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elustrabable's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Bree was the absolute downfall of this book. So many times she had SO many chances to actually be useful and make smart decision but instead she let her stubbornness and hot-headedness ruin any semble of a plan and then go on to cry about it like girl... grow a spine??? SO many times her selfish actions willingly put all the characters around her in danger that at many times I did not feel bad for her. It became so repetitive too. She does something selfish, people around her get hurt, she feels bad about, get depressed, and then go back to do it all again. She does not learn and she does not grow as a character at all. Even more frustrating is that she even ACKNOWLEDGES when she messes up!! And she STILL go on to let her emotions and hot temper ruin a situation.
The whole plot for saving Nick too was such a mess. It just kept going back in circles and every time I think they are FINNALY moving forward, they get right back the beginning with nothing being done to advance the plot because Bree got hurt and nearly died. Again. For someone so powerful, I don't think there ever was a time Bree was ever useful in battle. She got tapped so many times and nearly died during all of it it was very frustrating. I felt so bad for William like he trully was the only thing keeping this story together because of his healing ability. The story wouldve ended like 10 different times if it wasn't for Will healing Bree from death.
The romance was atrocious too the whole time I was literally screaming "BREE YOU HAVE A BOYFRIEND!!!" ugh..... Bree downright cheat on Nick but it's all okay because Sel had a crush on Nick when Sel was 14... 🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️🤦🏾♀️ This was not a love triangle, this was Bree cheating on her missing boyfriend with the guy who told her to her face he had planned to kill her in the first book. Absolutely no chemistry between them too just a bunch a "oh look he has a hot body" and "oh no I can't do this im dating Nick"
The ending was just terrible. There was no indications, no hints at all that even remotely showed Bree had any clue or plan of what was going on in the story. Throughout the whole book 90% of it was them running around in circles not getting anywhere and then suddenly in the last pages Bree solves the big mystery and then dissappears. What a let down.
This such a shame too because Tracy is an amazing writer who I immediately fell in love with. She has so much skill and range as a writer especially with the themes she tackles. Sucks her main character is so unbearable in this book.
Moderate: Racism, Slavery, and Forced institutionalization
spicycronereads's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Bree’s story continues to evolve, and we see her grow in confidence, skill, and self-awareness. She struggles with being a Scion but starts to come into her own. Her connection to Selwyn also continues to evolve as they deal with events, with Nick still missing. Nick continues to be the perfect boyfriend, even from captivity.
Many of the things that I loved about the first book continue in this one: Bree dealing with the racial legacy of the order and UNC; the rich diversity of the characters and their relationships, the very cool magic system, and so forth. There were some jaw-dropping moments. And some laugh out loud moments. And some heart-pumping action moments. And some moments I couldn’t keep the tears from falling.
It was great to see Alice become more central to the narrative. There are some charming new characters, like Valechaz. and then there are some really horrible new characters that you want to punch in the face. Looking at you, Erebus.
The plot and storyline are a little bit looser in this one. We have the introduction of new villains with new motivations that kind of dilute the focus a little bit. I found myself confused about what was happening from time to time, and I don’t think that was the author’s intention. I’m hoping that in the next novel things tighten up a bit.
I decided to stop rating chili peppers on books like this that are clearly not meant to be spicy. So I am rating it with hearts instead. There is lots of pining and kissing in this one. Five out of five hearts. 💖💖💖💖💖
Overall it was a great read. 4.25 ⭐️ and 5 💖. I can’t wait for book 3, which I think is not coming until early next year 😭
Graphic: Racism, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Sexual content and Torture
pastelmeganes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
To be frank, one of my main gripes with this installment is that racism is used as an avenue for the narrative constantly yet Bree makes little effort to really indulge in her Black roots. Speaking of that, i think the development of the “Root” magic system wouldve been a great direction for the story to go to flesh out the distinct difference from that of the others. I felt it also couldve allowed for more character growth on Bree and Sel’s part(especially since Sel DID dabble in micro-aggressive behaviors). Near the last act, things started happening very haphazardly.
Some things I enjoyed on this installment were definitely the fleshing out of some of the other characters. I found myself thoroughly enjoying William, Sel and Alice a lot more in this book, specifically Sel. Was Sel problematic and mildly racist in Legendborn? Yeah, but also hmmm the oath really made him “all or nothing” when protecting Nick so for ME he gets a pass. The expansion of the world in this book also kept me enthralled.
Im looking forward to the next book, if I had to root for a couple it would be Sel and Bree but thats because Nick is kinda cringey for me.
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Racism, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Rape
breegoux's review against another edition
- 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
4.75
Graphic: Death and Racism
Moderate: Death of parent
cturn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Racism, Blood, Grief, and Colonisation
Moderate: Rape
magdapuczynska's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Rape
kiwij96's review against another edition
- 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
The friendships, the betrayals, the romance, the plot twists, the community, the grief. Everything was so wonderfully written with a great amount of depth for a story that was so action-packed. I genuinely didn't know what was going to happen next and I just couldn't put it down.
This is a YA that I would also highly recommend to adults.
Graphic: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Gore, Racism, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Colonisation
rachelmay15's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Moderate: Racism and Death of parent
Minor: Rape
lqne's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Confinement, Racism, Slavery, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Rape, Violence, and Death of parent
ashtonfinnie's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Slavery, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, and Gaslighting