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fallingwings's review against another edition
3.0
Cons:
× My biggest pet peeve of this series is that Robin is the only one left of his family's bloodline and the only heir to his Kingdom, yet not a single soul thought it would be a great idea to make sure he can fight properly without his magic. Funny thing is, we've seen Robin fight without magic in the very beginning of the first book and he held his own pretty damn good.
× Why did Robin turn into such a weakling in this book? I don't mean just physically, but mentally as well. His resolve was strong at the start, he was determined, and I loved it! But as the book went on, that began to ebb. He has the opportunity to kill someone, doesn't take it despite that person causing him and his loved ones pain. Sees the person he loves is captured (and somewhat beaten up but still able to stand and walk) and suddenly lacks "the strength to fight", letting himself get captured -- despite using his magic and being pissed moments prior. His friends and him are faced with the big baddie who managed to trap them near the end and he decides fighting back is pointless and impossible, even though they have control of their bodies. How the hell am I supposed to get behind a protagonist who is so eagerly ready to give up every single time things get tough? How am I supposed to think of him as a King who will one day rule over his own kingdom and be responsible for making important decisions and taking care of people if he has no inkling of a backbone?
× The new love wasn't necessarily insta love, but I can't understand what drew Robin and together romantically. They both want their own version of revenge and they both enjoy having sex and....and....hold on...I'm sure...there's something here...Just give me -- Nope. Nothing. Maybe someone could argue that fell in love with Robin because of how "gentle" he is (considering he more or less claims this) and I'm just like, "if you got out of your crazy cult, it wouldn't be that hard to find more gentle people". So that doesn't fly.
× There's a sex scene where one character sucks on the other's foot/toes during the sexual intercourse and my mind just immediately noped out.
× I don't give two flying flops about the children of the Asp. There is nothing interesting or intriguing about them. They're basically the equivalent of mercenaries or paid hires who take on jobs for money...because they really, really, REALLY want money. This story would not suffer in the slightest if we never saw them again.
× I do not need the crazy cult leader preaching for pages and pages. Seriously, just sum that crap up to a few paragraphs or something. No one wants to hear a big baddie go on and on and on and on like that.
× ...What was that ending? It felt like we stopped at the end of a chapter that should have been followed up with a few more chapters before ending.
Pros:
- Duncan. I loved this guy. I have some small complaints, but this guy stood his ground and was ready to fight even when backed into a corner.
- There's not a horrendous amount of ellipses! The first half of the book was also well edited (though the second half had some noticeable hiccups that made me wonder if the editor(s) gave up or bailed).
- Writing style is still pleasant and keeps you hooked.
- Enjoy how magic is described.
× My biggest pet peeve of this series is that Robin is the only one left of his family's bloodline and the only heir to his Kingdom, yet not a single soul thought it would be a great idea to make sure he can fight properly without his magic. Funny thing is, we've seen Robin fight without magic in the very beginning of the first book and he held his own pretty damn good.
× Why did Robin turn into such a weakling in this book? I don't mean just physically, but mentally as well. His resolve was strong at the start, he was determined, and I loved it! But as the book went on, that began to ebb. He has the opportunity to kill someone, doesn't take it despite that person causing him and his loved ones pain. Sees the person he loves is captured (and somewhat beaten up but still able to stand and walk) and suddenly lacks "the strength to fight", letting himself get captured -- despite using his magic and being pissed moments prior. His friends and him are faced with the big baddie who managed to trap them near the end and he decides fighting back is pointless and impossible, even though they have control of their bodies. How the hell am I supposed to get behind a protagonist who is so eagerly ready to give up every single time things get tough? How am I supposed to think of him as a King who will one day rule over his own kingdom and be responsible for making important decisions and taking care of people if he has no inkling of a backbone?
× The new love wasn't necessarily insta love, but I can't understand what drew Robin and
Spoiler
DuncanSpoiler
Duncan× There's a sex scene where one character sucks on the other's foot/toes during the sexual intercourse and my mind just immediately noped out.
× I don't give two flying flops about the children of the Asp. There is nothing interesting or intriguing about them. They're basically the equivalent of mercenaries or paid hires who take on jobs for money...because they really, really, REALLY want money. This story would not suffer in the slightest if we never saw them again.
× I do not need the crazy cult leader preaching for pages and pages. Seriously, just sum that crap up to a few paragraphs or something. No one wants to hear a big baddie go on and on and on and on like that.
× ...What was that ending? It felt like we stopped at the end of a chapter that should have been followed up with a few more chapters before ending.
Pros:
- Duncan. I loved this guy. I have some small complaints, but this guy stood his ground and was ready to fight even when backed into a corner.
- There's not a horrendous amount of ellipses! The first half of the book was also well edited (though the second half had some noticeable hiccups that made me wonder if the editor(s) gave up or bailed).
- Writing style is still pleasant and keeps you hooked.
- Enjoy how magic is described.
m_rst's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
mossy_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
3.0
tempest2007's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
5.0
starbaku's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
jess_whit's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
quhinnsinqueeries's review against another edition
4.0
Okay hold on wait. That. That was.... Good. Full review to come
confaederica's review against another edition
5.0
“I have learned that monsters are not unique to dark places, but all places. Why would I fear the dark when what is revealed in the light is far more frightening?”
theminnesotawitch's review against another edition
4.0
On revenge
Every character wants some form of revenge on someone else, and you can feel their need for it in every single page.
Every character wants some form of revenge on someone else, and you can feel their need for it in every single page.