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4.34 AVERAGE
4.34 AVERAGE
This book was so good. It does all the things that a good sequel does. It keeps all the things that worked for the first book, and then adds some more stuff to make the series feel bigger.
This book expands a lot more on the world building of this series, and explains a lot more of the politics and religions and everything that drive the plot. And let’s just say I’m a sucker for some good fantasy politics and religions.
The plot is really interesting in this one and sets up a lot of questions that will be answered in the future. This book does a great job of making this go from a simple revenge story to something far far more than that. The characters and their relationships are all so much more improved in this one, and I found some of my favorite moments being the slow conversations between characters as they explore their new relationship dynamics. Also gotta love a nice slow burn romance that’s really well done.
Evan Winter has a really unique way of writing his characters in a way where he can tell the reader information, without explicitly making the pov character have that same realization. There are many times in this book where you will pick up on something that is described, but because the pov character isn’t looking too deep into it, he doesn’t make the connection right away. It’s a super unique style that’s hard to describe, but it makes for a fun reader and protagonist relationship.
Evan Winter’s action writing continues to be some of the best that I’ve read. Reading this it feels like it’s being described by someone who actually knows how to fight (and come to find out, Winter is actually a trained martial artist). The fights are engaging and satisfying, and perfectly paced within the story. There’s never too much, and never a truly “dull” moment within this book.
I love this series so far, and can’t wait for the next one.
Easy 5/5
This book expands a lot more on the world building of this series, and explains a lot more of the politics and religions and everything that drive the plot. And let’s just say I’m a sucker for some good fantasy politics and religions.
The plot is really interesting in this one and sets up a lot of questions that will be answered in the future. This book does a great job of making this go from a simple revenge story to something far far more than that. The characters and their relationships are all so much more improved in this one, and I found some of my favorite moments being the slow conversations between characters as they explore their new relationship dynamics. Also gotta love a nice slow burn romance that’s really well done.
Evan Winter has a really unique way of writing his characters in a way where he can tell the reader information, without explicitly making the pov character have that same realization. There are many times in this book where you will pick up on something that is described, but because the pov character isn’t looking too deep into it, he doesn’t make the connection right away. It’s a super unique style that’s hard to describe, but it makes for a fun reader and protagonist relationship.
Evan Winter’s action writing continues to be some of the best that I’ve read. Reading this it feels like it’s being described by someone who actually knows how to fight (and come to find out, Winter is actually a trained martial artist). The fights are engaging and satisfying, and perfectly paced within the story. There’s never too much, and never a truly “dull” moment within this book.
I love this series so far, and can’t wait for the next one.
Easy 5/5
Man I devoured this shit, you actually can’t put them down…
And I just realized the next book isn’t even out yet fml
And I just realized the next book isn’t even out yet fml
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Pregnancy
adventurous
challenging
funny
sad
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
Listened to the audiobook for free 0.99 on the Libby app👌🏽. I've pretty much only done audiobooks this year.
I don't really do reviews. I just do thoughts 😅
Definitely predictable... but to me in the best way. A way I've never experienced until reading this author. I'm expecting what happened to happen but I never knew HOW it would happen. So that was good for me. Obviously, everything is violent and bloody... so ya kinda know that part.
There are definitely some cliché things happening but I still love the story and I'm invested in what's going to happen next.
I hear we are getting a 3rd installment in 2026. I'm hoping that's true because now I have nothing to read.
I would recommend this book.
I don't really do reviews. I just do thoughts 😅
Definitely predictable... but to me in the best way. A way I've never experienced until reading this author. I'm expecting what happened to happen but I never knew HOW it would happen. So that was good for me. Obviously, everything is violent and bloody... so ya kinda know that part.
There are definitely some cliché things happening but I still love the story and I'm invested in what's going to happen next.
I hear we are getting a 3rd installment in 2026. I'm hoping that's true because now I have nothing to read.
I would recommend this book.
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Giving 2 stars because the scenes of dragons fighting were written really well and the last 75% of the book was quite a riveting read. It was nice to see the perspective of Queen Esi, which was quite convincing.
I'm not entirely sure about the other main characters, don't think they are very well written. It's not their flaws or contradictions make them unlikeable or unrelatable, it's more of an absence of depth of their character. This book, like the first one, also suffers from long descriptions of fighting scenes which add very little to the main storyline. Queen Tsoria telling Tau those stories about her religious history feel as if the characters were trying to pretend there is greater depth to them than there actually was - this was because these stories didn't really have much of an impact on the characters themselves or the storyline. And when Tau's homeland is attacked, we are suddenly introduced to this family as a core plotline, and there had been no mention of them previous ? We didn't even know the name of his step father until he was killed. Taus mother is introduced suddenly but then is ignored after the war as if she did not exist in the first place. Maybe they will come up in the next book?
Also, I'm not sure why the author continues to reinforce all the stereotypes and racism that he wants his characters to fight against
I'm not entirely sure about the other main characters, don't think they are very well written. It's not their flaws or contradictions make them unlikeable or unrelatable, it's more of an absence of depth of their character. This book, like the first one, also suffers from long descriptions of fighting scenes which add very little to the main storyline. Queen Tsoria telling Tau those stories about her religious history feel as if the characters were trying to pretend there is greater depth to them than there actually was - this was because these stories didn't really have much of an impact on the characters themselves or the storyline. And when Tau's homeland is attacked, we are suddenly introduced to this family as a core plotline, and there had been no mention of them previous ? We didn't even know the name of his step father until he was killed. Taus mother is introduced suddenly but then is ignored after the war as if she did not exist in the first place. Maybe they will come up in the next book?
Also, I'm not sure why the author continues to reinforce all the stereotypes and racism that he wants his characters to fight against
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The ache and the loss and the battles and the pain were so so good! Tau’s rage and drive for vengeance was top tier. The study in class systems was so timely. I liked book one but I LOVED book two. Dying for book three. I’m obsessed
This series is great. Its new and original. Its got a great cast of characters. Its a relentless and brutal and vicious without feeling gratuitous. But...this book isn't as good as the first. It hurts me to say that. And I know I'm only taking away 1 star, but I feel like I need to justify it. Its not as focused as the first book. Most of this book feels like it takes place walking/riding from one place to another. There are some repetitive scenes. There is a sense of rising conflict, but it just doesn't build the same way it does in the first book. Overall, the effect was worth 1 lost star.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It's ok. While this time some side characters also had a chance to shine and the prose has overall improved, the pacing as well as somewhat unsatisfying conflicts left me fairly whelmed.
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-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