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3.96 AVERAGE
3.96 AVERAGE
these absolutely gorgeous covers are wasted on a story like this :(
One of the few times I've ever liked the second book better than the first! I was unsure about this series throughout the first book, the Night and its Moon, simply because of the slow pacing and overexplanation (compared to previous books I'd read of the same genre). It took a minute to get used to that, and still follow the conversation surrounding the explanation, but once I did, I actually enjoyed the pace and explanation drawing out the scenes much more than a lightning-quick read (like Fourth Wing or ACOTAR). The emotional content (note: I say emotional content as descriptions of thoughts and feelings, it does not mean outright ROMANCE) in this novel is fantastic. For example (no spoilers), there is a scene when a character is talking to an academic type, and they get the distinct feeling that this academic is being deliberately condescending and acting like she knows nothing (maybe she doesn't know anything, but that's not someone else's place to make that obvious). I related so hard to this feeling and it was described so well-- usually the only feelings elaborated on in fantasy romance novels are that of a sexual nature, so this was a pleasant surprise. This happens multiple times, with different feelings, and it's awesome.
I want to emphasize that the author prioritizes the PLOT over the ROMANCE in this book. It's the first time in a book where I've read such a compelling plot/world after thinking it was going to be a quick read romance-- the romance still has its role in the story, but it's morphing into something unexpected, and I think it's really masterful writing since she obviously wanted this to be a bisexual romance-- it's not just bi to be bi, it actually fits with the story, and I love that.
The magic is elaborated on in this book, the character family grows, and I am loving the unrequited love theme that continues to permeate the story. The two main characters aren't the only notable voices, we get the picture from other side characters, too... but these two main characters and their discoveries of themselves and the world are very interesting to read about.
The only reason I give this book 4 stars instead of 5 (I would give 4.5 if I could) is because there are three or four times in this book when the author quite obviously drills the point home about discovering that a character is bisexual, or understanding the picture of consent, or says "you're accepted for who you are." These could have been points that came up naturally in the novel without taking away from the story-- it took me away from the scene in question and became the author addressing the reader directly, which ruined the effectiveness and beauty of the scene. HOWEVER, on the consent point, I did enjoy that the men did not throw themselves aggressively at the women once they know what's happening romantically. I enjoy reading about love in whatever form it presents itself without all the extra fluff to make sure the reader understands, in direct words, the point you're trying to make. In general, I would recommend this to everyone who is looking for a more satisfying mix of romance AND plot, without the romance dominating the book and without the plot flying by in a blink. I honestly looked forward to the magic and genuine conversations between characters more than the romance.
Also I must say I don't understand all the one-star reviews of this series. Do you get paid to say bad things about a book just because it has romantic themes that aren't "mainstream?" Get over yourself.
I want to emphasize that the author prioritizes the PLOT over the ROMANCE in this book. It's the first time in a book where I've read such a compelling plot/world after thinking it was going to be a quick read romance-- the romance still has its role in the story, but it's morphing into something unexpected, and I think it's really masterful writing since she obviously wanted this to be a bisexual romance-- it's not just bi to be bi, it actually fits with the story, and I love that.
The magic is elaborated on in this book, the character family grows, and I am loving the unrequited love theme that continues to permeate the story. The two main characters aren't the only notable voices, we get the picture from other side characters, too... but these two main characters and their discoveries of themselves and the world are very interesting to read about.
The only reason I give this book 4 stars instead of 5 (I would give 4.5 if I could) is because there are three or four times in this book when the author quite obviously drills the point home about discovering that a character is bisexual, or understanding the picture of consent, or says "you're accepted for who you are." These could have been points that came up naturally in the novel without taking away from the story-- it took me away from the scene in question and became the author addressing the reader directly, which ruined the effectiveness and beauty of the scene. HOWEVER, on the consent point, I did enjoy that the men did not throw themselves aggressively at the women once they know what's happening romantically. I enjoy reading about love in whatever form it presents itself without all the extra fluff to make sure the reader understands, in direct words, the point you're trying to make. In general, I would recommend this to everyone who is looking for a more satisfying mix of romance AND plot, without the romance dominating the book and without the plot flying by in a blink. I honestly looked forward to the magic and genuine conversations between characters more than the romance.
Also I must say I don't understand all the one-star reviews of this series. Do you get paid to say bad things about a book just because it has romantic themes that aren't "mainstream?" Get over yourself.
This had potential. I liked the first book well enough, this one was harder to get through at certain points. And repetitive (yes we know Nox smells like plums, Jesus. Do plums even have a smell? I'm gonna have to sniff one at the grocery store)
I'm going to be honest that I wanted to read this series because there was supposed to be some Sapphic romance between our two main characters, so very disappointed that the one (overly, and honestly, weirdly written) sex scene involved a dude. I'm not even sure of Nox and Amaris actually had sex or just cuddled and slept because of how different the two parts were written.
I already own the third book so I'm gonna give it a go at some point, but this is a lesson to only buy a series one book at a time
I'm going to be honest that I wanted to read this series because there was supposed to be some Sapphic romance between our two main characters, so very disappointed that the one (overly, and honestly, weirdly written) sex scene involved a dude. I'm not even sure of Nox and Amaris actually had sex or just cuddled and slept because of how different the two parts were written.
I already own the third book so I'm gonna give it a go at some point, but this is a lesson to only buy a series one book at a time
Story is still so impassioned and compelling. There are still some typos and grammar issues in spots but much much better than the first in the series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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:
Complicated
Where do I even begin? After reading the second book in the series I would be lying to say I wasn't changed. Piper’s writing had me completely enthralled. I loved how the story threaded together from the first book and theories I had come to light. It just filled me with such a sense of joy I couldn’t stop saying it to anyone who would listen. The themes of love, trust, betrayal and many more all come through so beautifully. Let’s just say yes I cried and yes I would read it again.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is amazing. The first one was also amazing, but now that the characters are established and you know them the story gets so much richer. I definitely recommend!
Significantly better than book one. A little repetitive and wordy in some spots and still some egregious errors that should've been caught by an editor, ("she fell to her NEEDS," exasperated in place of exacerbated, and another sentence that had several typos and extra words.)
For me, the story was so much more interesting and the storytelling was more linear and better organized than book one.
I felt more interested in the characters, felt their emotions more deeply, and was overall more invested and intrigued by this book than the first. Looking forward to the end of the series
For me, the story was so much more interesting and the storytelling was more linear and better organized than book one.
I felt more interested in the characters, felt their emotions more deeply, and was overall more invested and intrigued by this book than the first. Looking forward to the end of the series
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-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