4.53 AVERAGE

challenging dark emotional 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
adventurous dark tense medium-paced
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful mysterious sad medium-paced

This series is elite! 5⭐️, 10/10, would 100% recommend! 

I can’t even fathom words to describe how much I adore this series. I love the characters, their relationships and personalities, the creative writing style, the story/plot is *chefs kiss*! 
I preordered the next book before I was even half way through, November can’t come soon enough!! 
If you’ve not read this, you so should! 

THE CLIFFHANGERS
adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective 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
dark fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Amazing!  Read them in order.  I can't wait for book 3!

Ich hatte nicht erwartet, dass die Fortsetzung an den ersten Band rankommen könnte, aber das ist er. Viel fokussierter und mit mehr Fokus auf die Nebencharaktere ist es ein Epos, der in einfach allen Bereichen genial ist. Herzzreißend, brutal und… habe ich schon herzzreißend gesagt?

(+)
- Durch mehr Perspektiven bekommen auch andere Figuren mehr Fokus
- Welt wird vertieft und erweitert
- Der Spannungsaufbau zum Ende ist genial
- Gabe kämpft mit Blutdurst und Vergangenheit - wird zu einer Lieblingsfigur

(-)
- Brutalität kann fast schon zu viel sein (je nach Leser)

Mein Booktube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWsL1fqbkgjZpzLPsXQYN6Q
Mein Bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nico_fantasy_reviews/
adventurous dark medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix

4.5 stars rounded up because I have read so much dogshit recently this snapped me out of a funk.

I swear, on the first page of the recap (bless, why don't more authors do this??) when Kristoff wrote "gentle reader" I was done. I just love his style, I love the characters, I love the humor, I love how Kristoff makes fun of himself throughout the book by having Jean-Francois make snarky comments about the overly-flowery moments, everything.

So many of my favorites went through some dark stuff here, and the happy moments were few and far between. But I mean, that's real. These characters are in a crap situation, a crap world, and facing crap odds. I like how it feels true to what's happening and the realities of the situation. So many other books will have some big battle, or horrible moment happen, and then as soon as the main characters are alone (usually they are in a relationship - something I also appreciate not happening here) they have this big romantic or heartwarming moment of strength or positivity. But here, not quite. If the characters can get a smile from each other they consider it a win. But it works because the world itself is so gritty and depressing.

The moments of levity here for the reader come from the breaks in the story when we are transported back to the prison. I am surprised at how enjoyable I found these little moments as well. I wasn't frustrated and wanting to get back into things. I was equally intrigued by what was going to happen next in the past and in the present.

I will say that I wanted the two books where Gabriel and Dior were separated to move a bit quicker. Tons of new characters were introduced, and it was hard for me to not feel as though I wanted it to move along and just get to the point where everyone gets back together again. So that's why it lost a few points. But I cannot wait for the next one. I know Kristoff doesn't believe in happy endings, but I do hope that there are some minor wins for at least a few characters that have captured my attention.

adventurous dark 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: Complicated

One of the best books that I have read in a long time.