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lavendermarch's review
5.0
Dear God, this book was so amazing. I really liked learning more about the Tha'alani, who were super interesting. I'm hoping the books will continue in this angle, focusing on one race per book. They'll probably culminate somewhere. For the record, I don't know who I want Kaylin with. On the one hand, I do like Severn. On the other hand, Kaylin and Lord Nightshade had a moment Overall, this book was a freaking experience. One that I look forward to rereading in the future. 5 stars. P.S. I think Kaylin grew as a character in this book! Will wonders never cease?
Reread May 2nd-3rd, 2022
I think this has been my favorite book so far. I LOVE the Tha'alani, and I really enjoyed getting to know them and the Oracles better in this third installment in the series. Kaylin also exhibits a fair amount of character growth in this book as she learns to look past her first impressions and prejudices and her own worldview and become a bit more open, accepting, and forgiving overall. It wasn't all pleasant to read about - growing up never is, to be honest - but it was pretty powerful to read.
Moving into spoiler territory,
Speaking of which, it involved Severn. To switch gears to the love triangle, which has been fairly subtle compared to the prominence it could have had for these first three books, I just want to say this: My better judgement says Severn - because I trust him to put Kaylin first - BUT my desire for entertainment and intrigue says Nightshade. (Who I do NOT trust to make Kaylin his number one at this point in the series - but there's potential for growth later down the line, of course.) At any rate, it's pretty clear that Kaylin has trauma (*cough, six months before she met the Hawks, cough* but I won't reveal any spoilers), so she needs to move past that before any romance can begin, and perhaps that means that I'll be waiting until book 13. It's hard to say. But I'm enjoying watching her two suitors posture at each other - it's amusing!
Now, I'll move back to the plot of this book, and the characters. Lord Sanabalis is a fantastic character - he's a very entertaining and grumpy old dragon who undoubtedly, of course, serves the Emperor, but can still be heart warming (and stern and chiding) when he wants to be. I love him. Ybelline is a lovely person and I really enjoyed all of Kaylin's interactions with her and the broader Tha'alani, and of course, the Tha'alaan. It was so much - cool, fun, intriguing, moving, etc. - and so good. Oh, and I shouldn't forget Evanton! He's also a grumpy old man and I love him.
The whole Keeper thing is super interesting and - to my memory - comes up again in a later book. Also, the visit to the library, with the dead dragon? Incredible scene! So interesting and powerful - in a literal magic way but also an emotional one. The Arcanists disgust me the more I read about them, on a side note. Also, we learn more about people like Kaylin - i.e., with marks like hers used to be, such as Uriel, from the vision the Tha'alaan showed her. It's all very intriguing, especially how Kaylin lost 2 of her marks in this book, in the scenes with the dead dragon (where she finished his story) and at the end with the big fight. So. Interesting! I can't wait to see how Sagara develops it more.
Also, the writing was as gorgeous and immersive as usual. Overall, I found this to be a fantastic, wonderful read. There was a super interesting plot that connected to the world building in spades, character growth from Kaylin, and the introduction of several new and lovely characters! 5 stars. I've very happy to have reread this!
Spoiler
! i.e. he freaking expressed interest in her. Holy shit! Moving on from that topic - I just want to get all my thoughts out and it's like 11:30 at night - the whole elements things was SO. COOL. So now Kaylin can control water and fire? Pretty awesome if you ask me. :)Reread May 2nd-3rd, 2022
I think this has been my favorite book so far. I LOVE the Tha'alani, and I really enjoyed getting to know them and the Oracles better in this third installment in the series. Kaylin also exhibits a fair amount of character growth in this book as she learns to look past her first impressions and prejudices and her own worldview and become a bit more open, accepting, and forgiving overall. It wasn't all pleasant to read about - growing up never is, to be honest - but it was pretty powerful to read.
Moving into spoiler territory,
Spoiler
I also very much enjoyed meeting the elements, such as they were. Water - or at least the Tha'alaan part of it - was so interesting and lovely, and Fire intrigued me as well. I love how Kaylin told Fire a story.Speaking of which, it involved Severn. To switch gears to the love triangle, which has been fairly subtle compared to the prominence it could have had for these first three books, I just want to say this: My better judgement says Severn - because I trust him to put Kaylin first - BUT my desire for entertainment and intrigue says Nightshade. (Who I do NOT trust to make Kaylin his number one at this point in the series - but there's potential for growth later down the line, of course.) At any rate, it's pretty clear that Kaylin has trauma (*cough, six months before she met the Hawks, cough* but I won't reveal any spoilers), so she needs to move past that before any romance can begin, and perhaps that means that I'll be waiting until book 13. It's hard to say. But I'm enjoying watching her two suitors posture at each other - it's amusing!
Now, I'll move back to the plot of this book, and the characters. Lord Sanabalis is a fantastic character - he's a very entertaining and grumpy old dragon who undoubtedly, of course, serves the Emperor, but can still be heart warming (and stern and chiding) when he wants to be. I love him. Ybelline is a lovely person and I really enjoyed all of Kaylin's interactions with her and the broader Tha'alani, and of course, the Tha'alaan. It was so much - cool, fun, intriguing, moving, etc. - and so good. Oh, and I shouldn't forget Evanton! He's also a grumpy old man and I love him.
The whole Keeper thing is super interesting and - to my memory - comes up again in a later book. Also, the visit to the library, with the dead dragon? Incredible scene! So interesting and powerful - in a literal magic way but also an emotional one. The Arcanists disgust me the more I read about them, on a side note. Also, we learn more about people like Kaylin - i.e., with marks like hers used to be, such as Uriel, from the vision the Tha'alaan showed her. It's all very intriguing, especially how Kaylin lost 2 of her marks in this book, in the scenes with the dead dragon (where she finished his story) and at the end with the big fight. So. Interesting! I can't wait to see how Sagara develops it more.
Also, the writing was as gorgeous and immersive as usual. Overall, I found this to be a fantastic, wonderful read. There was a super interesting plot that connected to the world building in spades, character growth from Kaylin, and the introduction of several new and lovely characters! 5 stars. I've very happy to have reread this!
Spoiler
Even if sometimes Kaylin should really keep her mouth shut more than she does, lol.reading_ninja's review against another edition
5.0
this is my fav book of the series, wonderful, love it.
thechaoshour's review against another edition
4.0
Cover
This cover is pretty typical and boring. I’ll ignore it though because never judge a book by its cover and all that.
Initial Thoughts
I’ve read this book before a while ago. It is a little easier to read the second time around. For whatever reason I enjoy reading these books even though I can pick out so many things that annoy me. I always get through them though.
My New BFF
I really like Lord Nightshade. I’d like to be BFFs with him. Plus he’s all powerful and stuff like that. He just really interests me. He never does anything predictable and he’s a bit of a mystery. I wish that we could get to know him a little bit more though.
My Crush
Severn is my crush for sure. He’s always calm and cool and will do just about anything to protect what he thinks is right. It’s very noble of him. And it makes him very attractive.
Writing Style
I can pick out so many things wrong with the writing in this book. There’s not enough information handed to you. The main character can be pretty annoying. It can be a bit childish sometimes. But for whatever reason I enjoyed this book. I don’t know what it is. I think i’s the world. It’s just so interesting and different. It kind of reminds me of a video game setting sometimes.
Closing Thoughts
I really enjoy reading about the world and magic in this book. I think I needed a little bit of romance thought. If I don’t get some soon I think I might give up on this series. I’m really enjoying the characters though. I wish Kaylin wasn’t so young and clueless sometimes but all the other cool characters make up for it. The stupid main female badass character is getting a little old I think. Didn’t we learn anything from Bella Swan? It’s kind of annoying how you never get any information. Something is really important, but nobody can tell you what. Also it’s a little weird that they send a 15 year old to investigate the end of the world. Something is off there. There were so many things that bothered me about this book but it still sucked me in and wouldn’t let go. I’m not sure if I’d recommend this book or not.
This cover is pretty typical and boring. I’ll ignore it though because never judge a book by its cover and all that.
Initial Thoughts
I’ve read this book before a while ago. It is a little easier to read the second time around. For whatever reason I enjoy reading these books even though I can pick out so many things that annoy me. I always get through them though.
My New BFF
I really like Lord Nightshade. I’d like to be BFFs with him. Plus he’s all powerful and stuff like that. He just really interests me. He never does anything predictable and he’s a bit of a mystery. I wish that we could get to know him a little bit more though.
My Crush
Severn is my crush for sure. He’s always calm and cool and will do just about anything to protect what he thinks is right. It’s very noble of him. And it makes him very attractive.
Writing Style
I can pick out so many things wrong with the writing in this book. There’s not enough information handed to you. The main character can be pretty annoying. It can be a bit childish sometimes. But for whatever reason I enjoyed this book. I don’t know what it is. I think i’s the world. It’s just so interesting and different. It kind of reminds me of a video game setting sometimes.
Closing Thoughts
I really enjoy reading about the world and magic in this book. I think I needed a little bit of romance thought. If I don’t get some soon I think I might give up on this series. I’m really enjoying the characters though. I wish Kaylin wasn’t so young and clueless sometimes but all the other cool characters make up for it. The stupid main female badass character is getting a little old I think. Didn’t we learn anything from Bella Swan? It’s kind of annoying how you never get any information. Something is really important, but nobody can tell you what. Also it’s a little weird that they send a 15 year old to investigate the end of the world. Something is off there. There were so many things that bothered me about this book but it still sucked me in and wouldn’t let go. I’m not sure if I’d recommend this book or not.
stephs_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
It took me way too long to read this book, reading shouldn't be a chore.
Thankfully the ending made up for the dragging pace of the rest of the book. Although I'm still going to take a break from this series for awhile
Thankfully the ending made up for the dragging pace of the rest of the book. Although I'm still going to take a break from this series for awhile
nelsonseye's review
4.0
As usual for me with this series, I did not understand everything that was going on. However, it is getting easier and my difficulty is not impacting my enjoyment of the books.
karinajean's review against another edition
3.0
First things first. WHO IS THIS PUBLISHER? they are terrible! This book jacket makes me want to throw punches. seriously. I have had long standing issues with the Luna imprint of this series but the book jacket is entirely wrong! Kaylin is not a corporal, but a PRIVATE. the publishing company AND the editor of this book really
that said, I have to confess I'm not sure how long the author can really continue this series... although I see from goodreads that there are at least 8 installments. It's still good, and the character and relationship development is charmingly well-paced. But the stories themselves are so edge-of-the-seat-fast that it's almost exhausting to read a book.
that said, I have to confess I'm not sure how long the author can really continue this series... although I see from goodreads that there are at least 8 installments. It's still good, and the character and relationship development is charmingly well-paced. But the stories themselves are so edge-of-the-seat-fast that it's almost exhausting to read a book.
alassea's review against another edition
4.0
Prophecy of Doom, dragons, bigotry and missing children.
I found this to be an excellent, and cozy, read where we, and Kaylin, learn more about the world, the past and her powers, as well as mature and challenge personal bigotry. I also love that Kaylin has flaws - she interrupts, she doesn't apply herself to learning unless it seems useful to her, she takes risks, she loves children, to the point of dooming a city for them, etc. And all that in a world where information is valuable, and people like to keep their secrets - thank you very much.
I really liked this book, especially coming out of [b:Reap the Wind|18627947|Reap the Wind (Cassandra Palmer, #7)|Karen Chance|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392365577s/18627947.jpg|26418613], which is so action-packed you hardly get room to breathe.
I found this to be an excellent, and cozy, read where we, and Kaylin, learn more about the world, the past and her powers, as well as mature and challenge personal bigotry. I also love that Kaylin has flaws - she interrupts, she doesn't apply herself to learning unless it seems useful to her, she takes risks, she loves children, to the point of dooming a city for them, etc. And all that in a world where information is valuable, and people like to keep their secrets - thank you very much.
I really liked this book, especially coming out of [b:Reap the Wind|18627947|Reap the Wind (Cassandra Palmer, #7)|Karen Chance|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1392365577s/18627947.jpg|26418613], which is so action-packed you hardly get room to breathe.
bookworm5732's review
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
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
3.5
reginaexmachina's review against another edition
5.0
This series has it's faults but overall it totally sucks me in from the beginning and is totally addicting.