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izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5
I really liked this book. I feel like it did a great job closing the story but I can't wait to see what's next for the characters.
I really liked this book. I feel like it did a great job closing the story but I can't wait to see what's next for the characters.
honeybeeg's review against another edition
4.0
This is a fun story. With a complex world, unpredictable characters, and adventure it stays interesting page after page. Again, I couldn’t set this book down and devoured it as quickly as I could. A great sequel to the first novel and I throughly enjoyed the continuation of the adventure.
maryadaley's review against another edition
4.0
This book perfectly wrapped up the chaotic storyline of “The Belles” while also raising plenty of its own questions about politics, norms, and beauty
therealbel's review against another edition
3.0
I loved the first book in this series. This one felt... less meaty... it wasn’t bad it just wasn’t excellent... :/
laura_cs's review against another edition
5.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Everlasting Rose is a brilliant follow-up to The Belles!
After narrowly escaping with her life along with her sister, Amber, and former palace guard, Remy, and reuniting with Edel, Camille is still not out of danger as Princess Sophia gets closer and closer to the throne--and completely enslaving the Belles. Old friends make appearances, and lead to new allies in the goal of making sure that Sophia never becomes queen and that the newly reawakened Charlotte is rightfully crowned instead.
Dhonielle Clayton's prose is phenomenal with lush descriptions, intriguing characters, and many, many twists and turns. Readers of the first book, The Belles, will be satisfied with the ending but also somewhat devastated at the loss of more books about this unique, vivid world and amazing cast.
As a side note, this duology also contains a power-hungry and devious villain who is perhaps one of the most terrifying to ever exist. So, recommending this duology to readers who enjoy horror would not be a mistake.
The Everlasting Rose is a brilliant follow-up to The Belles!
After narrowly escaping with her life along with her sister, Amber, and former palace guard, Remy, and reuniting with Edel, Camille is still not out of danger as Princess Sophia gets closer and closer to the throne--and completely enslaving the Belles. Old friends make appearances, and lead to new allies in the goal of making sure that Sophia never becomes queen and that the newly reawakened Charlotte is rightfully crowned instead.
Dhonielle Clayton's prose is phenomenal with lush descriptions, intriguing characters, and many, many twists and turns. Readers of the first book, The Belles, will be satisfied with the ending but also somewhat devastated at the loss of more books about this unique, vivid world and amazing cast.
As a side note, this duology also contains a power-hungry and devious villain who is perhaps one of the most terrifying to ever exist. So, recommending this duology to readers who enjoy horror would not be a mistake.
psychotherabee's review against another edition
3.0
This review can also be found here.
I was disappointed to have to give this three stars after how much I loved The Belles. It must be noted the author did have health problems during the time she was writing this book, so she must be commended for producing what is effectively still a good YA fantasy book.
I still love Camellia as much as I did in the first book. I still love the matriarchy and the relationships formed along the way in this novel. The magic, the world-building — this book still has everything I enjoyed about the prequel.
What I didn’t like was that feeling where you don’t know where something is going. I didn’t understand what was going to happen for most of the book, and when it happened, it seemed pointless and disappointing. It felt as though the characters were going on a journey for the sake of having something to do, and honestly you could read the beginning and skip to the end and everything would make sense.
There was plenty of drama — Clayton is very good at building this up. The stress was real reading this novel. But the character deaths seemed very pointless, and it was disappointing how some characters never got redemption. The ending felt quite quick as well, although I was still pleased by it. It’s tough to follow up such a great first novel, The Everlasting Rose certainly tries to do that, but just falls short.
I was disappointed to have to give this three stars after how much I loved The Belles. It must be noted the author did have health problems during the time she was writing this book, so she must be commended for producing what is effectively still a good YA fantasy book.
I still love Camellia as much as I did in the first book. I still love the matriarchy and the relationships formed along the way in this novel. The magic, the world-building — this book still has everything I enjoyed about the prequel.
What I didn’t like was that feeling where you don’t know where something is going. I didn’t understand what was going to happen for most of the book, and when it happened, it seemed pointless and disappointing. It felt as though the characters were going on a journey for the sake of having something to do, and honestly you could read the beginning and skip to the end and everything would make sense.
There was plenty of drama — Clayton is very good at building this up. The stress was real reading this novel. But the character deaths seemed very pointless, and it was disappointing how some characters never got redemption. The ending felt quite quick as well, although I was still pleased by it. It’s tough to follow up such a great first novel, The Everlasting Rose certainly tries to do that, but just falls short.
dobsonfly314's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
bookish_mrs_w's review against another edition
3.0
I was a bit disappointed in this sequel. I missed so much of the magic from the first book. The pacing on this one was a bit slow and the ending seemed a bit rushed.
heidi1313's review against another edition
3.0
This was free through audible plus so I figured I would finish the series since the synopsis seemed like it may improve on some of the issues I had from the first book. I did not end up liking this book much more than the first. It was not horrible but not an audible book I will be buying a paper copy of.
blovell5's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0