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bzliz's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
slow-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
4.0
For the first time in the series, we move to Sounis for the majority of the story. A subplot in the previous book mentioned that Sophos was missing. In retrospect, we follow the story of how Sophos gains control of his country after his uncle’s death. New challenges are faced, like rebel barons and more political intrigue than we’ve previously seen. Readers be warned that Sophie does spend a long portion of the book either literally enslaved to a rebel baron or lavishly incarcerated by similar foes.
I still enjoyed it but I prefer the earlier books, which are more heavily weighted toward adventure and discovery rather than courtly politics and war. Sophos makes for a lovable protagonist thanks to his kind heart and inquisitive nature. The dynamic between him and the other monarchs of the area settles into a nice place and I so desperately want them to be a team against the conquering force headed their way.
I still enjoyed it but I prefer the earlier books, which are more heavily weighted toward adventure and discovery rather than courtly politics and war. Sophos makes for a lovable protagonist thanks to his kind heart and inquisitive nature. The dynamic between him and the other monarchs of the area settles into a nice place and I so desperately want them to be a team against the conquering force headed their way.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Violence, Kidnapping, Slavery, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Confinement, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Gun violence
Minor: Classism and Fire/Fire injury
abbergator's review against another edition
5.0
Love it!
I enjoyed every chapter! This is a rich piece of work and the author's writing was on point. I recommend this to anyone who loves deep characters.
I enjoyed every chapter! This is a rich piece of work and the author's writing was on point. I recommend this to anyone who loves deep characters.
megsslibrary's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
han_nur's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
4.5
letta's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
4.0
aekre's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
mom2qandk's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
mllejoyeuxnoel's review against another edition
4.0
No less well-told than its predecessors - I give it four stars only because I missed Eugenides in this book. He's one of my all-time favorite characters, and I simply wished for far more of him!
cjroyg's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
tense
fast-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
3.75
jedbird's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
The return of Sophos! POV shifts slinging the reader hither and yon! This series does a lot of things I normally don't want a story to do--I tend to like my POV anchored, and to come from a single direction--but I find I can tolerate this narrative's whims. Sophos is a slave, then a king. The extent to which he admires Eugenides is gratifying. With the addition of Sophos, now all the royal people need to adjust to their new relationship configurations. Sophos does well, but it is obvious he's not as clever or powerful as Eugenides, and maybe we needed a book to tell us that?