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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
I... I don't know what to say, really. Except that I was so utterly disappointed by this book. I loved the first one, Apprentice, read it in a day and gave it 5 stars, because it was THAT good. This one... I have so many issues with this. This contains mild spoilers so don't read ahead if you're not okay with it.
First of all, pacing. The first book stretches over Riyahs first year. The second book stretches over 4 years!! 4! And it doesn't even make up for it by being interesting, or long to justify the timespan. It's just a regularly long book, and every few chapters or so, there's a massive time jump ahead. I just don't understand. I'm not saying I wanted one book for each year of the apprenticeship. That's not what I'm trying to say at all. I'm just saying that this reads like somebody else wrote it. Like this is glorified fanfiction, written by someone who doesn't understand pacing in books and just chooses to mention a couple of things - which happen to be the frustrating, boring ones. Because all this book is made of is my next problem.
This is a love drama. This is no longer a fantasy novel. It's become one of THOSE books, where you think the protagonist must have a mindset of a 12 year old. Every two chapters she changes her mind about who she loves and who she wants to be with. Even when Ryijah claims she's making the choice for her benefit, and that she's choosing herself, she then goes to change that in the next two chapters. The back and forth in this book regarding love interests and their relationship is mind-numbing and outright painful.
If there's one thing I despise in a lot of (mostly YA) books, is when the love story overshadows the actually interesting fantasy setting and conflict. It's just even worse that the love drama is utterly cringe-worthy and has me rolling my eyes to the point where it hurts.
Sorry. I wanted to love this book as much as the first one, but I ended up hating it as much as I loved the first one. I don't know what happened here, because this is one of the instances where the sequel is just so abhorrent... Honestly everyone, I'm sorry I'm bashing this book and using such mean vocabulary, but I just don't see anything positive about this book. The only interesting things where the mock-battles, and even they were drenched with the love drama that just didn't want to share the spotlight.
The ending was nice, but didn't justify the rest of the book, to be honest. I'm still not sure whether I want to continue reading the series. The love drama should be over, technically, but after this experience - who knows if I can trust Rachel E. Carter not to do something like this in book three? Who knows?
Sorry. Feel free to fight me over this but I won't change my mind.
First of all, pacing. The first book stretches over Riyahs first year. The second book stretches over 4 years!! 4! And it doesn't even make up for it by being interesting, or long to justify the timespan. It's just a regularly long book, and every few chapters or so, there's a massive time jump ahead. I just don't understand. I'm not saying I wanted one book for each year of the apprenticeship. That's not what I'm trying to say at all. I'm just saying that this reads like somebody else wrote it. Like this is glorified fanfiction, written by someone who doesn't understand pacing in books and just chooses to mention a couple of things - which happen to be the frustrating, boring ones. Because all this book is made of is my next problem.
This is a love drama. This is no longer a fantasy novel. It's become one of THOSE books, where you think the protagonist must have a mindset of a 12 year old. Every two chapters she changes her mind about who she loves and who she wants to be with. Even when Ryijah claims she's making the choice for her benefit, and that she's choosing herself, she then goes to change that in the next two chapters. The back and forth in this book regarding love interests and their relationship is mind-numbing and outright painful.
If there's one thing I despise in a lot of (mostly YA) books, is when the love story overshadows the actually interesting fantasy setting and conflict. It's just even worse that the love drama is utterly cringe-worthy and has me rolling my eyes to the point where it hurts.
Sorry. I wanted to love this book as much as the first one, but I ended up hating it as much as I loved the first one. I don't know what happened here, because this is one of the instances where the sequel is just so abhorrent... Honestly everyone, I'm sorry I'm bashing this book and using such mean vocabulary, but I just don't see anything positive about this book. The only interesting things where the mock-battles, and even they were drenched with the love drama that just didn't want to share the spotlight.
The ending was nice, but didn't justify the rest of the book, to be honest. I'm still not sure whether I want to continue reading the series. The love drama should be over, technically, but after this experience - who knows if I can trust Rachel E. Carter not to do something like this in book three? Who knows?
Sorry. Feel free to fight me over this but I won't change my mind.
The time jumps were a little strange (4 years condensed into one book?) and it was hard to tell at times how much time had passed between one scene and the next. That was probably my biggest criticism of the book.
That being said...
This was so good!!!
Yes, there’s a love triangle. But I don’t actually mind love triangles if they are done well (both guys are decent, the girl caught in the middle has legit feelings for both, etc). This one was really good. I love the forbidden love aspect between Ryiah and Darren, and the easy friendship to more aspect between between Riyah and Ian. The triangle was really well done. And the chemistry!!!! SO GOOD!!!
Also, DARREN. I love Darren soooo much!!! His sense of humor, his sense of duty and honor....basically Darren is the best!
The magic system is really interesting (pain magic - sounds horrible to experience but is VERY powerful) and the battles were well done.
The ending was GREAT and I can’t wait to see where the story will go from here. I can’t believe Riyah is now 20 though!
That being said...
This was so good!!!
Yes, there’s a love triangle. But I don’t actually mind love triangles if they are done well (both guys are decent, the girl caught in the middle has legit feelings for both, etc). This one was really good. I love the forbidden love aspect between Ryiah and Darren, and the easy friendship to more aspect between between Riyah and Ian. The triangle was really well done. And the chemistry!!!! SO GOOD!!!
Also, DARREN. I love Darren soooo much!!! His sense of humor, his sense of duty and honor....basically Darren is the best!
The magic system is really interesting (pain magic - sounds horrible to experience but is VERY powerful) and the battles were well done.
The ending was GREAT and I can’t wait to see where the story will go from here. I can’t believe Riyah is now 20 though!
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I overall loved this book (just like the first, I even read both in one sitting) even though the writing style is to simple for my taste but it's a ya book so i think it's part of the idea. The actions and decisions the main character makes are questionable sometimes (most of the time actually) and the main lovestory is veryyy unrealistic but i enjoyed the story and am here for the next part
This was good, amusing, but nowhere near the first book. The first book played out during only one year while this one plays out over like four of them. It felt kinda hurried. I'm still going to read the third one because I'm interested in seeing how it goes for the characters, but I've gotten say that this is a big downgrade in quality. It felt really hurried like I said, but otherwise, it was pretty good.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I got this e-book for free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
This book made me cry, laugh and want to strangle both Darren and Ryiah.
The story deals with all the events starting from their second 'till their fifth year at the Academy, so sometimes we make huge time jumps. This helps the pacing of the story a lot, as it was fast-paced and action-packed.
Because this book deals with their training years at the Academy, there is a lot of emphasis on the training and the mockbattles (and some assaults). However, there is also room for the developing love stories.
The thing I really love about this book is the further development of their magic and the way it works: they have to project cast and they can deplete their magic if they're not careful or their stamina isn't good.
The last chapters were a real rollercoaster of emotions and they redeemed both Darren and Ryiah's behaviour a lot.
I'm curious to see what their futures will bring and will happen next!
This book made me cry, laugh and want to strangle both Darren and Ryiah.
The story deals with all the events starting from their second 'till their fifth year at the Academy, so sometimes we make huge time jumps. This helps the pacing of the story a lot, as it was fast-paced and action-packed.
Because this book deals with their training years at the Academy, there is a lot of emphasis on the training and the mockbattles (and some assaults). However, there is also room for the developing love stories.
Spoiler
And yes, there is a love-triangle, which at some point really bugged me!The thing I really love about this book is the further development of their magic and the way it works: they have to project cast and they can deplete their magic if they're not careful or their stamina isn't good.
The last chapters were a real rollercoaster of emotions and they redeemed both Darren and Ryiah's behaviour a lot.
I'm curious to see what their futures will bring and will happen next!
A solid sequel to the first book, following Ryiah's five year apprenticeship.
Having received the position she'd longed for, Ryiah is now part of a group of first and second-year apprentices, who will spend their apprenticeship years studying under a misogynist mage for a few months, before heading off to the border for some experience in the positions they will be filling once they have their mage robes.
War is brewing and they'll need all the experience they can get, and in order to develop their strategy and combat skills, they take part in a yearly combat trial, where they are divided in two teams and must come up with a strategy to capture the other team's captain. In their first such trial,
They manage to clear things up, with Darren apologizing and telling her that she's his only real friend and he doesn't want to lose her, but it's pretty clear that they both have feelings beyond friendship for each other. Knowing that nothing can come of her attraction to Darren, Ryiah tries to move on with Ian, and a love triangle forms.
Ian is in love with Ryiah, who loves him back but not as much as she loves Darren, who loves her back but can't do anything about it. Things get complicated and Ryiah ends up putting off deciding between them for the longest time, heightening the tension all around, before deciding to follow her head and accepting Ian.
Immediately after, she's off on a mission with Darren away from the rest of the apprentices, and while they are away, the two acknowledge their feelings and start making plans for a future together. Ryiah returns and breaks Ian's heart and then gets her heart broken in turn by Darren, who, after supposedly going to talk to his father about breaking his engagement, doesn't, and coldly and without sufficient explanation informs Ryiah that they're over.
Everyone is miserable for a long while, having to be around each other but not speaking and going out of their way to avoid one another, without much luck.
It's during their last year's combat trial that Darren and Ryiah end up alone together scouting the woods near the barracks, when the war finally reaches them. They end up saving a number of captured soldiers and end up fighting for their lives, narrowly escaping and returning to the capital to receive their mage robes as heroes.
Right after the ceremony ends, Darren shocks Ryiah by announcing that he's met all of his father's conditions for being allowed to break his current engagement and that he wishes to marry Ryiah. Backed into a corner, the king acquiesces and Darren finally confesses his true feelings to Ryiah and explains everything in a very sweet private speech that marks the start of their betrothal.
A lot happens in this one and I ended up reading through the night, but I don't regret it one bit and I'm ready to start [b:Candidate|33897308|Candidate (The Black Mage, #3)|Rachel E. Carter|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484696225s/33897308.jpg|44382088] next!
Previous book reviews:
✦ First Year (The Black Mage, #1)
✦ Non-Heir (The Black Mage #0.5)
Having received the position she'd longed for, Ryiah is now part of a group of first and second-year apprentices, who will spend their apprenticeship years studying under a misogynist mage for a few months, before heading off to the border for some experience in the positions they will be filling once they have their mage robes.
War is brewing and they'll need all the experience they can get, and in order to develop their strategy and combat skills, they take part in a yearly combat trial, where they are divided in two teams and must come up with a strategy to capture the other team's captain. In their first such trial,
Spoiler
Ryiah's tentative friendship with Prince Darren is threatened, when his strategy causes a rift between Ryiah and Ian, her almost boyfriend whom she had to trick in order for her team to win. He barely speaks to her as a result, and she's pretty hurt and blames Darren for the whole thing.They manage to clear things up, with Darren apologizing and telling her that she's his only real friend and he doesn't want to lose her, but it's pretty clear that they both have feelings beyond friendship for each other. Knowing that nothing can come of her attraction to Darren, Ryiah tries to move on with Ian, and a love triangle forms.
Ian is in love with Ryiah, who loves him back but not as much as she loves Darren, who loves her back but can't do anything about it. Things get complicated and Ryiah ends up putting off deciding between them for the longest time, heightening the tension all around, before deciding to follow her head and accepting Ian.
Immediately after, she's off on a mission with Darren away from the rest of the apprentices, and while they are away, the two acknowledge their feelings and start making plans for a future together. Ryiah returns and breaks Ian's heart and then gets her heart broken in turn by Darren, who, after supposedly going to talk to his father about breaking his engagement, doesn't, and coldly and without sufficient explanation informs Ryiah that they're over.
Everyone is miserable for a long while, having to be around each other but not speaking and going out of their way to avoid one another, without much luck.
It's during their last year's combat trial that Darren and Ryiah end up alone together scouting the woods near the barracks, when the war finally reaches them. They end up saving a number of captured soldiers and end up fighting for their lives, narrowly escaping and returning to the capital to receive their mage robes as heroes.
Right after the ceremony ends, Darren shocks Ryiah by announcing that he's met all of his father's conditions for being allowed to break his current engagement and that he wishes to marry Ryiah. Backed into a corner, the king acquiesces and Darren finally confesses his true feelings to Ryiah and explains everything in a very sweet private speech that marks the start of their betrothal
A lot happens in this one and I ended up reading through the night, but I don't regret it one bit and I'm ready to start [b:Candidate|33897308|Candidate (The Black Mage, #3)|Rachel E. Carter|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484696225s/33897308.jpg|44382088] next!
Previous book reviews:
✦ First Year (The Black Mage, #1)
✦ Non-Heir (The Black Mage #0.5)
Ok - I'm going to try to make sure that I have no spoilers so here goes.
It had been awhile since I read book 1 so it did take me a little bit to get back into the storyline but not too long. Then the whole world and my favourite characters had me enthralled - late into the night (so much that I got growled at to turn off the light -lol!)
Then, at the first opportunity the next day I was straight back there - right in the midst of Ry's world and her massive decisions. Do I agree? I'm still not sure. I still have my doubts and trust issues with the prince - but hey he deserves it. Oh, Ian!
Rachel - I love the way you write and create so much atmosphere. Your well-rounded characters have me turning the pages wanting to know them more.
Ry grows so much. Alex, Ella - even Derrick.
It looks like I'm going to have to go straight onto book 3 ...
It had been awhile since I read book 1 so it did take me a little bit to get back into the storyline but not too long. Then the whole world and my favourite characters had me enthralled - late into the night (so much that I got growled at to turn off the light -lol!)
Then, at the first opportunity the next day I was straight back there - right in the midst of Ry's world and her massive decisions. Do I agree? I'm still not sure. I still have my doubts and trust issues with the prince - but hey he deserves it. Oh, Ian!
Rachel - I love the way you write and create so much atmosphere. Your well-rounded characters have me turning the pages wanting to know them more.
Ry grows so much. Alex, Ella - even Derrick.
It looks like I'm going to have to go straight onto book 3 ...