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pip94's review against another edition
5.0
*I received a digital copy from Netgally in exchange for an honest review*
This is a fantastic sequel to the Tiger and the Wolf. I had high expectations for this book and it didn't disappoint. The world is so well written and so interesting. The development of the characters was great, the plot engaging throughout and the world is a new favourite of mine. There are so many amazing characters in this series and such a diverse range of people. I will say I would have liked more of Maniye but that is a minor complaint. Overall I highly recommend checking this series out, especially if you are a big fan of fantasy. I am very excited for the next book in the series.
This is a fantastic sequel to the Tiger and the Wolf. I had high expectations for this book and it didn't disappoint. The world is so well written and so interesting. The development of the characters was great, the plot engaging throughout and the world is a new favourite of mine. There are so many amazing characters in this series and such a diverse range of people. I will say I would have liked more of Maniye but that is a minor complaint. Overall I highly recommend checking this series out, especially if you are a big fan of fantasy. I am very excited for the next book in the series.
julicke95's review against another edition
2.0
DNF. I hate leaving books unfinished, but I just can't get my brain to pay attention to the story and I'm just done. Two thirds of the way through is close enough.
This is by no means a bad book (or bad series for that matter), but it's just not for me. Can't exactly put my finger on why, but part of it is definitely that the motivations of the characters just remain very unclear or unfounded. Sure, Asmander supports Tecumen because they were childhood friends. But he was friends with his twin all the same, so why the loyalty to one but not the other? Wouldn't it be more interesting if he was more torn up about the war between the rival monarchs instead of this blind loyalty? And what on earth is Shyri's motivation? I guess in the first book she went with Asmander because she was bored, but is that still the case? I just don't buy that she's become good enough friends with Asmander to risk her life in a war in a foreign nation. Same goes for Maniye. Also, the first book focused on Maniye's search for a place to belong, but that's just entirely gone now? She just seems to be going through the motions of a war she has nothing to do with and for what? And why the heck is Takes Iron with her? Loud Thunder's storyline was really the only one I was mildly interested in and what kept me going, because at least it was clear that he was only reluctantly uniting the tribes out of loyalty to the Mother of the bears.
I could go on, but the bottom line is that this seems like a very plot-driven series and I was hoping for a more character-driven one. The world is well-crafted and the pacing is fine, but I was just hoping for a bit... more I guess.
P.s. sorry if I misspelled any names. I read the audiobook and I'm not sure about some of the spellings.
This is by no means a bad book (or bad series for that matter), but it's just not for me. Can't exactly put my finger on why, but part of it is definitely that the motivations of the characters just remain very unclear or unfounded. Sure, Asmander supports Tecumen because they were childhood friends. But he was friends with his twin all the same, so why the loyalty to one but not the other? Wouldn't it be more interesting if he was more torn up about the war between the rival monarchs instead of this blind loyalty? And what on earth is Shyri's motivation? I guess in the first book she went with Asmander because she was bored, but is that still the case? I just don't buy that she's become good enough friends with Asmander to risk her life in a war in a foreign nation. Same goes for Maniye. Also, the first book focused on Maniye's search for a place to belong, but that's just entirely gone now? She just seems to be going through the motions of a war she has nothing to do with and for what? And why the heck is Takes Iron with her? Loud Thunder's storyline was really the only one I was mildly interested in and what kept me going, because at least it was clear that he was only reluctantly uniting the tribes out of loyalty to the Mother of the bears.
I could go on, but the bottom line is that this seems like a very plot-driven series and I was hoping for a more character-driven one. The world is well-crafted and the pacing is fine, but I was just hoping for a bit... more I guess.
P.s. sorry if I misspelled any names. I read the audiobook and I'm not sure about some of the spellings.
kuyemura's review against another edition
3.0
Please let it become standard in fantasy series to do as Tchaikovsky has done, where he presented a summary of the previous book before launching into his narrative. So helpful, for those of us who read the previous volume ages ago or had to wait for the next book to be published *tears up.
Beautifully executed fight scenes—he's got people shapeshifting left and right in mid-air, and it's never difficult to follow. The story meanders around quite a bit (winding around like a snake, you might say), but it's fun to parse through the descriptions and realize, oHO, dragons are komodo lizards! That monster from the deep is a SUBMARINE! etc.
Nothing to write home about per say, as none of the characters get too emotional even when they're on death's door and thus I felt emotionally disconnected from the narrative. But still, a very fun premise, and engaging.
Beautifully executed fight scenes—he's got people shapeshifting left and right in mid-air, and it's never difficult to follow. The story meanders around quite a bit (winding around like a snake, you might say), but it's fun to parse through the descriptions and realize, oHO, dragons are komodo lizards! That monster from the deep is a SUBMARINE! etc.
Nothing to write home about per say, as none of the characters get too emotional even when they're on death's door and thus I felt emotionally disconnected from the narrative. But still, a very fun premise, and engaging.
sechurae's review against another edition
4.25
Man, I love Venat and Shyri. Felt a little like they got shafted, but was still satisfied where they ended up at the conclusion of this book. Loud Thunder's pov was also a delight, him wondering if he saying the right words and whether anyone will listen to him.
This one grabbed me a little faster than the first book, but the plot felt like it meandered more than the first, even though there were clearer goals/endpoints from the outset; this may have been because of the wider range of settings, as it leaves the northern areas of the first book. The Kasra succession plot was also a little odd, and Tecuman's character was overshadowed by everyone else (although the weakness is an intentional part of his character). However, the characters and their relationships still shine, and it was all in all an enjoyable read.
This one grabbed me a little faster than the first book, but the plot felt like it meandered more than the first, even though there were clearer goals/endpoints from the outset; this may have been because of the wider range of settings, as it leaves the northern areas of the first book. The Kasra succession plot was also a little odd, and Tecuman's character was overshadowed by everyone else (although the weakness is an intentional part of his character). However, the characters and their relationships still shine, and it was all in all an enjoyable read.
semajluap's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.75
agniesta's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
freya_amber's review against another edition
3.5
I think the narrator manages to makes this more boring than it actually is.
There's bits and pieces that could pull me in, but I was never excited to continue.
There's bits and pieces that could pull me in, but I was never excited to continue.
lilyphoenixx's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
dracodinoraf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0