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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
I came out of this one confused as ever - like the amount of info that was thrown my way actually managed to leave my brain in shambles
(3.5) first half of the book was just repetitive and unnecessary, second half was good tho
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
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
adventurous
dark
funny
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
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5⭐️
Still chugging along through this series, and I’m still confused half the time.
I listened to this one on audio, which didn’t help with the fact that so many names sound alike or are spelled in just slightly different ways. Combine that with lore that includes deities, gods, and primal gods (all distinct, apparently), and I was constantly trying to figure out who or what was being referenced.
The beginning had me interested, but the middle dragged. It felt like a lot of repetitive dialogue and exposition with very little actual plot movement. Then the last 20% hit, and everything suddenly started happening. The stakes were high, the pace picked up, and the ending definitely delivered some jaw-dropping twists. It’s frustrating, but it worked and I have to know what happens next!
Character-wise:
Kieran continues to be a standout. His loyalty and dry wit are refreshing.
Casteel felt a little too one-sided this time around. The constant innuendos started to wear me thin, and he lacked some of the emotional depth I appreciated in earlier books.
Poppy is still inconsistent. She swings between naïve and all-knowing with little explanation for her growth or regression. While I loved seeing more strength from her toward the end, her overall development felt uneven.
I do appreciate the growing sense of political tension and the expanded worldbuilding. There are interesting layers being introduced, but the execution is muddy. The series is juggling a lot, and without a clearer structure, or a proper glossary and family tree, it can be difficult to stay fully immersed.
Despite my issues, the cliffhanger was strong, and I’m definitely continuing the series. I'm invested, even if I’m also mildly exasperated.
TLDR:
✅ Solid beginning
😴 Slow and repetitive middle
🔥 Explosive and twisty end
📚 Needs a glossary + family tree
💬 Stronger side characters than mains
📖 Still invested (against my better judgment...)
Still chugging along through this series, and I’m still confused half the time.
I listened to this one on audio, which didn’t help with the fact that so many names sound alike or are spelled in just slightly different ways. Combine that with lore that includes deities, gods, and primal gods (all distinct, apparently), and I was constantly trying to figure out who or what was being referenced.
The beginning had me interested, but the middle dragged. It felt like a lot of repetitive dialogue and exposition with very little actual plot movement. Then the last 20% hit, and everything suddenly started happening. The stakes were high, the pace picked up, and the ending definitely delivered some jaw-dropping twists. It’s frustrating, but it worked and I have to know what happens next!
Character-wise:
Kieran continues to be a standout. His loyalty and dry wit are refreshing.
Casteel felt a little too one-sided this time around. The constant innuendos started to wear me thin, and he lacked some of the emotional depth I appreciated in earlier books.
Poppy is still inconsistent. She swings between naïve and all-knowing with little explanation for her growth or regression. While I loved seeing more strength from her toward the end, her overall development felt uneven.
I do appreciate the growing sense of political tension and the expanded worldbuilding. There are interesting layers being introduced, but the execution is muddy. The series is juggling a lot, and without a clearer structure, or a proper glossary and family tree, it can be difficult to stay fully immersed.
Despite my issues, the cliffhanger was strong, and I’m definitely continuing the series. I'm invested, even if I’m also mildly exasperated.
TLDR:
✅ Solid beginning
😴 Slow and repetitive middle
🔥 Explosive and twisty end
📚 Needs a glossary + family tree
💬 Stronger side characters than mains
📖 Still invested (against my better judgment...)
adventurous
dark
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