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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
dark
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:
No
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"Bastien held her. He did not offer words of affection or promises to make the sun shine on her always. It was as if he knew what she needed. A place to feel safe. A place to call home. A place to be herself."
This was...not good. I didn't have super high expectations, but this was all over the place in so many ways.
Celine Rousseau has had her memories erased of the night she almost died, but Bastien and the rest of the Lions know exactly what happened: betrayal. And now that Bastien is a blood drinker, he has to stay away from Celine, no matter what, to keep her safe. He would do anything to be unmade, for a chance to be human once more, but the politics of the supernatural worlds and how they collide will challenge him at every turn.
I don't really even know where to start with this one. I did enjoy The Beautiful, quite a lot in fact; I found it harkened back to the Anne Rice vampire stories of my childhood and really nailed that lush, 1800's-New Orleans vibe. All I wanted really was more of that - more steamy scenes, more intriguing characters, more New Orleans fun - and I got none of it.
The first issue I have here is the perspectives. We get chapters from almost every single character's perspective, and boy, did that throw me at first. I had to remember who everyone was, why I cared, and then figure out how all the puzzle pieces fit together in this new story. But it removed all sense of mystery from the narrative. I never wondered what was going on once, because it was always just pre-explained. The drive of the story was completely zapped out of it all.
And on that note, the way that those perspectives are written is jarring. Everyone is in third person past tense, except Bastien. Why? Why switch not only to first person but also to present tense? I strongly disliked his chapters every time they cropped up because it was like reading a different book. It felt like this point got lost in the editing process, or I just don't understand why this choice was made.
Next, the pacing. Holy god was this inconsistent. The beginning feels like a leisurely stroll through the minds of these characters as they deal with the aftermath of Nigel's betrayal, but then, suddenly, shit starts flying - and then stops. And then we're going to different worlds, and nothing ultimately happens in those worlds, and then we're back for a rushed ending that does, admittedly, feel more like the first book.
I'm sorry, but what???
I've ranted a lot already, but I'll just make a final point of saying that there are too many supernatural creatures at play here. I signed up for a vampire novel/series, and sure, werewolves can factor in - those two always seem to balance each other out, and I'm here for it. But introducing fey, ethereals, goblins, other immortals...it was too much, and absolutely not what I read this series for.
This book misses the mark in almost every way. I have been disappointed by a few of my go-to authors recently, and this is definitely one of those cases. I enjoy the way Renee writes, how evocative her words are and how lush and beautiful her world-building can be, but this...this didn't work.
This was...not good. I didn't have super high expectations, but this was all over the place in so many ways.
Celine Rousseau has had her memories erased of the night she almost died, but Bastien and the rest of the Lions know exactly what happened: betrayal. And now that Bastien is a blood drinker, he has to stay away from Celine, no matter what, to keep her safe. He would do anything to be unmade, for a chance to be human once more, but the politics of the supernatural worlds and how they collide will challenge him at every turn.
I don't really even know where to start with this one. I did enjoy The Beautiful, quite a lot in fact; I found it harkened back to the Anne Rice vampire stories of my childhood and really nailed that lush, 1800's-New Orleans vibe. All I wanted really was more of that - more steamy scenes, more intriguing characters, more New Orleans fun - and I got none of it.
The first issue I have here is the perspectives. We get chapters from almost every single character's perspective, and boy, did that throw me at first. I had to remember who everyone was, why I cared, and then figure out how all the puzzle pieces fit together in this new story. But it removed all sense of mystery from the narrative. I never wondered what was going on once, because it was always just pre-explained. The drive of the story was completely zapped out of it all.
And on that note, the way that those perspectives are written is jarring. Everyone is in third person past tense, except Bastien. Why? Why switch not only to first person but also to present tense? I strongly disliked his chapters every time they cropped up because it was like reading a different book. It felt like this point got lost in the editing process, or I just don't understand why this choice was made.
Next, the pacing. Holy god was this inconsistent. The beginning feels like a leisurely stroll through the minds of these characters as they deal with the aftermath of Nigel's betrayal, but then, suddenly, shit starts flying - and then stops. And then we're going to different worlds, and nothing ultimately happens in those worlds, and then we're back for a rushed ending that does, admittedly, feel more like the first book.
I'm sorry, but what???
I've ranted a lot already, but I'll just make a final point of saying that there are too many supernatural creatures at play here. I signed up for a vampire novel/series, and sure, werewolves can factor in - those two always seem to balance each other out, and I'm here for it. But introducing fey, ethereals, goblins, other immortals...it was too much, and absolutely not what I read this series for.
This book misses the mark in almost every way. I have been disappointed by a few of my go-to authors recently, and this is definitely one of those cases. I enjoy the way Renee writes, how evocative her words are and how lush and beautiful her world-building can be, but this...this didn't work.
I am so incredibly surprised and glad to have happened upon this series. Renee has outdone herself with this second installment. I am hooked and I can’t wait for the third book! My inner twilight fan girl is beaming with satisfaction!
The story and character development was exactly what I was hoping for as the story continued from right where it left off with the first.
The story and character development was exactly what I was hoping for as the story continued from right where it left off with the first.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
3/5 ⭐️’s for this one!
For me, this one wasn’t a exciting as the first book. Wasn’t the biggest fan of one particular point of view in this book. With this being the second book in The Quartet series, a lot of the story was centered around Sebastian’s self loathing. For me it was getting just a little repetitive at some parts. Overall I’d say it was a decent book with some good plot twists in the mix.
I ordered the third book in this series, The Righteous. It’ll be here tomorrow! Starting on that as soon as I get it. Hopefully the third book will be a little better. I’d still say it’s a good read!
For me, this one wasn’t a exciting as the first book. Wasn’t the biggest fan of one particular point of view in this book. With this being the second book in The Quartet series, a lot of the story was centered around Sebastian’s self loathing. For me it was getting just a little repetitive at some parts. Overall I’d say it was a decent book with some good plot twists in the mix.
I ordered the third book in this series, The Righteous. It’ll be here tomorrow! Starting on that as soon as I get it. Hopefully the third book will be a little better. I’d still say it’s a good read!
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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
Fans of Renée Ahdieh’s The Beautiful don’t have to wait any longer! The second installment in the series, entitled The Damned, is out today and takes fans back into the supernatural world that hides beneath the surface of New Orleans, Louisiana.
This sequel provided a more varied look at the story and, while it picked up where The Beautiful left off, diverted in terms of where I thought the plotline was going to go. The multiple POVs allowed for more secrets to be revealed and really helps the reader get enveloped in the story a bit more. However, I was hoping for a bit more in the forbidden romance side of this book, but instead got more fantasy in the form of a lot more mythology and politics.
The first half of the novel really focuses on Bastien and how he grapples with his new lease on life however the second half suddenly shifts into more of an attempt to build a fantasy world beyond New Orleans. And whatever turn you think this story is going to take: think again. Plot twist after plot twist occurs and Celine, Bastien, and The Court of Lions find themselves involved in more trouble than initially seems possible.
Fair warning: there is a LOT that happens in this novel, so beware of an information overload as the supernatural world gets explored a bit more. Readers learn more about the Sylvan Vale, Sylvan Wyld, The Brotherhood, and other creatures that stay hidden from the eyes of mortals. Hopefully, a third book will be planned and released soon, because Ahdieh leaves us with even more questions than answers at the end of this book!
While I enjoyed the second installment in the series, it seems like Ahdieh wanted to use this book as a jumping point for a possible third book and introduce new plotlines instead of developing the ones already put in place. I look forward to seeing what will happen next to Celine, Bastien, and everyone else as things start to shift in their world.
*I received an ARC from PenguinTeen in exchange for my honest opinion.
This sequel provided a more varied look at the story and, while it picked up where The Beautiful left off, diverted in terms of where I thought the plotline was going to go. The multiple POVs allowed for more secrets to be revealed and really helps the reader get enveloped in the story a bit more. However, I was hoping for a bit more in the forbidden romance side of this book, but instead got more fantasy in the form of a lot more mythology and politics.
The first half of the novel really focuses on Bastien and how he grapples with his new lease on life however the second half suddenly shifts into more of an attempt to build a fantasy world beyond New Orleans. And whatever turn you think this story is going to take: think again. Plot twist after plot twist occurs and Celine, Bastien, and The Court of Lions find themselves involved in more trouble than initially seems possible.
Fair warning: there is a LOT that happens in this novel, so beware of an information overload as the supernatural world gets explored a bit more. Readers learn more about the Sylvan Vale, Sylvan Wyld, The Brotherhood, and other creatures that stay hidden from the eyes of mortals. Hopefully, a third book will be planned and released soon, because Ahdieh leaves us with even more questions than answers at the end of this book!
While I enjoyed the second installment in the series, it seems like Ahdieh wanted to use this book as a jumping point for a possible third book and introduce new plotlines instead of developing the ones already put in place. I look forward to seeing what will happen next to Celine, Bastien, and everyone else as things start to shift in their world.
*I received an ARC from PenguinTeen in exchange for my honest opinion.
Considering I just finished the first this morning I think it's safe to say I'm enjoying this series