Scan barcode
kahleesi14's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and War
dododenise's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.5
Beautiful enemies-to-lovers (or rather enemies-to-lovers-to-betrayal-to-lovers) and beautiful world that made me want to discover more. The world building was so good and I loved the magic system.
But the characters are the highlight of this book. They’re all so interesting and I was fascinated by both main characters and the side characters.
But the characters are the highlight of this book. They’re all so interesting and I was fascinated by both main characters and the side characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Confinement
cameronreads's review
adventurous
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? No
4.0
Funnily enough, in my review of Crier's War I said that the fact I wasn't attached to the characters brought it down to a four star. In Iron Heart, the characters were what brought it up to a four star. Our main characters lived up to my hope of developing further in this book, and I especially loved Crier. There were also some amazing new side characters (shout out to Hook and Erren, who definitely deserved more page time and were my favourite characters). I also loved the romance - it was present throughout the book without being the forefront and still being an amazing slow burn.
I did enjoy the plot, and again I really love the concept behind this duology, but it could have been done a little better and I had some issues with the pacing - I didn't really get into it until about half way through. Again, there were certain characters and side plots that definitely deserved more attention (Hook! and! Erren!). A pet peeve of mine is when massive plot moments happen off page, and this book definitely fell into that, and could have really used more POVs (Benjy or Storme for example would have been interesting and helpful to hear from).
I also really appreciated the representation, both the main sapphic relationship, but also the two side characters using they/them pronouns etc. I loved how casual it was, and that whilst Crier and Ayla's relationship was taboo it wasn't because it was an f/f romance, and I really appreciate that.
Overall, I really enjoyed this duology. It wasn't perfect, and didn't quite live up to the hype, but I had a great time reading it and would definitely recommend.
I did enjoy the plot, and again I really love the concept behind this duology, but it could have been done a little better and I had some issues with the pacing - I didn't really get into it until about half way through. Again, there were certain characters and side plots that definitely deserved more attention (Hook! and! Erren!). A pet peeve of mine is when massive plot moments happen off page, and this book definitely fell into that, and could have really used more POVs (Benjy or Storme for example would have been interesting and helpful to hear from).
I also really appreciated the representation, both the main sapphic relationship, but also the two side characters using they/them pronouns etc. I loved how casual it was, and that whilst Crier and Ayla's relationship was taboo it wasn't because it was an f/f romance, and I really appreciate that.
Overall, I really enjoyed this duology. It wasn't perfect, and didn't quite live up to the hype, but I had a great time reading it and would definitely recommend.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Death and Panic attacks/disorders
limiwh's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Violence, and Genocide
Moderate: Gore
monilib's review
dark
hopeful
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Misogyny, and Violence
roseamongstories's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.5
What a satisfying conclusion (or as the author would put it, beginning to second beginning) to an astounding duology!
The turn of events in this sequel was just *chef's kiss* The unraveling of mysteries and secrets was so organic, nothing felt forced. I was practically breezing through the moments when secrets of the Heart Iron, or Tourmaline, or history of the Automae and the Makers, or even the Sovereign are revealed piece by piece. Nina Varela surely knows how to make the readers want to read more by letting bits and pieces about the story unravel deliciously, all the while holding off on revealing just too much.
But what I really loved the most in this duology is the sapphic romance between Crier and Ayla. Their adoration for each other which they show in subtle yet swoony ways just made my heart soar! Although their romance consists of 90% yearning and 10% acting on that yearning, I was all for it!!!
And if someone tells you things, like the below, how does one not... fall for that?
The turn of events in this sequel was just *chef's kiss* The unraveling of mysteries and secrets was so organic, nothing felt forced. I was practically breezing through the moments when secrets of the Heart Iron, or Tourmaline, or history of the Automae and the Makers, or even the Sovereign are revealed piece by piece. Nina Varela surely knows how to make the readers want to read more by letting bits and pieces about the story unravel deliciously, all the while holding off on revealing just too much.
But what I really loved the most in this duology is the sapphic romance between Crier and Ayla. Their adoration for each other which they show in subtle yet swoony ways just made my heart soar! Although their romance consists of 90% yearning and 10% acting on that yearning, I was all for it!!!
And if someone tells you things, like the below, how does one not... fall for that?
"You keep comparing yourself to a book. That is not how I see you. If I want to learn about you, it's not for ... pleasure, or leisure, or the desired mastery of a subject. I am not trying to learn you like a language. I am trying, Ayla, to learn you like a person. Like people do, with the knowledge that I will never know everything. "
"Because you deserve to be known, in whatever capacity you wish. I am trying to become a person who deserves to know you. I want that. More than anything."
And here's what is probably on of the most well-written, deeply moving profession of love I have come across thus far:
"It's you, the wash of starlight, the old paradox: if the Universe were static, I could stand anywhere in this world and I swear my line of sight would always end on you. I swear I'd find you in the dark."
JUST READ THIS BOOK FOR ALL THE SAPPHIC YEARNING, PLEASE.
Finally, the way Nina Varela writes to her readers in the Acknowledgements part of her books will always always warm my heart. I will most definitely be on the look out for what she releases next!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Gore
forthesanityof1's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
4.0
Sequel to a quarantine read! I adored the first book and the second much the same. It took me a while to read this simply because of school, but I really, really love Crier as a character and the way the Automatae were created/exist. It's so seamless and smart and genuinely interesting to me as a reader; not really like anything else I've read before. I am immensely satisfied with the ending. At first I disliked the location of the thing they are seeking in this book, but the more I think about it the more I like it. I did have some issues with pacing--i would have liked just a little bit more, you know? But there are some absolutely beautiful lines from both Crier and Ayla that just too my breath away. I wish I could write with as much poignancy as this author. I would also lay down my life for the side characters, Hook and Erren especially. I highly, highly recommend this duology.
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
lesty_gibbs's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is a brilliant addition and conclusion to the duology. Seriously, this book was stunning, and I miss Ayla and Crier already.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Body horror
More...