Reviews

Tarnished City by Vic James

weaverl13's review against another edition

3.0

3.5 stars

"Better to wear a collar you could see. That way you never forgot."

Now I've read it and stop to think, this is a really dark book! But when you're reading it, it doesn't feel like it. Which I guess is how the characters feel who are living in it.

I'm torn on this book. The plot was really good and so clever. The way human nature is explored is really unique. But some of the action seemed a bit thrown away. There would be a biog explosive last sentence in a chapter, and then the next chapter would move to another character somewhere completely different, so you never got to see the aftermath of the climax which disappointed me.

I'm mixed on the characters. I dislike Bouda (but I think we are supposed to dislike her!) and absolutely adore Silyen! He is so complex and unique and I want more time with him in the final book. Abi seems bland though, and it annoys me how she feels like she is to blame for everything that goes wrong.

Overall an enjoyable read, I just wish the climaxes were done a bit more.

litandlayne's review against another edition

adventurous challenging medium-paced

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

4.0

sophiecountsclouds's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

eshinnick's review against another edition

5.0

I gave this 5 stars, but feel like I have to clarify that the five stars don't necessarily mean it is a good piece of literature. I just enjoyed it for 5 stars' worth.

strangecandy's review against another edition

5.0

** spoiler alert ** I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I have really enjoyed this series so far and this book, as the second in the series, certainly lived up to my expectations. This book picks up right where book one ended. Abi has made it to the home of an Equal that is helping fight against the Jardines. are trying to bring back the old way of running the country where slavery is expected and the Equals are absolute in their rule. Luke is still a prisoner with Crovan but has made an ally of the maid Coira and together they are unlocking clues that may lead to their freedom. Many of the Jardine siblings also seem to changing in their views of how the country has been run and surprisingly Gavar Jardine may be the biggest ally of all. The book ends on a huge cliffhanger and I will definitely be looking out for the third book of this epic trilogy.

justgeekingby's review against another edition

5.0

Took me way too long to finish this due to health problems but just as fantastic as the first one. I will warn you though that this one is extremely dark and deals with some really dark topics and scenes. So trigger warning for rape, abuse, torture, gore and mass violence.

nina90's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

undervmountain's review against another edition

dark hopeful tense slow-paced

3.0

 This sequel is pure filler, concentrating more on the Jardines and the Equals than I would have liked. Bouda in particular got so many long winded chapters I was forced to start skim reading or would have fallen asleep. Getting through the filler was worth it though, as the final chapters started setting up events for the final book which is looking promising. 

creeker868's review against another edition

4.0

I liked this book more than the first one in the series. One of my comments about the first book was that it remined me of the Red Queen series. That comparison no longer holds true for me. The character development is interesting and one of the things I really like is that it is not black and white. Yes the imbalance between the skilled and commoners is wrong but not all skilled are evil and not all commoners are good. It is interesting to watch the characters development, the debate between how far one can go before crossing the line. Crovin, Luke's jailer, believes that all humans have a similar morality and the only difference is that some are stronger and therefore better suited for ruling. He believes that a world ruled by commoners wouldn't be better just diminished (commoner's are just as likely to do despicable things as the skilled. The politics is also interesting especially the relationships between the skilled.
I did add this book to my ya shelf but that is with a caveat as the while some of the characters are young adult this book deals with mature themes.

anam_ali's review against another edition

4.0

The second book in the Dark Gifts trilogy is what you would call a game-changer. It is 200% better than Gilded Cage. The author and the writing has improved by leaps and bounds and it shows. Way to turn a series around! *double thumbs up*

First of all thanks for getting rid of the sappy romance arcs and the trashy misogyny book #1 was full of. Definite improvement. A++

Second: kudos for not focusing on more romance. Double kudos for killing off the evil that was Abi/Jenenr insta-love. THANK YOU!

Tarnished City is way more fucked up than Gilded Cage and I LOVE IT!

I really liked Gavar's character development in this book. The stupid oaf managed to grow on me somehow. I hope we have greater things coming for him in the next book. Please don't make him call his betrothed a bitch anymore thank you.

Also everyone like dies? And I was like what the actual f***? But also I 100% approve. MMM *sips from the cup of twisted angst* Lovely!

Silyen is a total cold-hearted S.O.B. but I really do want to see where he is going. I would love to see him get emotional over something though.

Luke was more interesting in this book. Or rather Crovan's castle was pretty interesting. I smelled the reveal about Coira a mile off but it was still gratifying to see it confirmed.

That ending cliffhanger got me like whoa! Can't wait for book #3.