lassarina's review against another edition
5.0
Wow I shoved this book into my brain really fast and so much happened and I'm still reeling a little.
Much like its predecessor, it's told in a mix of current events and epistolary-like recounting of the past; this time, it's mostly Shizuka telling Shefali about what happened to her while Shefali was eight years in exile. How did she go from the shining princess to this Empress who is so damaged? In the book we find out; we find out how she came to depose her uncle, and some more of what Shefali found on her long journey, and some of who they are now that they're grown up. Shizuka has grown and changed, not so much that she cannot be recognized, but the years have definitely taken a toll. We're still missing a chunk of time - Shefali's journey in exile, which presumably will make up most of the third book as they try to solve the problem of the Traitor and, well, Shefali's problem - but I'm looking forward to finally getting the third book from the library and finishing the series, even though I already foresee that it's going to tear my heart out, roast it, and eat it in front of me. WOW.
Much like its predecessor, it's told in a mix of current events and epistolary-like recounting of the past; this time, it's mostly Shizuka telling Shefali about what happened to her while Shefali was eight years in exile. How did she go from the shining princess to this Empress who is so damaged? In the book we find out; we find out how she came to depose her uncle, and some more of what Shefali found on her long journey, and some of who they are now that they're grown up. Shizuka has grown and changed, not so much that she cannot be recognized, but the years have definitely taken a toll. We're still missing a chunk of time - Shefali's journey in exile, which presumably will make up most of the third book as they try to solve the problem of the Traitor and, well, Shefali's problem - but I'm looking forward to finally getting the third book from the library and finishing the series, even though I already foresee that it's going to tear my heart out, roast it, and eat it in front of me. WOW.
gv53's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
jarichan's review against another edition
3.0
Der zweite Teil der Trilogie lässt sich deutlich besser lesen als noch Band eins. Dennoch fand ich nicht so recht in die Handlung hinein. Sie ist zu lang gezogen, geht einmal hierhin, dann wieder dahin. Schlussendlich war ich mir nicht mehr sicher, was die Autorin nun eigentlich will. Alles in allem fehlte der Fokus. Hätte die Reihe mehr als drei Teile, hätte ich hier abgebrochen. Aber ein Buch passt wohl noch rein.
spinecorset's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
ilikereadingactually's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
lucaengelhard's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
areaderintime's review against another edition
* DNF @ pg 65 *
This book is just too boring for me to continue with. I don't particularly care about the characters and just don't feel the need to continue with this series...
This book is just too boring for me to continue with. I don't particularly care about the characters and just don't feel the need to continue with this series...
myfavoritefiction's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mj_them's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I wish I knew there were books like this when I was younger.