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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
I'm done with this. It took me a whole week to finish this book, and I almost gave up at least 3 times.
The first book held plenty of promises, an interesting world, and the concept of the "Sources" and the highly hierarchical society that was depicted had me intrigued. Intrigued enough to pick up book 2, despite some lengthy chapters and a decidedly opaque plot. I thought, surely book 2 will deliver some answers? Surely the characters will develop, their relationships will evolve - something is bound to happen to make the story exciting? I know everyone keeps saying the end of book 2 is fantastic but I just don't see it. I was BORED out of my mind for 600 pages - 600!! I just checked. Unacceptable. And the remaining 60 pages at the end barely graze the surface of what the fuck is happening. The denouement is anything but, and does not make up for the utter nothing that is the rest of the book.
Storm of Secrets and Sorrow is 600 pages of convoluted conjectures, where everybody seems to know something, but nobody shares the information on page. It's a constant back and forth with Tessa saying "I'm fine" every other line, and Theon grabbing her face and telling her she belongs to him.
I'm mad at myself for pushing myself to finish this book, and I am absolutely not picking up the sequel because I don't care anymore. Tessa can kill everyone, Theon can go to sleep and not wake up, I don't give a crap.
The first book held plenty of promises, an interesting world, and the concept of the "Sources" and the highly hierarchical society that was depicted had me intrigued. Intrigued enough to pick up book 2, despite some lengthy chapters and a decidedly opaque plot. I thought, surely book 2 will deliver some answers? Surely the characters will develop, their relationships will evolve - something is bound to happen to make the story exciting? I know everyone keeps saying the end of book 2 is fantastic but I just don't see it. I was BORED out of my mind for 600 pages - 600!! I just checked. Unacceptable. And the remaining 60 pages at the end barely graze the surface of what the fuck is happening. The denouement is anything but, and does not make up for the utter nothing that is the rest of the book.
Storm of Secrets and Sorrow is 600 pages of convoluted conjectures, where everybody seems to know something, but nobody shares the information on page. It's a constant back and forth with Tessa saying "I'm fine" every other line, and Theon grabbing her face and telling her she belongs to him.
I'm mad at myself for pushing myself to finish this book, and I am absolutely not picking up the sequel because I don't care anymore. Tessa can kill everyone, Theon can go to sleep and not wake up, I don't give a crap.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 4.7
There were multiple times where I thought it was obvious what the next few things were going to be to happen but then things ended up going a different direction I hadn’t expected. There are still a few things where I think something should be obvious/known by the the characters but they still haven't figured out what it means which has me roll my eyes sometimes but the story is still engaging enough that I don’t care so much.
*spoilers*
I really liked how when Tessa kept having her repeated visions of that one specific future they keep changing as the story progressed and new choices were made along the way, showing that their fate is not set in stone and they are shaping it themselves. When scarlett and sorin visited I loved that part but still had me roll my eyes a bit and them suddenly running out of time and needing to leave after one conversation when they waited a whole day to even come over and begin talking after they’d first revealed themselves. Would have made more sense if that whole conversation happened the same night given a time constraint rather than an entire day later but whatever. at the end I also was like how is Tessa angry with the arius gang but cool with the achaz gang and not connected the dots after being suspicious of dex being inexplicably close to the achaz lord and then the arius lord tells her the achaz lord had found her 5 years ago without ever going to her himself.. so obvious but I suppose that’s meant to be drama in the next book for her future to continue to change as she “realizes” things and makes more choices. It seems clear that axel and katya are twin flames and I’m hoping that with Eliza and razik in this world now they will educate them on what needs to happen for that mark…..
Overall the concept is good, I think it’s a cool expansion on the world/multiverse of the lady of darkness series and an improvement on being a little less predictable. Looking forward to reading the rest of the books
There were multiple times where I thought it was obvious what the next few things were going to be to happen but then things ended up going a different direction I hadn’t expected. There are still a few things where I think something should be obvious/known by the the characters but they still haven't figured out what it means which has me roll my eyes sometimes but the story is still engaging enough that I don’t care so much.
*spoilers*
I really liked how when Tessa kept having her repeated visions of that one specific future they keep changing as the story progressed and new choices were made along the way, showing that their fate is not set in stone and they are shaping it themselves. When scarlett and sorin visited I loved that part but still had me roll my eyes a bit and them suddenly running out of time and needing to leave after one conversation when they waited a whole day to even come over and begin talking after they’d first revealed themselves. Would have made more sense if that whole conversation happened the same night given a time constraint rather than an entire day later but whatever. at the end I also was like how is Tessa angry with the arius gang but cool with the achaz gang and not connected the dots after being suspicious of dex being inexplicably close to the achaz lord and then the arius lord tells her the achaz lord had found her 5 years ago without ever going to her himself.. so obvious but I suppose that’s meant to be drama in the next book for her future to continue to change as she “realizes” things and makes more choices. It seems clear that axel and katya are twin flames and I’m hoping that with Eliza and razik in this world now they will educate them on what needs to happen for that mark…..
Overall the concept is good, I think it’s a cool expansion on the world/multiverse of the lady of darkness series and an improvement on being a little less predictable. Looking forward to reading the rest of the books
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4/5 STARS
This book starts with Theon being summoned to the Lords and they are questioning if he can keep Tessa as his source. He gets a few weeks to complete tasks that he is given in order to keep her. One is figuring out a way to end the source bond, the other is to find out her lineage.
The whole middle part of this book was a bunch of lies being told, and it was frustrating. Tessa and Theon are infuriating, he is probably more damaged than she is. He doesn’t know what it’s like to love someone. He thinks he’s doing the right thing by protecting her, but at the same time he’s being possessive and controlling.
Tessa is struggling, she doesn’t know where she actually comes from. She finds out in the middle of the story that her lineage is actually descendent from one of the main gods so now she thinks everyone is using her even more for her power and her lineage, she can’t trust anyone.
There were moments in the story where I thought Theon would change or at least see that what he was doing, was wrong, but no, he justifies his bullying, controlling, possessiveness with trying to protect Tessa . Luka gets sucked into their bond. He at least seems to care for Tessa or shows that he knows how to care while Theon just is a bully.
How far will you go to gain control?
When she realizes that she has the power, how far will she go?
Will Theon be able to come back from this?
This book starts with Theon being summoned to the Lords and they are questioning if he can keep Tessa as his source. He gets a few weeks to complete tasks that he is given in order to keep her. One is figuring out a way to end the source bond, the other is to find out her lineage.
The whole middle part of this book was a bunch of lies being told, and it was frustrating. Tessa and Theon are infuriating, he is probably more damaged than she is. He doesn’t know what it’s like to love someone. He thinks he’s doing the right thing by protecting her, but at the same time he’s being possessive and controlling.
Tessa is struggling, she doesn’t know where she actually comes from. She finds out in the middle of the story that her lineage is actually descendent from one of the main gods so now she thinks everyone is using her even more for her power and her lineage, she can’t trust anyone.
There were moments in the story where I thought Theon would change or at least see that what he was doing, was wrong, but no, he justifies his bullying, controlling, possessiveness with trying to protect Tessa . Luka gets sucked into their bond. He at least seems to care for Tessa or shows that he knows how to care while Theon just is a bully.
How far will you go to gain control?
When she realizes that she has the power, how far will she go?
Will Theon be able to come back from this?
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This series gets even more intriguing and captivating the further you get into it. So good!
I’m loving the conflicting feelings I have about all of the characters and not knowing who is a hero vs villain. It’s one of those twisty stories that just keeps you guessing and theorizing and it’s so fun.
Melissa’s writing style and story flow makes these long books worth it. Sometimes fantasy books could be 200 pages shorter with all the fluff that doesn’t need to be there, but these books feel like every word is an Easter egg into the bigger story you haven’t figured out yet.
Onto the next one!
What to expect:
📚 Political intrigue
📚 Unique magic system
📚 Unknown powers
📚 Forced proximity
📚 Bonds and bargains
📚 Vengeful FMC
📚 Witches, vampires
📚 Fae and dragon shifters
📚 Meddling gods
📚 Touch her/him and d!e
📚 Anxiety rep
📚 Third person multi-POV
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The second book in this series is definitely an improvement on the first. There are still some issues around info dumping and I entirely skipped the opening recap chapter after a page or so because it annoyed me so much. The last third of the book certainly picked up the pace.
My main frustration is with the FMC, who is described as an intelligent woman, but ridiculously until near the end. I understand it's all part of the 'wild and impulsive' characterisation, but it doesn't sit quite right with me.
I enjoyed Luka's POV (easily the best character and I would like much more of his perspective) and Axel's was also refreshing. There are some potential implications from the three way bond that have not yet been fully explored, but this may develop further in books 3/4.
My main frustration is with the FMC, who is described as an intelligent woman, but ridiculously until near the end. I understand it's all part of the 'wild and impulsive' characterisation, but it doesn't sit quite right with me.
I enjoyed Luka's POV (easily the best character and I would like much more of his perspective) and Axel's was also refreshing. There are some potential implications from the three way bond that have not yet been fully explored, but this may develop further in books 3/4.