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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
3.5
It was really fun, I was happy to see Celine again but some parts felt a little bit sketchy? Like the quick evolution of Bastien nature, some actions scene. I will read the next one to see where it's going
It was really fun, I was happy to see Celine again but some parts felt a little bit sketchy? Like the quick evolution of Bastien nature, some actions scene. I will read the next one to see where it's going
adventurous
inspiring
medium-paced
I liked this better than the first. It definitely leaned into the vampires-New Orleans-werewolves, etc vibes. It is a premise that should be embraced and not done half-heartedly. I had assumed that this would be a duology (most of the author's works are) so was a bit surprised when things didn't start wrapping up and were actually getting more complicated the further the book progressed. Apparently it is going to be 4 books.
I don’t know how to rate this.
On one hand, I found the first few opening chapters as well as the book’s climax to be some of the best writing I’ve ever experienced, especially Odette’s first pov chapter.
On the other hand, a fair part of the middle chunk of this book takes a step away from many of the things that made me love The Beautiful so much, particularly the New Orleans setting. None of this was bad, but probably a solid 3 star read.
And on the other other hand, I am so invested in the characters of this story by this point, I’m willing to follow them wherever they take me and I’ll enjoy the ride.
The good:
- Bastien is the main character of The Damned, Celine relegated to the sidelines. As much as I loved Celine in the first book, Bastien’s arc in this story is dynamic and interesting, and had quite a bit to say about bodily autonomy, consent, and trauma.
- Odette. Once again, the best character. The sparingly few chapters we get from her are easily the best parts of this book.
- The expansion of the world. While I don’t know how I feel about where this story went, what we learn about the world overall is very interesting, and makes for some fun storytelling that I’m very much looking forward to.
- Emilie. Getting this character’s perspective was fascinating, watching her circle right around the right thing and choose the wrong one, yet keeping her motives clear, was very well done.
- Again, the ending. Ahdieh knows how to end her books. I’ve never read a fantasy book that ends with a battle on a river boat, and suddenly I feel robbed by not having more. Also, that cliffhanger.
- The delve into other characters. Jae, Arjun, Michael, and Pippa also get their own points of view told, really filling them all out as people.
The not-so good:
- Leaving Nola. Why are we leaving Nola? Let’s stay.
- The lack of Celine or Odette in this book. Both characters barely exist here, and they were really the stand-outs from the first book for me
- Bastien’s angst and self-loathing starts to become a little much eventually. It isn’t enough to make me not enjoy the book, but we definitely could’ve dialed that down a little.
- The lack of descriptions and New Orleans flavor that permeated the first book. They’re still there, but not to the extent that they were in the first.
So while I loved this book, I can very much see that it wasn’t a perfect read for me. Yet it’s still a five star. I’m so invested in this story, Ahdieh will have to do a lot of bad to get me to hate a book in this series, and I at the least enjoyed every page of The Damned.
On one hand, I found the first few opening chapters as well as the book’s climax to be some of the best writing I’ve ever experienced, especially Odette’s first pov chapter.
On the other hand, a fair part of the middle chunk of this book takes a step away from many of the things that made me love The Beautiful so much, particularly the New Orleans setting. None of this was bad, but probably a solid 3 star read.
And on the other other hand, I am so invested in the characters of this story by this point, I’m willing to follow them wherever they take me and I’ll enjoy the ride.
The good:
- Bastien is the main character of The Damned, Celine relegated to the sidelines. As much as I loved Celine in the first book, Bastien’s arc in this story is dynamic and interesting, and had quite a bit to say about bodily autonomy, consent, and trauma.
- Odette. Once again, the best character. The sparingly few chapters we get from her are easily the best parts of this book.
- The expansion of the world. While I don’t know how I feel about where this story went, what we learn about the world overall is very interesting, and makes for some fun storytelling that I’m very much looking forward to.
- Emilie. Getting this character’s perspective was fascinating, watching her circle right around the right thing and choose the wrong one, yet keeping her motives clear, was very well done.
- Again, the ending. Ahdieh knows how to end her books. I’ve never read a fantasy book that ends with a battle on a river boat, and suddenly I feel robbed by not having more. Also, that cliffhanger.
- The delve into other characters. Jae, Arjun, Michael, and Pippa also get their own points of view told, really filling them all out as people.
The not-so good:
- Leaving Nola. Why are we leaving Nola? Let’s stay.
- The lack of Celine or Odette in this book. Both characters barely exist here, and they were really the stand-outs from the first book for me
- Bastien’s angst and self-loathing starts to become a little much eventually. It isn’t enough to make me not enjoy the book, but we definitely could’ve dialed that down a little.
- The lack of descriptions and New Orleans flavor that permeated the first book. They’re still there, but not to the extent that they were in the first.
So while I loved this book, I can very much see that it wasn’t a perfect read for me. Yet it’s still a five star. I’m so invested in this story, Ahdieh will have to do a lot of bad to get me to hate a book in this series, and I at the least enjoyed every page of The Damned.
WHERE IS BOOK THREE?
I'm saying what I'm saying - this series needs all the attention, and truly has the potential to become my all time favorite vampire story ever.
The Damned picks off shortly after the events of The Beautiful, and to say my expectations have been met would be an understatement. We did not only get the vampires we craved for in this sequel, but were presented with a much deeper understanding of the immortal and magical world that is part of this story. A world I was not expecting would exist in such a fashion, and has truly changed the game for the plot and characters - and for me. While The Beautiful was the story to make us fall in love with the beauty of the Crescent City itself, its characters, their relationships, and mystery, The Damned takes the approach to show us the rotten layer beneath the beauty, the dark secrets, the twisted history, the brutality. All while it still is a story of loyalty, love, friendship, and finding out who one is.
If someone else would have attempted to write this story, they might have failed. It is in the first place Renée Ahdieh's brilliant writing and talent to build up tension and relationships that make this tale so special and thrilling. Again, she did not disappoint with her poetic and beautifully written tale, showcasing the damned part of this tale in such a beautiful light that leaves me craving for more. Honestly, I think I'll never stop craving for more.
Fitting the titles of each book, the narratives take a turn themselves. As The Beautiful Celine was the narrator carrying the story in the first book, while Bastien - now a Damned - narrates the plot of the sequel. His journey to adjust as a vampire, accept his fate, and the emtional havoc he brings upon himself is the focus of most of the novel - and just intensifies the tension between the two that I've come to adore SO MUCH in the first book.
However, this is not where their love story ends but merely begins.
And this is where the so beautiful tension built up in the first book becomes even better in this sequel. Whenever these two met, I wanted to scream and throw things at them, forcing them to finally give in, and give them just as much myself the release of the tension that has built up inside of myself for MONTHS. If there was ever a time where a slow burn romance killed me so perfectly, it was with this series. I can't stop shipping these two. I just can't. And while I got satisfying moments with these two, all I can say is that the tension yet needs proper release - and I fear the next book will kill me even more.
Trying not to give away much, all I dare say is that this book did not only follow the plot that was builded up in the first book, but introduces new paths and new storylines that all need proper exploring.
Which also leads to me discussing the minor problems I had with this book. While I adored the direction this book took me, and the reveals connected to the new plotlines, I must say a tiny part of me wishes we would have gotten more time to dwell into the mysterious New Orleans, as much as I wished for more pages as I felt the last part of the book was rather rushed. And - I really really really wished for that specific scene of Bastien and Celine to be longer. And more detailed. Much more detailed. Much more.
At this point, I will just wait impatiently for the next book and hopefully it will kill me in just the right way as the previous ones did.
To say, I'm excited is an understatement.
4.5 stars!
I'm saying what I'm saying - this series needs all the attention, and truly has the potential to become my all time favorite vampire story ever.
The Damned picks off shortly after the events of The Beautiful, and to say my expectations have been met would be an understatement. We did not only get the vampires we craved for in this sequel, but were presented with a much deeper understanding of the immortal and magical world that is part of this story. A world I was not expecting would exist in such a fashion, and has truly changed the game for the plot and characters - and for me. While The Beautiful was the story to make us fall in love with the beauty of the Crescent City itself, its characters, their relationships, and mystery, The Damned takes the approach to show us the rotten layer beneath the beauty, the dark secrets, the twisted history, the brutality. All while it still is a story of loyalty, love, friendship, and finding out who one is.
If someone else would have attempted to write this story, they might have failed. It is in the first place Renée Ahdieh's brilliant writing and talent to build up tension and relationships that make this tale so special and thrilling. Again, she did not disappoint with her poetic and beautifully written tale, showcasing the damned part of this tale in such a beautiful light that leaves me craving for more. Honestly, I think I'll never stop craving for more.
Fitting the titles of each book, the narratives take a turn themselves. As The Beautiful Celine was the narrator carrying the story in the first book, while Bastien - now a Damned - narrates the plot of the sequel. His journey to adjust as a vampire, accept his fate, and the emtional havoc he brings upon himself is the focus of most of the novel - and just intensifies the tension between the two that I've come to adore SO MUCH in the first book.
However, this is not where their love story ends but merely begins.
And this is where the so beautiful tension built up in the first book becomes even better in this sequel. Whenever these two met, I wanted to scream and throw things at them, forcing them to finally give in, and give them just as much myself the release of the tension that has built up inside of myself for MONTHS. If there was ever a time where a slow burn romance killed me so perfectly, it was with this series. I can't stop shipping these two. I just can't. And while I got satisfying moments with these two, all I can say is that the tension yet needs proper release - and I fear the next book will kill me even more.
Trying not to give away much, all I dare say is that this book did not only follow the plot that was builded up in the first book, but introduces new paths and new storylines that all need proper exploring.
Which also leads to me discussing the minor problems I had with this book. While I adored the direction this book took me, and the reveals connected to the new plotlines, I must say a tiny part of me wishes we would have gotten more time to dwell into the mysterious New Orleans, as much as I wished for more pages as I felt the last part of the book was rather rushed. And - I really really really wished for that specific scene of Bastien and Celine to be longer. And more detailed. Much more detailed. Much more.
At this point, I will just wait impatiently for the next book and hopefully it will kill me in just the right way as the previous ones did.
To say, I'm excited is an understatement.
4.5 stars!
still mainly enjoyable but the plot was trying to make up for the lack of traction in the first book but then lost the romance for the world building. we got vampires, wolves, and fey but at the expense of the original things i liked in the first book. and the main reoccurring problem here i see is michael.