Reviews with content warning for War - Misrule

I have to say that once its all been said and done, I did enjoy my time with duology. There's certainly many ways the books could be better, but I believe the author's intention was to write about the trauma of abuse, and how the can end up swallowing you whole if you're not careful. I myself am a survivor of constant bullying in school resonate with Alyce, and seeing her stumble way throught the maturation one needs to go through in order to get over the bullying was equal parts inspiring and frustrating. And I fully believe that frustration was intentional, because it can be difficult to help someone with trauma. You're brain is like that of a teenager; illogical and regressed. Outside obersevers can see so many paths to a better you, but you as the victim see them all, and the indecision can be crushing!
If I was to offer literary criticism, I'd ask for more world building. I can't place my finger on it, but the world didn't feel rich enough. It felt like I was reading a text book at times, as opposed to a narrative. Maybe the author was going for a more magical realism vibe, but considering large plot-points hinge on how the magic works in this world, it reading less like an instruction manual might have helped. I also feel teh characters were a little inconsistent. Their logic didn't quite work, and while yes, its a story about victims of trauma and how you can't think straight, the book would spell out a character's internal logic, and then they'd act completely against it.
All that criticism aside, I did like the ending. No spoilers, but it was a refreshingly real ending what wasn't bitter sweet.

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queergoth_reads's review against another edition

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dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I really really wanted to love this book a lot more than I did. Malice was absolutely phenomenal but this sequel fell a little short.

It took me a few chapters to get into the book but I really did enjoy reading it. However, once Aurora woke up it kind of went downhill. Aurora spends her whole time showing that her allyship for the magical creatures from the first book was pretty much all performative. She really can't let go of what Alyce has done (which fair), but keeps putting her through this on again off again things which is just very toxic for everyone involved. Honestly I just stopped liking her and I was rooting for them to completely end their relationship.

Additionally I feel like there were a lot of loose threads that tied up too quickly and in a rather unsatisfying manner.

However it was the last couple of chapters that really frustrated me.

Regan died?! Why?? It felt like it was just to avoid dealing which the romance between her and Alyce.

And then there was Aurora getting all the power to unite the kingdoms. I don't think she deserved that at all. And I can't think of anyone worse for the job after the way she acts throughout the book.

Honestly I'm glad Alyce and Aurora don't end up together but I wish it had been a clean break, none of this maybe we'll get back together in 100 years because you are my true love stuff.

Overall I think this book had so much potential. I really do enjoy the author's writing and her characters. I could 100% have read a whole book on Alyce, the dark court and their war. I'd even enjoy Derek being there.

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scifi_rat's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Plot: 3.5 ★
Prose: 4 ★
Pace: 3 ★
Concept/Execution: 4 ★/3★
Characters: 3.5 ★
Worldbuilding: 3.5 ★
Ending: 3.5 ★

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yofrere's review against another edition

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dark mysterious slow-paced

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

2.75

Check out my review of Malice!

Compared to the first book , Misrule felt rather slow. While the world building was a bit more fleshed out, it seemed like a time sucker after the 500 page prequel. It was interesting but directionless for most of the book. I understood Aurora even less in this book which was, in a way, more relatable

considering she had to reimagine her life when she woke up after 100 years to find out that the person she was in love with murdered her entire family and destroyed everything she’d ever known save for a bedroom and the skeleton of her childhood home

.

I wasn’t overly interested in Alyce’s story. I was actually hoping that the second book would be from someone else’s point of view. But she was a familiar narrator and it was nice to see some insight from her unique perspective. The court politics confused me along with several plot points that weren’t really explained. They just sort of were. It may seem unfair to compare this book to Malice but after the scandal and intrigue of the first book, Misrule’s paced out counterbalance was a bit boring.

The supporting cast was actually pretty fun and definitely more likable than the Graces in the first book. The found family trope was a little unexpected but endearing?

The “love triangle” was also unexpected and a bit boring.

I wish Neve had more time in the spotlight. I did not like Regan really at all.

The ending was ultimately satisfying but I wouldn’t recommend this series for everyone. An unusual twist on a classic story.

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frantically's review against another edition

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2.0

I was really disappointed by this; it seems Walter can't put together a reasonable plot without a fairytale as base. Aurora & Alyce lose all sympathetic traits they once had, their forceful fluffy moments can only exist because of all the hurt they bring upon other people. Alyce is a horrible ruler who only cares for her own interests and it's a wonder the court survived this long with her as its mistress. Also, two

100 years time skips

?? Really?

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jay_da_bookworm's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense medium-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? Yes

3.75

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booksthatburn's review against another edition

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The first one wasn't really my thing, and I think I don't like "will they get back together" plots where their original romance was brief and one person truly became awful in the meantime.

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