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3.71 AVERAGE
3.71 AVERAGE
Yo, this was a surprising book to me?
I expected this to carry on in the same vein as the first book, following Celine, but girlie pop didn't even show up until page 100. Interestingly enough, this book becomes more Bastien's and details his new "lifestyle" changes. I kind of liked it more, which is what shocks me. There are also more POVs in general, with some of the Lions, Micheal, and a mysterious sister in addition to Celine and Bastien, and that was a refreshing change. It helped avoid the issue the first book had as well of a really slow pace in the beginning.
Ahdieh's writing style is odd. Like, it's funny, because nothing exactly happens in this book. Or at least not a lot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. There's a slight disconnect between the characters and what is happening around them, a lack of emotion that should really bother me ... and yet I cannot put it down. One more chapter, one more chapter—I inhaled 100 pages a day easy because I just really liked being in this world with these characters. Especially the vampires, like Jae and Arjun.
Also, this is me saying I feel so bad for Michael but the boy stands absolutely no chance in this. This is such a *cringe* comparison for obvious reasons but if this was Twilight, dude would be Jacob from start to finish. Never had a shot, no matter how much he was led on.
I expected this to carry on in the same vein as the first book, following Celine, but girlie pop didn't even show up until page 100. Interestingly enough, this book becomes more Bastien's and details his new "lifestyle" changes. I kind of liked it more, which is what shocks me. There are also more POVs in general, with some of the Lions, Micheal, and a mysterious sister in addition to Celine and Bastien, and that was a refreshing change. It helped avoid the issue the first book had as well of a really slow pace in the beginning.
Ahdieh's writing style is odd. Like, it's funny, because nothing exactly happens in this book. Or at least not a lot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. There's a slight disconnect between the characters and what is happening around them, a lack of emotion that should really bother me ... and yet I cannot put it down. One more chapter, one more chapter—I inhaled 100 pages a day easy because I just really liked being in this world with these characters. Especially the vampires, like Jae and Arjun.
Also, this is me saying I feel so bad for Michael but the boy stands absolutely no chance in this. This is such a *cringe* comparison for obvious reasons but if this was Twilight, dude would be Jacob from start to finish. Never had a shot, no matter how much he was led on.
dark
emotional
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:
Yes
Just beautiful storytelling
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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:
Complicated
The pacing didn't feel right. The beginning was slow, with Celine being the main character of book 1 not even showing up in this book until almost 100 pages in. And then the second half moved so fast. I feel like there was a lot of opportunity to split this into 2 books and draw out some of the exploring and traveling as opposed to skipping over it.
ARC received from PenguinTeen through NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion!!
The Damned picked up only one day after the events of the Beautiful. Bastien is forever changed and Celine has no knowledge of the supernatural world lurking in New Orleans.
Rene Adieh blew the world open with her introduction of the fey, werewolves, and all other creatures in the Sylvan Wyld and Sylvan Vale. I was so impressed by the growth of the characters, such as Celine and even Bastien, and there were so many moments of laughter and heartbreak. It was a fun read.
The Damned picked up only one day after the events of the Beautiful. Bastien is forever changed and Celine has no knowledge of the supernatural world lurking in New Orleans.
Rene Adieh blew the world open with her introduction of the fey, werewolves, and all other creatures in the Sylvan Wyld and Sylvan Vale. I was so impressed by the growth of the characters, such as Celine and even Bastien, and there were so many moments of laughter and heartbreak. It was a fun read.
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Okay I have a lot to say about this book. When it comes to the amnesia trope I am typically not a huge fan of having everything spelled out to the main character as if they are a toddler needing guidance and everyone letting them seem like an idiot yet Renée Ahdieh has took that trope and made the main character stronger.
Celine is striving to put the pieces together herself and does so without the people nearest to her figuring it out. Also the reveals and the twists and turns revolving her life are amazing, I was not expecting that which makes me so glad I went into this book completely blind.
Poor Bastien while given a second chance after the last events from The Beautiful has to find his way back to Celine as he once was while also trying to stay alive and his family’s good graces. He struggles so much internally from all that he has lost and it is sad to see what he puts himself through. Yet he shows nothing but power and grace on the outside and I respect it. I am waiting for this coupling to get a moment of peace and rest, that has yet to come maybe in the next or the last they will finally get a moment of happiness.
Two stars because the last section of this book was a mess. If there is a third book then this rating will move up to three stars. If not, this will have been one of the most disappointing books I have ever read.
But at least I didn’t have to pay for it, thanks to Penguin’s Reader Rewards program.
But at least I didn’t have to pay for it, thanks to Penguin’s Reader Rewards program.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes