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4.41 AVERAGE
4.41 AVERAGE
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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:
No
Was absolutely losing my mind going crazy for the last quarter of this had to take a break to calm down
I almost didn't read this because I didn't really enjoy One Dark Window. The only reason I continued on was because I knew the Nightmare was going to take over Ilspeth, and I hoped that would make her less annoying. The Nightmare did not disappoint. Add in Elm and Ione, who are relationship goals, and a lot less Ilspeth in this book, and this book was so much better than the first.
adventurous
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
At the start, I wasn't sure about the choice to focus on other characters and have their POV in the story but I came around to it and I really enjoyed this. I do think the world and it's history is really interesting so I was happy we found out more in this book. I remember thinking I didn't really have a reason to care for Ione in the first one other than being told she and Elspeth were close but I'm interested to possibly go back and read the first one now and see if I feel more connected to her and care more about her. There were a few things like that so I think this book really improves on the story and the world. I like that its a duology and it told the story it wanted to and isn't a huge ongoing series.
A Mystical, Beautiful Book
This was a stunning book. Not in the typical romantasy way, where it gives you those hooks and hits of the deep romance and the fast paced words. But rather in its intricacy, how I plan to read the book again, to try to understand it better than I did the first time. It provides a beautiful commentary on the balance of life, on good and bad, and on the gray areas. Also the embodiment of nature and the give and take of humanity was amazing. It was mystically written, and fitting for the haze of the Wood.
This was a stunning book. Not in the typical romantasy way, where it gives you those hooks and hits of the deep romance and the fast paced words. But rather in its intricacy, how I plan to read the book again, to try to understand it better than I did the first time. It provides a beautiful commentary on the balance of life, on good and bad, and on the gray areas. Also the embodiment of nature and the give and take of humanity was amazing. It was mystically written, and fitting for the haze of the Wood.
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think I preferred the sequel to the first book, even though it started slow. I found my self caring most about Elm & Ioni’s story in this one which is what brought it to a higher rating than the first book.
I do kind of wish Elsbeth was less side-lined for this one (I think that’s what made the beginning harder to get into for me) BUT it made sense for the story & the whole story seemed very well-planned and complete. I love that it’s a support and didn’t unnecessarily stretch everything out to be a trilogy.
What’s social about this duology is how different the writing & tone is. I love the rhymes, the shepherd king, the truly dark, gritty, creepy/mysterious fairytale vibe. It all feels like a Misty’s/foggy/hazy sun has just set fairytale world. Love that the “world” in question was small and limited to one kingdom for this truly slipped into a fairytale vibe.
I do kind of wish Elsbeth was less side-lined for this one (I think that’s what made the beginning harder to get into for me) BUT it made sense for the story & the whole story seemed very well-planned and complete. I love that it’s a support and didn’t unnecessarily stretch everything out to be a trilogy.
What’s social about this duology is how different the writing & tone is. I love the rhymes, the shepherd king, the truly dark, gritty, creepy/mysterious fairytale vibe. It all feels like a Misty’s/foggy/hazy sun has just set fairytale world. Love that the “world” in question was small and limited to one kingdom for this truly slipped into a fairytale vibe.
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
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
In the words of Sabrina Carpenter in the song Manchild: Oh Boy
So I'm gonna get the good stuff out of the way first. Ravyn and Elspeth are both badasses! They are fighting to right the kingdom (even if Elspeth has to do it from the back seat) whilst fighting to get back to each other. What Ravyn went through to get the deck united and the way he fought for his loved ones, truly iconic.
I'm gonna say it. Elm and Ione are the FAR superior couple! I started caring more about them two when snippets of a relationship between them started in the first book. I thought Elm was the far more interesting character and I'm so glad he had POVs in this book! The fact he loves Ione without the Maiden card and has for a long time is the absolute standard. New book boyfriend unlocked! I love how Ione wants her Maiden back because she doesn't feel like herself, even with the Maidens magic affecting her.
I really loved learning more about The Shepherd King and his past as well he became a really interesting character and there were a few shocks about him too!
The middle 200 pages had me in an absolute chokehold! I was reading bleary eyes at 2 in the morning not wanting to put it down! I love learning about all the different providence cards and what they do and how people with different intentions use them for either good or evil.
Now here's why I couldn't give it 5 stars even though up until the end it was a 5 star read. WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?! They spent the whole book building up this big reunion between Ravyn and Elspeth when Elspeth gets her mind back and it was just completely brushed over!! I was expecting tears and kissing and jumping into his arms and there was just nothing. It was completely disappointing and brought the book down by a star. A real shame
So I'm gonna get the good stuff out of the way first. Ravyn and Elspeth are both badasses! They are fighting to right the kingdom (even if Elspeth has to do it from the back seat) whilst fighting to get back to each other. What Ravyn went through to get the deck united and the way he fought for his loved ones, truly iconic.
I'm gonna say it. Elm and Ione are the FAR superior couple! I started caring more about them two when snippets of a relationship between them started in the first book. I thought Elm was the far more interesting character and I'm so glad he had POVs in this book! The fact he loves Ione without the Maiden card and has for a long time is the absolute standard. New book boyfriend unlocked! I love how Ione wants her Maiden back because she doesn't feel like herself, even with the Maidens magic affecting her.
I really loved learning more about The Shepherd King and his past as well he became a really interesting character and there were a few shocks about him too!
The middle 200 pages had me in an absolute chokehold! I was reading bleary eyes at 2 in the morning not wanting to put it down! I love learning about all the different providence cards and what they do and how people with different intentions use them for either good or evil.
Now here's why I couldn't give it 5 stars even though up until the end it was a 5 star read. WHAT WAS THAT ENDING?! They spent the whole book building up this big reunion between Ravyn and Elspeth when Elspeth gets her mind back and it was just completely brushed over!! I was expecting tears and kissing and jumping into his arms and there was just nothing. It was completely disappointing and brought the book down by a star. A real shame
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder