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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
Sequel to the excellent [b:The Demon's Lexicon|1829655|The Demon's Lexicon (The Demon's Lexicon Trilogy, #1)|Sarah Rees Brennan|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1275743148s/1829655.jpg|1829467]. It took me nearly six months to crack it open, because I was so terrified that I wouldn't like it.
FEAR NOT. review tbc.
FEAR NOT. review tbc.
HELPPP I LOVE THIS SERIES SO DAMN MUCH
I'VE BEEN YELLING FOR THE LAST HUNDRED PAGES IM SO SHOOK
based on enjoyment alone this would probably be a 4.5-5 star but admittedly there are many flaws I noticed even in my blind fangirl haze of book love. mae's pov is interesting solely for getting an outside perspective on nick, but the book loses thematic focus. I'm really trying not to dislike mae bc she's one of the only girls in the series, but I don't get what her character is supposed to be about at all, and it doesn't really feel like a streamlined/focused story that ultimately makes it Her Book. there's nothing that screamed for her pov in particular.the fight with sin for market leadership, maybe, but that literally came out of nowhere with no focus and I... do not care at all I'm sorry
not to be biased but jamie's pov would have been approximately 1000000x more interesting! he has clearer thematic development than mae! his relationships (with gerald and nick) are also way more interesting and involve way less romance!!! I don't want to read about mae's romantic angst when I could read about jamie discovering his magic and meeting with gerald/the magicians and coming to terms with his power vs his sense of dependence and helplessness!!! his arc was so great but it was mostly behind the scenes and I'm getting more annoyed the more I think about this!! we could also have been given a closer inside look into the magicians' plotting as well as alan's! we likely wouldn't have missed much of the conflict between alan and nick!! and the reader could have been conflicted by/swayed toward gerald along with jamie instead of straight up hating him, creating more emotional tension!!!! I'm going to stop now but!!!!! justice for jamie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(also, apparently the next book is sin's pov? WHO DOES THIS. nothing against sin but she's barely even a mc andjamie is going off to spy on the goddamn magicians. GIVE HIM A POV HOLY SHIT )
related to the lack of focus in mae's perspective, there was just too much going on in the story. this is like a million stories in one:jamie's decision about whether to join gerald and the magicians; the conflict between nick and alan and alan's supposed planned betrayal and nick's attempt to be human; mae + sin and the degradation of the market that they love and the eventual need for new leadership; the introduction of seb as one of gerald's magicians and a counterpoint to jamie; the 50000 romantic dramas surrounding mae + nick + alan + seb; the conflict between mae and jamie over seb, and their relationship with their mom; and... I'm probably forgetting something tbh. each character has secrets and motives and their own thing going on, and there are more magician's circles introduced. it all comes together by the end, but I kept having to stop and tally what was being planned, what everyone believed was going to happen, and how they felt and what their loyalties were. I actually did like most of the storylines, but I was losing track of them and many felt like they didn't receive due focus. again, mae's pov doesn't do this any favors because many plotlines don't involve her as a centerpiece. it feels like these things are happening around her, and that makes it harder to follow.
issues aside, I LOVED THIS. I feel like I have to give it at least 4 stars just on the strength of how much I enjoyed it despite everything. I nearly gave it 4.5 just as a gut reaction. I loved all the characters (... except mae) even more. jamie is my heart and soul and I would die for him; I absolutely loved his character arc, if you can't telland I even love where he left off at the end of the book, though I want to protect him . nick and alan's relationship is my favorite thing. "in two worlds, there is nothing I love half as much as you" and the part where nick's one fear is that alan may leave him -- KILL ME. jamie and nick's friendship was unexpected and lovely but I really wish we'd seen more of how jamie's trust and affection developed (again.... jamie pov.........).
I've said this at least a thousand times but I love srb's writing style and it's better in this book than the last one imo. she's hilarious but she has such a way of capturing relationships and emotions, and of striking the balance between humor and genuineness.
the romance was more prominent in this book than the last one, but somehow besides the annoyance at mae's pov on principle I don't think I minded it as much. I mean, most of the potential relationships were still boring, but the level of complexity of their romantic entanglements made it a lot more fun as I was reading it, if only because it was entertaining trying to pick through it all. this isn't even a love triangle anymore (and srb is the only one who can make love triangles moderately bearable), it's like... a love cube-tetrahedron hybrid. objectively this is a similar problem to the overstuffed plot, but tbh it was just ridiculous and I loved it. would trade in an instant for jamie pov, though.
mae has tension with nick (and eventually realizes she loves him), but all common sense tells her it ain't gonna happen. she knows alan wants to date her (and is a good kisser), but before that she wants to give seb a chance at a relationship because she wants a normal life. nick refuses to have a relationship with mae but is weirdly into her despite being an actual demon. meanwhile, seb dates mae but is secretly into jamie, whom he bullies/d, and draws a whole sketchbook of pictures of him from afar (this was around when I started yelling). then he has a nervous breakdown in jamie's lap and kisses him in one of the most hilarious yet tragic scenes of the book. but seb is jealous of nick because jamie and nick spend a lot of time together, and jamie seems like he might be into nick, which mae believes for a while. actually, jamie's into gerald the evil magician villain of the story, which is about a thousand times worse. then there's sin, who has some kind of tension with nick and mae but I've been spoiled to the fact that she's gonna end up with alan. wow. I think I got everything?
okay but JAMIE AND SEB!!!! JAMIE AND SEB. they're going to get together, right?? not to be dramatic but if they don't I'm just going to lie down and Die. LET IT HAPPEN (but not before adequate seb redemption ofc). yes I'm predictable af but you can't expect me not to react to this unparalleled emily-bait. also my heart broke a little when jamie was basically like "I just want someone to show their love by being very very nice to me and also no one dies" have I mentioned I love jamie crawford
lmao I hate that this review was mostly complaining (then again isn't this what happens whenever I accidentally get overly invested in a series //glances at trc) but trust me I am in love. the fact that I'm still giving this 4 stars shows how in love I am tbh
anyway if the next book disappoints me im going to cry so come thruuu srb
I'VE BEEN YELLING FOR THE LAST HUNDRED PAGES IM SO SHOOK
based on enjoyment alone this would probably be a 4.5-5 star but admittedly there are many flaws I noticed even in my blind fangirl haze of book love. mae's pov is interesting solely for getting an outside perspective on nick, but the book loses thematic focus. I'm really trying not to dislike mae bc she's one of the only girls in the series, but I don't get what her character is supposed to be about at all, and it doesn't really feel like a streamlined/focused story that ultimately makes it Her Book. there's nothing that screamed for her pov in particular.
not to be biased but jamie's pov would have been approximately 1000000x more interesting! he has clearer thematic development than mae! his relationships (with gerald and nick) are also way more interesting and involve way less romance!!! I don't want to read about mae's romantic angst when I could read about jamie discovering his magic and meeting with gerald/the magicians and coming to terms with his power vs his sense of dependence and helplessness!!! his arc was so great but it was mostly behind the scenes and I'm getting more annoyed the more I think about this!! we could also have been given a closer inside look into the magicians' plotting as well as alan's! we likely wouldn't have missed much of the conflict between alan and nick!! and the reader could have been conflicted by/swayed toward gerald along with jamie instead of straight up hating him, creating more emotional tension!!!! I'm going to stop now but!!!!! justice for jamie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(also, apparently the next book is sin's pov? WHO DOES THIS. nothing against sin but she's barely even a mc and
related to the lack of focus in mae's perspective, there was just too much going on in the story. this is like a million stories in one:
issues aside, I LOVED THIS. I feel like I have to give it at least 4 stars just on the strength of how much I enjoyed it despite everything. I nearly gave it 4.5 just as a gut reaction. I loved all the characters (... except mae) even more. jamie is my heart and soul and I would die for him; I absolutely loved his character arc, if you can't tell
I've said this at least a thousand times but I love srb's writing style and it's better in this book than the last one imo. she's hilarious but she has such a way of capturing relationships and emotions, and of striking the balance between humor and genuineness.
the romance was more prominent in this book than the last one, but somehow besides the annoyance at mae's pov on principle I don't think I minded it as much. I mean, most of the potential relationships were still boring, but the level of complexity of their romantic entanglements made it a lot more fun as I was reading it, if only because it was entertaining trying to pick through it all. this isn't even a love triangle anymore (and srb is the only one who can make love triangles moderately bearable), it's like... a love cube-tetrahedron hybrid. objectively this is a similar problem to the overstuffed plot, but tbh it was just ridiculous and I loved it. would trade in an instant for jamie pov, though.
lmao I hate that this review was mostly complaining (then again isn't this what happens whenever I accidentally get overly invested in a series //glances at trc) but trust me I am in love. the fact that I'm still giving this 4 stars shows how in love I am tbh
anyway if the next book disappoints me im going to cry so come thruuu srb
i love this series. It has been a surprise enjoyment for me. so detailled, so rich, such fabulous writing. and funny too.
The Demon's Covenant was definitely better than the first book, The Demon's Lexicon! This is probably because this time we read from Mae's point of view and not Nick's. Nick is quite aggressive and harsh in his behaviour, so Mae was a breath of fresh air. So, what I really liked in this book:
- It is amazing how Sarah Rees Brennan is able to make you love a demon. During the book you come to understand Nick more and start to feel and root for him.
- Nick and Jamie's dialogue was great! I laughed out loud several times.
- I really want to give Jamie a hug, he's great!
- The action scenes! I especially loved the scene on the bridge where Nick fights Helen.
- Hands down for Annabel, the most bad ass mum in book history!
Now, onto the next book! ;)
- It is amazing how Sarah Rees Brennan is able to make you love a demon. During the book you come to understand Nick more and start to feel and root for him.
- Nick and Jamie's dialogue was great! I laughed out loud several times.
- I really want to give Jamie a hug, he's great!
- The action scenes! I especially loved the scene on the bridge where Nick fights Helen.
- Hands down for Annabel, the most bad ass mum in book history!
Now, onto the next book! ;)
OKAY!
to make a non-spoilery review is almost impossible to any sequel of book-series..
This sequel of the Demon's Lexicon series annoyed me, exhilarated me, made me go fangirling, angered me, and towards the end it was fantastic!
What I do not like from this sequel was the POV of this book. In the first book, it was told from Nick's POV, and this one, it was told from Mae's POV. and gurl, how I did not like her! So why I did and still do not like her, this girl was so annoying and in this entire book, I was always guessing and screaming and yelling to the book of how desperate was I to know what was inside Nick and Alan's heads! This girl, until now, I just couldn't find any reasons why I have to like her character. I just simply did not like her. ESPECIALLY when she always got in between Nick and Alan, "STOP and just go away". Those were my mantra all the time while I was reading the book, but ofc it didn't work since this book was told from her POV, and I had to suffer till the end, BUT OH BOY how towards the end, the storyline was getting so unpredictable and so exciting!
Nick and Alan, how I ship them so hard.. I could feel their intense love was more important than relationship with a gurl and any other gurl. There been said, I did not like Mae, and I HOPE, in the final book, it would be told from Alan's POV or HELL will break loose! *and turned out, it will be from Sin's POV - AND I think I just got spoiled - damn reviews.. hiks!*
to make a non-spoilery review is almost impossible to any sequel of book-series..
This sequel of the Demon's Lexicon series annoyed me, exhilarated me, made me go fangirling, angered me, and towards the end it was fantastic!
What I do not like from this sequel was the POV of this book. In the first book, it was told from Nick's POV, and this one, it was told from Mae's POV. and gurl, how I did not like her! So why I did and still do not like her, this girl was so annoying and in this entire book, I was always guessing and screaming and yelling to the book of how desperate was I to know what was inside Nick and Alan's heads! This girl, until now, I just couldn't find any reasons why I have to like her character. I just simply did not like her. ESPECIALLY when she always got in between Nick and Alan, "STOP and just go away". Those were my mantra all the time while I was reading the book, but ofc it didn't work since this book was told from her POV, and I had to suffer till the end, BUT OH BOY how towards the end, the storyline was getting so unpredictable and so exciting!
Nick and Alan, how I ship them so hard.. I could feel their intense love was more important than relationship with a gurl and any other gurl. There been said, I did not like Mae, and I HOPE, in the final book, it would be told from Alan's POV or HELL will break loose! *and turned out, it will be from Sin's POV - AND I think I just got spoiled - damn reviews.. hiks!*
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Nick was interesting in the first book, however, in this book, he just seems like a horrible person. It doesn't help that I hate Mae. She doesn't know how to stand up for herself, and her inner monologue is so, so boring. She's a door mat. This was disappointing. I loved SRB's other books, like Unspoken and Untold. They actually have interesting protagonists. Her books are character driven, but since I don't like the way she wrote the characters and I hate Mae in general, this book was pretty terrible. I recommend stopping after the first one.
Also, Mae somehow gets everything she wants. She's spoiled and annoying. I could rant about this for hours, but instead I'm going to move on to a good book now.
Also, Mae somehow gets everything she wants. She's spoiled and annoying. I could rant about this for hours, but instead I'm going to move on to a good book now.
Book 2 in the Demon's Lexicon trilogy
Mae is still coming to grips with the fact that her younger brother is a magician. The magicians, who gain power by feeding people to demons, want Jamie to join them. Understandably, Mae has an issue with this. She turns to brothers Alan and Nick to help her out. She is attracted to both of them, though, which is also problematic. In addition to all this, she is attracted by the seductive lure of dancing and the Goblin Market.
Good character development from book 1. A fun read.
Mae is still coming to grips with the fact that her younger brother is a magician. The magicians, who gain power by feeding people to demons, want Jamie to join them. Understandably, Mae has an issue with this. She turns to brothers Alan and Nick to help her out. She is attracted to both of them, though, which is also problematic. In addition to all this, she is attracted by the seductive lure of dancing and the Goblin Market.
Good character development from book 1. A fun read.
This is the second book in a trilogy that I feel is spellbinding, and amazing!! The Demon's Covenant starts where the previous book, the Demon's Lexicon left off.
If I am being honest, the book took me by surprise. It started of somewhat slow, though that could have just been all in my head, since Nick and Alan were not in the first three or four pages.
But I really did enjoy this book. It had a lot of twists, turns, and action. There was also some tragedy, and a little bit of romance thrown in.
Once again, Alan Ryves kept us guessing. He is one of those characters that you just really have to keep a close eye on. As a previous Alan fan girl, I enjoyed trying to figure him out. out.
The best part about this book is that we got to see a lot of Nick. We saw him trying to be a little bit more human for his brother, and maybe, even if he won't admit it, for Mae.
I have totally switched alliances, and I can't wait to read the final installment of the trilogy. Way to go, Sarah!
If I am being honest, the book took me by surprise. It started of somewhat slow, though that could have just been all in my head, since Nick and Alan were not in the first three or four pages.
But I really did enjoy this book. It had a lot of twists, turns, and action. There was also some tragedy, and a little bit of romance thrown in.
Once again, Alan Ryves kept us guessing. He is one of those characters that you just really have to keep a close eye on. As a previous Alan fan girl, I enjoyed trying to figure him out. out.
The best part about this book is that we got to see a lot of Nick. We saw him trying to be a little bit more human for his brother, and maybe, even if he won't admit it, for Mae.
I have totally switched alliances, and I can't wait to read the final installment of the trilogy. Way to go, Sarah!
3.25?
What a pleasant surprise. After being so disappointed in "Demon's Lexicon," and finding out this second book was told from Mae's point of view (and I hadn't thought much of her at all) I had about zero expectations for this book. I'm not even sure why I picked it up, but I'm glad I did.
Mae comes off a lot less annoying when you're seeing things through her eyes. Less precocious and demanding of attention. Jaimie, stuck in increased conflict of his own, comes off as less quippy and irritating, though he's still a little too... mouthpiece for Brennan's quippy (you see it in most of her work). But it seemed a lot less shoe-horned in and unnatural.
I definitely missed the inside look at Alan and Nick, especially as their shifting relationship shattered my heart. (What is it about BROTHERS?)
All in all, I cared a lot more in this one, and found the characters much more sympathetic and less cardboard.
The big reason that this got 3(.25) and not more has to be hidden behind a SPOILER CUT.
I understand that Alan is the Kindly Seeming One Who Has So Much Heart And Also Lies Compulsively. That's his schtick. It was in the last book, it is in this one. And it's a very interesting role, one that breaks my heart, intrigues me, and annoys me by turns. However. I just don't get why he had to lie to Mae throughout this whole book.
Maybe someone can explain to me? Why spin the whole fabrication of betraying Nick? What did it accomplish? If he was going to tell Nick all along (as Mae deduces in the climax scene), why put on the show to Mae? I'm not sure what she did (besides raise an army which I don't believe he anticipated?) that she would not have done otherwise. And I REALLY don't get why he had to do all the fake romance. I mean, obviously it wasn't ALL fake, clearly Alan has a boner for her, but I guess he upped his game for his lying reasons which I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
Confused.
What a pleasant surprise. After being so disappointed in "Demon's Lexicon," and finding out this second book was told from Mae's point of view (and I hadn't thought much of her at all) I had about zero expectations for this book. I'm not even sure why I picked it up, but I'm glad I did.
Mae comes off a lot less annoying when you're seeing things through her eyes. Less precocious and demanding of attention. Jaimie, stuck in increased conflict of his own, comes off as less quippy and irritating, though he's still a little too... mouthpiece for Brennan's quippy (you see it in most of her work). But it seemed a lot less shoe-horned in and unnatural.
I definitely missed the inside look at Alan and Nick, especially as their shifting relationship shattered my heart. (What is it about BROTHERS?)
All in all, I cared a lot more in this one, and found the characters much more sympathetic and less cardboard.
The big reason that this got 3(.25) and not more has to be hidden behind a SPOILER CUT.
I understand that Alan is the Kindly Seeming One Who Has So Much Heart And Also Lies Compulsively. That's his schtick. It was in the last book, it is in this one. And it's a very interesting role, one that breaks my heart, intrigues me, and annoys me by turns. However. I just don't get why he had to lie to Mae throughout this whole book.
Maybe someone can explain to me? Why spin the whole fabrication of betraying Nick? What did it accomplish? If he was going to tell Nick all along (as Mae deduces in the climax scene), why put on the show to Mae? I'm not sure what she did (besides raise an army which I don't believe he anticipated?) that she would not have done otherwise. And I REALLY don't get why he had to do all the fake romance. I mean, obviously it wasn't ALL fake, clearly Alan has a boner for her, but I guess he upped his game for his lying reasons which I DON'T UNDERSTAND.
Confused.