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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Well, I’m not sure how many books are planned for this series, but I doubt I’ll be finishing it. After giving 3 stars to the first in the series, The Curse of Saints, I had hoped that this would be a situation where the first book was setting the stage and the second book was where the series took off. Sadly, this one never got off the ground for me. All the same problems I had with the previous book were present here and nothing I had hoped to see in this one came to fruition. I fear I must go against the majority with this series to say that I just don’t get the hype.
This book was long. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no stranger to fantasy fiction, so long books don’t scare me, but this one bored me. It was easily put-downable and completely forgettable during any breaks from reading (listening to) it. For such a long book (640 pages, 20 hours), not much happened. We see more posturing of the characters, lots of talking about the same things over and over, and not much action or forward plot progression. For what it accomplished, it should easily have been cut down about 150-200 pages.
Honestly, this whole series has been kind of the same. I struggled to remember anything from the first book before starting this one. While I should have done a re-read of the first book for a refresh, I did not have any desire to devote that much time to re-read then to read this one after. So, I recapped my own review from book 1 and grabbed a detailed synopsis from online to jog my memory enough to continue. I’m going to review this in a similar breakdown as the first for a comparison.
Magic System
I was less confused about the magic system created this time around, but I still definitely got confused on who was who. The whole Diaforaté, Decachiré, and Dyminara still got mixed up in my head frequently. I still don’t understand how the wolves fit into everything. It’s kind of like when she was plotting out what aspects to include in the story, she said “wolves, I must have wolves! I don’t know what for, but I must have them!” Still, I like them, so I guess the appeal is there.
Political and Religious Intrigue (Plot)
This definitely picked up more this book, which I was glad to see. Where in the first book this aspect felt too transparent, there were more layers in this one that made things a bit more opaque.
World-Building
As in the last book, if you separate out the magic system and the political/religious intrigue from the world-building, you’ll find that there is very little left. There was only one other new setting added here and it was as vaguely described as the other two settings in the first book.
Female Spymaster
While most of the story was Aya training, researching, and interacting with Will and Tova, I was happy to see a bit more of the badass spymaster in this book that wasn’t present in the previous book. I just wish it wouldn’t have taken more than half the book to see it.
Enemies to Lovers
Okay, I’m still not really sure I understand Will any better than I did in the first book, but I’ll buy the romance in this book. Their fledgling relationship is barely off the ground but being tested in ways that would break even a steadfast love once they return home. At least there was no love triangle possibility in this book. They finally consummate their relationship, but it was pretty tame by most romantasy standards, 2 flames.
POVs
We are given multiple POVs this time. While I felt Aidon’s POV was superfluous in the last book, I am glad it was included here along with his sister, Josie’s. Honestly, Josie was the most interesting character to me in this story.
Audio Narration
While I didn’t listen to the first book on audio, I was able to listen to this one. I found the narration to be good, no complaints. The narrator spoke clearly and transitions were smooth between takes so that I couldn’t differentiate much between them.
There was a pretty decent twist at the end, but I just don’t know if I have it in me to continue with this series. Again, this series is targeted toward SJM fans, but it is just not for me. I still think the author has potential, but in my opinion, she’s not there yet.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.
-------------
I hope you enjoyed this review! This review and many more appear on my blog, Hooks, Books, & Wanderlust, where you'll find book reviews, lists, crochet tutorials & patterns, as well as camping, hiking and travel adventures.
Come hang out with me on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Blog | Email
This book was long. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no stranger to fantasy fiction, so long books don’t scare me, but this one bored me. It was easily put-downable and completely forgettable during any breaks from reading (listening to) it. For such a long book (640 pages, 20 hours), not much happened. We see more posturing of the characters, lots of talking about the same things over and over, and not much action or forward plot progression. For what it accomplished, it should easily have been cut down about 150-200 pages.
Honestly, this whole series has been kind of the same. I struggled to remember anything from the first book before starting this one. While I should have done a re-read of the first book for a refresh, I did not have any desire to devote that much time to re-read then to read this one after. So, I recapped my own review from book 1 and grabbed a detailed synopsis from online to jog my memory enough to continue. I’m going to review this in a similar breakdown as the first for a comparison.
Magic System
I was less confused about the magic system created this time around, but I still definitely got confused on who was who. The whole Diaforaté, Decachiré, and Dyminara still got mixed up in my head frequently. I still don’t understand how the wolves fit into everything. It’s kind of like when she was plotting out what aspects to include in the story, she said “wolves, I must have wolves! I don’t know what for, but I must have them!” Still, I like them, so I guess the appeal is there.
Political and Religious Intrigue (Plot)
This definitely picked up more this book, which I was glad to see. Where in the first book this aspect felt too transparent, there were more layers in this one that made things a bit more opaque.
World-Building
As in the last book, if you separate out the magic system and the political/religious intrigue from the world-building, you’ll find that there is very little left. There was only one other new setting added here and it was as vaguely described as the other two settings in the first book.
Female Spymaster
While most of the story was Aya training, researching, and interacting with Will and Tova, I was happy to see a bit more of the badass spymaster in this book that wasn’t present in the previous book. I just wish it wouldn’t have taken more than half the book to see it.
Enemies to Lovers
Okay, I’m still not really sure I understand Will any better than I did in the first book, but I’ll buy the romance in this book. Their fledgling relationship is barely off the ground but being tested in ways that would break even a steadfast love once they return home. At least there was no love triangle possibility in this book. They finally consummate their relationship, but it was pretty tame by most romantasy standards, 2 flames.
POVs
We are given multiple POVs this time. While I felt Aidon’s POV was superfluous in the last book, I am glad it was included here along with his sister, Josie’s. Honestly, Josie was the most interesting character to me in this story.
Audio Narration
While I didn’t listen to the first book on audio, I was able to listen to this one. I found the narration to be good, no complaints. The narrator spoke clearly and transitions were smooth between takes so that I couldn’t differentiate much between them.
There was a pretty decent twist at the end, but I just don’t know if I have it in me to continue with this series. Again, this series is targeted toward SJM fans, but it is just not for me. I still think the author has potential, but in my opinion, she’s not there yet.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this audio ARC in exchange for my honest review.
-------------
I hope you enjoyed this review! This review and many more appear on my blog, Hooks, Books, & Wanderlust, where you'll find book reviews, lists, crochet tutorials & patterns, as well as camping, hiking and travel adventures.
Come hang out with me on Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Blog | Email
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
It’s good but way, WAY too long. Could seriously do with some editing. Definitely recommend the audiobook. I really do enjoy the characters though, and I look forward to the next in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Do I think this needed to be 640 pages? No. I didn't really care about the POVs of Aya's friends (I've already forgotten their name) and what was going on with them and that was like half the book. BUT. the Will and Aya agnst. was worth it to me. I didn't really know I was a rivals-to-lovers fan until I read this series and their romance makes this a 4 stars for me.