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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-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:
No
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It lagged a little in the middle, but the ending more than made up for it. Revelations upon revelations, delivered with gruesome brutality and explosive action (literally).
I continue to be impressed by Staveley's craft and am very excited to see the fates of our wayward Malkeenian siblings.
I continue to be impressed by Staveley's craft and am very excited to see the fates of our wayward Malkeenian siblings.
challenging
dark
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Man, I haven't been this excited about a series in a long time. I have actually started rationing the chapters in the final book.
So, as I said with the first book, this is an incredibly well thought out plot with myriad twists and turns, set in an excellently crafted world, with evolving characters. This is fantasy done right. And there are a lot of second acts in a trilogy that are simply place holders, but this one is like Empire Strikes Back in that it is a masterpiece unto itself (albeit lacking without the context of the first installment).
As I mentioned in the last book, the people in this story are always struggling, making some progress towards their goals, but sometimes having to alter course drastically. Not only do they have failings, but they also have to face up to the painful fact that they are sometimes completely overmatched. This makes for real characters that you are invested in.
Can't wait to see how this all ends...
So, as I said with the first book, this is an incredibly well thought out plot with myriad twists and turns, set in an excellently crafted world, with evolving characters. This is fantasy done right. And there are a lot of second acts in a trilogy that are simply place holders, but this one is like Empire Strikes Back in that it is a masterpiece unto itself (albeit lacking without the context of the first installment).
As I mentioned in the last book, the people in this story are always struggling, making some progress towards their goals, but sometimes having to alter course drastically. Not only do they have failings, but they also have to face up to the painful fact that they are sometimes completely overmatched. This makes for real characters that you are invested in.
Can't wait to see how this all ends...
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A huge step up from the first book. Still not attached to the characters but the plot rules. Game of Thrones level political shenanigans
The middle books in fantasy trilogies have a tendency to be my least favourite, and I suspect (without having read book three) that this is the case here. The slow set-up I enjoyed so much (with the brothers undergoing training) is now over with; while the hopefully satisfying final events are yet to come. It was a decent, four star read - but coming close on the heels of the five star first book I so adored, it felt distinctly disappointing.
Once again the book follows predominantly the points of view of the three royal siblings. Adare is much more centre stage than she was previously and unfortunately I didn't find this to be a good thing as I both actively disliked her and also often found myself wanting her chapters to be over to get back to her brothers. Kaden I adored as much as ever but his storyline (especially in the second half of the book) was honestly a little underwhelming. Valyn and his Wing had most of the most interesting events happen to them.
Book one certainly featured brutality but it's taken up a few levels here, although it's also less focused on the main characters. A darker tone is also reflected in the actions of the characters, who on a number of occasions do (or do not prevent) fairly horrible things, believing them to be necessary.
It was certainly still gripping and fast paced, and I didn't want to put the book down. There were some intriguing new elements and reveals that make me pleased I don't have to wait before moving on to book three.
Once again the book follows predominantly the points of view of the three royal siblings. Adare is much more centre stage than she was previously and unfortunately I didn't find this to be a good thing as I both actively disliked her and also often found myself wanting her chapters to be over to get back to her brothers. Kaden I adored as much as ever but his storyline (especially in the second half of the book) was honestly a little underwhelming. Valyn and his Wing had most of the most interesting events happen to them.
Book one certainly featured brutality but it's taken up a few levels here, although it's also less focused on the main characters. A darker tone is also reflected in the actions of the characters, who on a number of occasions do (or do not prevent) fairly horrible things, believing them to be necessary.
It was certainly still gripping and fast paced, and I didn't want to put the book down. There were some intriguing new elements and reveals that make me pleased I don't have to wait before moving on to book three.
Damn I now have to wait another 5 months. Which is like a minute when it comes to the normal waiting time for a book to be released.
But boy! This has been an exciting ride. The Gods are making a comeback and looks like the Kettral isn't down for the count.
But boy! This has been an exciting ride. The Gods are making a comeback and looks like the Kettral isn't down for the count.
REALLY GOOD!!! If you read this, you will want to scream at Adare (or possibly hit her). Although I think I understand why she does some of the things she does, it is nearly imfuriating. Kaden has proven to be both highly intelligent and completely ruthless which was a little shocking after the first book. If the third book were out right now, I would probably pick it up immediately.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No