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lilymouse's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Jesus H Christ this is one of the most amazing trilogies I've ever dived into. I can say with full certainty these books will stay with me. Please, do yourself a favor and read these books. Just, wow.
ruth_miranda's review
5.0
And book 2 did not disappoint!
Following Ev and Alizhan into Nalitzvah, the reader is presented with a few new secrets and a few new characters, of which Thyio immediately becomes a firm favourite. Their journey into Estva becomes intriguing and filled with foreboding, but the time spent there with the characters is an interesting one, as more secrets unravel before our eyes. It's a delight how this world is built and brought to us, I am in awe of the intricacies and details put into it. I am also in awe - and in love - with the characters, and the way they're all so unique in their personal voices. I can find myself relating to Ev at odd moments, but then to Alizhan, who sees the world so differently, and then I am Thyio for a stint, using sarcasm and humour as a shield, a defense. I found myself connecting even deeper to the characters that travelled from book 1 to book 2 and weaving a firm bond with the new ones, and that's thanks to the author's mastery in presenting readers with a tight, cohesive line of work in the way she tends to the story and the construction of these characters. It all feels so natural, they flow so easily, as does the plot. Plus, Iryiat, I still am fascinated by the woman and I need more from her That finale was like a huge slap on my face, and now I cannot wait for the final instalment of what is rapidly becoming one of my favourite fantasy trilogies!
Following Ev and Alizhan into Nalitzvah, the reader is presented with a few new secrets and a few new characters, of which Thyio immediately becomes a firm favourite. Their journey into Estva becomes intriguing and filled with foreboding, but the time spent there with the characters is an interesting one, as more secrets unravel before our eyes. It's a delight how this world is built and brought to us, I am in awe of the intricacies and details put into it. I am also in awe - and in love - with the characters, and the way they're all so unique in their personal voices. I can find myself relating to Ev at odd moments, but then to Alizhan, who sees the world so differently, and then I am Thyio for a stint, using sarcasm and humour as a shield, a defense. I found myself connecting even deeper to the characters that travelled from book 1 to book 2 and weaving a firm bond with the new ones, and that's thanks to the author's mastery in presenting readers with a tight, cohesive line of work in the way she tends to the story and the construction of these characters. It all feels so natural, they flow so easily, as does the plot. Plus, Iryiat, I still am fascinated by the woman and I need more from her That finale was like a huge slap on my face, and now I cannot wait for the final instalment of what is rapidly becoming one of my favourite fantasy trilogies!
electrumempousa's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
5.0
I loved every moment of this. Immediately fell head over heels for Thiyo. Loved seeing the extracts from Iriyat and learning more about her - though there’s still so much left unexplained. I can understand people feeling like this is less of a trilogy and more one book split in 3, but the good news is they’re all out so you can read them back to back anyway. The depictions of life in different parts of their world are wonderful - and I loved getting an insight into the different cultures. The deepening and development of Ev and Alizhan’s relationship was also so delicious.
eemms's review against another edition
3.0
There's more POV characters now as well as the letters and journal entries but unfortunately parts were kind of confusing, and I don't *think* it was my attention span this time. Definitely a middle book - moves a lot of stuff around but you definitely need to read book 3 after this one! I really like Thiyo, one of the new POV characters, and the relationship between Ev and Alizhan was LOVELY, tho I selfishly wish *mumblespoilersmumble*. I also have high hopes for an OT3 [eyes emoji]. Already picked up book 3, I *have* to know what happens next!
spiderhands's review against another edition
4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this and I think it's a much stronger novel than Thornfruit in terms of its pacing - maybe partly because a lot of the heavy exposition about the world and society had already been done in the first book, but it felt as though even the new settings weren't laid out so heavy-handedly, and it felt more like the author knew we could keep up rather than holding our hand through everything.
I LOVE the way this series deals with different languages in this universe - characters speaking different languages, or characters having to translate for each other, or having to adapt to a different language to make themselves understood even though they're not very good at it, or the ways that some words in one language are derivative of the word in another language, or even things as simple as when one of the characters comes across a word they're not familiar with! I love it and it makes the whole thing feel much more real.
SPEAKING OF LANGUAGES... what an incredible character Thiyo is. It is so refreshing to come across a fantasy novel with MULTIPLE (well, two) well-developed trans characters, and Thiyo in particular is so complex and interesting. He is such a good addition to the team!
But once again the heart of this series is Alizhan and Ev, and seeing them get closer and the YEARNING and the PINING is incredible, especially when Certain Things happen that limit Alizhan's normal means of communicating... I would die for them.
I'm off to read Shadebloom!
I LOVE the way this series deals with different languages in this universe - characters speaking different languages, or characters having to translate for each other, or having to adapt to a different language to make themselves understood even though they're not very good at it, or the ways that some words in one language are derivative of the word in another language, or even things as simple as when one of the characters comes across a word they're not familiar with! I love it and it makes the whole thing feel much more real.
SPEAKING OF LANGUAGES... what an incredible character Thiyo is. It is so refreshing to come across a fantasy novel with MULTIPLE (well, two) well-developed trans characters, and Thiyo in particular is so complex and interesting. He is such a good addition to the team!
But once again the heart of this series is Alizhan and Ev, and seeing them get closer and the YEARNING and the PINING is incredible, especially when Certain Things happen that limit Alizhan's normal means of communicating... I would die for them.
I'm off to read Shadebloom!
jennieartemis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
3.0
TLDR: A sequel whose interest in queerness and relationships is a strength amidst a muddled narrative and world
Like book 1, Nightvine is rather uneven and unpolished - there's some weird pacing, unconvincing worldbuilding (particularly regarding distances), etc. I do think it improves a little on the style, and makes the most of its returning characters. The further exploration of queerness is also welcome, particularly with it embracing gender rather than just sexuality, but unfortunately I simply do not like Thiyo, and he gets so much focus. Ultimately my interest is with Alizhan, Ev, and Iriyat, and there were points where I was invested, particularly with the romance, but not quite enough for the whole book.
4/10 in personal rating system
Like book 1, Nightvine is rather uneven and unpolished - there's some weird pacing, unconvincing worldbuilding (particularly regarding distances), etc. I do think it improves a little on the style, and makes the most of its returning characters. The further exploration of queerness is also welcome, particularly with it embracing gender rather than just sexuality, but unfortunately I simply do not like Thiyo, and he gets so much focus. Ultimately my interest is with Alizhan, Ev, and Iriyat, and there were points where I was invested, particularly with the romance, but not quite enough for the whole book.
4/10 in personal rating system
bookwyrmed's review
5.0
Absolutely lived up to the promise of the first book. There's very little I can talk about that isn't spoilers, but WOW. Somehow managed to achieve a climactic ending without making me feel a cheated sense of "I can't BELIEVE you cut it off here" and still leaving me very excited and eager for the next book. Also I'm love Thiyo.
snatsnoc's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
theheartisawaffle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
moonandthesun's review against another edition
5.0
Even better than the first book although this one wasn't as action packed as Thornfruit, but still the progression of the plot, the twists, the expansion of the worldbuilding and the character dynamics were great. I love Ev, Alizhan and Thiyo sm