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princess_sara_sparkles's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.75
Great duology and story. Heart-wrenching the whole way through
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, War, Injury/Injury detail, Toxic friendship, Classism, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Torture, Abandonment, Body horror, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Toxic relationship, and Violence
lucianagrimm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
*potential spoilers throughout*
Every creature residing in Briar is so incredibly illustrated and beautifully described. I absolutely loved returning to this world and discovering the ups and downs and new curses to be broken. Alyce and Aurora are gorgeous examples of learning to love who you are despite actions of your past and believing that you can still grow to make a better future. The battles and sieges were epic and brutal and often heartbreaking. All of the characters express deep and profound emotions that resonate through each page. The conflict in both Alyce and Aurora draws on the discourse between light/dark magic and the ‘goodness’ and ‘badness’ that they’re expected to uphold. The lore and history that pieces itself together throughout the story is woven in so cleverly that it makes the chapters unveil the mystery perfectly. I love the resolution and the fulfilment of the fae prophecy and the final piece of the puzzle shimmering into place. The recreation of a newer and all inclusive Briar was constructed with elements that honour all of the magical species we’ve come to love from both of the books.
I am pleased that the sapphic romance is unbroken and the love story they share across both novels is truly beautiful but I do wish there was an epilogue to the epilogue where they live a partially more domestic lifestyle and spend time building libraries and teaching children the history of their legacy.
Every creature residing in Briar is so incredibly illustrated and beautifully described. I absolutely loved returning to this world and discovering the ups and downs and new curses to be broken. Alyce and Aurora are gorgeous examples of learning to love who you are despite actions of your past and believing that you can still grow to make a better future. The battles and sieges were epic and brutal and often heartbreaking. All of the characters express deep and profound emotions that resonate through each page. The conflict in both Alyce and Aurora draws on the discourse between light/dark magic and the ‘goodness’ and ‘badness’ that they’re expected to uphold. The lore and history that pieces itself together throughout the story is woven in so cleverly that it makes the chapters unveil the mystery perfectly. I love the resolution and the fulfilment of the fae prophecy and the final piece of the puzzle shimmering into place. The recreation of a newer and all inclusive Briar was constructed with elements that honour all of the magical species we’ve come to love from both of the books.
I am pleased that the sapphic romance is unbroken and the love story they share across both novels is truly beautiful but I do wish there was an epilogue to the epilogue where they live a partially more domestic lifestyle and spend time building libraries and teaching children the history of their legacy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, and Violence
nclausel25's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Violence, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Grief, Genocide, and Confinement
sadwitch's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Violence, and War
Moderate: Slavery and Stalking
fatedefied's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Confinement, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, War, Death, and Xenophobia
Minor: Slavery, Sexual content, and Trafficking
apersonfromflorida's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and War
Moderate: Grief, Slavery, and Murder
Minor: Death of parent, Child death, and Torture
emmiej's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, Genocide, Death, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Animal death, and Toxic relationship
kas_the_crow19's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, War, and Death
keya_caivalur's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Blood, and Body horror
Moderate: Slavery, War, Violence, and Xenophobia
Minor: Torture, Confinement, Classism, Alcohol, Sexual assault, and Kidnapping
queergoth_reads's review against another edition
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.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Murder, Toxic relationship, War, Confinement, and Violence
Moderate: Slavery