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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
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:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
N/A
2024 edit:
4/5
basically hold the same opinions as my 2018 review in that this is an exceptional third book with all (and I mean all) of the plot points that were initialisedthe first book finally coming together & ironically undone. this was a less painful experience to read the second time (given I already know everything that will occur). Laia is once again- the standout and having a lot of this book grapple with her responsibility as a leader for the scholars, with her relationship with her brother and her… family is by far the strongest bit, followed closely with Elias’s exceptional arc. Helene’s storyline compliments itself really well too, but I think almost of my disinterest with this book actually came down to her parts. I finally understand why a few people found this book too confusing because at times I did find myself going ok hold up- there’s a lot going on and I think the whole Plebian and political power parts (esp in battle) get a little too confusing sometimes. Between that and the Livia story, and the Nightbringer / the wide range of characters that are in Hele’s chapters- it does get confusing and drags a little bit. I also was very surprised at how I actually found her and Harper’s romance to be a little bit too rushed in this one? there was ample opportunity to build up their romance a little bit more and I just don’t know if it did that.
also my heart just hurt during the last half so much. the amount of pain everyone is put through continuously throughout this book, a sliver of hope appears and then it is crushed- and meanwhile a landscape of senseless violence occurs (that is a necessary element to the plot). Tahir let ur characters have an ounce of happiness challenge, tahir let ur characters BREATHE without debilitating pain challenge. I just want them to be a little happy
4/5
basically hold the same opinions as my 2018 review in that this is an exceptional third book with all (and I mean all) of the plot points that were initialisedthe first book finally coming together & ironically undone. this was a less painful experience to read the second time (given I already know everything that will occur). Laia is once again- the standout and having a lot of this book grapple with her responsibility as a leader for the scholars, with her relationship with her brother and her… family is by far the strongest bit, followed closely with Elias’s exceptional arc. Helene’s storyline compliments itself really well too, but I think almost of my disinterest with this book actually came down to her parts. I finally understand why a few people found this book too confusing because at times I did find myself going ok hold up- there’s a lot going on and I think the whole Plebian and political power parts (esp in battle) get a little too confusing sometimes. Between that and the Livia story, and the Nightbringer / the wide range of characters that are in Hele’s chapters- it does get confusing and drags a little bit. I also was very surprised at how I actually found her and Harper’s romance to be a little bit too rushed in this one? there was ample opportunity to build up their romance a little bit more and I just don’t know if it did that.
also my heart just hurt during the last half so much. the amount of pain everyone is put through continuously throughout this book, a sliver of hope appears and then it is crushed- and meanwhile a landscape of senseless violence occurs (that is a necessary element to the plot). Tahir let ur characters have an ounce of happiness challenge, tahir let ur characters BREATHE without debilitating pain challenge. I just want them to be a little happy
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
A filler book in the series that has lost my interest to finish it!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
sad
tense
medium-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
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
I just know the last book in this series will ruin me. This book took me longer to fell fully immersed into the story but once I did I never wanted to leave the world. I felt the book was all over the place until the last 200 pages where I was all in. By then I couldn’t tear myself away from the story. There’s so many plot twists in this book some that left me gasping and some that left me in tears. I literally love all three main characters and from different reasons. They all bring a unique perspective to the story and they’ve all grown on me. Helene, the Blood Shrike, has quickly captured my heart. I love a character who all their life they were taught something was right only to realize that they were taught wrongly. I thought her situation was the most complex and seeing her navigate it was so interesting. Her and Laia’s friendship is going to be so satisfying to see. Now Laia let’s talk about growth. Laia who thought herself to be a coward, not capable, and unable to be who her people needed now be the leader of the Scholars, I couldn’t be more proud. Elias’s story is so bittersweet because his life was saved but at what cost. Elias and Laia will get their happy ending or else.