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abbyschalupa's review
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Besides personal views and preferences, this is a well done sequel. The writing is atmospheric and descriptive, the plot slows at times but makes up for it with quick bursts of action. Plot continues to carry tension and builds up to the big reveals at the end. The last 1/3 flew by with action and reveals while the first 2/3 had slower areas.
3 POVs though one of them was rather difficult to like, the other two had me completely engaged. New side characters are introduced- some are likeable, others not so much, with one of them having their own POV. I couldn’t find myself connecting to the side characters suddenly brought in, with one having spotlight that I found boring and irritating.
A queer normative society is fantastic to see in fantasy. While I enjoyed this read, I wasn’t as deeply enthralled as I was with The Helm of Midnight. I wasn’t as invested with the characters. The last 1/3 did, however, keep me glued until I finished the book. The tension, stakes, and massive reveals were happening all at once.
There’s some symbolism used for a person or soul being split and needing to unite. The description of the writing makes it so visceral and vivid. Truly, the prose is finished and beautiful.
Absolutely dark fantasy, branching into darker territory. Trigger/content warnings: One POV is centered on a child cult, emotional abuse, and child abuse. One scene where a character almost commits suicide though not of their own volition. Murder, death, blood, gore. Cult using manipulation and various form of abuse, with many left implied. Without spoiling close to the end, off page you realize a character will be tortured.
3 POVs though one of them was rather difficult to like, the other two had me completely engaged. New side characters are introduced- some are likeable, others not so much, with one of them having their own POV. I couldn’t find myself connecting to the side characters suddenly brought in, with one having spotlight that I found boring and irritating.
A queer normative society is fantastic to see in fantasy. While I enjoyed this read, I wasn’t as deeply enthralled as I was with The Helm of Midnight. I wasn’t as invested with the characters. The last 1/3 did, however, keep me glued until I finished the book. The tension, stakes, and massive reveals were happening all at once.
There’s some symbolism used for a person or soul being split and needing to unite. The description of the writing makes it so visceral and vivid. Truly, the prose is finished and beautiful.
Absolutely dark fantasy, branching into darker territory. Trigger/content warnings: One POV is centered on a child cult, emotional abuse, and child abuse. One scene where a character almost commits suicide though not of their own volition. Murder, death, blood, gore. Cult using manipulation and various form of abuse, with many left implied. Without spoiling close to the end, off page you realize a character will be tortured.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Death, Grief, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Blood, Child abuse, and Gore
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Torture
reading_to_the_max's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Body horror
aileron's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Blood, Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death of parent and War
isabeltavares's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
The Cage of Dark Hours is a much awaited sequel and it does not disappoint in the slightest.
Where The Helm of Midnight felt like a detective story in a fantasy setting, the sequel has upped the stakes and put so much at risk.
In the first book, we follow Krona as she investigates the disappearance of a powerful death mask that belongs to the deceased serial killer Louis Charbon. In this world upon your death, your ability goes into a death mask along with your echo and memories so that someone can use your mask and learn about your special ability. For example, your ability is to manipulate/persuade people to do your bidding, the person who uses your mask will learn and be able to use your ability as long as they use the mask.
That is, if they can control the echo of the deceased.
And there is more complexity to the magic system and the world building. There is the constant threat of the varg, the monsters who can't be killed, only subdued and they are Krona's deepest fears.
The Cage of Dark Hours continues a few years after the events of the first book and we see how much Krona has changed as a person, even if not always for the better. We also follow two unlikely characters who keep you guessing at what is truly happening in the story.
I had no expectations for what could happen and my expectations were surpassed by the excellent writing and the reveals throughout the novel. There is so much more to the story than where we began with Charbon and I am anxious to see it all play out in the following sequel.
I don't want to spoil the events for this one so please take my word: if you enjoyed The Helm of Midnight, you will not be disappointed by the sequel.
The Cage of Dark Hours is a worthy continuation of what will undoubtedly become one of the best fantasies of all time.
Where The Helm of Midnight felt like a detective story in a fantasy setting, the sequel has upped the stakes and put so much at risk.
In the first book, we follow Krona as she investigates the disappearance of a powerful death mask that belongs to the deceased serial killer Louis Charbon. In this world upon your death, your ability goes into a death mask along with your echo and memories so that someone can use your mask and learn about your special ability. For example, your ability is to manipulate/persuade people to do your bidding, the person who uses your mask will learn and be able to use your ability as long as they use the mask.
That is, if they can control the echo of the deceased.
And there is more complexity to the magic system and the world building. There is the constant threat of the varg, the monsters who can't be killed, only subdued and they are Krona's deepest fears.
The Cage of Dark Hours continues a few years after the events of the first book and we see how much Krona has changed as a person, even if not always for the better. We also follow two unlikely characters who keep you guessing at what is truly happening in the story.
I had no expectations for what could happen and my expectations were surpassed by the excellent writing and the reveals throughout the novel. There is so much more to the story than where we began with Charbon and I am anxious to see it all play out in the following sequel.
I don't want to spoil the events for this one so please take my word: if you enjoyed The Helm of Midnight, you will not be disappointed by the sequel.
The Cage of Dark Hours is a worthy continuation of what will undoubtedly become one of the best fantasies of all time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child abuse, Gore, and Emotional abuse
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