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czarella's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
jennchandler's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed this very much, even if it still was just a tad predictable.
berlinbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
This book has its problematic moments, but it is a big improvement over the first book in the duology. Aly has finally come into her own and has her spy networks up and running, and it is great to see her doing the kind of work she has always longed to do. Dove is amazing, and it's wonderful to see her take charge and refuse to be a figurehead. Honestly, there is so much competence on show here, it's very satisfying. Nawat is another wonderful aspect of the book. He finally gets the chance to explore his own identity apart from Aly, and it makes their relationship all the stronger.
jameyanne's review against another edition
4.0
This book will always have a special place in my heart, because it was the first Tamora Pierce book I ever read (I know that's really backwards). The plot is fast paced and full of twists, and there are so many feelinngs. All I can say is I will always lobe this book.
mandyfreddy's review against another edition
5.0
Aly was the reason why I wanted to be a spy when I was little!
catherinekailua's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
4.5
cinda_lu's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-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
1.0
DNF
I was hoping this book would improve on the things I didn't like in the first book, or at least be just as good, but unfortunately this book was worse.
I really wanted to like this duology because the concept was good. I love the idea of a strong young woman helping another strong young woman come to power. But this series did not live up to my expectations. I will grant that if I had read this as a young teenager I probably would have liked it a lot better. That being said....
My main problems with this book are:
Too much telling, not enough showing.
Aly is over-confident, condescending, and shows no growth because she is already perfect.
Everything comes easy to Aly and she never has to really struggle with any decisions or roadblocks. She always knows what to do and is a step ahead of everyone (despite being a teenager with no field experience). We are told that she is very intelligent, but we aren't shown this, it's not integrated into the story, just plopped in where convenient. I would have been okay with her always being a step ahead if we had been shown evidence of her skills, how she got them, if she had some prior experience. This whole excursion (including the first book) has been her first experience doing a mission alone and yet she does everything perfectly.
I love Nawat's character in the first book and he should have been given a bigger role in the second book. I also hate the way Aly treats him. She is condescending and doesn't take his feelings or concerns seriously.
Dove was also a favorite character. Honestly, I liked her better than Aly and I would probably have like the story better if it had been told from her perspective.
I was hoping this book would improve on the things I didn't like in the first book, or at least be just as good, but unfortunately this book was worse.
I really wanted to like this duology because the concept was good. I love the idea of a strong young woman helping another strong young woman come to power. But this series did not live up to my expectations. I will grant that if I had read this as a young teenager I probably would have liked it a lot better. That being said....
My main problems with this book are:
Too much telling, not enough showing.
Aly is over-confident, condescending, and shows no growth because she is already perfect.
Everything comes easy to Aly and she never has to really struggle with any decisions or roadblocks. She always knows what to do and is a step ahead of everyone (despite being a teenager with no field experience). We are told that she is very intelligent, but we aren't shown this, it's not integrated into the story, just plopped in where convenient. I would have been okay with her always being a step ahead if we had been shown evidence of her skills, how she got them, if she had some prior experience. This whole excursion (including the first book) has been her first experience doing a mission alone and yet she does everything perfectly.
I love Nawat's character in the first book and he should have been given a bigger role in the second book. I also hate the way Aly treats him. She is condescending and doesn't take his feelings or concerns seriously.
Dove was also a favorite character. Honestly, I liked her better than Aly and I would probably have like the story better if it had been told from her perspective.
palindromephd's review against another edition
5.0
A great conclusion to the duology, I only wish it were longer. I need more Dove and Aly in my life.