Scan barcode
heyt's review against another edition
3.0
The continuing adventures of Eugenie Markham. I was lightly spoiled on the circumstances surrounding the ending but it was still a quick and easy read. We get to see Eugenie dealing with the fallout from the previous book and a whole new set of problems spurring from her actions to avert the war.
jljaina's review against another edition
4.0
Eugenie Markham is quite the kick-butt heroine! She is queen of the Thorn Land, half-human, half-fae and she is in the middle of a huge war with The Rowan Land. This book starts off with a great start.
***Please note if you have not read the previous two books of the series I suggest doing so before reading further to avoid past spoilers.***
Working with her current lover, King Dorian, along with her advisors Shaya and Rurik, Eugenie is trying to manage the war with minimal damage. And she still has to manage her Earthly job, banishing and dealing with unwanted visitors. Bills must be paid after all! I do not think I could handle the dual life. It's no wonder her judgement slips some in this book.
Yes, it slips. In a few areas of life. The biggest being she STILL cannot stick to a guy. While she starts of with smooth, dominant, hot, and somewhat manipulative Dorian, she switches (yet AGAIN) back to Kiyo. Kiyo the kitsune, father Queen Maiwenn's daughter, sexy and very anti-war. After basically abandoning her in the past book, she goes to him in an an insta-switch moment after she feels Dorian tricked her.
Now I can deal with the love triangles where they like each other but don't act much on it. But I hate when one can't decide and ping-pongs her affections the way Eugenie is!
Outside of the romantic aspects of this book, Eugenie is trying to one up Katrice of Rowan Land and the rumored Iron Crown might be the answer. Jasmine really starts to come around in this book and I am starting to actually like her. And the famous animosity between Tim and Lara come to a surprise (and unrealistic) head when they finally meat!
There is also a bit of story for a ghost named Deanna who wants Eugenie's help. While a small bit role. the information she has for Eugenie is priceless!
Some major turns in this book! While I did enjoy it overall, Eugenie's behavior and the relationship bounces did put me off a bit. The story I love and Richelle Mead's writing style continues to impress. Few authors have drawn me into their worlds the was she has done so far.
***Please note if you have not read the previous two books of the series I suggest doing so before reading further to avoid past spoilers.***
Working with her current lover, King Dorian, along with her advisors Shaya and Rurik, Eugenie is trying to manage the war with minimal damage. And she still has to manage her Earthly job, banishing and dealing with unwanted visitors. Bills must be paid after all! I do not think I could handle the dual life. It's no wonder her judgement slips some in this book.
Yes, it slips. In a few areas of life. The biggest being she STILL cannot stick to a guy. While she starts of with smooth, dominant, hot, and somewhat manipulative Dorian, she switches (yet AGAIN) back to Kiyo. Kiyo the kitsune, father Queen Maiwenn's daughter, sexy and very anti-war. After basically abandoning her in the past book, she goes to him in an an insta-switch moment after she feels Dorian tricked her.
Now I can deal with the love triangles where they like each other but don't act much on it. But I hate when one can't decide and ping-pongs her affections the way Eugenie is!
Outside of the romantic aspects of this book, Eugenie is trying to one up Katrice of Rowan Land and the rumored Iron Crown might be the answer. Jasmine really starts to come around in this book and I am starting to actually like her. And the famous animosity between Tim and Lara come to a surprise (and unrealistic) head when they finally meat!
There is also a bit of story for a ghost named Deanna who wants Eugenie's help. While a small bit role. the information she has for Eugenie is priceless!
Some major turns in this book! While I did enjoy it overall, Eugenie's behavior and the relationship bounces did put me off a bit. The story I love and Richelle Mead's writing style continues to impress. Few authors have drawn me into their worlds the was she has done so far.
aeoist's review against another edition
3.0
Fun, easy, over quickly. The male protagonists drive me crazy, but I guess I understand the allure of both. I kept hoping a random third male lead would show up and give Eugenie support and he wouldn't have all the betrayal and bullshit of the other two. The plot is interesting and the characters have depth and conflict, but the male leads are selfish and the protagonist is kind of dumb.
That being said, it was fluffy and enjoyable and I'm definitely going to read the next one.
That being said, it was fluffy and enjoyable and I'm definitely going to read the next one.
tesskelly's review against another edition
3.0
one more book then i will read intellectual things again
mauraho's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
shannonleighd's review against another edition
3.0
*2.75 Stars*
There is a recurring theme in all of Meads books that is starting to make me wonder about her personal life. Could this be wish fulfillment? Or perhaps something that happened to her in her past? For her sake I hope not.
I'm getting the feeling that Mead wants us to hate all her main characters. She has them make idiotic decisions, betray the ones who love them, and do the one thing they should have done in the first place when it's almost too late. They ignore useful advice and instead plow their way through the plot haphazardly, no matter who gets caught in their wake. Eugenie, Georgina, Rose; they're essentially the same person with a few minor tweaks. She makes me want to strangle every single one of them. With Eugenie though, I'm the most disappointed.
The events of this book directly follow those of [b:Thorn Queen|6093337|Thorn Queen (Dark Swan, #2)|Richelle Mead|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1307233069s/6093337.jpg|6170488]. Eugenie's and Dorian's lands are in a war with Katrice and her Rowan Land. Eugenie is desperately trying to find a way to end the war with the least amount of casualties and destruction. A seeress comes to her one night and tells her if she finds the Iron Crown, then Katrice will be intimidated and give up. Dorian confirms as much, but only Eugenie can go after the Iron Crown since it's, well, made out of iron. Without asking enough questions, Eugenie sets out on her quest with Kiyo tagging along, hoping that this one artifact will be her answer to ending the war.
By this point in the book, I was already wary of what would happen. I saw the next series of events coming a mile away. Eugenie's justification for her actions was disgusting. And it's one of those instances where you say to yourself, "I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed." And that makes it hurt so much more.
I didn't agree with the way Dorian went about sending Eugenie on her quest, but I did agree with the outcome. Was it betrayal though? No, not at all. Sure, Eugenie has the right to be pissed and indignant, but in no way did Dorian act out of character. He has let his ambitions be known since the beginning. He has always been forthcoming about how he feels and what he wants from her. Even Volusian can see that:
It's these passages that give me pause and think, "Mead knows that Eugenie is a blockhead, and her characters know it too, so why does she make her act like this?" I can't for the life of me figure that out.
Dorian was fantastic in this book. He is still my favorite character. Ever. Eugenie doesn't deserve him, but more importantly, Dorian doesn't deserve her. Eugenie likes to piss and moan about how Dorian is always trying to control her and be her "puppet master," but if he wasn't around to steer her in the right direction, she'd drive herself over a cliff, and then blame him. Dorian wonders at her human emotions and why she can't see the right thing that needs to be done, but it's not her human thinking that makes her do stupid things. She's just being stupid.
As for Kiyo: STAB, STAB, STAB.
So, the ghost subplot. What was the point of that? Eugenie doesn't even solve the mystery; she hires someone else to do it instead. The only point was to have the ghost strategically placed in order to overhear something. Now doesn't that sound familiar? How about Georgina's out of body experiences, or Rose listening in on pertinent information while inside Lissa's head? It really makes me angry that Mead continues to use and reuse the same plot devices.
The thing is though; I can't stop reading her books. I love that she makes me feel heartbroken along with her characters. I feel the betrayal, (maybe not with the intended character,) but I feel something nonetheless. I can't say I hate her series just because they make me uncomfortable.
I devour her books. I speed read them because I can't wait to see what happens next. I alternately hate one character and love another, and can't help rooting for them all in the end. Yes, Eugenie is a stupid selfish brat. Yes, the story is a bit contrived and Mead continues to use and abuse the same plot devices and motifs over and over and over again. For whatever reason though, I enjoy reading them. I love the world she's created and I have to see how things end. I'll probably be disappointed in where the stories go and the actions she makes her characters take, but I won't ever regret having read them. Mead's books are my crack, and I'm a dirty dirty addict.
Here is my review of the previous book, Thorn Queen.
There is a recurring theme in all of Meads books that is starting to make me wonder about her personal life. Could this be wish fulfillment? Or perhaps something that happened to her in her past? For her sake I hope not.
I'm getting the feeling that Mead wants us to hate all her main characters. She has them make idiotic decisions, betray the ones who love them, and do the one thing they should have done in the first place when it's almost too late. They ignore useful advice and instead plow their way through the plot haphazardly, no matter who gets caught in their wake. Eugenie, Georgina, Rose; they're essentially the same person with a few minor tweaks. She makes me want to strangle every single one of them. With Eugenie though, I'm the most disappointed.
The events of this book directly follow those of [b:Thorn Queen|6093337|Thorn Queen (Dark Swan, #2)|Richelle Mead|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1307233069s/6093337.jpg|6170488]. Eugenie's and Dorian's lands are in a war with Katrice and her Rowan Land. Eugenie is desperately trying to find a way to end the war with the least amount of casualties and destruction. A seeress comes to her one night and tells her if she finds the Iron Crown, then Katrice will be intimidated and give up. Dorian confirms as much, but only Eugenie can go after the Iron Crown since it's, well, made out of iron. Without asking enough questions, Eugenie sets out on her quest with Kiyo tagging along, hoping that this one artifact will be her answer to ending the war.
By this point in the book, I was already wary of what would happen. I saw the next series of events coming a mile away. Eugenie's justification for her actions was disgusting. And it's one of those instances where you say to yourself, "I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed." And that makes it hurt so much more.
I didn't agree with the way Dorian went about sending Eugenie on her quest, but I did agree with the outcome. Was it betrayal though? No, not at all. Sure, Eugenie has the right to be pissed and indignant, but in no way did Dorian act out of character. He has let his ambitions be known since the beginning. He has always been forthcoming about how he feels and what he wants from her. Even Volusian can see that:
"'I told you that long ago, that the Oak King's own agenda will always come first. As will the kitsune's. But, unsurprisingly, my mistress chooses to ignore the only sound advice given to her and instead listens to those who use affection for their own purposes.'" (213)
It's these passages that give me pause and think, "Mead knows that Eugenie is a blockhead, and her characters know it too, so why does she make her act like this?" I can't for the life of me figure that out.
Dorian was fantastic in this book. He is still my favorite character. Ever. Eugenie doesn't deserve him, but more importantly, Dorian doesn't deserve her. Eugenie likes to piss and moan about how Dorian is always trying to control her and be her "puppet master," but if he wasn't around to steer her in the right direction, she'd drive herself over a cliff, and then blame him. Dorian wonders at her human emotions and why she can't see the right thing that needs to be done, but it's not her human thinking that makes her do stupid things. She's just being stupid.
As for Kiyo: STAB, STAB, STAB.
So, the ghost subplot. What was the point of that? Eugenie doesn't even solve the mystery; she hires someone else to do it instead. The only point was to have the ghost strategically placed in order to overhear something. Now doesn't that sound familiar? How about Georgina's out of body experiences, or Rose listening in on pertinent information while inside Lissa's head? It really makes me angry that Mead continues to use and reuse the same plot devices.
The thing is though; I can't stop reading her books. I love that she makes me feel heartbroken along with her characters. I feel the betrayal, (maybe not with the intended character,) but I feel something nonetheless. I can't say I hate her series just because they make me uncomfortable.
I devour her books. I speed read them because I can't wait to see what happens next. I alternately hate one character and love another, and can't help rooting for them all in the end. Yes, Eugenie is a stupid selfish brat. Yes, the story is a bit contrived and Mead continues to use and abuse the same plot devices and motifs over and over and over again. For whatever reason though, I enjoy reading them. I love the world she's created and I have to see how things end. I'll probably be disappointed in where the stories go and the actions she makes her characters take, but I won't ever regret having read them. Mead's books are my crack, and I'm a dirty dirty addict.
Here is my review of the previous book, Thorn Queen.
somasis's review against another edition
2.0
Disappointing. Eugenie messes up one situation after another, there are times when events seem forced, and mostly, I really hate the way she is bouncing around between guys. Get it together Eugenie.
jereshkigal's review against another edition
5.0
It's very easy to dive into the worlds that Richelle Mead creates. This is the third book of the Storm Born series and it was as good as the first two. The characters are believable and the story continues to draw me in.
My only regret is that I didn't have more time to devote to reading it. I suppose that is also a plus in the fact that it also allows me to stay in this world longer. One more book in this series then I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book in Mead's Bloodlines series.
My only regret is that I didn't have more time to devote to reading it. I suppose that is also a plus in the fact that it also allows me to stay in this world longer. One more book in this series then I'll be eagerly awaiting the next book in Mead's Bloodlines series.
reginaexmachina's review against another edition
1.0
Part of my problem with the book is that I read the second book in this series shortly after it was released in 2009. So already going into this book I'd forgotten a lot of what was going on and who was who since I didn't reread anything again going into it. Then I got into the storyline and was a bit bored. Problem number two. I figured I'd at least skim through the book since I did love Dorian so much in previous books and I wanted to find out what happens in the end. Which brought out problem number three. While I liked the main character Eugenie in the previous books she's now the second Richelle Mead heroine to drive me up the wall. She's also the second Richelle Mead heroine to cheat. I can handle impulsiveness and being rash in a character but cheating is something I think is simply stupid. Especially since she bounces between several men throughout the series and can't make up her mind. I've read books before where someone cheats and have liked some of them when it's treated right. But here the heroine was already being an idiot and that was just the last straw. I'm hoping this won't be an ongoing thing with Richelle Mead's heroine's as I like her writing but I can't put up with stupid main characters.