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katyanaish's review against another edition
4.0
I'm really enjoying this series - don't be fooled by my slow read-time on this... I've been insanely busy this last week, but I'm carrying my kindle everywhere with me, to steal snatches of time to read every time I get a chance.
The opening was a bit of a slog - we're introduced to a new character in an extended prologue, and I feel like spending that much time focused only on Angel was ... unnecessary. The couple key bits of info we got - where he's from, the mission he's on, that the god-born believe there is a great and terrible war coming - were sparse enough that I wasn't sure it was worth the time. We could have gotten all that, and met with Angel, in a much smaller chunk of the book, that let the other characters play as well. Especially given that 3 years had passed since the previous book, I'd just rather have gotten some fill-in of that time, instead.
But that's my only quibble.
I cried, I laughed, ... but honestly, mostly I cried. Lots of horrible things happened in this book. This world is headed down a dark, dark path.
I'm very interested to see Jay develop her abilities, because they seemed to come up short for her a lot in this book. But I'm already partway into the next, so hopefully I'll see some training soon.
The opening was a bit of a slog - we're introduced to a new character in an extended prologue, and I feel like spending that much time focused only on Angel was ... unnecessary. The couple key bits of info we got - where he's from, the mission he's on, that the god-born believe there is a great and terrible war coming - were sparse enough that I wasn't sure it was worth the time. We could have gotten all that, and met with Angel, in a much smaller chunk of the book, that let the other characters play as well. Especially given that 3 years had passed since the previous book, I'd just rather have gotten some fill-in of that time, instead.
But that's my only quibble.
I cried, I laughed, ... but honestly, mostly I cried. Lots of horrible things happened in this book. This world is headed down a dark, dark path.
I'm very interested to see Jay develop her abilities, because they seemed to come up short for her a lot in this book. But I'm already partway into the next, so hopefully I'll see some training soon.
tani's review
4.0
The first two thirds were awfully slow, leading me to drag my feet about making any progress at all. The last third absolutely ate my brain. If West had better pacing, she'd be great. As it is, still pretty darn good.
frazzledreader's review
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. I had started it a while back, but never continued it after the first couple of pages because I didn't feel like reading it at the time. Now I'm glad I have taken the time to read this book because Michelle Sagara West has a way with words, and characters, that captures my attention and doesn't let go - even at the end of this book - I wanted more. She fosters the characters and gives each of them a viewpoint to make them realistic, beautiful, and harsh. It's hard after being so connected to the characters and then to have them pulled away forever. Jewel Markess is a strong-willed, passionate, and compassionate character that I enjoy reading about. As well as her compatriots and other members of the world she inhabits. The scenes of the undercity are by far the most hauntingly beautiful chapters I've ever read. I could visualize the place with such clarity, and such fear. I was alone when I was reading these books and moving alongside the characters in the darkness I felt their fear and lived in their sorrow. I'm glad I found this series and I'm excitedly reading the next books.
winterreader40's review against another edition
4.0
Jewel's journey picks up a couple of years after book 1, she and her Den no longer live with Rath but they still see him for training or to get him to sell the items they find in the undercity. A lot of the everyday trials of survival and life are a part of the story because they are street children, but slowly things start to change as the maze of the undercity becomes a different sort of hunting ground and they start to lose members of the Den to it.
Rath however is hunting the demons and setting up his endgame before Jewel even comes to him to tell him of the first Den member to be lost and he orders them to stay out of the maze as it's no longer safe. He continues his work the order of knowledge even when he knows what the end will require of him.
I love how strong Rath's character is, even the growing pains of the children are compelling which is unusual for me, almost all of them are interesting for one reason or another, Duster being my fave.
Rath however is hunting the demons and setting up his endgame before Jewel even comes to him to tell him of the first Den member to be lost and he orders them to stay out of the maze as it's no longer safe. He continues his work the order of knowledge even when he knows what the end will require of him.
I love how strong Rath's character is, even the growing pains of the children are compelling which is unusual for me, almost all of them are interesting for one reason or another, Duster being my fave.
coriandercake's review
4.0
3.5ish (first 100 or so pages 2 but by end felt like a 5)
This book was a really slow start but it definitely picked up about halfway through. This is not a happy fantasy but it manages to avoid veering into the grimdark area, which I appreciate. West does an excellent job of really highlighting the stark difference (and distance) between the rich and poor, something that I feel a lot of fantasy authors struggle with.
This book was a really slow start but it definitely picked up about halfway through. This is not a happy fantasy but it manages to avoid veering into the grimdark area, which I appreciate. West does an excellent job of really highlighting the stark difference (and distance) between the rich and poor, something that I feel a lot of fantasy authors struggle with.
eososray's review against another edition
3.0
This book took a really long time to get moving, it meandered here and meandered there. And then some bad stuff happened but it still meandered around, before finishing with extreme drama and sadness.
xeni's review
I have to say I am not willing to finish this book. It feels like depression porn: you know everyone is doomed, and will probably die, slowly over the course of the book, and all you can do is hold on. I'm not willing to stay on this ride.
chenoadallen's review
4.0
Started slow for me, but around halfway through, I was hooked and couldn't put it down. Four stars because my favorite part of The Hidden City was the relationships (esp. Jay and Rath) and that wasn't as much a part of City of Night.
avis's review against another edition
5.0
I am so sad. I love these characters so much and ...
Gosh this book tears your heart out.
Gosh this book tears your heart out.