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ncoletti's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Torture, and Blood
maryjames's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, Gore, Grief, Torture, and Violence
Moderate: Antisemitism, Death of parent, Murder, Physical abuse, and Racism
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, and Colonisation
ericadawson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
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
3.25
**SPOILERS THROUGHOUT**
After reading the first book and having mild hopes for the sequel, I was honestly a little disappointed with this one. The entire plot and the characterization of other characters--namely Hypnos, Enrique, and Zofia--gets dragged down by Laila and Severin's dramatic romance. I already didn't favor their romance in the first book for how melodramatic each of their introspections could be (and in all honesty, Laila' backstory is ten times more interesting than Severin's) so the development of their romance in this didn't help things.
As I already stated, Enrique, Zofia, and Hypnos and their dynamics, their desires, and their fears far outweigh that of the two main characters. The first two especially get much deeper looks into the impacts of their respective cultures on how they navigate the current world, and there are clearly many parallels between them. They all felt much more human and thus more relatable, and I'm starting to feel as though Laila's characterization is suffering for the emotional development of Severin. She's literally a dead girl who was brought back to life through means which we still don't understand. She should have been the focus.
Severin is the weakest link in this book. The end of the first, with Tristan's needless death, gave him a character flip that was too drastic, in my opinion. An otherwise levelheaded man now suddenly wants to become a god. That desire, although interesting to me (I've always enjoyed characters that chase an impossible power) didn't feel like it actually fit him, and I sat through the entire book feeling like I was reading about someone else entirely; he was unrecognizable to the point of detriment.
And now, we have this reveal about Severin: he's a descendant of the Lost Muses. He has the power to rip the world apart. It doesn't feel genuine. Laila is now lagging behind everyone else in terms of characterization. Even Delphine became more interesting than Severin. I'm beginning to doubt the need for a second book, as very little was done outside plot movement. Maybe the third will be better. Ultimately just very underwhelming.
After reading the first book and having mild hopes for the sequel, I was honestly a little disappointed with this one. The entire plot and the characterization of other characters--namely Hypnos, Enrique, and Zofia--gets dragged down by Laila and Severin's dramatic romance. I already didn't favor their romance in the first book for how melodramatic each of their introspections could be (and in all honesty, Laila' backstory is ten times more interesting than Severin's) so the development of their romance in this didn't help things.
As I already stated, Enrique, Zofia, and Hypnos and their dynamics, their desires, and their fears far outweigh that of the two main characters. The first two especially get much deeper looks into the impacts of their respective cultures on how they navigate the current world, and there are clearly many parallels between them. They all felt much more human and thus more relatable, and I'm starting to feel as though Laila's characterization is suffering for the emotional development of Severin. She's literally a dead girl who was brought back to life through means which we still don't understand. She should have been the focus.
Severin is the weakest link in this book. The end of the first, with Tristan's needless death, gave him a character flip that was too drastic, in my opinion. An otherwise levelheaded man now suddenly wants to become a god. That desire, although interesting to me (I've always enjoyed characters that chase an impossible power) didn't feel like it actually fit him, and I sat through the entire book feeling like I was reading about someone else entirely; he was unrecognizable to the point of detriment.
And now, we have this reveal about Severin: he's a descendant of the Lost Muses. He has the power to rip the world apart. It doesn't feel genuine. Laila is now lagging behind everyone else in terms of characterization. Even Delphine became more interesting than Severin. I'm beginning to doubt the need for a second book, as very little was done outside plot movement. Maybe the third will be better. Ultimately just very underwhelming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
lousreadings's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Blood, Death, and Murder
amanda_mh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Love did not always wear the face one wished it would.
Sometimes it looked downright monstrous.
- p.399
The above quote perfectly encapsulates what this series is. This book, it tore my heart to pieces!! I love the world, I love the characters, and I'm so happy I re-read it so I can finally finish the trilogy!!! Bonus that I don't have to wait months for the book to come out, I can just grab it from my bookshelf this time
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Toxic friendship, Chronic illness, Murder, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Abandonment, Gore, Body horror, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
achingallover's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Antisemitism, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Miscarriage, Rape, Terminal illness, and Xenophobia
christinairock's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely adored this book. The characters are some of my favorites; they’ve all got a special place in my heart, which is thoroughly broken right now. I’m distraught. Roshani Chokshi is an evil genius. She put a brilliant ensemble cast, heartwarming friendships, agonizing romantic tension, mysterious treasure hunts, multiple explosions, banter aplenty, intriguing magic, unbelievably high stakes, and relevant discussions on many topics including racism and antisemitism all in one book barely over 400 pages. She really did that. I don’t even know what to say. I can only express myself through sad memes as I wait desperately for book three.
Representation:
Representation:
- Séverin is biracial (French-Algerian)
- Laila is Indian, has anxiety
- Enrique is queer, biracial (Spanish-Filipino)
- Zofia is Jewish, autistic
- Hypnos is biracial (Black), queer
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Self harm, Violence, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Blood, Antisemitism, and Infertility
Minor: Animal cruelty, Miscarriage, Sexual assault, and Sexual content
There’s one scene where a character remembers witnessing a stranger’s suicide as a child.abookandacup's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
The writing in this book is so incredible!
The world building is lush, magical and colorful, the characters are so unique in their own way I love them all. Add to that mysterious societies and a treasure hunt, what else do you need? The plot was a bit predictable but still hold a few surprises
The world building is lush, magical and colorful, the characters are so unique in their own way I love them all. Add to that mysterious societies and a treasure hunt, what else do you need? The plot was a bit predictable but still hold a few surprises
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood
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