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3.43 AVERAGE
3.43 AVERAGE
Okay, let's talk about this book!
The first third was kind of meh, the second third intriguing but still kind of meh, but then the final third practically gave me WHIPLASH in a fun, screaming-to-myself way!
(Mild spoilers ahead, read at your own risk.)
The highlights:
- Serefin, mostly. Once the story makes it back to Tranavia, things started to pick up for me. Serefin is stumbling into a filicide murder plot and the court intrigue of Tranavia was delicious and entertaining enough to keep me going. Really, once the entire cast of characters is in Tranavia, the story really picks up. Obviously they had to journey to get there, but the journey didn't really give anything to the story except the chemistry between Nadya and Malachiasz. Which was necessary, but felt weak in comparison to the rest of the story.
- The magic system is so INTERESTING. I'm still working out the ties between the gods (or whatever they actually are) and the blood magic. But it was cool, and lead to some really intense imagery that accompanied all the magic.
- The chemistry between Nadya and Malachiasz WAS good, despite finding all that lead-up dull. And I'm so intrigued to see how the relationship plays out over the course of the trilogy. Can she save him? Can he be redeemed? There's definitely a set-up for some interesting plot lines here!
The lowlights:
- Like I said above, the beginning and the journey was weak.
- I kind of find Nadya... boring. The book design makes it seem like she's going to be SUPER POWERFUL and AWE-INSPIRING and, like, maybe she is to Malachiasz because he has PLANS. But to me, a reader? She was dull and not that different from your classic dystopian protagonist. I think she has potential to be really interesting, but honestly I suffered a lot reading from her perspective because I never really got into it or enjoyed it until she was surrounded by other characters and interacting with them.
Also, this is more of a comment, but there were two series I totally got the vibes of while reading this: Twilight and Shadow & Bone (Grishaverse, really). The Bardugo influence makes sense, especially reading Duncan's acknowledgments. It shows mostly in her characters; Serefin is your Nikolai, Malachiasz your Darkling, Nadya your Alina. And the series is setting itself up for the introduction of other characters to complete a group, kind of like what Grishaverse falls into in all the books. And the Twilight vibes are just because of that intense chemistry between Nadya and Malachiasz reminds me of Edward and Bella, and I'm not upset about it!
The first third was kind of meh, the second third intriguing but still kind of meh, but then the final third practically gave me WHIPLASH in a fun, screaming-to-myself way!
(Mild spoilers ahead, read at your own risk.)
The highlights:
- Serefin, mostly. Once the story makes it back to Tranavia, things started to pick up for me. Serefin is stumbling into a filicide murder plot and the court intrigue of Tranavia was delicious and entertaining enough to keep me going. Really, once the entire cast of characters is in Tranavia, the story really picks up. Obviously they had to journey to get there, but the journey didn't really give anything to the story except the chemistry between Nadya and Malachiasz. Which was necessary, but felt weak in comparison to the rest of the story.
- The magic system is so INTERESTING. I'm still working out the ties between the gods (or whatever they actually are) and the blood magic. But it was cool, and lead to some really intense imagery that accompanied all the magic.
- The chemistry between Nadya and Malachiasz WAS good, despite finding all that lead-up dull. And I'm so intrigued to see how the relationship plays out over the course of the trilogy. Can she save him? Can he be redeemed? There's definitely a set-up for some interesting plot lines here!
The lowlights:
- Like I said above, the beginning and the journey was weak.
- I kind of find Nadya... boring. The book design makes it seem like she's going to be SUPER POWERFUL and AWE-INSPIRING and, like, maybe she is to Malachiasz because he has PLANS. But to me, a reader? She was dull and not that different from your classic dystopian protagonist. I think she has potential to be really interesting, but honestly I suffered a lot reading from her perspective because I never really got into it or enjoyed it until she was surrounded by other characters and interacting with them.
Also, this is more of a comment, but there were two series I totally got the vibes of while reading this: Twilight and Shadow & Bone (Grishaverse, really). The Bardugo influence makes sense, especially reading Duncan's acknowledgments. It shows mostly in her characters; Serefin is your Nikolai, Malachiasz your Darkling, Nadya your Alina. And the series is setting itself up for the introduction of other characters to complete a group, kind of like what Grishaverse falls into in all the books. And the Twilight vibes are just because of that intense chemistry between Nadya and Malachiasz reminds me of Edward and Bella, and I'm not upset about it!
I really liked this book. Great world building, but the plot moved a bit too quickly.
Such an incredibly delightful and refreshing tale from a culture that I feel is quite under-represented in modern fantasy literature.
By presenting alternating chapters (mostly) from opposite sides of the long conflict presented in this wonderful story, Ms. Duncan humanizes the struggle of both of the young primary protagonists and sets up for one hell of a denouement. I cannot wait to devour the second one!
By presenting alternating chapters (mostly) from opposite sides of the long conflict presented in this wonderful story, Ms. Duncan humanizes the struggle of both of the young primary protagonists and sets up for one hell of a denouement. I cannot wait to devour the second one!
“Some gods demand blood.”
I was so pleasantly surprised with how much I ended up enjoying this book. I loved the synopsis, but that doesn’t always equal me actually clicking with something. Thankfully, this was very much my type of story!
Wicked Saints is drenched in mythology, written in a beautifully lush, atmospheric way, packed full of interesting characters I was immediately attached to, and the story itself had me totally hooked from beginning to end.
And that ending... so angsty and dark, I can’t wait to see what the next book will hold. An awesome bonus for me was to find out in the acknowledgements that Malachiasz is inspired in part by Kylo Ren, like what!? Pure brilliance!
Read this book if you like monster romance, enemies to lovers, and absolutely if you liked the Darkling. I, for one, will be looking out for whatever Duncan writes in the future.
I was so pleasantly surprised with how much I ended up enjoying this book. I loved the synopsis, but that doesn’t always equal me actually clicking with something. Thankfully, this was very much my type of story!
Wicked Saints is drenched in mythology, written in a beautifully lush, atmospheric way, packed full of interesting characters I was immediately attached to, and the story itself had me totally hooked from beginning to end.
And that ending... so angsty and dark, I can’t wait to see what the next book will hold. An awesome bonus for me was to find out in the acknowledgements that Malachiasz is inspired in part by Kylo Ren, like what!? Pure brilliance!
Read this book if you like monster romance, enemies to lovers, and absolutely if you liked the Darkling. I, for one, will be looking out for whatever Duncan writes in the future.
It was hard for me to keep track of the things happening in Wicked Saints. It wasn't until the last half of the book that I was able to remember who was who because since I listened to the audiobook, I don't know how to spell any of the names so I struggled to recognize them. But I enjoyed the story, it was definitely intriguing enough to keep my attention. Although I could see how the story was going, I could see the signs of the villain from a mile away. I actually came across this book on booktok and decided to give it a chance, I'm not sure if I like it enough to continue it but I'm wondering how it ends all the same.
This book is one that I both enjoyed and found frustrating. The ideas it has for the plot, characters, and setting were right up my alley and were amazing. They kept me engaged and reading page after page. Divinity versus blood magic, the idea of freedom versus religious duty, forbidden attraction (though the romance did feel a little rushed and flat), and the awesome horror elements - these were the elements that make me absolutely giddy. Especially the horror. There was a moment early on in the book (which I will not go into detail about, for the sake of spoilers) that gave me chills while I grinned madly and then read two more times. I only wish there had been more moments like that one throughout the book (which would have happened had the novel's pacing allowed the magic system, action, and setting to breathe and really shine more).
The execution of these ideas, however, was where I became frustrated. There was a lot left to be desired in the craft itself. There were times that the pacing of action sequences was off (the pacing of the book in general was also off) and moments when the register, especially in dialogue, dropped me out of the fantastic setting. There were also moments when I became lost in what was happening due to how that particular section was written. The characters were rather one dimensional and there wasn't a lot of depth to their development.
Overall, awesome premise, lackluster delivery, tons of potential, not a lot of payout.
The execution of these ideas, however, was where I became frustrated. There was a lot left to be desired in the craft itself. There were times that the pacing of action sequences was off (the pacing of the book in general was also off) and moments when the register, especially in dialogue, dropped me out of the fantastic setting. There were also moments when I became lost in what was happening due to how that particular section was written. The characters were rather one dimensional and there wasn't a lot of depth to their development.
Overall, awesome premise, lackluster delivery, tons of potential, not a lot of payout.
Fast passed, utterly riveting, couldn't put it down. This was such a fun read. On to the next one.
I dont know if I'm I too sensitive or what but this book hit my like a train.
2ND READ: 2/4/21 Still a stunning read...
2ND READ: 2/4/21 Still a stunning read...
After reading the reviews I was a bit skeptical about this book, but I enjoyed the story and the characters and thought it was an interesting read. Interesting enough that every spare moment I had I was reading it. I am looking forward to the next book.