Reviews

As the Shadow Rises by Katy Rose Pool

kaitlynfolk's review against another edition

3.0

There's just too many perspectives and too many things going on in this series. It makes it kind of hard to follow.

lyoungthebookfae's review against another edition

5.0

This one took me a while to get through, just because of the size of it, but I still really enjoyed it! I loved these characters in the first book, and I loved seeing their story continue in this one. There was action, there were surprises, and lots of moments where I wanted to yell at them for varying reasons, lol! I still highly recommend this series for amazing world building and lore, as well as fantastic characters.

And of course, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read an advanced copy!

reytak's review against another edition

4.0

i enjoyed this one much more than the first! i still dont love hassan but i feel like he’s gotten a bit more interesting. i love watching the characters involved with the prophecy head towards their pre-destined fate, knowing its inevitable. sometimes prophecies feel a bit forced but i feel like the characters motivations were very realistic for their personalities!

jude and anton are my angels… i love their slow burn so much UGHHH

also all the identities being revealed in the end omfg… i semi predicted one but it was still a super good twist… v excited to see how this wraps up in the third book

e_knight's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

4.5

I definitely didn’t see that coming…

JUDE AND ANTON JUDE AND ANTON JUDE AND ANTON FJOWJDBDJE!!!! Them: look at each other, me: ooooo they’re in LOVEEEEE but it’s a SLOW BURN!!! Definitely my favorite couple in the book I was literally grinning like a crazy person any time anything remotely romantic happened between them.

ameserole's review against another edition

4.0

Well, well...

Even though I'm terrible at writing reviews lately, I really did enjoy As the Shadow Rises. Just like the first book, the characters, magic, and overall world just sucked me in. I have an obvious end game in mind and I'm hoping things come true in the next book. Mostly because Jude and Anton give me life. They support one another unconditionally and mesh so well. Even their chemistry gives me life and I think we all deserve happiness.

As for the rest of the cast, well, I liked Ephrya, Beru, and Hassan. There wasn't anything bad about them, other than a certain someone's betrayal, but I also wasn't completed invested in them this time around. Which, yes, seems very weird because they have likable qualities. I think there's some serious potential for me to eventually love them.

Especially after that little cliffhanger. I'm seriously freaking out right now and need to get my hands on next book. Not sure what will happen but I'm begging for my ship to sail off into the sunset.

aylabell's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Really great book. I loved it as much as the first. I’m not normally a fantasy reader but this series has me hooked! The author does a great job keeping the reader engaged with each story. I did find myself favouring some characters perspectives over others, but overall a terrific read. 

nomimalonely's review against another edition

adventurous 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? Yes

4.5

fictionalfelinefanatic's review against another edition

5.0

Literally no one is what they appear from the prophets to the God, to the merchants and saviors everyone is playing games. I have so many trust issues after this! Thank goodness for Anton and Jude's. Their journey was painful but beautiful

pantsreads's review against another edition

3.0

3.5/5

Love the characters in these books, but I still find myself struggling with the larger world and magical system. I want to love this series, but I only like it?

Check out my full review at Forever Young Adult.

danielle110's review against another edition

adventurous challenging tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 For me this book doesn't suffer from the "middle book in trilogy" syndrome. This book expanded on the lore that intrigued me in the first book. Again, I just didn't connect with the characters or love them enough to rate this 5 stars.