Reviews

Empress Crowned in Red by Ciannon Smart

hugobluue's review

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War

bookswithmeg_'s review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

marlajensine's review against another edition

adventurous fast-paced

4.0

rgibbons's review

adventurous dark tense medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

Good God Jazmyne is insufferable. I finally realized what I didn't like about these books- no one is trustworthy. Everyone is lying and backstabbing so much and it's tiresome. 

rachelsmith3773's review

adventurous slow-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

2.75

sonya77's review

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

basicallybisaha's review against another edition

tense medium-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

3.0

_rowantree_'s review against another edition

adventurous slow-paced

• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: War, Death, and Violence

Moderate: Death of parent and Grief

Minor: Colonisation

leila_reads_too_much's review against another edition

adventurous emotional slow-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

4.5

emilysamsharrisreads's review

adventurous emotional 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? It's complicated

3.75

 Smart is incredible at world-building! I really enjoyed this duology but unfortunately found the pacing of this book to be slower than its predecessor. 

Additionally, while I really enjoyed how Iraya and Jazmyne were evenly matched in the first book, in this half of the duology there was such a wide gap in character development and depth. Iraya was portrayed as flawed but complex, constantly learning from her mistakes, taking the reigns and leadership opportunities in stride. She was cunning, tactful, strategic, while still demonstrating her love & care for the people around her. When she was hurt, the readers hurt along side her. Whereas Jazmyne seemed to get the short, short end of the stick. Her chapters felt more repetitive. Her character came off as whiny, naïve, entitled as heck, and just not particularly useful at times. Neither FMC could catch a break most of the time, but Jazmyne's story felt confusing and contradictory quite a bit. Jaz and Iraya's arguments felt over-done and somewhat shallow. 

 

This felt particularly noticeable when at the end of the story, Jazmyne and Iraya have this tense stand off about who loves Kirdan. What?? Why! There is a war going on and you're being frosty about a man who the whole second book has been about I&K's romantic/sexual relationship. Why did Jazmyne have to come off as petulant, angsty, "wish-it-was-me" type? 

 

Overall, this would still be a series/book to recommend, especially to YA fans.