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amybraunauthor's review
4.0
Actual rating 4.5! The series is finally moving ahead with an exciting plot, plenty of twists, action, and a shocking ending. I was glad to see some of the characters finally progress, and while I wasn't really certain how to feel about some characters with their POVs, it did add another layer of complexity and understanding of the plot.
Ayleth and Terryn both finally grow as characters as everything they know crumbles around them. It still took a little longer than I hoped, but that is also the consequence of having so much indoctrination in their lives. I really, truly liked the twists and reveal of the villains and what was done to keep them in isolation. The action is solid, especially at the end, though I wish the plot moved a little faster as well.
All this said, I am still invested and wanting to know what happens next in the series. It is getting down to the wire after that shocking finale, and hopefully, the speed can be ramped up in the next two books!
Ayleth and Terryn both finally grow as characters as everything they know crumbles around them. It still took a little longer than I hoped, but that is also the consequence of having so much indoctrination in their lives. I really, truly liked the twists and reveal of the villains and what was done to keep them in isolation. The action is solid, especially at the end, though I wish the plot moved a little faster as well.
All this said, I am still invested and wanting to know what happens next in the series. It is getting down to the wire after that shocking finale, and hopefully, the speed can be ramped up in the next two books!
chikidude's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
rayonx's review
5.0
This book in one sentence: Finally some questions are answered in this fifth installment of the series!
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steaminess:
My rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Steaminess:
meowmeowmeowlalala's review
5.0
I love this series so much. I lucky to receive an ARC. I have been trying to piece together all the pieces of the mystery of Ayleth's past and just love being surprised that I didn't get it all. This was such an action-packed book. I love the complex and dynamic characters. How do you keep writing books I eat up over and over again, Mercedes? Thank you for this series. It's been one of the first in a long time that I have so thoroughly enjoyed and felt thrilled by.
brii_brii's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
fast-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
musgrovej's review against another edition
challenging
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
3.75
smilelarke's review
4.5
whoa whoa whoa did not see these dynamics developing, but we def called FMC being inborn (still a big plot twist from grannie)
katharine2k's review against another edition
emotional
tense
fast-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
3.75
tinydonats's review
3.0
Finally. Thank you Sylvia. You finally gave us answers. You finally revealed the bulk of the mystery. I can breathe. My blood pressure is regulating to normal levels.
The revelation... I'm conflicted by relief of finally getting some truth and distaste for the manner it was delivered. Also the wolf-thing is kind of weird. But anyways. Yes, the bulk of the reveal was done in a jarring first-person POV monologue whilst the entire series has been in third-person. Interesting choice. I suppose it was meant to be Hollis just talking, but there are no quotations, even at the start of the chapter so it was a little confusing at first. We also don't get to see any reactions because of this monologue. It's pretty much an info dump. It would have served better to integrate the reveal into the story so the characters can react and we can see their emotions and thoughts. This way we get to see their values and get to know them better. Even better if we could have gotten it interwoven with the story so it wasn't all at once like it was but beggars cannot be choosers and I have been begging for the truth since like 3 books ago so it is what it is.
Some books do this funny thing that I can't decide if I like or not. It usually depends how relieved I am. But they make us work so hard to get to the true destiny of the character, and the character, after going through so much, readily accepts their destiny without much complaint. In this case, I was okay with it because if she argued and denied it, it would have been how many more books of avoiding the truth good lawd I could not have that. So thank you again Sylvia for making her obedient and logical when it matters.
The ending of this was so chaotic. So much went wrong. I was sitting there like why is this guy even here still?? End him! But no, of course not, we need a villain or two. But I really was like, y'all just take him out, it's okay.
This was the best book of the series so far. I am partial to the revelations I admit. The action scenes were good, a little muddled at some points, but I am reading all this late at night so maybe that's just me. The next 2 books are promising. I hope they do more showing than telling and we get more depth so I can attach myself to the characters for the finale.
The revelation... I'm conflicted by relief of finally getting some truth and distaste for the manner it was delivered. Also the wolf-thing is kind of weird. But anyways. Yes, the bulk of the reveal was done in a jarring first-person POV monologue whilst the entire series has been in third-person. Interesting choice. I suppose it was meant to be Hollis just talking, but there are no quotations, even at the start of the chapter so it was a little confusing at first. We also don't get to see any reactions because of this monologue. It's pretty much an info dump. It would have served better to integrate the reveal into the story so the characters can react and we can see their emotions and thoughts. This way we get to see their values and get to know them better. Even better if we could have gotten it interwoven with the story so it wasn't all at once like it was but beggars cannot be choosers and I have been begging for the truth since like 3 books ago so it is what it is.
Some books do this funny thing that I can't decide if I like or not. It usually depends how relieved I am. But they make us work so hard to get to the true destiny of the character, and the character, after going through so much, readily accepts their destiny without much complaint. In this case, I was okay with it because if she argued and denied it, it would have been how many more books of avoiding the truth good lawd I could not have that. So thank you again Sylvia for making her obedient and logical when it matters.
The ending of this was so chaotic. So much went wrong. I was sitting there like why is this guy even here still?? End him! But no, of course not, we need a villain or two. But I really was like, y'all just take him out, it's okay.
This was the best book of the series so far. I am partial to the revelations I admit. The action scenes were good, a little muddled at some points, but I am reading all this late at night so maybe that's just me. The next 2 books are promising. I hope they do more showing than telling and we get more depth so I can attach myself to the characters for the finale.
lilycharb's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Murder, Blood, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Animal death