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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Disappointing. The characters are good, but the plot and pacing feel rushed. Challenges are built up as impossible only to be overcome easily, without real effort or sacrifice.
The thing that will keep me from continuing the series, though, is the main character. Her tough side and her soft side seem like characters that should be in different books. Complex characters are interesting, but Brex feels bipolar. Sometimes she's a strong warrior that fits perfectly in an action packed adventure and other times she's a blushing damsel that belongs in a romance novel. A kick-butt fighter that has a vulnerable spot when it comes to romance is absolutely a character I would read about, but when it comes to the (kinda cringey) romance, the transformation feels rough and jarring.
The thing that will keep me from continuing the series, though, is the main character. Her tough side and her soft side seem like characters that should be in different books. Complex characters are interesting, but Brex feels bipolar. Sometimes she's a strong warrior that fits perfectly in an action packed adventure and other times she's a blushing damsel that belongs in a romance novel. A kick-butt fighter that has a vulnerable spot when it comes to romance is absolutely a character I would read about, but when it comes to the (kinda cringey) romance, the transformation feels rough and jarring.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
Setting/Worldbuilding: 9/10
Main characters: 10/10
Side characters: 10/10
Dialogue: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Technique: 9/10
Prose: 7/10
Romance: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Overall enjoyment: 10/100
Total: 94/100 (4.7)
I never thought I’d find another series that would grip me the way Heartstrikers did, but Rachel Aaron has done it again and this is it! Thank you thank you thank you. It contains everything I love about Heartstrikers minus all the bad - pacing was better here, and less dialogue-y infodumping. It has just the right level of optimistic youthful whimsy I like too, without quite descending into immaturity.
Main characters: 10/10
Side characters: 10/10
Dialogue: 10/10
Plot: 10/10
Technique: 9/10
Prose: 7/10
Romance: 9/10
Ending: 10/10
Overall enjoyment: 10/100
Total: 94/100 (4.7)
I never thought I’d find another series that would grip me the way Heartstrikers did, but Rachel Aaron has done it again and this is it! Thank you thank you thank you. It contains everything I love about Heartstrikers minus all the bad - pacing was better here, and less dialogue-y infodumping. It has just the right level of optimistic youthful whimsy I like too, without quite descending into immaturity.
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-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
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
First, I'd like to than Rachel Aaron for giving me an eArc to review. I've read a number of her books, over the years, and this was a little out of my comfort zone...but more on that, later.
When I saw that cover, I was intrigued by it (though, to be honest), I hadn't REALLY seen it...and what it represented. I hadn't seen the horns...to me, it looked like her hair. It wasn't until about third of the way through the story...that I actually notice the cover and Bex's horns.
Speaking of the horns and what Bex is...was sort of jarring. I don't think I have ever enjoyed a story that rooted for Hell and was against Heaven (though, it is vastly different...from the Judeo-Christian religion that we have in the United States in real life).
So, that juxtaposition was something that I had to work through...by reading the story. I was tentative to enjoy the story...at the beginning, but the characters and their reveals were SO captivating, that I couldn't NOT like them.
The two main characters of this story have such interesting and well thoughtout backstories and reasons for being in this story, that their interactions were truly enjoyable. It made me about "rethinking" how I actually view people in my Real Life. If we would ALLOW someone in our Real Life the ability to SHOW us themselves (instead of prejudging them), then we would gain MORE friends (true friends), than enemies. Just a thought.
At about 2/3rds of the way through the book...I just couldn't put it down. I just HAD to finish the book (and it was fun to keep turning the pages). The action was great, but also the meaning of what the characters were going through was impactful (in world), but also good storytelling.
I loved this book. Obviously, there is a larger story to be told, but we are off to a GREAT start.
If you are looking for a story that allows, not just the main character a great character arc, but also a secondary "main" character a great arc too...then this book be PERFECT for you.
Looking back at what I knew at the point of opening the book, to what I know now...as I closed the book to write this review...I can honestly say that I've grown as a reader. Thank you. You pushed me out of my comfort zone...to fall in love with a protagonist who's background/story should've repulsed me...to REALLY looking forward to the sequel...and however many books are going to be in this series.
Again, thank you.
Urban Fanstasy, but set in OUR world, but in where the religions of our world are different. Also, the Eco-friendly Adrian, and the way he interacted with nature (and HIS forest) was delightful to experience.
There are SO many wonderful things about this story, that I'm sad that others have to wait, BEFORE reading them.
Soon, very soon, you will get your chance.
When I saw that cover, I was intrigued by it (though, to be honest), I hadn't REALLY seen it...and what it represented. I hadn't seen the horns...to me, it looked like her hair. It wasn't until about third of the way through the story...that I actually notice the cover and Bex's horns.
Speaking of the horns and what Bex is...was sort of jarring. I don't think I have ever enjoyed a story that rooted for Hell and was against Heaven (though, it is vastly different...from the Judeo-Christian religion that we have in the United States in real life).
So, that juxtaposition was something that I had to work through...by reading the story. I was tentative to enjoy the story...at the beginning, but the characters and their reveals were SO captivating, that I couldn't NOT like them.
The two main characters of this story have such interesting and well thoughtout backstories and reasons for being in this story, that their interactions were truly enjoyable. It made me about "rethinking" how I actually view people in my Real Life. If we would ALLOW someone in our Real Life the ability to SHOW us themselves (instead of prejudging them), then we would gain MORE friends (true friends), than enemies. Just a thought.
At about 2/3rds of the way through the book...I just couldn't put it down. I just HAD to finish the book (and it was fun to keep turning the pages). The action was great, but also the meaning of what the characters were going through was impactful (in world), but also good storytelling.
I loved this book. Obviously, there is a larger story to be told, but we are off to a GREAT start.
If you are looking for a story that allows, not just the main character a great character arc, but also a secondary "main" character a great arc too...then this book be PERFECT for you.
Looking back at what I knew at the point of opening the book, to what I know now...as I closed the book to write this review...I can honestly say that I've grown as a reader. Thank you. You pushed me out of my comfort zone...to fall in love with a protagonist who's background/story should've repulsed me...to REALLY looking forward to the sequel...and however many books are going to be in this series.
Again, thank you.
Urban Fanstasy, but set in OUR world, but in where the religions of our world are different. Also, the Eco-friendly Adrian, and the way he interacted with nature (and HIS forest) was delightful to experience.
There are SO many wonderful things about this story, that I'm sad that others have to wait, BEFORE reading them.
Soon, very soon, you will get your chance.