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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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:
Complicated
I honestly don't know where to start with this review. This book is hands-down my most favorite read of the year so far. Every thing about it, every little gasp I made, every little emotion I felt, every time I kicked my legs and felt like screaming or bit my nails to keep myself in check, was so worth it because this story is absolutely divine. In general, I have always enjoyed the world of Castellane, the concept of the Sword Catcher, the King on the Hill and the King of the City, the Ashkar are their strange ways, and how it feels like two completely different sides (maybe even three) are colliding in this story.
But nothing could have prepared me for the way this book absolutely gripped me and buried itself in my soul. Now, I can't say too much without giving spoilers on the first book but what I will say is I loved how this book felt more like the tipping point, how it felt like Kel was fumbling to keep everything from falling apart. You could feel the stakes, you could feel the pressure and intensity of the situation Castellane is in, you could feel that Kel juggling Conor and Andreyen is a sure way to an explosion and boy, did it explode.
The way Cassandra took a plot twist and twisted it and twisted it and twisted it was just brilliant. I have never been hit by so many revelations one after the other. First Liz, then Kel, Andreyen, the King, the Dark Assassin, Princess Anjelica, Prosper Beck!!! Oh my soul, I am still in shock because everything in that last 30% of this book was so far from what I thought would ever happen and yet, so Cassandra Clare I can only marvel at it. I cannot emphasize enough how this series is an absolute must-read because it is magnificent.
But nothing could have prepared me for the way this book absolutely gripped me and buried itself in my soul. Now, I can't say too much without giving spoilers on the first book but what I will say is I loved how this book felt more like the tipping point, how it felt like Kel was fumbling to keep everything from falling apart. You could feel the stakes, you could feel the pressure and intensity of the situation Castellane is in, you could feel that Kel juggling Conor and Andreyen is a sure way to an explosion and boy, did it explode.
The way Cassandra took a plot twist and twisted it and twisted it and twisted it was just brilliant. I have never been hit by so many revelations one after the other. First Liz, then Kel, Andreyen, the King, the Dark Assassin, Princess Anjelica, Prosper Beck!!! Oh my soul, I am still in shock because everything in that last 30% of this book was so far from what I thought would ever happen and yet, so Cassandra Clare I can only marvel at it. I cannot emphasize enough how this series is an absolute must-read because it is magnificent.
okay so I put off reading this because I thought I'd just be reading it for the sake of it but actually, I got really drawn in by it. I'm mad that it ended where it did I was so ready to keep going!! Markus' plot twist was !!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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:
Yes
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
Not me reading segments to my partner and him bemoaning that authors like Brandon Sanderson can't write decent romance into their stories like this one. High praise for Cassandra Clare 🤣
I admit, it took a bit of jumpstarting to really get this puppy on the road, took me almost the whole month in fact! I did blast through the last 100 pages super quickly because boy, what an ending of betrayal and character surprises. Falconet, what a dick. Can't say I was surprised by the Antonetta/Prosper Beck reveal; I hope we get some viewpoint chapters from her in the third book. All the asshole Charter royals tricking Conor into believing Kel betrayed him pissed me off, but I suppose the epilogue revealed that he might be playing along to fool everyone in the end. Ack, who knows, he's still a frustratingly stubborn, spoiled prince character.
Excited to read about Lin and Aron the Exilarch's Goddess adventures for the next installment. Who doesn't love a good fantasy roadtrip? Especially to freshen up the narrative after spending all this time in Castellane in the first two.
Kudos to Cassandra Clare on her talent at writing yearning-filled romance splintered into her fantasy. It was inarguably steamy and shockingly public for that one scene ðŸ¤
Critiques though? There's still a matter of lacking character depth that's continued from Sword Catcher. I really enjoy this story and ranked it as highly as 4 stars because I'm having fun. But it's no masterpiece in complex character writing. Everyone's motivations are pretty plain to see. I'm also sad that Clare never did anything with that potential Kel x Merren pairing from their kiss in the first book. Ack, so disappointing! I don't really vibe with the Jerrod and Merren romance either. And I was also bummed that the Kutani Princess ran off with the pirate Laurent after all. I expected better, she seemed really cool.
I think I need some smaller books after this one, it took a minute for me. Guess my fantasy speed-reading days have really been hampered by work and social media lately. Curses!
I admit, it took a bit of jumpstarting to really get this puppy on the road, took me almost the whole month in fact! I did blast through the last 100 pages super quickly because boy, what an ending of betrayal and character surprises. Falconet, what a dick. Can't say I was surprised by the Antonetta/Prosper Beck reveal; I hope we get some viewpoint chapters from her in the third book. All the asshole Charter royals tricking Conor into believing Kel betrayed him pissed me off, but I suppose the epilogue revealed that he might be playing along to fool everyone in the end. Ack, who knows, he's still a frustratingly stubborn, spoiled prince character.
Excited to read about Lin and Aron the Exilarch's Goddess adventures for the next installment. Who doesn't love a good fantasy roadtrip? Especially to freshen up the narrative after spending all this time in Castellane in the first two.
Kudos to Cassandra Clare on her talent at writing yearning-filled romance splintered into her fantasy. It was inarguably steamy and shockingly public for that one scene ðŸ¤
Critiques though? There's still a matter of lacking character depth that's continued from Sword Catcher. I really enjoy this story and ranked it as highly as 4 stars because I'm having fun. But it's no masterpiece in complex character writing. Everyone's motivations are pretty plain to see. I'm also sad that Clare never did anything with that potential Kel x Merren pairing from their kiss in the first book. Ack, so disappointing! I don't really vibe with the Jerrod and Merren romance either. And I was also bummed that the Kutani Princess ran off with the pirate Laurent after all. I expected better, she seemed really cool.
I think I need some smaller books after this one, it took a minute for me. Guess my fantasy speed-reading days have really been hampered by work and social media lately. Curses!
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
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:
Yes
even better than the first book! tears in my eyes.