira's review against another edition
5.0
j'arrive pas à croire ce que je viens de lire...omg c'était dingue et la fin mais la fin mon dieu
angiereads_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
emilenilemil's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
plip08's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I could not put this down after the halfway point! The mysterious connections (alucard and rhy omg) were so good. And Lila and kell not knowing who they were was chefs kiss. Lila learning to use her powers was bad ass and I loved how the author did flashbacks to show her learning. And the introduction of ojka was awesome, I am so excited to see where that character goes. Everyone also loves a game! She kept it unique enough that it didn’t seem like a repeat from other books which was nice. And to top it off the ending was an absolute cliffhanger so I cannot wait to get my hands on the next book!
notsodailyloly's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mintealexi's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
yeparoo's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0