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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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
I loved the original trilogy (The Cruel Prince) and I was very excited when I learned Holly Black was writing a duology about two characters from that trilogy, Oak and Wren. They were far enough from the main narrative that a duology about them would feel like it’s completely its own story. And I loved this duology, but I can’t give it more than a 4 star rating and here’s why, completely spoiler free.
The first book, The Stolen Heir, did a great job accomplishing this. It was from Wren’s point a view, the character we knew little about her, she had a complicated backstory we knew little about when we were first introduced to her; she was the perfect perspective to follow.
This book switched to Oak’s perspective, and, while I hate to admit it, it was to the detriment of the narrative. There were several plot points that didn’t come together until the end, that I think would have been better viewing from Wren’s viewpoint as things are happening to her rather than reading as Oak tries to piece together why she’s doing what she’s doing. Another reason Wren would have been the better character to follow the viewpoint of is because Oak is heavily connected to the characters in the original trilogy, that following his perspective makes it impossible to separate the two series. This was a good book, but not a good conclusion to the duology, but a good wrap up to the lose ends of the original trilogy with the set up to a possible side story of the two former main characters.
All in all, I liked the duology, but I wish it was entirely from Wren’s perspective
The first book, The Stolen Heir, did a great job accomplishing this. It was from Wren’s point a view, the character we knew little about her, she had a complicated backstory we knew little about when we were first introduced to her; she was the perfect perspective to follow.
This book switched to Oak’s perspective, and, while I hate to admit it, it was to the detriment of the narrative. There were several plot points that didn’t come together until the end, that I think would have been better viewing from Wren’s viewpoint as things are happening to her rather than reading as Oak tries to piece together why she’s doing what she’s doing. Another reason Wren would have been the better character to follow the viewpoint of is because Oak is heavily connected to the characters in the original trilogy, that following his perspective makes it impossible to separate the two series. This was a good book, but not a good conclusion to the duology, but a good wrap up to the lose ends of the original trilogy with the set up to a possible side story of the two former main characters.
All in all, I liked the duology, but I wish it was entirely from Wren’s perspective
adventurous
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Torture, Murder, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Death of parent, War
I blacked out for the entirety of this book.
I legit can't tell you exactly what I didn't like about this book because I have no idea what happened. Wren felt like she was gone for half the book and even more so because this book was written in Oak's POV. At least we got to see more of Jude and Cardan. I didn't really get the ending like she died and Oak professed his love oooo and she woke up and crawled out of the husk of her old body idek?? Maybe I would have liked it better if it was a dual POV.
I can't think of any further comments my head is spinning.
I legit can't tell you exactly what I didn't like about this book because I have no idea what happened. Wren felt like she was gone for half the book and even more so because this book was written in Oak's POV. At least we got to see more of Jude and Cardan. I didn't really get the ending like she died and Oak professed his love oooo and she woke up and crawled out of the husk of her old body idek?? Maybe I would have liked it better if it was a dual POV.
I can't think of any further comments my head is spinning.
Listen, I'm VERY easily persuaded by satisfying endings to mediocre books.
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay i just really love Oak and looooved seeing his pov.
He’s a fascinating characterand i loved the exploration of his losing-himself both in the sweet talking and the fighting. and also how he feels about being loved when he can just make anyone love him… this makes the romance w wren amazing cause they just both wanna be loved so bad
Loved seeing the royalty from the inside and the problems the royal family has. Its different from in Judes books, seen as she has this deep anger inside her, that all resentment towards the family can be attributed to, whereas Oaks issues come from so many different aspects of his backstory and upbringing.
Oaks voice and (human-like) humor was a huge part of why i liked reading this.
Oaks speech at the end perfectly sums up this wonderful love story, which is what this book is at its core
The romance and the yearning in this one were incredible.
OAK YOU DECEIVE EVEN WHEN YOU DONT MEAN TO god all those conversations w Wren he just can’t trust his mouth can he
There was a LOT of scheming and I didn’t see through all the mysteries and didn’t predict the twists. i think maybe the reveals didn’t all hit as hard as some of the other books in this universe… idk i really loved the book anyways so no worries.
Just like in the first one I though we had some great side characters though the snippets we see of them were very short and i would’ve loved to see more of them.
This could’ve maybe been five stars but i think i just took to many breaks reading it so that’s my fault…
He’s a fascinating character
Loved seeing the royalty from the inside and the problems the royal family has. Its different from in Judes books, seen as she has this deep anger inside her, that all resentment towards the family can be attributed to, whereas Oaks issues come from so many different aspects of his backstory and upbringing.
Oaks voice and (human-like) humor was a huge part of why i liked reading this.
The romance and the yearning in this one were incredible.
There was a LOT of scheming and I didn’t see through all the mysteries and didn’t predict the twists. i think maybe the reveals didn’t all hit as hard as some of the other books in this universe… idk i really loved the book anyways so no worries.
Just like in the first one I though we had some great side characters though the snippets we see of them were very short and i would’ve loved to see more of them.
This could’ve maybe been five stars but i think i just took to many breaks reading it so that’s my fault…
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
funny
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was a bit of a drag getting through. I do think that Oak's perspective was much more interesting than Wren's, but it felt like so much of the book relied on the whole miscommunication trope (which is literally only bearable in comedies). Overall, the story was good (if not a bit slowly paced) and I liked the way that it resolved, but if I were the type of person that speculates while I'm reading, I would have seen the main "plot twist" at the end coming a mile away. I probably would just suggest that Elfhame enjoyers stick to the main series, unless they really enjoy Oak as a character.