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leila_reads_too_much's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
emilysamsharrisreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
3.75
Smart is incredible at world-building! I really enjoyed this duology but unfortunately found the pacing of this book to be slower than its predecessor.
Additionally, while I really enjoyed how Iraya and Jazmyne were evenly matched in the first book, in this half of the duology there was such a wide gap in character development and depth. Iraya was portrayed as flawed but complex, constantly learning from her mistakes, taking the reigns and leadership opportunities in stride. She was cunning, tactful, strategic, while still demonstrating her love & care for the people around her. When she was hurt, the readers hurt along side her. Whereas Jazmyne seemed to get the short, short end of the stick. Her chapters felt more repetitive. Her character came off as whiny, naïve, entitled as heck, and just not particularly useful at times. Neither FMC could catch a break most of the time, but Jazmyne's story felt confusing and contradictory quite a bit. Jaz and Iraya's arguments felt over-done and somewhat shallow.
This felt particularly noticeable when at the end of the story, Jazmyne and Iraya have this tense stand off about who loves Kirdan. What?? Why! There is a war going on and you're being frosty about a man who the whole second book has been about I&K's romantic/sexual relationship. Why did Jazmyne have to come off as petulant, angsty, "wish-it-was-me" type?
Overall, this would still be a series/book to recommend, especially to YA fans.
Additionally, while I really enjoyed how Iraya and Jazmyne were evenly matched in the first book, in this half of the duology there was such a wide gap in character development and depth. Iraya was portrayed as flawed but complex, constantly learning from her mistakes, taking the reigns and leadership opportunities in stride. She was cunning, tactful, strategic, while still demonstrating her love & care for the people around her. When she was hurt, the readers hurt along side her. Whereas Jazmyne seemed to get the short, short end of the stick. Her chapters felt more repetitive. Her character came off as whiny, naïve, entitled as heck, and just not particularly useful at times. Neither FMC could catch a break most of the time, but Jazmyne's story felt confusing and contradictory quite a bit. Jaz and Iraya's arguments felt over-done and somewhat shallow.
Overall, this would still be a series/book to recommend, especially to YA fans.
shaebug's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
eeva's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.0
This seemed to take me ages to read. When I chose to read Witches Steeped in Gold, I thought it was a standalone novel which is why I decided to read it. But then I found out there was a sequel and I just cannot leave series unfinished unless it's just way too much. And it was only one more book so I picked up the sequel.
It was very slow at the beginning and middle (or maybe it had to do with my reading pace since it took me a over a month to finish the book.) The ending was better, but not nearly as intense as the ending of the first book.
Around halfway through the book, I did highlight a section of the book with the words "what if [the imposter is] whatshername? the girl iraya was friends with back at prison?"
So I was initially disappointed when the imposter was revealed to be Captain Shah. It just...wasn't a satisfying answer. Was very glad it was Kaleisha by the end of it. Really brought things around full circle because I was wondering what happened to her.
There's also a part, around 95% of the way through the novel, where everyone's in the midst of battle and Kirdan asks Jazmyne if she's been poisoned and she says she's "just dazed" and I thought for sure we were going to get a death scare. Like, Jazmyne faints at the end of the chapter because she didn't tell the others about being bit (like she was afraid of them focussing on her rather than more important things) but it never came.
It was very slow at the beginning and middle (or maybe it had to do with my reading pace since it took me a over a month to finish the book.) The ending was better, but not nearly as intense as the ending of the first book.
So I was initially disappointed when the imposter was revealed to be Captain Shah. It just...wasn't a satisfying answer. Was very glad it was Kaleisha by the end of it. Really brought things around full circle because I was wondering what happened to her.
There's also a part, around 95% of the way through the novel, where everyone's in the midst of battle and Kirdan asks Jazmyne if she's been poisoned and she says she's "just dazed" and I thought for sure we were going to get a death scare. Like, Jazmyne faints at the end of the chapter because she didn't tell the others about being bit (like she was afraid of them focussing on her rather than more important things) but it never came.
elmewhy's review
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
2.25
kayu99's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this one a lot more than the first. The writing style improved, and the characters felt more real. Towards the end, there was definitely a lot going on, and some of the big reveals felt rushed or like there wasn't a good explanation for motivation or reasons. Regarding pacing, it was mostly fine until a certain character's true identity is hinted at--after that, I felt like I was waiting for the characters to catch up. Both Iraya and Jasmyne do a lot of learning and growing, and this book was a good escape.
raeonthefly's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
poetskings's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Iraya and Jazmyne, having overthrown the Doyenne, once again find themselves on opposing sides of a power struggle for Aiyca. But a new enemy emerges, once again forcing these two would-be enemies to be reluctant allies.
I wish I could say I wanted to like this book. I went into it feeling absolutely nothing having not enjoyed book 1 in the series, and still found myself underwhelmed. The antagonist is ambiguous at best with no real motive and are never really set up as a threat of any serious measure, the two protagonists are insufferable, the world is underdeveloped and under explained, and the ending was rushed and far too convenient.
There were directions this book could have gone in that would have made it interesting, but Smart took none of those directions, and instead has a 700+ page book that drags the reader between utterly irrelevant events that take place in the span of a few pages and have no emotional impact at all.
I went into the first book with high hopes for an interesting story about two rivals forced to work together in a rich and interesting world, and came out of this book bored and disappointed.
the_wistful_word_witch's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It took me a little bit longer to delve back into Jazmyne and Iraya's story, but it was one worth finishing.
The back and forth between perspectives was a bit dizzying this time, as was the war in which the characters are embroiled. Just like with the first book, there are plenty of twists and turns, lots of intrigue, and a smattering of spiciness.
Poor Jaz got shafted throughout most of the book, considering how much more everyone else had to work with. But ultimately, it made her into a better version of herself.
I really liked the way that Ms Smart ended the duology on a hopeful note, letting us readers imagine how life continues for the enemies turned unlikely allies, united by the one thing they love most: Aiyca.
The back and forth between perspectives was a bit dizzying this time, as was the war in which the characters are embroiled. Just like with the first book, there are plenty of twists and turns, lots of intrigue, and a smattering of spiciness.
Poor Jaz got shafted throughout most of the book, considering how much more everyone else had to work with. But ultimately, it made her into a better version of herself.
I really liked the way that Ms Smart ended the duology on a hopeful note, letting us readers imagine how life continues for the enemies turned unlikely allies, united by the one thing they love most: Aiyca.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, War, Violence, Murder, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Grief