Reviews

Symphony for a Deadly Throne by E.J. Mellow

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hennatattoo75's review against another edition

2.0

2 Stars. First of all, I would like to thank NetGalley for the ARC of this book! I was really looking forward to it and I’m so glad I could get my hands on a copy!

Now for the review. This book is wonderfully written and the world building is incredible. I loved that we got a book that took place primarily in the Thief Kingdom and we learned some of the history of the the throne. I loved Arabessa’s character and learning about her struggles. I also loved her relationship with Zimri and the ANGST.

What really fell flat for me in this story was the ending. This book was a 5 star read for me up until around the 80% mark. I felt like the struggles Arabessa faced throughout her life with being the oldest sibling and the overwhelming responsibility that she felt with her family weren’t really resolved. In the end, she was STILL the person who had to make the sacrifices necessary for the people around her to be happy and I feel like a story that puts so much emphasis on having choices should have given it’s main character more than one route to be happy.

*Spoiler Alert*
I also HATE the trope of main characters (mostly women) giving up their power for their love interest. Arabessa loved her magic and it’s disappointing to see that being given up for Zimri.

Would I still recommend this series to people? Absolutely! I would definitely pick up any book E.J. Mellow writes and just because this book wasn’t for me doesn’t mean that others will not enjoy it.

himika_'s review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

garbitchdisposal's review against another edition

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dark tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

pip_tries_her_best's review

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Thus was a miss for me and I really enjoyed the first two of this trilogy. It just gave in to tropes romantic and fantasy fiction in such a negative way and I could predict what was going to happen.

I audibly sighed and said "well thats fucking stupid' when she made the sacrifice at the climax of the book, it felt reductive and predictable that the female main character took this route, and i just did not enjoy it or see its worth as an end to the trilogy. Her sisters got their haply endings and even in this book that was developed, and the overly relied upon ilder sister who has never gotten what she wanted only achieved her dreams by giving up a major part of herself. I also hated how Zinri used his magic on her to try and manipulate and it was barely touched upon. It just rubbed me the wrong way.

A miss when the others have been enjoyable. Ah well.