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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
I love this series, I love these characters and I love this story.
This book starts off with the first few chapters being a bit of a character and information overload, while jumping from character to character in a new perspective every chapter. I LOVED the new perspectives given to us and I was so excited to see those other characters stories unfold, sadly it did not last.
I think that is the only reason I can’t give this 5 stars, it was like teasing me at the beginning with a story that could have been the most amazing thing ever, but then taking it away and going back to focusing on only 1 or 2 characters. I wanted to know what was happening with those characters more than anything and was not obliged. So it’s like I know what I’m missing- what could have been with this story.
The ending chapters again return to a point of multiple perspectives and say how those characters are faring but I’m upset that I didn’t get to read about it.
The only other fault I can give this book is that it’s so romance heavy.
Trust me I like a little spice to my story but goodness, it was never ending sometimes, especially when it’s just continually between the same two people. This is when it would have been amazing if the story was focusing on more than just 2 people so we could get a break from the romance. (This also contains like borderline adult romance, if not just adult. It’s definitely spicy sometimes.)
BUT guess who gets a backbone in this book? REN!!!!
Even with its faults this book was still an amazing installment in this series- character and world building continues to amaze me and my heart was ripped out and replaced to just be ripped out again multiple times throughout. I’m completely invested in this story and cannot wait to get more of it.
*I received an arc of this in exchange for a review from Edelweiss*
This book starts off with the first few chapters being a bit of a character and information overload, while jumping from character to character in a new perspective every chapter. I LOVED the new perspectives given to us and I was so excited to see those other characters stories unfold, sadly it did not last.
I think that is the only reason I can’t give this 5 stars, it was like teasing me at the beginning with a story that could have been the most amazing thing ever, but then taking it away and going back to focusing on only 1 or 2 characters. I wanted to know what was happening with those characters more than anything and was not obliged. So it’s like I know what I’m missing- what could have been with this story.
The ending chapters again return to a point of multiple perspectives and say how those characters are faring but I’m upset that I didn’t get to read about it.
The only other fault I can give this book is that it’s so romance heavy.
Trust me I like a little spice to my story but goodness, it was never ending sometimes, especially when it’s just continually between the same two people. This is when it would have been amazing if the story was focusing on more than just 2 people so we could get a break from the romance. (This also contains like borderline adult romance, if not just adult. It’s definitely spicy sometimes.)
BUT guess who gets a backbone in this book? REN!!!!
Even with its faults this book was still an amazing installment in this series- character and world building continues to amaze me and my heart was ripped out and replaced to just be ripped out again multiple times throughout. I’m completely invested in this story and cannot wait to get more of it.
*I received an arc of this in exchange for a review from Edelweiss*
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
It is feeling very predictable and rushes way too quickly through some bits, leaving for some really
anticlimactic resolutions. There are also some super
convenient mechanics in the magic system...
I appreciate the detail in the magic though, as well as the nuanced conflict and actual consequences for their actions. I've been missing that in a lot of books lately.
Also if Laurie Forest says "the frets of a violin" one more time I might spontaneously combust.
anticlimactic resolutions. There are also some super
convenient mechanics in the magic system...
I appreciate the detail in the magic though, as well as the nuanced conflict and actual consequences for their actions. I've been missing that in a lot of books lately.
Also if Laurie Forest says "the frets of a violin" one more time I might spontaneously combust.
3.25 stars. In comparison to the other novels in this series, “The Shadow Wand” was kind of boring. Because there was so much downtime and waiting involved in the narrative, the plot moved like molasses, and it never felt like anything was happening.
I’m also not sure how I feel about the perspective change that occurred at the beginning and end of the novel - going from a single POV to multiple was slightly jarring, considering the numerous new characters that were introduced, and at first, I found it hard to keep track of everyone. But as soon as I was getting used to this change, the multiple POVs stopped and were replaced with just Elloren’s perspective. I felt like the structure of the novel was pretty messy and could have used more editing, because it felt like there was no rhyme or reason for this decision.
In addition, many of the characters that were so prominent in the first two books (like Diana, Rafe, and Jarod) were either completely erased, barely mentioned, or were replaced by POVs that I didn’t particularly care for. For example, Diana Ulrich - one of my favorite characters from the early novels - ceased to exist in this one.
The one saving grace of this story was Lukas. I love a morally grey love interest, and the changes we got to see from him throughout this novel were beautiful. I especially loved the scenes of him, Valasca, and Chi Nam working together to help build Elloren’s strength for the upcoming battle against Vogel.
I loved the first two stories in this series, but this one was just okay. I don’t think I will be continuing with the next installment because I’ve read many reviews and it seems as though the series takes a turn many people (including me) did not/would not like. And I was majorly spoiled by a plot element — that one of my favorite characters dies in the next one — so I’m not going to waste my time.
I’m also not sure how I feel about the perspective change that occurred at the beginning and end of the novel - going from a single POV to multiple was slightly jarring, considering the numerous new characters that were introduced, and at first, I found it hard to keep track of everyone. But as soon as I was getting used to this change, the multiple POVs stopped and were replaced with just Elloren’s perspective. I felt like the structure of the novel was pretty messy and could have used more editing, because it felt like there was no rhyme or reason for this decision.
In addition, many of the characters that were so prominent in the first two books (like Diana, Rafe, and Jarod) were either completely erased, barely mentioned, or were replaced by POVs that I didn’t particularly care for. For example, Diana Ulrich - one of my favorite characters from the early novels - ceased to exist in this one.
The one saving grace of this story was Lukas. I love a morally grey love interest, and the changes we got to see from him throughout this novel were beautiful. I especially loved the scenes of him, Valasca, and Chi Nam working together to help build Elloren’s strength for the upcoming battle against Vogel.
I loved the first two stories in this series, but this one was just okay. I don’t think I will be continuing with the next installment because I’ve read many reviews and it seems as though the series takes a turn many people (including me) did not/would not like. And I was majorly spoiled by a plot element — that one of my favorite characters dies in the next one — so I’m not going to waste my time.
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:
Complicated
adventurous
slow-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
Compared to the other two books, I really didn’t like the very slow pace of the book. It felt like almost nothing happened. I missed a lot of the characters. Honestly hoping for the fourth one to be better again.
The ending was honestly very expectable.
The ending was honestly very expectable.
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really liked the beginning of the book with the multiple povs and interesting world building + character development, but then as the writing focused solely on the MC’s story I got a bit bored and frustrated (she’s quite repetitive and can be annoying) while still mostly enjoying its (somewhat predictable) storyline. Also, the whole rapid and dramatic switching of love interests is quite ridiculous and soap-opera-like. Both guys are quite hot though so there’s that.
I am still planning on finishing this series but I’m liking it less than I hoped :( (I really liked the first book)
I am still planning on finishing this series but I’m liking it less than I hoped :( (I really liked the first book)
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I absolutely loved the first two books in the series. This one fell a bit short for me. Still very entertaining and moved the story along (even if slowly). In the previous two books we are surrounded by a group of Elloren’s friends and we really get to know these friends. Most of them are completely absent from this book and the few who are present have very limited chapters and development. I found that I missed these supporting characters quite a bit.
<spoiler below>
I was spoiled going into this book. I knew Lukas would play a big role after Yvan’s “death” and WAS NOT excited about it. However Lukas really won me over and I found myself questioning which of these men I wanted her to end up with.
<spoiler below>
I was spoiled going into this book. I knew Lukas would play a big role after Yvan’s “death” and WAS NOT excited about it. However Lukas really won me over and I found myself questioning which of these men I wanted her to end up with.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence