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pipinghotbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It's just getting better!
cat1586's review against another edition
5.0
I love this story. I said it in my review of the first book, I think it’s unique and captivating.
That being said, this book is dark. I suppose the whole story really is in a way. Both books don’t hold back when it comes to terrible things happening. This book is darker on a larger scale than the first one though. I think that’s a good way to put it. I think you kind of had to know that it was going to go down a road like it did, but it doesn’t make the events any easier to swallow. It definitely doesn’t make some of what happens in this book feel less heartbreaking and any less unnecessary.
I’m notoriously not a fan of the second book. In any series. I just think it’s always the unfortunate one in the set. The first book is often the original idea, and the writing process is usually vastly different. The second book is the author trying to get their footing with their publisher, editor, and time table that is suddenly set. As the reader I always feel like I can tell all of that is going on in the authors world and as a byproduct of those new pressures, the story is never as fun as the one that came before or the one that comes after. I hope that holds true for this series. Even if I didn’t like this installment as much as I liked the first, I’m excited about where we’re left.
That being said, this book is dark. I suppose the whole story really is in a way. Both books don’t hold back when it comes to terrible things happening. This book is darker on a larger scale than the first one though. I think that’s a good way to put it. I think you kind of had to know that it was going to go down a road like it did, but it doesn’t make the events any easier to swallow. It definitely doesn’t make some of what happens in this book feel less heartbreaking and any less unnecessary.
I’m notoriously not a fan of the second book. In any series. I just think it’s always the unfortunate one in the set. The first book is often the original idea, and the writing process is usually vastly different. The second book is the author trying to get their footing with their publisher, editor, and time table that is suddenly set. As the reader I always feel like I can tell all of that is going on in the authors world and as a byproduct of those new pressures, the story is never as fun as the one that came before or the one that comes after. I hope that holds true for this series. Even if I didn’t like this installment as much as I liked the first, I’m excited about where we’re left.
alexeatsvideo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mysticdreamer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
eesh25's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Sleeping Gods when I read it. But, as is often the case, it took me too long to get to this one, and I forgot a lot. I even forgot what happened to Rose! Thankfully, it all came back to me soon enough. The plot details, anyway.
The reason I mention this is because it felt like I was getting to know the characters all over again. And this new Rose seemed to be having an existential crisis, while there was an actual crisis going on in the world, thanks to aliens deciding to invade. And she was such a downer for most of the novel! There's some apocalyptic shit going on, Rose! Your crisis of identity and purpose is not important!
Rose is one of the reasons I didn't enjoy this book as much as I might have. I did like most of the developments in the novel, though. I loved the pace. I loved that the author didn't hold any punches and that the book was non-stop action with high stakes.
And despite the issues I had with Rose, there were characters I liked. First and foremost, the nameless interviewer who seems detached but cares quite a bit, who seems omniscient but isn't, and who presents a formal and monotonous persona but is actually quite sassy. Favourite character in the series, without a doubt. Closely followed by Kara and Vincent. I like them both equally, but sometimes one more than the other?
There was also the addition of a General. He didn't have as big of a role but I liked what I got. The ten-year-old girl who was introduced... couldn't stand her. She was very annoying, and I wanted her to go away.
Anyway, this was a good book. But I enjoyed the first two-thirds of it more than the final third. The author made certain choices with the plot, and with how some chapters were written, that I didn't like. There's was a scene, for example, that was in the book three times, from three different perspectives. I found it unnecessary. And again, I just didn't like some of the developments.
It's because of that, and because of some mixed reviews, that I don't think I'm going to be reading the third book. Maybe I'd like it, maybe I wouldn't. And it's not a hard no on reading it, but I have a good feeling associated with these two books (for the most part), and I want to keep those. I've had too many series' ruined for me because of a bad third book. If I do read it... it'll likely end up on the blog, so you'll know. Right now, I have no plans to continue the series.
The reason I mention this is because it felt like I was getting to know the characters all over again. And this new Rose seemed to be having an existential crisis, while there was an actual crisis going on in the world, thanks to aliens deciding to invade. And she was such a downer for most of the novel! There's some apocalyptic shit going on, Rose! Your crisis of identity and purpose is not important!
Rose is one of the reasons I didn't enjoy this book as much as I might have. I did like most of the developments in the novel, though. I loved the pace. I loved that the author didn't hold any punches and that the book was non-stop action with high stakes.
And despite the issues I had with Rose, there were characters I liked. First and foremost, the nameless interviewer who seems detached but cares quite a bit, who seems omniscient but isn't, and who presents a formal and monotonous persona but is actually quite sassy. Favourite character in the series, without a doubt. Closely followed by Kara and Vincent. I like them both equally, but sometimes one more than the other?
There was also the addition of a General. He didn't have as big of a role but I liked what I got. The ten-year-old girl who was introduced... couldn't stand her. She was very annoying, and I wanted her to go away.
Anyway, this was a good book. But I enjoyed the first two-thirds of it more than the final third. The author made certain choices with the plot, and with how some chapters were written, that I didn't like. There's was a scene, for example, that was in the book three times, from three different perspectives. I found it unnecessary. And again, I just didn't like some of the developments.
It's because of that, and because of some mixed reviews, that I don't think I'm going to be reading the third book. Maybe I'd like it, maybe I wouldn't. And it's not a hard no on reading it, but I have a good feeling associated with these two books (for the most part), and I want to keep those. I've had too many series' ruined for me because of a bad third book. If I do read it... it'll likely end up on the blog, so you'll know. Right now, I have no plans to continue the series.
martyx's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
almasry's review against another edition
adventurous
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
4.0