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jessdone's review against another edition
4.0
A wonderful continuation of the first book. I wish I could give this book more praise. Sandis and One are well written. Both the actual journey and their character journey fit who they are. I understood where each person's point of view came from.
The plot pacing is spot on and the stakes hold weight.
Really, just read the book.
This is a four star review because the book ends on a cliff hanger and I believe all works should stand on their own. This book will not stand on it's own. I can't wait for book 3, but looks like I'll have to...
The plot pacing is spot on and the stakes hold weight.
Really, just read the book.
This is a four star review because the book ends on a cliff hanger and I believe all works should stand on their own. This book will not stand on it's own. I can't wait for book 3, but looks like I'll have to...
katyanaish's review against another edition
3.0
The plot is interesting - the ethereal plane, the gods, the politics - but I'm really struggling with the series. I think part of the problem is that I just don't like Sandis. I really, really don't. She's the kind of female lead I generally characterize as the "precious heroine" - perfect in her powers, perfectly beautiful, perfectly convinced of her own superiority in all things, utterly self-righteous and headstrong, and determined to follow her own course of action even though it is usually completely stupid. But because the author dotes on the precious heroine, it usually works out for her. Ugh.
I started out this book very on Sandis's side, because what Rone did at the end of the last book made me sick. But I don't understand her adoration of her shitty great-uncle. He's a monster. He has sold her at least once, and for all she knows he had something to do with her original enslavement. And when he has her, he uses her. Horribly. It disgusts me. I get her loneliness, and her feeling that she has no options... and so I would get it if she begrudgingly went along, while making plans. But we're in her narrative, and she doesn't do that. She puts him on a pillar and holds him up as this somehow virtuous man who took her in out of kindness. It makes her look like a pathetic goddamn moron. She's not a child. She has lived through horrors. How is she not smarter than this?
And from there, she just gets worse. She becomes, quite frankly, everything she hates: a murderer who casually uses people for her own ends. All while pretending to some kind of virtuous compassion and hanging on to her adoration / idealization of the priesthood (which is stupid, and I hammered on that in my review for the last book). Further, as I implied in the above comments about the precious heroine, her plans are dumb -
Also, the twist with the stranger was so transparent that the whole lot of them felt dumb as a bag of potatoes for not realizing who was behind it. Like that greedy fuck wasn't going to make more money? Come on now. I knew it was him right from the first encounter.
Rone spent the whole book making up for what he did, and I think he finally gets the reality of it, so I feel better about him, but honestly, I just cannot stand Standis. And Rist is dumb too - he deserved what he got.
I don't know if I'll read on. Maybe, since the next book is the last, but ... probably not, honestly. Bleh.
Rone, meanwhile,
I started out this book very on Sandis's side, because what Rone did at the end of the last book made me sick. But I don't understand her adoration of her shitty great-uncle. He's a monster. He has sold her at least once, and for all she knows he had something to do with her original enslavement. And when he has her, he uses her. Horribly. It disgusts me. I get her loneliness, and her feeling that she has no options... and so I would get it if she begrudgingly went along, while making plans. But we're in her narrative, and she doesn't do that. She puts him on a pillar and holds him up as this somehow virtuous man who took her in out of kindness. It makes her look like a pathetic goddamn moron. She's not a child. She has lived through horrors. How is she not smarter than this?
And from there, she just gets worse. She becomes, quite frankly, everything she hates: a murderer who casually uses people for her own ends. All while pretending to some kind of virtuous compassion and hanging on to her adoration / idealization of the priesthood (which is stupid, and I hammered on that in my review for the last book). Further, as I implied in the above comments about the precious heroine, her plans are dumb -
Spoiler
in a city where occultists are illegal and immediately executed, her plan is to parade around possessed and hope to draw vessels to her?? Plus, it's nonsense that they would even approach - when Sandis was on the run, feeling a numen nearby meant she bolted in the other direction, because she did not want to be caught and used as a vessel again!! And in no world do I believe the other vessels would approach a numen like willing sheep to the slaughter. But of course they do, because the precious heroine's bullshit "plans" always pay off.Also, the twist with the stranger was so transparent that the whole lot of them felt dumb as a bag of potatoes for not realizing who was behind it. Like that greedy fuck wasn't going to make more money? Come on now. I knew it was him right from the first encounter.
Rone spent the whole book making up for what he did, and I think he finally gets the reality of it, so I feel better about him, but honestly, I just cannot stand Standis. And Rist is dumb too - he deserved what he got.
Spoiler
Also, why do all the non-horrible women have to die in this series? Really. Why? Alys, Kaili, I feel like women are just 2-dimensional cannon fodder, except for our moronic precious heroine.I don't know if I'll read on. Maybe, since the next book is the last, but ... probably not, honestly. Bleh.
Rone, meanwhile,
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
This book was a non-stop emotional toll, and I loved every second of it. The story, characters, magic, and drama were second to none. I couldn't put it down. I'm truly loving the boldness of this series and can't wait for the next book.
Our two heroes, Sandis and Rone, definitely have their share of drama. Much of this book takes place in the span of a few days, so I understood why Sandis was unwilling to forgive Rone's betrayal. I didn't even blame her. She is such a tender-hearted girl, and it warmed me to see her standing up for herself and trying to do the right thing. Rone was still his dark, broody, angry self, but I can see the changes in him as he desperately tried to right his wrongs with Sandis. This duo has a long way to go, but I want to see more of them.
Aside from one new, sweet side character, the story is essentially filled with villains. This is an incredibly dark, bloody world and the author does not shy away from it. That keeps the tension even as the pot moves a little slow at times.
But when it hits those beats, it HITS them. There are so many incredible twists, all of which are intense and heartbreaking. Especially at the end, when things go absolutely wild. I didn't see it coming and am eager to read the finale.
This is a great series for readers who like unique, dark fantasy, morally grey characters, melodrama, and shocking revelations. I'm having a blast reading it and can't recommend it enough!
Our two heroes, Sandis and Rone, definitely have their share of drama. Much of this book takes place in the span of a few days, so I understood why Sandis was unwilling to forgive Rone's betrayal. I didn't even blame her. She is such a tender-hearted girl, and it warmed me to see her standing up for herself and trying to do the right thing. Rone was still his dark, broody, angry self, but I can see the changes in him as he desperately tried to right his wrongs with Sandis. This duo has a long way to go, but I want to see more of them.
Aside from one new, sweet side character, the story is essentially filled with villains. This is an incredibly dark, bloody world and the author does not shy away from it. That keeps the tension even as the pot moves a little slow at times.
But when it hits those beats, it HITS them. There are so many incredible twists, all of which are intense and heartbreaking. Especially at the end, when things go absolutely wild. I didn't see it coming and am eager to read the finale.
This is a great series for readers who like unique, dark fantasy, morally grey characters, melodrama, and shocking revelations. I'm having a blast reading it and can't recommend it enough!
melanie_books's review against another edition
3.0
After Rone's betrayal and guilt-driven rescue, Sandis is living with her long-lost uncle. But when the situation is not what she expected at Talbur's house, she has no one else to turn to. As Kazen emerges from the ashes, Sandis, Rone, and their new friend Bastien form a plan to conquer him.
Myths and Mortals was a good follow up to Smoke and Summons as Holmberg continues to develop the story. The new characters were a great addition. The dynamic between Sandis and Rone was great: they needed to work together while working through their trust issues. The ending sets up the final book perfectly!
Myths and Mortals was a good follow up to Smoke and Summons as Holmberg continues to develop the story. The new characters were a great addition. The dynamic between Sandis and Rone was great: they needed to work together while working through their trust issues. The ending sets up the final book perfectly!
dynbones's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I am having so much fun with this series. This book picks up exactly where the last one left off and jumped right in. I loved getting to know the characters more. And that Sandis wasn’t as lost and helpless, but had a lot of growth despite the obstacles that keep popping up.
janna128's review against another edition
5.0
Celestial!
I think book #2 was better than book #1 in this trilogy. I cannot wait to dive into #3 and finish things up.
I think book #2 was better than book #1 in this trilogy. I cannot wait to dive into #3 and finish things up.
ellyrarg's review against another edition
3.0
I regret reading this. I read it because I’d read the first, and it was on kindle unlimited.
But our heroine is still awful. She relies on the men to move things forward, and her plans are mostly ‘show up and get hurt’ because she’s unable to anticipate or plan ahead.
There is no further world building. As far as I’m aware, there is a grimy poverty stricken area with smoke pollution in the city that had some mob warrens and slave markets, some rich people houses further out and a giant religious tower outside the walls. It’s a small small world, with no interesting exploration.
The book was very same same to the last one. Flee somewhere, either seek out danger or danger finds them. Fight. Lose. Find new place to flee too. Blah. Blaaaaah.
The introduction of new characters was interesting, and despite the slow moving plot it’s an easy read.
The cliff hanger was a pain. I’m hoping the third book will be an improvement but I’m not super convinced it will be?
But our heroine is still awful. She relies on the men to move things forward, and her plans are mostly ‘show up and get hurt’ because she’s unable to anticipate or plan ahead.
There is no further world building. As far as I’m aware, there is a grimy poverty stricken area with smoke pollution in the city that had some mob warrens and slave markets, some rich people houses further out and a giant religious tower outside the walls. It’s a small small world, with no interesting exploration.
The book was very same same to the last one. Flee somewhere, either seek out danger or danger finds them. Fight. Lose. Find new place to flee too. Blah. Blaaaaah.
The introduction of new characters was interesting, and despite the slow moving plot it’s an easy read.
The cliff hanger was a pain. I’m hoping the third book will be an improvement but I’m not super convinced it will be?
mistressviolet's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
4.0
A compelling continuation in the Numina series. Lots of fantasy elements, interesting and vulnerable characters, and a clean slow-burn romance. This book also does a good job of exploring the idea of family in its various forms.
michellehenriereads's review against another edition
5.0
One of the best things about this book is that Sandis is angry at Rone! It is too easy for an author to have the characters forgive each other too quickly. Sandis is justifiably angry and she sustains her feelings even as Rone is trying to heal the breach in their relationship. I love it when Sandis tells him if he'd asked her to go back to Kazen, she would have, but he didn't ask. He, of course, feels like the dirt on the bottom of a slimy slug.
I also loved how Holmberg sustains the urgency, and even increases it. This isn't a middle novel that drags. It is full of new problems, surprises, and definitely some big twists. By the end, I think I know where she's going with it, but I have to admit, I'm probably wrong. I'm looking forward to the next release.
The big question for me at the beginning of the series was "What are the beasts possessing their bodies?" Each of the beasts has a different strength and lives in a different dimension. In this installment, a little bit more is revealed - but you'll have to read the book to find that out. I'll just say, it is a twist I didn't see coming, but it fits perfectly in the world.
I recommend this book for young adults over sixteen. I think it's a little complex for younger children. (There is cursing, violence, murder, and nudity - but no sex.)
I also loved how Holmberg sustains the urgency, and even increases it. This isn't a middle novel that drags. It is full of new problems, surprises, and definitely some big twists. By the end, I think I know where she's going with it, but I have to admit, I'm probably wrong. I'm looking forward to the next release.
The big question for me at the beginning of the series was "What are the beasts possessing their bodies?" Each of the beasts has a different strength and lives in a different dimension. In this installment, a little bit more is revealed - but you'll have to read the book to find that out. I'll just say, it is a twist I didn't see coming, but it fits perfectly in the world.
I recommend this book for young adults over sixteen. I think it's a little complex for younger children. (There is cursing, violence, murder, and nudity - but no sex.)