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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
This was such a fun read. I don’t know if I enjoyed book one or book 2 better. In this sequel, I loved getting to know the side characters. Aiden is probably my favorite and I need him to get whatever happy ending he deserves. I knew it would end on a cliffhanger but it wasn’t as brutal as I anticipated. I wondered why Gianna was seen as much of a threat when she had no power but the ending answers that for us. In hindsight, it makes more sense but Im not sure if withholding that to the very end was the best idea. I think the worst part is having to wait so long for book 3 because this one hasn’t even published yet. Hoping it’s a quick turnaround because I’m dying to know how it ends.
Thank you to The Dreamscape Team for this arc.
Thank you to The Dreamscape Team for this arc.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
It was a little slow at times but then the last half was lightening speed. It ended with a cliff hanger that I need to be finished ASAP! I will impatiently await the next book (why is there no release date yet?!?!). I am heartbroken over some of the characters and I need revenge in the next book
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Curse of Sins
by Kate Dramis
The Curse of Saints #2
Fantasy High Fantasy New Adult
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: June 15, 2024
Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House
Ages: 18+
Returning with Will, Aya is not the same, for she is the Second Saint, but she also discovers that her home isn't either. Everyone knows the Second Saint has risen, as has the threat of war.
But some seek war for their own gain, and harnessing Aya's power for themselves almost guarantees their success.
Sadly, this was less of a book than the first in this series. It was slow as the plot and characters rambled on about their faults, their feelings, who was doing what, and who was treasonous. There were a lot of things going on, which created a lot of suspects, but still, not a lot happened, and when something did, it was quick.
As this is the second book of the series, I don't want to give out spoilers, but I will say there were a couple (and only a couple) of surprises that made it worth trudging through. But the porn, ewww. It was way too much, so this book, and the series, are not suitable for readers under eighteen.
I'm not saying it's awful, but it just went on and on without much to hook the reader (or keep them awake) until the last ten pages, but... spoiler...
Yes, I would like to know how the story ends, but...
This one just fell short of the next star...
2 Stars
adventurous
dark
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dramis is a promising young writer. The concept is engaging and the plot is full throttle the entire time. 5⭐️ on entertainment value. However, the writing can be wordy and confusing. Many side characters serve little to no purpose, they’re two dimensional, and because of that there is no investment as a reader. Some plot lines are never resolved or even touched upon more than twice. A lot of telling not showing. And finally, the writing is always hyperbolic. Everything is life or death. Every conversation, scene, and moment is at the highest emotional point. When every sentence is the highest is can be emotionally, they loose strength. The climaxes don’t feel earned because there isn’t proper build. Again, entertaining as ever. Dramis has a lot of potential and I cannot wait for the next book! The writing just needs improvement.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-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
Ever since reading Curse of Sins, I’ve been in such a reading slump because I just feel like nothing else could compare.
Curse of Saints was such an unexpected top read for me least year, so much that Sins made its way straight to the top of my 2024 anticipated list and I screamed at 3AM when the ARC showed on my kindle. I’ve read it maybe 3 times now.
I already loved Aya and Will’s story so much and Sins just solidified that love more. Seeing their relationship with themselves and each other grow to new levels made me so happy.
I also loved that Aidan and Josie remained integral characters in the story and took up space in the book. Can’t wait to see their stories unfold more in the next instalment!
The pacing and maturity level felt more natural in Sins compared to Saints which I hope to see continue.
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
I am going to try to give this book a fair review that it deserves, as I am coming out of a slump of feeling a little burnt out from reading and leaving reviews.
When I originally requested this audiobook, I completely overlooked the fact it was the sequel to The Curse of Saints. Thanks to a fellow bookstagram (projectbookish) for telling me so, and then KU for having it there ready to read.
What I liked: I really enjoyed what world building there was. That's not me saying there wasn't a lot or too little, just my phrasing. In some ways, I wish that there was more, as there were some parts that needed further explanation. I do enjoy the character's affinities aka powers. Wishing there was a little more expansion on the connection with their wolves though. There was character development, especially expanding the POVs from just the two main characters from book 1 to now 4 key characters. I did enjoy that there was a clear villain in the story. And the ending of some characters is well to be expected in a story like this. There's got to be some death for story development and story lines.
What didn't settle with me: within the first 10% of the book I was like, there's going to be another book after this isn't there? Yup. A little less than 50% of the way in it was clear that there was going to be another book. Now, remember, I am not one to always jump to author's social media/website/or whatever to look up if there is more down the pipeline before going into a book. So, yeah... I was a little disappointed that the story wasn't coming to a conclusion here. From the audiobook standpoint, it was borderline painful the amount of time that it took for me to finish even with listening to it at 1.75x speed, sometimes 2x.
Overall: I was excited to continue the journey that began in book 1. I'm not sure if I will read book 3. It hurts my brain a bit to try to recall what happened in finer details. There is one area of the book that I was super confused about what was happening, and if someone wants to talk with me about it, let's discuss. And is there spice? Yes. And it's semi-realistic because at least the characters say like "I need to shower" or acknowledge that they are covered in filth from fighting/traveling. Oh yeah, the ending/plot twist, not surprised, because again there was no other logical ending that would have led to another book. Again.... my opinion here.
Rating: a solid three stars out of five.
Thank you Netgalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to read this book for a review.
When I originally requested this audiobook, I completely overlooked the fact it was the sequel to The Curse of Saints. Thanks to a fellow bookstagram (projectbookish) for telling me so, and then KU for having it there ready to read.
What I liked: I really enjoyed what world building there was. That's not me saying there wasn't a lot or too little, just my phrasing. In some ways, I wish that there was more, as there were some parts that needed further explanation. I do enjoy the character's affinities aka powers. Wishing there was a little more expansion on the connection with their wolves though. There was character development, especially expanding the POVs from just the two main characters from book 1 to now 4 key characters. I did enjoy that there was a clear villain in the story. And the ending of some characters is well to be expected in a story like this. There's got to be some death for story development and story lines.
What didn't settle with me: within the first 10% of the book I was like, there's going to be another book after this isn't there? Yup. A little less than 50% of the way in it was clear that there was going to be another book. Now, remember, I am not one to always jump to author's social media/website/or whatever to look up if there is more down the pipeline before going into a book. So, yeah... I was a little disappointed that the story wasn't coming to a conclusion here. From the audiobook standpoint, it was borderline painful the amount of time that it took for me to finish even with listening to it at 1.75x speed, sometimes 2x.
Overall: I was excited to continue the journey that began in book 1. I'm not sure if I will read book 3. It hurts my brain a bit to try to recall what happened in finer details. There is one area of the book that I was super confused about what was happening, and if someone wants to talk with me about it, let's discuss. And is there spice? Yes. And it's semi-realistic because at least the characters say like "I need to shower" or acknowledge that they are covered in filth from fighting/traveling. Oh yeah, the ending/plot twist, not surprised, because again there was no other logical ending that would have led to another book. Again.... my opinion here.
Rating: a solid three stars out of five.
Thank you Netgalley, Sourcebooks Casablanca and Dreamscape Media for allowing me to read this book for a review.