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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
It’s been a while since I read book one, but based off of what I remember this book loses some of the magic that the first book had.
This is book 2 of the trilogy, so it starts sort of in the middle of chaos and leaves you in chaos as well. That’s why I think book 2 of trilogies tend to be my least favorite.
I felt like this book was very frustrating for me because the characters kept changing their minds on how they felt about the war, and I can understand that but they were just so wholeheartedly into their opinion and they one little thing would change their mind. I also felt like you didn’t see as much of Zelie. Her POVs were some of the most boring. And Inan makes me so mad that he could look straight at his mother see that she’s basically evil and be like oh well.
Overall, I still enjoy this world and am going to read the next book.
This is book 2 of the trilogy, so it starts sort of in the middle of chaos and leaves you in chaos as well. That’s why I think book 2 of trilogies tend to be my least favorite.
I felt like this book was very frustrating for me because the characters kept changing their minds on how they felt about the war, and I can understand that but they were just so wholeheartedly into their opinion and they one little thing would change their mind. I also felt like you didn’t see as much of Zelie. Her POVs were some of the most boring. And Inan makes me so mad that he could look straight at his mother see that she’s basically evil and be like oh well.
Overall, I still enjoy this world and am going to read the next book.
This series is incredible, loved this book even more than the first
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
I’ll be so real, I REALLY enjoyed this book at first. However, as it went on my excitement gradually deflated like a forgotten birthday balloon. I think if it didn’t end how it did, I would’ve rated it much higher… maybe.
What I loved:
World building-
Ugh, we love. I didn’t think it could get better than the first book, but Adeyemi proved me wrong. We learned so much more about the conflict, power dynamics, generational trauma, and more from this book. Truly added a much needed layer.
Action-
I felt like I was there. I was always on the edge of my seat when there was a conflict. A few outcomes were predictable, but they were still great!
Writing style-
I love the flowery language and long descriptions. I feel as though to do a book like this justice, it’s needed. This is strongest when we’re learning about the communities, the history, and the emotions being felt.
What I didn’t love:
Amari-
At first I loved her. She wanted so badly to help and be heard, and was absolutely shat on by others. It was understandable why, but I admired her persistence. However, she took it too far. By the end she was just as stubborn as everyone else and making some wild choices that didn’t seem fitting to who she was.
Zelie-
Girl. What are we DOING here? Her trauma is the only that matters. Her pain is worse than everyone else’s. She’s been betrayed more. She’s the most important. Her opinion matters most. At least that’s what she would have you thinking. Honestly? I was over her so quick in this one.
Communication-
AKA, there was none. Everyone thinks they know what’s best and that they’re the only one who can save the kingdom. They just act on impulse, and then are surprised when it doesn’t go well/people are mad at them. This honestly had me fuming the entire damn book. I know they’re teenagers, but let’s find some critical thinking PLEASE.
Ending-
Are you kidding me? That’s how we’re gonna end it? Who are these people? This is basically a repeat of book one’s ending. Now we gotta do it all over again somewhere else? Ugh.
What I loved:
World building-
Ugh, we love. I didn’t think it could get better than the first book, but Adeyemi proved me wrong. We learned so much more about the conflict, power dynamics, generational trauma, and more from this book. Truly added a much needed layer.
Action-
I felt like I was there. I was always on the edge of my seat when there was a conflict. A few outcomes were predictable, but they were still great!
Writing style-
I love the flowery language and long descriptions. I feel as though to do a book like this justice, it’s needed. This is strongest when we’re learning about the communities, the history, and the emotions being felt.
What I didn’t love:
Amari-
At first I loved her. She wanted so badly to help and be heard, and was absolutely shat on by others. It was understandable why, but I admired her persistence. However, she took it too far. By the end she was just as stubborn as everyone else and making some wild choices that didn’t seem fitting to who she was.
Zelie-
Girl. What are we DOING here? Her trauma is the only that matters. Her pain is worse than everyone else’s. She’s been betrayed more. She’s the most important. Her opinion matters most. At least that’s what she would have you thinking. Honestly? I was over her so quick in this one.
Communication-
AKA, there was none. Everyone thinks they know what’s best and that they’re the only one who can save the kingdom. They just act on impulse, and then are surprised when it doesn’t go well/people are mad at them. This honestly had me fuming the entire damn book. I know they’re teenagers, but let’s find some critical thinking PLEASE.
Ending-
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My attitude towards the series is lukewarm at best, and I anticipate continuing lukewarmly through the rest.
After Zélie brings back magic to the diviners in Orïsha, she and the other maji who have faced persecution throughout the years continue to face a renewal of fear and distrust, compounded by the government's new threat of the rising tîtan force, nobles who have had magic awaken in their blood. The new tîtáns and the return of the maji prove to be chaotic opposing forces as Queen Nahenda rallies the military against the new maji forces led by Zélie and her friends, the Iyika.
Classic rebellion. Classic fear-mongering. Classic miscommunication trope in a non-romantic setting and with one pushover character, one idealistic character, and both naïve and with savior complexes and need for attention, almost half of this book is unbearable. I hate Amari and I hate Inan. I hated only Inan in the first book and was annoyed at Amari, but now I just hate them both. I'm not sure if it's gate-keeping or because they're both blinded by sheltered lives, love for their abusive parents, or maybe it's both! -- but I can't believe our narrators are still those two plus Zélie and no sign of a Tzain POV, or even hot scallywag Roën's.
Zélie, as usual, is holding down the fort for getting things done. Actionably she's leading the majiadditional bonus of becoming the new Reaper clan leader and using her nickname "Soldier of Death" to rally them and charming Roën too! Which accounts for most of this book: Roën seduction and using his mercenary connections to get to places or get things done for Amari to try to take over the thrown during the ambiguity and rumors of her entire family's death Zélie's completed every task she's gotten in the past two books. And you know who hasn't? AMARI.
Amari's only good contribution, thus far, is stealing the scroll from her father so she could kickstart bringing magic back. Now that she wants to take over the throne, for better or for worse, no matter what she's been doing this entire book, it really feels likeshe's sitting and waiting for it to be given to her. She had one job, to rally the civilizans and comfort the hunted down maji, and she failed because she couldn't stand up to her mother's surprise survival at her first rally. And what kind of coincidence is that?! For her mother to appear at the same rally site and shake her up? . Amari valiantly tries to get what she wants to the point where I think she's acting like an erratic child people are leaving alone because it's easier and far more time-saving to not interact with her at all to save themselves and their people, but Amari's desperation to fit in makes things worse on every level. From accidental sabotage to diving opinions and separating a unified power.
Inan, what are we going to do about you? I know. FORGET HIM. I thought it was romantic at first, the attraction between Inan and Zélie, because of their shared dreamscape. But after this book I've lost all sympathy for this spineless puppet prince. Typical firstborn sheltered son stereotype, doesn't do what he's told and complete Momma's boy. Utterly believes he has the power to enact change (and now he does) but wow! People have free will! And so the rebels he tries to appease or entice to peace don't trust him because they think he is his father's son, and the nobles he needs for support and forces don't respect him much either. Not to mention, stabbing Zélie in the back.
This book made me annoyed.
After Zélie brings back magic to the diviners in Orïsha, she and the other maji who have faced persecution throughout the years continue to face a renewal of fear and distrust, compounded by the government's new threat of the rising tîtan force, nobles who have had magic awaken in their blood. The new tîtáns and the return of the maji prove to be chaotic opposing forces as Queen Nahenda rallies the military against the new maji forces led by Zélie and her friends, the Iyika.
Classic rebellion. Classic fear-mongering. Classic miscommunication trope in a non-romantic setting and with one pushover character, one idealistic character, and both naïve and with savior complexes and need for attention, almost half of this book is unbearable. I hate Amari and I hate Inan. I hated only Inan in the first book and was annoyed at Amari, but now I just hate them both. I'm not sure if it's gate-keeping or because they're both blinded by sheltered lives, love for their abusive parents, or maybe it's both! -- but I can't believe our narrators are still those two plus Zélie and no sign of a Tzain POV, or even hot scallywag Roën's.
Zélie, as usual, is holding down the fort for getting things done. Actionably she's leading the maji
Amari's only good contribution, thus far, is stealing the scroll from her father so she could kickstart bringing magic back. Now that she wants to take over the throne, for better or for worse, no matter what she's been doing this entire book, it really feels like
Inan, what are we going to do about you? I know. FORGET HIM. I thought it was romantic at first, the attraction between Inan and Zélie, because of their shared dreamscape. But after this book I've lost all sympathy for this spineless puppet prince. Typical firstborn sheltered son stereotype, doesn't do what he's told and complete Momma's boy. Utterly believes he has the power to enact change (and now he does) but wow! People have free will! And so the rebels he tries to appease or entice to peace don't trust him because they think he is his father's son, and the nobles he needs for support and forces don't respect him much either. Not to mention, stabbing Zélie in the back.
This book made me annoyed.
I just wasn’t feeling it at this time in my life. Maybe I’ll try it another time.
My only problem with this book is that the teenagers make incredibly bad decisions over and over again. This could be expected from teens that have to fight for their world in the midst of war. I just don't enjoy the anxiety that comes from anticipating how all their bad decisions will turn out. Otherwise, Adeyemi creates a beautiful world full of turmoil and hate with leaders who are equally strong and unwise but trying hard to do something good.
Closer to 4.5 stars to me. Worth the read but didn’t engulf me as much as the first one. Feel like the first one just set the bar really high. Still a cool storyline. Moving on to the 3rd.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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:
Complicated
What an excellent addition to this series. It made my heart swell, then broke it right after. What wonderful character development. And what commentary on how your parents raising you affects you, even when you fight it. You still are going to learn the hardest possible way.