Reviews

Wow, now I’m sad I have to wait at least another year for the next book. I like the characters, the world building, and the magic system. The plot was engaging. I started this book and could not put it down. It was done in a day. I had tears in my eyes when Uvolar died and Vedira Robilar was a badass. There also seems to be hints of a polyamorous relationship popping up and I’m here for it. I didn’t trust Ovitus from the jump and my suspicions were proven correct. I can’t stand his ass and he is one of those people who takes someone else’s success as a personal attack. It’s crazy, straight up narcissist.

thep's review

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adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

morticia_59's review

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad 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

5.0

mimosaeyes's review

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adventurous dark emotional 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

4.5

This is spectacular. I admit I wasn't blown away by the first book, but this second one has levelled up. The further into the book I got, the more thrilled I felt - by the twists and revelations in the worldbuilding and the magic system, by Raine's growing power, by the possible polyamory situation developing between her, Esher and Sanvaunt. I say "possible" out of caution because it reads that way to me but maybe that's just my wishful thinking?

It's not all good feelings. But the story is delicious even when it gets dark and angsty and Raine is at her worst, because it's all so realistic. She's so damaged and not very able to recognise her own emotions or deal with them, but that's okay and Esher and Sanvaunt are there. I know a book is good when I start yelling about it to friends who haven't a clue what I'm on about, and when I'm torn between flipping the next page and pausing because I don't want it to end. I did both in this case.

I detest Ovitus with every fibre of my being, but I appreciate what a good antagonist he is. In a series that deals with themes about power, gender and violence, he's such an unfortunately plausible character. Guys like him really exist in the world, and that lends even more weight to the conflict. He'd better die terribly, is all I'm saying.

I want to read the third book now. Whines.

pageboi31's review

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adventurous dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

First book of 2024! I thought a fun way to start out the year would be to return to the series that started off my 2023 reading. Traitor of Redwinter was everything I was expecting and more; I knew going in that this book had the potential to easily surpass/ build upon the foundation Daughter of Redwinter, and I would say it definitely has! Raithe has so much more personality and flaws compared to the first book

since she's no longer an emotional zombie

, and her struggle to hide who she is while struggling with her bisexuality made her a much more dynamic character. The first half of the book was a slow burn as it built up towards the climax, and boy was the last third or so of the book crazy! I'm very excited for the third book to come out! Who knows, maybe I'll read it this year or first-thing in 2025 😁.

rojo10000's review

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adventurous dark tense medium-paced

4.0

chromatick's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

This book did not suffer the second book syndrome.

Arguably it's an even better novel than book one. What started out as a somewhat small story in terms of scope, expands quite a bit in book two. We get political maneuvering, great magic, prophecies and dark secrets. It's all really well done.

I really love what McDonald is doing in this series with Scottish Folklore, and the main character is interesting and flawed.

The series itself is drastically different from what he did with his previous trilogy, but I'm very much here for it. Bring on book three.

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