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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Disappointed in the conclusion to this series and duology. Lacked any tension.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Overall a satisfying expansion into the world of Elfhame! Definitely Preferred this to this first one - this one is much more aligned to the Cruel Prince series, with the second half of this book a return to form with betrayals and trickery and everyone telling half truths. (The first book is focused on a quest, so it’s a bit more like physically travelling and characters who don’t really know each other interacting - still good, just prefer the general tropes in this one).
Prisoners Throne brought back all the OG gang so you can see how the family dynamic has developed over the last 10 years. Loved Jude and Cardan of course. Oak and Wren definitely feel a bit mopey and angsty compared to Jude and Cardan who were more impulse and rage - but I do like that they are distinct from the original pair - I don’t just want the Cruel Prince 2.0!
My only notes were I Kind of wish Madoc had a bit more consequence at the end - feels like they went through a lot for him to just end up back in the family. I also wish we’d had some more steamier scenes with Oak and Wren - lots of verbal teasing - but I wanted some more biting and general “if you don’t look away I’m going to rip your clothes off” moments - their romance was a bit more sweet and tame despite the fact Oak is meant to be a bit of a man whore. Oak and Wren also need to just use their words … the amount of misunderstandings and assumptions because they won’t just talk to each other is astounding.
Prisoners Throne brought back all the OG gang so you can see how the family dynamic has developed over the last 10 years. Loved Jude and Cardan of course. Oak and Wren definitely feel a bit mopey and angsty compared to Jude and Cardan who were more impulse and rage - but I do like that they are distinct from the original pair - I don’t just want the Cruel Prince 2.0!
My only notes were I Kind of wish Madoc had a bit more consequence at the end - feels like they went through a lot for him to just end up back in the family. I also wish we’d had some more steamier scenes with Oak and Wren - lots of verbal teasing - but I wanted some more biting and general “if you don’t look away I’m going to rip your clothes off” moments - their romance was a bit more sweet and tame despite the fact Oak is meant to be a bit of a man whore. Oak and Wren also need to just use their words … the amount of misunderstandings and assumptions because they won’t just talk to each other is astounding.
just wish i remembered more of the previous book lol
Quite the ride in this book too, as to be expected with Holly Black. I will say Wren's POV was better, Oak was too predictable and didn't think ANYTHING through. Like to the point of annoying the heck out of me sometimes. Like you won't get everything going your way with determination and the power of love, you goof. Although I feel like it really shows how sheltered Oak truly was by his family, since yeah he's been avoiding death by the hands of others for as long as he knows, but he still has a soft spot for love that came from his doting family, which makes for questionable attempts at getting Wren's attention and affection. This review makes it seem like I didn't like this story now lol, but the plot was stoll good, with the first book's solid base, and it was resolved in a way fitting the characters. I was very satisfied with how things went down in the end, and I hope Black isn't done writing in this universe!
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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:
Yes
I read this one immediately after the first book and I’ve got to say that I was rather disappointed. Firstly, Oak’s point of view was boring in comparison and I didn’t like it very much. And also - not that it was really predictable, but in some way it was. I just think I expected more than the book could give.