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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
Loved reading this book, it was a fantastic read, and well worth the wait, so much happens! I can't wait for the 3rd book, which is only a couple of months away!
adventurous
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Confinement, Torture, Excrement, Religious bigotry
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Potential spoilers for The Eyes of Tamburah below
What a wild ride! That was quite a sequel I must admit and so much better than The Eyes of Tamburah. Although this book was much slower than the first one, it was totally worth it in the end with an ending like that!
The book follows the events of its predecessor where we see Shyla take on the responsibility of being the leader of the Invisible Sword. We see her developing her powers and fighting for justice and the freedom of her people. For the first 300-or-so pages I found that these scenes where we learn more about Shyla's capabilities with the eyes to be very dragged out. Sure we do see a lot of betrayal, a lot of loyalties shown and some new friendships but I just wanted the real action to begin. That action didn't come until much later in the story but it was definitely worth the wait.
I thought there was more character development in general and Shyla seemed to be less power-hungry than she was alluded to in The Eyes of Tamburah. Although I understood the fact that she was trying to save her people, the eye stabbing in the first book (while important to the narrative) did make me believe she was doing it for power rather than to save her world. In City of Zirdai that scene was mentioned a lot but Shyla seemed to be less power-driven and proven herself more as a leader.
In terms of romance, I still wasn't fully convinced on the relationship between Shyla and Rendor (especially since I was shipping her with Jayden the whole time). I reckon that with due time I might like him but maybe with another book he might grow on me indefinitely. I just need a bit more convincing.
With the whole story structure, I found that (as mentioned previously) it was pretty slow to begin with and I wasn't necessarily invested in the story at that point. Past page 350 it started to become more fast paced and I started enjoying myself a whole lot more as the plot was coming together. I was very happy with how it all tied up and thought it was a pretty good conclusion to a great duology.
All in all, I enjoyed this book. It was so much better than The Eyes of Tamburah and I found myself really enjoying how the story came together at the end.
ACTUAL RATING: 3 STARS
Potential spoilers for The Eyes of Tamburah below
What a wild ride! That was quite a sequel I must admit and so much better than The Eyes of Tamburah. Although this book was much slower than the first one, it was totally worth it in the end with an ending like that!
The book follows the events of its predecessor where we see Shyla take on the responsibility of being the leader of the Invisible Sword. We see her developing her powers and fighting for justice and the freedom of her people. For the first 300-or-so pages I found that these scenes where we learn more about Shyla's capabilities with the eyes to be very dragged out. Sure we do see a lot of betrayal, a lot of loyalties shown and some new friendships but I just wanted the real action to begin. That action didn't come until much later in the story but it was definitely worth the wait.
I thought there was more character development in general and Shyla seemed to be less power-hungry than she was alluded to in The Eyes of Tamburah. Although I understood the fact that she was trying to save her people, the eye stabbing in the first book (while important to the narrative) did make me believe she was doing it for power rather than to save her world. In City of Zirdai that scene was mentioned a lot but Shyla seemed to be less power-driven and proven herself more as a leader.
In terms of romance, I still wasn't fully convinced on the relationship between Shyla and Rendor (especially since I was shipping her with Jayden the whole time). I reckon that with due time I might like him but maybe with another book he might grow on me indefinitely. I just need a bit more convincing.
With the whole story structure, I found that (as mentioned previously) it was pretty slow to begin with and I wasn't necessarily invested in the story at that point. Past page 350 it started to become more fast paced and I started enjoying myself a whole lot more as the plot was coming together. I was very happy with how it all tied up and thought it was a pretty good conclusion to a great duology.
All in all, I enjoyed this book. It was so much better than The Eyes of Tamburah and I found myself really enjoying how the story came together at the end.
ACTUAL RATING: 3 STARS
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
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:
Yes
adventurous
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The very long awaited sequel to The Eyes of Tamburah is finally here! In this instalment, Shyla is safely ensconced with some people who believed in her and wanted to make changes in the city, as she does. People are suffering and it is time to shake up those in power; problem is they are hidden away and very poor in resources. And it seems, there is also a mole...
I loved the strong female protagonists written by this author. They are all always such empowering and inspiring characters; definitely kick-ass ones! Shyla grew to be such a one in this novel. The romance is always so lovely with male protagonists who are protective but totally supportive of her having to fight her own battles.
What really got me in this novel is the big twist in the middle of it. I mean, I don't know who feel betrayed most, Shyla or ME! Indeed, Maria V. Snyder lives up to her villainous author reputation. My heart hasn't recovered yet even as the ending offers such beautiful healing. There's something else in the air though... book 3 is coming and as this particular issue appears settled in this book, I'm not quite sure what will be in book 3 but I'm excited for it.
My thanks to Harlequin Australia for ecopy of book via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thoughts
I loved the strong female protagonists written by this author. They are all always such empowering and inspiring characters; definitely kick-ass ones! Shyla grew to be such a one in this novel. The romance is always so lovely with male protagonists who are protective but totally supportive of her having to fight her own battles.
What really got me in this novel is the big twist in the middle of it. I mean, I don't know who feel betrayed most, Shyla or ME! Indeed, Maria V. Snyder lives up to her villainous author reputation. My heart hasn't recovered yet even as the ending offers such beautiful healing. There's something else in the air though... book 3 is coming and as this particular issue appears settled in this book, I'm not quite sure what will be in book 3 but I'm excited for it.
My thanks to Harlequin Australia for ecopy of book via NetGalley in exchange of my honest thoughts
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is one of those reviews I struggle to write because I really enjoyed this book and I'm not really sure what else to say about that lol! I love the unique world Snyder has created. The story is full of action and the end gets pretty wild and full of betrayals and twists and turns.
There's a character who gets forgiven who I don't think should have been, but alas. I'm waiting for that to come back and bite them on the bum honestly. I still struggle to feel any chemistry between Shyla and Rendor, there always seemed to be so much more spark with Jayden. And a lot of the secondary characters all just blurred together and weren't very well defined, like Elek, Ximen, Jaft etc.
Nonetheless, somehow I find myself forgiving all that because they're just kind of quirky books and I've enjoyed them anyway. Snyder has a way of ending chapters right in the middle of something happening that makes you just-one-more-chapter yourself into the early hours. The ending leaves a biggggg thread hanging and I can't wait for the third book!
There's a character who gets forgiven who I don't think should have been, but alas. I'm waiting for that to come back and bite them on the bum honestly. I still struggle to feel any chemistry between Shyla and Rendor, there always seemed to be so much more spark with Jayden. And a lot of the secondary characters all just blurred together and weren't very well defined, like Elek, Ximen, Jaft etc.
Nonetheless, somehow I find myself forgiving all that because they're just kind of quirky books and I've enjoyed them anyway. Snyder has a way of ending chapters right in the middle of something happening that makes you just-one-more-chapter yourself into the early hours. The ending leaves a biggggg thread hanging and I can't wait for the third book!