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wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? No
1.5
I'm decidedly peeved. This series takes place on a planet with two moons, has hesperines (aka vamps), magic, and is a historical-ish medieval setting (castles, knights, royalty, barbaric practices, travelling in caravans, cults, bathing regularly isn't fashionable, fated mated, etc.) which is decidedly not Earth. Why then is there mention a literal traditional shamisen from their "mortal foremothers" from the Archipelagos which is a human homeland? It is sloppy world building to borrow culture specific words like shamisen instead of describing some generic stringed instrument when the author also chooses to make up words for penis and vagina, not to mention has several languages mentioned (Vulgus, Divine, and whatever commands she uses to command her hound).
In addition, it is glacially slow. It took half of the book for anything to even really start happening and even then, I could easily summarize everything that happened. It's one thing if it's slow burn until they get together but they did that in book one. In book two, it's not so much pining/yearning but lusting for when they get to be together again. When they do get to reconnect their conversations are filled with obvious innuendos that are heavy-handed. Lio isn't the promised soft cinnamon roll character but an angsty horny mess. Cassia isn't the master manipulator she thinks she is either since she likes to gloat about her achievements when she deems it "safe" which seems to be randomly sprinkled as a telling and not showing of her political maneuverings.
Overall lots of telling and not showing. This might be for some big reveals later on but I cannot find it within myself to care. The gifts, gods, and magic system(s) were sparsely explained and the only part I was interested in. I read the blurbs for the next books and it seems like it's just as agonizingly slow-paced.
I will not be continuing on.
In addition, it is glacially slow. It took half of the book for anything to even really start happening and even then, I could easily summarize everything that happened. It's one thing if it's slow burn until they get together but they did that in book one. In book two, it's not so much pining/yearning but lusting for when they get to be together again. When they do get to reconnect their conversations are filled with obvious innuendos that are heavy-handed. Lio isn't the promised soft cinnamon roll character but an angsty horny mess. Cassia isn't the master manipulator she thinks she is either since she likes to gloat about her achievements when she deems it "safe" which seems to be randomly sprinkled as a telling and not showing of her political maneuverings.
Overall lots of telling and not showing. This might be for some big reveals later on but I cannot find it within myself to care. The gifts, gods, and magic system(s) were sparsely explained and the only part I was interested in. I read the blurbs for the next books and it seems like it's just as agonizingly slow-paced.
I will not be continuing on.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Death, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexual content, Bullying, Eating disorder, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Toxic relationship, Violence, War, Addiction, Classism, Confinement, Cursing, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexism, Xenophobia, Animal cruelty, Body shaming, Infertility, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
dollscanreadtoo's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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? No
3.25
This is the second book in the Blood Grace series. I liked the first book much better, when the stakes felt high and I was legitimately worried about what would end up happening. In this novel, Cassia is much less a struggling, relatable human with flaws (which was one of my favorite parts of the first book!) and much more a Mary Sue political mastermind. While I'm happy for her as a person to have escaped her father's grasp, it really feels like this book pulled his teeth and he is no longer the terrifying antagonist he seemed to be in the first book. In fact, every "antagonist" in this novel, from the king to the nobility to the magicians, all come across as bumbling idiots. It feels like nothing can happen to Cassia and Lio - they are untouchable in the north with the power of the Hesperines protecting them. The pace of this book is so slow that maybe all the danger and stress come back in the next book, but if I wasn't already invested in this story I would give this a pass. I finished this book, but I am not motivated to keep reading.
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse and Blood
midnacine's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
4.0
I really enjoyed this! I loved the progression of Cassia and Lio's relationship, Cassia really coming into her own independence, and getting to see Orthros from the perspective of both someone who'd lived there their entire life and someone who was seeing it for the first time. Also Zoe is just a sweetheart and I will protect her with my entire being.
Maybe I'm just used to fast-paced books, but I felt like this dragged in some areas in comparison to the first one. There were a lot of major plot points that just weren't tied up by the end of the book, and at moments it was like I was watching a TV show's filler episode. I felt like many of the conversations that established relationships between characters we hadn't met yet could have been trimmed down a bit, but I understand and respect the fact that many of those conversations were also utilized to move the plot forward.
And I'm really sorry cuz this is definitely a me thing and no reflection on the author or the writing, but I cannot, in good conscious, give 5 stars to a book withfeet play.
Maybe I'm just used to fast-paced books, but I felt like this dragged in some areas in comparison to the first one. There were a lot of major plot points that just weren't tied up by the end of the book, and at moments it was like I was watching a TV show's filler episode. I felt like many of the conversations that established relationships between characters we hadn't met yet could have been trimmed down a bit, but I understand and respect the fact that many of those conversations were also utilized to move the plot forward.
And I'm really sorry cuz this is definitely a me thing and no reflection on the author or the writing, but I cannot, in good conscious, give 5 stars to a book with
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, War, Mental illness, Sexual content, and Animal death
Moderate: Sexism, Misogyny, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Violence, Gore, Medical content, Murder, and Grief
Minor: Stalking, Child abuse, and Rape
kkocik's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Blood
Moderate: Death
Minor: Injury/Injury detail and Sexual violence
words_and_dreams's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
4.0
The second installment in the 'Blood Grace' series.
I enjoyed this and love the world and characters that the author has created. It is a fully realised rich world full of history and depth. The continuation of the love story was also beautiful and you really do want them to succeed. The depiction of friendship and it's different forms was also a joy to read.
The downside for me is that it was a little too long and feels like it needs another edit. I had the same thoughts with the first book. A few times I felt myself starting to skim read as it was pages and pages of either a character describing a history of something or lots of political talk. I appreciate the depth but sometimes it was too much. Also, the couple were apart for 48% of the book. I love the couple and want to read about them together. While I understand their separation was part of the trials the characters had to go through, it seemed to go on a little too long. None of this doesn't mean I did not enjoy the book however.
I love the world and writing and the love story is beautiful. I just feel it could have been streamlined a little.
I enjoyed this and love the world and characters that the author has created. It is a fully realised rich world full of history and depth. The continuation of the love story was also beautiful and you really do want them to succeed. The depiction of friendship and it's different forms was also a joy to read.
The downside for me is that it was a little too long and feels like it needs another edit. I had the same thoughts with the first book. A few times I felt myself starting to skim read as it was pages and pages of either a character describing a history of something or lots of political talk. I appreciate the depth but sometimes it was too much. Also, the couple were apart for 48% of the book. I love the couple and want to read about them together. While I understand their separation was part of the trials the characters had to go through, it seemed to go on a little too long. None of this doesn't mean I did not enjoy the book however.
I love the world and writing and the love story is beautiful. I just feel it could have been streamlined a little.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
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