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bookishjosh's review against another edition
4.0
Blood is essential in all of this. It must continue to spill. Many will die; many must die for us to succeed. —Melenia
FIVE DEATHS. I've never encountered characters with incredibly short life spans. I'm amazed by Morgan Rhodes's audacity; she is really good at catching her readers off guard. However, I am quite bothered by this utter lack of mercy. Huhu.
It was very easy to read Rebel Spring because of its fast-paced plot and intriguing characters. The world of Mytica was enriched with more political intrigue, magic, and...human blood. Seriously, if I were given the chance to be a fictional character, I would avoid The Falling Kingdoms series like the plague! I value my life too much. xD Speaking of spilled blood, only heaven knows how much I loathed King Gaius. His bloodlust was insatiable! My hatred for him was so strong that it negatively affected my feelings for his children, Magnus and Lucia. Ugh. The Damora family was clearly in dire need of counseling.
Given the abundance of characters, it was only natural that romance would be finally highlighted in this novel. Man, there were so many potential OTPs! Among them, I liked Cleo and Magnus the most. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the budding relationship between Nic and...a particular character. Hush, hush. I do not want to spoil anyone. ;)
To sum up my thoughts and feels, Rebel Spring was such a shocking, delightful, and captivating read. I only wish that the author would tone down the urge to eliminate her dear characters. LOL.
FIVE DEATHS. I've never encountered characters with incredibly short life spans. I'm amazed by Morgan Rhodes's audacity; she is really good at catching her readers off guard. However, I am quite bothered by this utter lack of mercy. Huhu.
It was very easy to read Rebel Spring because of its fast-paced plot and intriguing characters. The world of Mytica was enriched with more political intrigue, magic, and...human blood. Seriously, if I were given the chance to be a fictional character, I would avoid The Falling Kingdoms series like the plague! I value my life too much. xD Speaking of spilled blood, only heaven knows how much I loathed King Gaius. His bloodlust was insatiable! My hatred for him was so strong that it negatively affected my feelings for his children, Magnus and Lucia. Ugh. The Damora family was clearly in dire need of counseling.
Given the abundance of characters, it was only natural that romance would be finally highlighted in this novel. Man, there were so many potential OTPs! Among them, I liked Cleo and Magnus the most. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the budding relationship between Nic and...a particular character. Hush, hush. I do not want to spoil anyone. ;)
To sum up my thoughts and feels, Rebel Spring was such a shocking, delightful, and captivating read. I only wish that the author would tone down the urge to eliminate her dear characters. LOL.
acel96's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars! So many people dying i can't keep up with so much blood my chest hurts even when Aron died .... even tho i wanted to kill him myself!
Rebel spring was not as thrilling as falling kingdoms was, i wouldn't say i'm disappointed but i really loved Jonas and i don't want to see him suffer anymore! Prince Magnus knows the truth, why wouldn't he defend or let Jonas go? I MEAN BITCH HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO YOU!
Prince Magnus gets angry when people tell him he's just like his father, theN WHY THE FUCK DOES HE FOLLOW HIS FATHER'S ORDERS????????? don't get me wrong i LOVE Magnus but he's being a bitch.
Rebel spring was not as thrilling as falling kingdoms was, i wouldn't say i'm disappointed but i really loved Jonas and i don't want to see him suffer anymore! Prince Magnus knows the truth, why wouldn't he defend or let Jonas go? I MEAN BITCH HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO YOU!
Prince Magnus gets angry when people tell him he's just like his father, theN WHY THE FUCK DOES HE FOLLOW HIS FATHER'S ORDERS????????? don't get me wrong i LOVE Magnus but he's being a bitch.
edeneldred's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
anitsuj's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
rowrow's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
2.0
I read this like.. 10 books ago, and can barely remember anything about it. So we’ll roll with this messy ’review’.
It’s such a shame. This series had a lovely start. It is definitely fantasy lite, with minimum world-building, but I looked past it because of the extremely fast pacing and compelling plot.
Unlike the first installment, Rebel Spring switches perspective in a strange and inconsistent order. I feel we lingered too long in Cleo’s head, when other important storylines that gave us insight on what was going on with several people at the same time were neglected.
The pacing is excruciatingly slow, with a weak plot that's barely going anywhere.
Beware of insta-love.
Guys, this is a fantasy book.. Not a reality show. THERE IS A WAR GOING ON, AND ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS MAKE OUT.
There’s a lot of love drama and not nearly enough action.
The romance in this book is either creepy and taboo, not reciprocated or plain silly.
Before this I would’ve recommended the Falling Kingdoms series to any fantasy lover, but now I’m hesitant. Let’s hope book 3 is better, because this was a poor sequel.
It’s such a shame. This series had a lovely start. It is definitely fantasy lite, with minimum world-building, but I looked past it because of the extremely fast pacing and compelling plot.
Unlike the first installment, Rebel Spring switches perspective in a strange and inconsistent order. I feel we lingered too long in Cleo’s head, when other important storylines that gave us insight on what was going on with several people at the same time were neglected.
The pacing is excruciatingly slow, with a weak plot that's barely going anywhere.
Beware of insta-love.
Guys, this is a fantasy book.. Not a reality show. THERE IS A WAR GOING ON, AND ALL YOU WANT TO DO IS MAKE OUT.
There’s a lot of love drama and not nearly enough action.
The romance in this book is either creepy and taboo, not reciprocated or plain silly.
Before this I would’ve recommended the Falling Kingdoms series to any fantasy lover, but now I’m hesitant. Let’s hope book 3 is better, because this was a poor sequel.
lilygrace27's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
harleyrae's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! I loved the first one, and I love this one even more! This series is turning out to be one of my favorite YA Fantasy series.
I love how this book is told in many POV, it gives you a chance to see both sides of the story and all of the main characters thoughts. My favorite POVs are Cleo, Jonas, and Magnus. They are by far my favorite characters in the entire book as well. I'm not a huge fan of Lucia and Lysandria, they are my least favorite and I had no interest whatsoever in reading their POV.
I still wish there was a little bit more world building, we are introduced to a new land(even though we don't travel there) beyond the one the story takes place in. I'm hoping that because it was talked about every once in awhile we will possibly go there or it might become a bigger part of the story. It was just nice to see life beyond Mythica.
All in all I LOVE this series and I can't wait to continue onto the next book.
I love how this book is told in many POV, it gives you a chance to see both sides of the story and all of the main characters thoughts. My favorite POVs are Cleo, Jonas, and Magnus. They are by far my favorite characters in the entire book as well. I'm not a huge fan of Lucia and Lysandria, they are my least favorite and I had no interest whatsoever in reading their POV.
I still wish there was a little bit more world building, we are introduced to a new land(even though we don't travel there) beyond the one the story takes place in. I'm hoping that because it was talked about every once in awhile we will possibly go there or it might become a bigger part of the story. It was just nice to see life beyond Mythica.
All in all I LOVE this series and I can't wait to continue onto the next book.
leafblade's review against another edition
4.0
I am SO invested!!!! You know when you're in deep shit when you only like about half of the characters but you still can't stop reading
It is so refreshing to see a YA author that is simply not scared to kill important characters off. Oh, you liked that one? They're gone now. (But in a good way, not in an "everything has to HaVe MeAniNg"/JKR way nor in an "this was done just for shock value"/GRRM way)
(Also the snippet, the teaser of Gay™ we got near the end....... this is the hill I'm willing to die on)
It is so refreshing to see a YA author that is simply not scared to kill important characters off. Oh, you liked that one? They're gone now. (But in a good way, not in an "everything has to HaVe MeAniNg"/JKR way nor in an "this was done just for shock value"/GRRM way)
(Also the snippet, the teaser of Gay™ we got near the end....... this is the hill I'm willing to die on)
marscandy37's review against another edition
5.0
"Sometimes to regain sanity, one had to acknowledge and embrace the madness."
This was me reading this book:
This book floored me. It had so many twists and turns I think I might have pulled something.
Rebel Spring starts right where Falling Kingdoms left off, with Auranos conquered and the Princess Cleiona a prisoner of war. Albeit a very cushy prison with gilded bars. She is forced to endure the Damoras, knowing that any dangerous action from her would mean her certain death. Meanwhile King Gaius is using her people's love of their fallen princess as a tool to control them into being complacent, while his true plans unfold with no one the wiser. The Princess Lucia is still asleep in a coma state as her brother, Magnus, watches pining away from his forbidden feelings for his adopted sister, which she does not share. And Jonas continues the fight to bring down the King who has now begun building his blood road into the Forbidden Mountains, using the Paelsians as little more than slave labor in his mad rush to complete it as swiftly as possible. Then things get really complicated...as if they weren't already, with an arranged marriage, a kidnapping, more murder than you could possibly imagine and several interesting stolen kisses.
To say I loved [book:Rebel Spring|16000044] is putting it mildly. I really loved [book:Falling Kingdoms|12954620], but I was apprehensive about it's sequel because lets face it, this is the territory that many authors start to fall flat. I didn't want to tarnish the first book with soiled feelings for the second. Thankfully, that definitely wasn't the case here. I think I loved this book more than the last.
Rebel Spring was filled with twist and turns so sharp it would make you dizzy just thinking about it. I'm one of those people who isn't taken by surprise in a story. Usually I'm really good about knowing where things are headed. That's not really a problem though because I like that. I enjoy having some idea as to the destination of a story. As I'm reading I usually get a feel as to who is in danger of being axed, who will fall in love with whom and so on and so forth. This book used that against me. I was sure someone would be incredibly important only to be killed three seconds in. That didn't just happen once, but several times. It left me shocked and reeling. I started to look at the book with suspicion after a while thinking, "should I get my hopes up? Is this one going to work out this time?" I don't trust myself anymore!
The characters were extremely well rounded. I expected some character development in the sequel. To learn more about the people involved in the outcome of this book. I was really please that this sequel delivered on that, tenfold. All the characters learned something about themselves and changed a lot by the end. I was most impressed with Cleiona, and I already had a sweet spot for her for private reasons, but this book cemented her as my favorite character. In Falling Kingdoms she had been spoiled and coddled. She was impulsive, doing things without thinking it through. Her real strength of character only showed after all the events at the end of Falling Kingdoms unfolded. In Rebel Spring, that strength evolved Cleiona into a shrewd woman, calculating every action and biding her time, with a patience I never thought she possessed. She thought of her kingdom and her people, putting their welfare before her own. She was cool headed in the face of constant abuse. She showed herself to be the queen she rightfully was.
There was an element of romance in some situations, but I refuse to talk about it here, because, like I said I don't trust myself...
The dialogue in this book was writing goals for me. I loved the interactions between the characters. How real and poignant their back and forth conversations were. Even when they weren't talking, the looks that they gave each other spoke volumes. POV changes were seamless really. Each chapter ended perfectly, keeping you interested. The plot was well thought out, and I felt that the smaller conflicts in the overall book were resolved, and yet the major conflict still had room for development.
Another reviewer compared this book to [book:A Game of Thrones|13496], and though I'm reluctant to agree it does have a Games of Thrones feel, I think it stands on his own merit as well. It has great characters, an interesting plot and premise and it's well written. It is enough to keep me satisfied and that's saying something.
I think as far as sequels go, this one was perfection and I'm really looking forward to reading the third book. I don't think that [author:Morgan Rhodes|5295120] will disappoint me. Then again...I don't trust myself anymore!
This was me reading this book:
This book floored me. It had so many twists and turns I think I might have pulled something.
Rebel Spring starts right where Falling Kingdoms left off, with Auranos conquered and the Princess Cleiona a prisoner of war. Albeit a very cushy prison with gilded bars. She is forced to endure the Damoras, knowing that any dangerous action from her would mean her certain death. Meanwhile King Gaius is using her people's love of their fallen princess as a tool to control them into being complacent, while his true plans unfold with no one the wiser. The Princess Lucia is still asleep in a coma state as her brother, Magnus, watches pining away from his forbidden feelings for his adopted sister, which she does not share. And Jonas continues the fight to bring down the King who has now begun building his blood road into the Forbidden Mountains, using the Paelsians as little more than slave labor in his mad rush to complete it as swiftly as possible. Then things get really complicated...as if they weren't already, with an arranged marriage, a kidnapping, more murder than you could possibly imagine and several interesting stolen kisses.
To say I loved [book:Rebel Spring|16000044] is putting it mildly. I really loved [book:Falling Kingdoms|12954620], but I was apprehensive about it's sequel because lets face it, this is the territory that many authors start to fall flat. I didn't want to tarnish the first book with soiled feelings for the second. Thankfully, that definitely wasn't the case here. I think I loved this book more than the last.
Rebel Spring was filled with twist and turns so sharp it would make you dizzy just thinking about it. I'm one of those people who isn't taken by surprise in a story. Usually I'm really good about knowing where things are headed. That's not really a problem though because I like that. I enjoy having some idea as to the destination of a story. As I'm reading I usually get a feel as to who is in danger of being axed, who will fall in love with whom and so on and so forth. This book used that against me. I was sure someone would be incredibly important only to be killed three seconds in. That didn't just happen once, but several times. It left me shocked and reeling. I started to look at the book with suspicion after a while thinking, "should I get my hopes up? Is this one going to work out this time?" I don't trust myself anymore!
The characters were extremely well rounded. I expected some character development in the sequel. To learn more about the people involved in the outcome of this book. I was really please that this sequel delivered on that, tenfold. All the characters learned something about themselves and changed a lot by the end.
Spoiler
Magnus learned just how cruel the man who he wanted to be like was, and vowed never to become like him. Cleo learned that the key to her imprisonment lied inside her cage. Jonas learned that the essence of a great leader was not only to give orders but to follow them when they were sound. Lucia learned her powers were more a curse than a gift, and that she may not be strong enough to control them.There was an element of romance in some situations, but I refuse to talk about it here, because, like I said I don't trust myself...
The dialogue in this book was writing goals for me. I loved the interactions between the characters. How real and poignant their back and forth conversations were. Even when they weren't talking, the looks that they gave each other spoke volumes. POV changes were seamless really. Each chapter ended perfectly, keeping you interested. The plot was well thought out, and I felt that the smaller conflicts in the overall book were resolved, and yet the major conflict still had room for development.
Another reviewer compared this book to [book:A Game of Thrones|13496], and though I'm reluctant to agree it does have a Games of Thrones feel, I think it stands on his own merit as well. It has great characters, an interesting plot and premise and it's well written. It is enough to keep me satisfied and that's saying something.
I think as far as sequels go, this one was perfection and I'm really looking forward to reading the third book. I don't think that [author:Morgan Rhodes|5295120] will disappoint me. Then again...I don't trust myself anymore!