Reviews

The Ever Cruel Kingdom by Rin Chupeco

jerseygrrrl's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

highleyginger's review against another edition

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adventurous dark mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.75

fableharted's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

5.0

readingsitaaras's review against another edition

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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? N/A

4.25

What a series!

As in the first book, the characters absolutely slayed. I loved seeing the main four's relationships with each other develop, but also their relationships with other characters too, like the twins and their mothers. The plot was also very intricate, to the point that I'd sometimes get a little confused with what's going on, but not to the point of hindering my enjoyment of the book. The book's pacing, however, was noticeably slow, and I wished it picked up a little earlier than it did. But again, it didn't stop me from having a good time.

Most importantly, THAT ENDING! I loved the ending so much, as painful as it was. It was perfectly in line with the themes of the series and well set up so that it didn't just hit you out of nowhere. Like the whole series talks about putting in the work, sacrificing luxuries for the sake of the many vs takin the easy way out, and I'm glad to see that philosophy embodied with the ending.
To just have the mothers die and all be well afterwards wouldn't have hit the same -- the twins needed to put in the work as well.


Side note: Arjun is the best character and him and Haidee are leagues above everyone else  <3

ella__carroll's review

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4.0

4.5 stars. I was pleasantly confused by this book and I just love the world building and characters SO much. My only issue was that the ending felt like a continuous stream of “ah ha” moments which were directly explained to the reader. The first book in this duology remains my favorite (think mad max + studio ghibli vibes), but this book retained the unique flavor of the first and I still loved it very much.

faehistory's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

sleepysamreads's review against another edition

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4.0

I came to love these characters so much

kerriw's review against another edition

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3.5

I was so frustrated by this book. 

1) we’re gonna use the same trope twice? The fake death trope once is fine. But two books in a row? For the same character?!? Come on. 

2) I reread the last several chapters multiple times and still could not find why the ending was the way it was. Why are the twins taking turns in this place? Did I completely miss it? 

Anyway. The first book had some really interesting moments but this one was just annoying.

_mercury_'s review against another edition

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2.0

I have a curse of always picking new books that are either the second, third, or forth book in a series. Nice enough book, but I didn't get it cause I never read any of the previous.

spicedragon's review against another edition

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3.0

3/5

I felt like.... there was so much going on... while there was nothing going on at the same time?

Feels like a lot of what was supposed to be monumental discoveries was bogged down by, so much... doing nothing and just random talk that it just fell short. Still enjoyed it tho!