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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
I have loved you in both my lives. I will love you in all the rest to come.”
This book picks up at the ending of The Beautiful. Bastien has been turned into a Vampire and Celine has lost all memory of him. When the Brotherhood learn another Vampire has been created, something that goes against the treaty all hell breaks loose. Not only does Bastien have a city of Werewolves after him to deal with, but Celine is remembering things that shouldn’t be possible and as more and more of her memories come to the surface, so does something about her past. Something unthinkable, something that she’s not sure she wants. Especially when she learns it could be the one thing to truly keep her and Bastien apart.
Though this is obviously Celine and Bastiens book, the author gives us a multitude of perspectives to read from. We learn more about the History of the Court of Lions and the backstories of it’s members, as well as the story behind how Emilie, Bastiens sister, came to become a Werewolf and her reasoning for her actions. This added a whole extra depth to the story, making all the side characters come to life and ensuring you fall a little in love with every single one. Bastien spends the majority of the book coming to terms with the fact he is now one of the Fallen, a life he never envisioned for himself and certainly never asked for. The worst thing about it though, is that he feels like he no longer deserves Celine, and staying away from her may be the hardest thing he has ever had to do. Celine is sure the people around her are lying to her. She has flashes of memories and nightmares about a faceless boy dying in her arms, but between her best friend Pippa, and saviour Micheal she is kept busy enough to try and keep those memories at bay. They both have an awful lot of character growth in this book, filled with revelations about their pasts and their undecided future.
This book was well paced, with no chance of it falling into second book syndrome. Though, in the grand scheme of things, not a lot happens until nearer the end the author builds the story by giving us the history of, not just the characters, but the magical world in general. We get introduced to a whole host of other magical beings, some of which play a massive part in the general plot. We learn how Vampires and Werewolves were exiled from their world and left to survive in the mortal one we know and love, and how that exile formed the resentment that still holds today between the Fallen and the Brotherhood.
The authors writing style is delicious. Inviting you to take bit after bite with an ending that leaves you hungry for more. Lush and rich I could almost taste the words on my tongue, and this is one of my main reasons for loving the book. Her descriptive writing brings New Orleans to life, with the smells and sights as well as the snippets of French, you easily fin yourself transported to a world, I for one, did not want to come back from.
As with most of the authors works the romance plays a large part in the story line, and boy was this book filled with steamy moments, heated glances and lingering touches. We already know the depth of the characters feelings for one another, but seeing Celine regain her memory bit by bit, knowing that she feels something for this boy but not sure what it is. Seeing Bastien struggle to keep his promise and keep his distance from Celine, even when he see’s her with his mortal enemy. The romance is all kinds of tortured and I am so here for it.
Like the first book we get an ending that had me write knuckled, on the edge of my seat and desperately wishing that book 3 was out sooner than it is. We are left with a multitude of questions, as well as heartbreak and the desperate hope that everything will turn out alright, but I know how much this author likes torturing her readers so I’m not holding out much hope. All in all I enjoyed this book more than the first and am eagerly awaiting the final book in the series.
This book picks up at the ending of The Beautiful. Bastien has been turned into a Vampire and Celine has lost all memory of him. When the Brotherhood learn another Vampire has been created, something that goes against the treaty all hell breaks loose. Not only does Bastien have a city of Werewolves after him to deal with, but Celine is remembering things that shouldn’t be possible and as more and more of her memories come to the surface, so does something about her past. Something unthinkable, something that she’s not sure she wants. Especially when she learns it could be the one thing to truly keep her and Bastien apart.
Though this is obviously Celine and Bastiens book, the author gives us a multitude of perspectives to read from. We learn more about the History of the Court of Lions and the backstories of it’s members, as well as the story behind how Emilie, Bastiens sister, came to become a Werewolf and her reasoning for her actions. This added a whole extra depth to the story, making all the side characters come to life and ensuring you fall a little in love with every single one. Bastien spends the majority of the book coming to terms with the fact he is now one of the Fallen, a life he never envisioned for himself and certainly never asked for. The worst thing about it though, is that he feels like he no longer deserves Celine, and staying away from her may be the hardest thing he has ever had to do. Celine is sure the people around her are lying to her. She has flashes of memories and nightmares about a faceless boy dying in her arms, but between her best friend Pippa, and saviour Micheal she is kept busy enough to try and keep those memories at bay. They both have an awful lot of character growth in this book, filled with revelations about their pasts and their undecided future.
This book was well paced, with no chance of it falling into second book syndrome. Though, in the grand scheme of things, not a lot happens until nearer the end the author builds the story by giving us the history of, not just the characters, but the magical world in general. We get introduced to a whole host of other magical beings, some of which play a massive part in the general plot. We learn how Vampires and Werewolves were exiled from their world and left to survive in the mortal one we know and love, and how that exile formed the resentment that still holds today between the Fallen and the Brotherhood.
The authors writing style is delicious. Inviting you to take bit after bite with an ending that leaves you hungry for more. Lush and rich I could almost taste the words on my tongue, and this is one of my main reasons for loving the book. Her descriptive writing brings New Orleans to life, with the smells and sights as well as the snippets of French, you easily fin yourself transported to a world, I for one, did not want to come back from.
As with most of the authors works the romance plays a large part in the story line, and boy was this book filled with steamy moments, heated glances and lingering touches. We already know the depth of the characters feelings for one another, but seeing Celine regain her memory bit by bit, knowing that she feels something for this boy but not sure what it is. Seeing Bastien struggle to keep his promise and keep his distance from Celine, even when he see’s her with his mortal enemy. The romance is all kinds of tortured and I am so here for it.
Like the first book we get an ending that had me write knuckled, on the edge of my seat and desperately wishing that book 3 was out sooner than it is. We are left with a multitude of questions, as well as heartbreak and the desperate hope that everything will turn out alright, but I know how much this author likes torturing her readers so I’m not holding out much hope. All in all I enjoyed this book more than the first and am eagerly awaiting the final book in the series.
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
CLAWING AT THE WALLS OF MY ENCLOSURE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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:
Yes
You can find this review of The Damned on my blog, Heart's Content!
Received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from the publisher, Hodder and Stoughton, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
One of the most prominent things I can say about Renée Ahdieh's writing is that it is very consistent. When I had gone back to check out my review for The Beautiful, just to give myself a quick brush up (because of course I didn't take notes, being super confident about my memory), I had made some remarks on Renée's work and I can say surely after reading The Damned, I stand by those very same remarks. Renée's writing has that steady flow to it that cannot be missed; but when you see past it to how poignant the words are, you're rather enthralled by them.
I must admit, for the first time, my memory failed me and I had forgotten quite a bit of what had happened in The Beautiful and I'm not sure why, so I would definitely recommend a re-read so that you can feel what you're meant to as this book starts.
Sébastien Saint Germain is a man on a mission, but is it one of self-destruction or self-discovery? He has now all the things within the reach of his fingers, but he likes none of it. He struggles with his situation and I definitely enjoyed the slow transformation of the boy into a man. Celine too had her own growth, though hers was very restricted to her situation and for whatever reason, I was not as attached to her and Sébastien as I was in the first book. But not in a bad way at all, more so in a way that supports the new way that book was unfolding.
This book has multiple POVs, which gives you such a broad understanding of the characters, their greyness, their past, present and all the little foreshadowing that is being done. The book has so very many little twists and turns and each character comes to their own and you have this warmth and love you feel for every single one of them and not just for the protagonists. There's a wonderful moment of foreshadowing of literally the whole book in a certain point of the story (I keep secrets. I am intriguing.) that you don't think to keep in mind, but as the book progresses you start seeing it all stitch itself together and you're just sitting there wide-eyed.
Four and a half stars! You may only struggle with the writing because it is descriptive and at a very steady pace that makes it feel slow, but just keep at it and you'll find yourself swept into the little moments of insight and the nuances of what Renée is trying to say which endears you to the book very much.
Received an Advanced Reader’s Copy from the publisher, Hodder and Stoughton, via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
One of the most prominent things I can say about Renée Ahdieh's writing is that it is very consistent. When I had gone back to check out my review for The Beautiful, just to give myself a quick brush up (because of course I didn't take notes, being super confident about my memory), I had made some remarks on Renée's work and I can say surely after reading The Damned, I stand by those very same remarks. Renée's writing has that steady flow to it that cannot be missed; but when you see past it to how poignant the words are, you're rather enthralled by them.
I must admit, for the first time, my memory failed me and I had forgotten quite a bit of what had happened in The Beautiful and I'm not sure why, so I would definitely recommend a re-read so that you can feel what you're meant to as this book starts.
Sébastien Saint Germain is a man on a mission, but is it one of self-destruction or self-discovery? He has now all the things within the reach of his fingers, but he likes none of it. He struggles with his situation and I definitely enjoyed the slow transformation of the boy into a man. Celine too had her own growth, though hers was very restricted to her situation and for whatever reason, I was not as attached to her and Sébastien as I was in the first book. But not in a bad way at all, more so in a way that supports the new way that book was unfolding.
This book has multiple POVs, which gives you such a broad understanding of the characters, their greyness, their past, present and all the little foreshadowing that is being done. The book has so very many little twists and turns and each character comes to their own and you have this warmth and love you feel for every single one of them and not just for the protagonists. There's a wonderful moment of foreshadowing of literally the whole book in a certain point of the story (I keep secrets. I am intriguing.) that you don't think to keep in mind, but as the book progresses you start seeing it all stitch itself together and you're just sitting there wide-eyed.
Four and a half stars! You may only struggle with the writing because it is descriptive and at a very steady pace that makes it feel slow, but just keep at it and you'll find yourself swept into the little moments of insight and the nuances of what Renée is trying to say which endears you to the book very much.
I’m so surprised at how much I grew to love this series. Originally, I was excited to read it but the first third of the first book was very boring in my opinion. I put the book down and then picked it up a year later. I was reluctant to read it but I ended up loving the characters, the world, and the plot so much. This sequel is still very amazing. The plot didn’t seem to slow down but I liked that because I always felt like I was reading something important. I cannot wait for the third book.
adventurous
dark
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:
Yes
I will say, I did love the world building in this book that was missing from book #1. It was so fun to see the different worlds and be introduced to new creatures. Not to mention, finally giving us some vampire fun. The only thing missing for me was the romance! I love the tension, but eventually that tension needs to break otherwise it gets tiring. Nonetheless I am very excited for #3!
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes