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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
The amount of stress I had at the end of this because I thought this series was a duology, it’s not.
The drama!!!! I love it and here for it! The last 1/3 of the book really set up great for the next book I can’t wait for it to be released. But in a true YA book for bidden lovers/lovers triangle you got the good guy who genuinely cares for the main character treats her right after she’s injured his family loves her versus the bad boy who puts her in a lot of not so good situation but he’s hot and she can’t resist him so take a guess which one she picks I can’t wait for the next book I hope Michael gets a chance with his woman because he’s the one that put in the work taking care of her loving her team Grimaldi all the way.
The change in primary narrator threw me slightly for this second book after being so used to Celine’s third person perspective. Having Bastien use a first person narration was unexpected but welcome; it was a nice change of pace for the second book as we got into Bastien’s head and had a closer look inside the Court of Lions.
As I felt with the second book, the ending did feel rushed and I was thrown by the complete change of location that occurred so suddenly half way through this book. Celine and Bastien’s attraction was evident despite her lack of memories and his pain at their separation as well as his new life caused some poor choices. But ultimately, despite the challenges, this book did follow in the first one’s foot steps. As much as I hate to say it, I do enjoy some angst and this book did it well. Luckily, Celine and Bastien do end up together with her memories restored and their love for each other stronger than ever.
I also enjoyed the developing of the mythology as we travel to the Sylvan Vale and discover secrets of Celine’s parentage. I did feel there were some plot holes with this, or at least it felt underdeveloped, and also with Jae’s betrayal. I didn’t feel like it was explained very well so I can only hope it is done so in the next couple. As I said, the ending was slightly blindsiding as Celine’s past came back to haunt her. The third book should be interesting.
As I felt with the second book, the ending did feel rushed and I was thrown by the complete change of location that occurred so suddenly half way through this book. Celine and Bastien’s attraction was evident despite her lack of memories and his pain at their separation as well as his new life caused some poor choices. But ultimately, despite the challenges, this book did follow in the first one’s foot steps. As much as I hate to say it, I do enjoy some angst and this book did it well. Luckily, Celine and Bastien do end up together with her memories restored and their love for each other stronger than ever.
I also enjoyed the developing of the mythology as we travel to the Sylvan Vale and discover secrets of Celine’s parentage. I did feel there were some plot holes with this, or at least it felt underdeveloped, and also with Jae’s betrayal. I didn’t feel like it was explained very well so I can only hope it is done so in the next couple. As I said, the ending was slightly blindsiding as Celine’s past came back to haunt her. The third book should be interesting.
As a big fan of The Beautiful, I went into The Damned expecting to be blown away once again. And, I was. However it took me a while to really get into the story. I felt it was a slow start, with a lot of point of views I didn't care for. Some of them became integral to the plot, and others grew on me.
This was one of those stories where the author drops breadcrumbs throughout the novel without you really knowing or understanding, until it all comes together in one final exciting climax. This book gave me The Vampire Diaries vibes, and I absolutely loved it. There were some fantasy elements that were introduced to the story, more background to the world we were introduced to in the first book, and I found it very fun and exciting, and given to us in a way I wasn't confused or pushed into an unknown world. I'm excited to see more of it and where the tale goes.
My only complaint is that the romance between Celine and Bastien just...is too insta-lovey for me. I didn't feel like their relationship was well developed in The Beautiful, so it was hard to root for them in The Damned.
Overall this was a pleasant surprise and I'm very much invested in continuing this story.
This was one of those stories where the author drops breadcrumbs throughout the novel without you really knowing or understanding, until it all comes together in one final exciting climax. This book gave me The Vampire Diaries vibes, and I absolutely loved it. There were some fantasy elements that were introduced to the story, more background to the world we were introduced to in the first book, and I found it very fun and exciting, and given to us in a way I wasn't confused or pushed into an unknown world. I'm excited to see more of it and where the tale goes.
My only complaint is that the romance between Celine and Bastien just...is too insta-lovey for me. I didn't feel like their relationship was well developed in The Beautiful, so it was hard to root for them in The Damned.
Overall this was a pleasant surprise and I'm very much invested in continuing this story.
Yo, this was a surprising book to me?
I expected this to carry on in the same vein as the first book, following Celine, but girlie pop didn't even show up until page 100. Interestingly enough, this book becomes more Bastien's and details his new "lifestyle" changes. I kind of liked it more, which is what shocks me. There are also more POVs in general, with some of the Lions, Micheal, and a mysterious sister in addition to Celine and Bastien, and that was a refreshing change. It helped avoid the issue the first book had as well of a really slow pace in the beginning.
Ahdieh's writing style is odd. Like, it's funny, because nothing exactly happens in this book. Or at least not a lot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. There's a slight disconnect between the characters and what is happening around them, a lack of emotion that should really bother me ... and yet I cannot put it down. One more chapter, one more chapter—I inhaled 100 pages a day easy because I just really liked being in this world with these characters. Especially the vampires, like Jae and Arjun.
Also, this is me saying I feel so bad for Michael but the boy stands absolutely no chance in this. This is such a *cringe* comparison for obvious reasons but if this was Twilight, dude would be Jacob from start to finish. Never had a shot, no matter how much he was led on.
I expected this to carry on in the same vein as the first book, following Celine, but girlie pop didn't even show up until page 100. Interestingly enough, this book becomes more Bastien's and details his new "lifestyle" changes. I kind of liked it more, which is what shocks me. There are also more POVs in general, with some of the Lions, Micheal, and a mysterious sister in addition to Celine and Bastien, and that was a refreshing change. It helped avoid the issue the first book had as well of a really slow pace in the beginning.
Ahdieh's writing style is odd. Like, it's funny, because nothing exactly happens in this book. Or at least not a lot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. There's a slight disconnect between the characters and what is happening around them, a lack of emotion that should really bother me ... and yet I cannot put it down. One more chapter, one more chapter—I inhaled 100 pages a day easy because I just really liked being in this world with these characters. Especially the vampires, like Jae and Arjun.
Also, this is me saying I feel so bad for Michael but the boy stands absolutely no chance in this. This is such a *cringe* comparison for obvious reasons but if this was Twilight, dude would be Jacob from start to finish. Never had a shot, no matter how much he was led on.
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Just beautiful storytelling
adventurous
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:
Complicated
The pacing didn't feel right. The beginning was slow, with Celine being the main character of book 1 not even showing up in this book until almost 100 pages in. And then the second half moved so fast. I feel like there was a lot of opportunity to split this into 2 books and draw out some of the exploring and traveling as opposed to skipping over it.
ARC received from PenguinTeen through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion!!
The Damned picked up only one day after the events of the Beautiful. Bastien is forever changed and Celine has no knowledge of the supernatural world lurking in New Orleans.
Rene Adieh blew the world open with her introduction of the fey, werewolves, and all other creatures in the Sylvan Wyld and Sylvan Vale. I was so impressed by the growth of the characters, such as Celine and even Bastien, and there were so many moments of laughter and heartbreak. It was a fun read.
The Damned picked up only one day after the events of the Beautiful. Bastien is forever changed and Celine has no knowledge of the supernatural world lurking in New Orleans.
Rene Adieh blew the world open with her introduction of the fey, werewolves, and all other creatures in the Sylvan Wyld and Sylvan Vale. I was so impressed by the growth of the characters, such as Celine and even Bastien, and there were so many moments of laughter and heartbreak. It was a fun read.