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4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
I loved the character development in this book-- but I felt as though we lost the plot for the about 3/4 of the story. Hopefully this is just a classic case of the 'sophomore slump'.
I did take this book very slow, and I enjoyed it overall! Excited for the next one- after the ending I can tell we are back on track with the plot!
rant about the plot: we were escaping a huge threat and then when we get back home we pretend like nothing happened and join a game? What?!
I did take this book very slow, and I enjoyed it overall! Excited for the next one- after the ending I can tell we are back on track with the plot!
Oh well...where to start...
I read the first book in this trilogy last year and gave it 2 stars, still that didn't stop me from wanting to read the sequel (because I really enjoyed the concept of plot). It would not be the first time that I didn't like the first book but loved the second, so I thought this time around would be the same, but i was wrong.I was really enjoying the book in the beginning, the first 150 pages really kept me hoked and wanting to read and see what was going to happen, but it got to a point where I just got bored and it became a struggle to finish this book.
The only good thing for me, in this book, are the characters. I really enjoy all the characters: Kell, Lila, Rhy, Holland and Alucard, don't have anything to say against them. They were very different but very interesting and they became the only thing that made me keep reading this book. Actually, Lila surprised me a lot because, in the first book, I didn't really like her and in this volume she became one of my favorites.
But getting into what made me give it 2 stars: world building and plot.
I love fantasy, like a lot, and something essential for me in a fantasy book is world building. The thing is, this book had ZERO world building, literately nothing. I know it is the second volume in a series and some people might think that because of that there is no need for explaining more about the world, but I think that the world building should be done gradually, through out the whole series, so that in every book we are discovering more about the set up of the plot. In this trilogy, the world itself is quite simple, not too complicated like some other books I've read, and that makes it quite boring for me and when you barely develop what little of world you have, explaining just the basics, it a no for me. I need a little bit of time "wasted" in reading description on the world, it's geological characteristics, it's magic system, it's politic, etc. Just the basics is not enough..
And now the plot. It had so much potencial, I was so excited but then nothing happens. I like when in the beginning of a book the authors gives us and idea of what the main goal in that book is, like "in this book the main goal is to achieve this", giving me something to wait for, to anticipate, and i'm reading the the the way the characters try to achieve that goal and if they make it or not. But in this book nothing is given to us, I'm left in the dark not knowing what is happening, why is happening and if it is essencial to the plot or not. Most of the time I was reading and I didn't understand why what was happening was really happening, and that made me bored. If I don't know why something is going on, if I don't understand and it is not explain anywhere through out the book, then how am I supposed to be interested in the story. And then, when you realize that most of what happened wasn't even really necessary to the story, it didn't impact the end of the book in any way, it just makes me more frustrated.
Conclusion: I was really excited in the beginnig, but then, because of the lack of plot and world explanation, I got really bored and didn't care anymore
I read the first book in this trilogy last year and gave it 2 stars, still that didn't stop me from wanting to read the sequel (because I really enjoyed the concept of plot). It would not be the first time that I didn't like the first book but loved the second, so I thought this time around would be the same, but i was wrong.I was really enjoying the book in the beginning, the first 150 pages really kept me hoked and wanting to read and see what was going to happen, but it got to a point where I just got bored and it became a struggle to finish this book.
The only good thing for me, in this book, are the characters. I really enjoy all the characters: Kell, Lila, Rhy, Holland and Alucard, don't have anything to say against them. They were very different but very interesting and they became the only thing that made me keep reading this book. Actually, Lila surprised me a lot because, in the first book, I didn't really like her and in this volume she became one of my favorites.
But getting into what made me give it 2 stars: world building and plot.
I love fantasy, like a lot, and something essential for me in a fantasy book is world building. The thing is, this book had ZERO world building, literately nothing. I know it is the second volume in a series and some people might think that because of that there is no need for explaining more about the world, but I think that the world building should be done gradually, through out the whole series, so that in every book we are discovering more about the set up of the plot. In this trilogy, the world itself is quite simple, not too complicated like some other books I've read, and that makes it quite boring for me and when you barely develop what little of world you have, explaining just the basics, it a no for me. I need a little bit of time "wasted" in reading description on the world, it's geological characteristics, it's magic system, it's politic, etc. Just the basics is not enough..
And now the plot. It had so much potencial, I was so excited but then nothing happens. I like when in the beginning of a book the authors gives us and idea of what the main goal in that book is, like "in this book the main goal is to achieve this", giving me something to wait for, to anticipate, and i'm reading the the the way the characters try to achieve that goal and if they make it or not. But in this book nothing is given to us, I'm left in the dark not knowing what is happening, why is happening and if it is essencial to the plot or not. Most of the time I was reading and I didn't understand why what was happening was really happening, and that made me bored. If I don't know why something is going on, if I don't understand and it is not explain anywhere through out the book, then how am I supposed to be interested in the story. And then, when you realize that most of what happened wasn't even really necessary to the story, it didn't impact the end of the book in any way, it just makes me more frustrated.
Conclusion: I was really excited in the beginnig, but then, because of the lack of plot and world explanation, I got really bored and didn't care anymore
adventurous
emotional
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:
No
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
tense
ugh i love these characters and these worlds and this story.
adventurous
dark
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
Really skillful writing
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
J’adooore.
La relation de Rhy et Kell est incroyable. C’est génial d’avoir plus le point de vue de Rhy.
Et Emery est incroyable aussi !! Alors leurs relation… omg
Lila et Kell sont géniaux, et l’histoire est vraiment cool.
Bref, c’est parfait
La relation de Rhy et Kell est incroyable. C’est génial d’avoir plus le point de vue de Rhy.
Et Emery est incroyable aussi !! Alors leurs relation… omg
Lila et Kell sont géniaux, et l’histoire est vraiment cool.
Bref, c’est parfait
what with that ending? , I can't wait for the third book. Lila keeps being my favourite character, and theres so much going on in this book, treason, tournaments, new enemies, old enemies, Allucard <3, the bond between kell and Rhy, New magic going on in White and Grey London. totally recommend the first book and even more this one!(second book).
ps. Lila and kell ? whats happening there
ps. Lila and kell ? whats happening there
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Book 2 of the trilogy brings in some delightful new characters, including Captain Alucard Emery, who takes in Lila Bard as his ship’s master thief. Emery's past is revealed with a connection to Prince Rye. We also meet magicians from other kingdoms for the upcoming “Essen Tasch,” an elemental magic competition for wizards of all major nations. The event gives you the vibe of somewhere between the Hunger Games competition and the Harry Potter Tri-Wizard tournament. But amidst the games and characters reconnecting, political trickery is afoot, and enemies thought dead from other Londons find their way back to Red London.
I must admit that I am quickly becoming a V.E. Schwab fan girl! I love her depth of description with character emotions, small movements, gorgeous scenery, and the flow of magic. She pulls you into such an intimate connection with her characters that you will cheer them on when they succeed and gasp when it seems all is lost.
I also love how she promotes diversity in this trilogy and her other books. Lila Bard breaks the traditional female gender roles and does so unapologetically. As it's revealed that Rye and Emery are not entirely heterosexual, Schwab uses the relationship to hold up a mirror to our society’s mixed reception of alternate sexualities, which she portrays in each character's family reactions.
NOTE BEFORE YOU START THIS BOOK: Be ready for that urge to read it back to back with 3! Book 2 leaves you on a cliffhanger, making you jump to the next book just to see what happens.
I must admit that I am quickly becoming a V.E. Schwab fan girl! I love her depth of description with character emotions, small movements, gorgeous scenery, and the flow of magic. She pulls you into such an intimate connection with her characters that you will cheer them on when they succeed and gasp when it seems all is lost.
I also love how she promotes diversity in this trilogy and her other books. Lila Bard breaks the traditional female gender roles and does so unapologetically. As it's revealed that Rye and Emery are not entirely heterosexual, Schwab uses the relationship to hold up a mirror to our society’s mixed reception of alternate sexualities, which she portrays in each character's family reactions.
NOTE BEFORE YOU START THIS BOOK: Be ready for that urge to read it back to back with 3! Book 2 leaves you on a cliffhanger, making you jump to the next book just to see what happens.
adventurous
mysterious
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