kaylaboevers's review
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
emersonjwright's review
adventurous
dark
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
lindsaycatherinezoe's review
3.0
The second book in this series was just okay for me. Although I really enjoyed the world building and the new antagonist, I found the back and forth between the three main characters frustratingly slow and ultimately did little to move the plot forward. The ways in which the conflict did move the plot forward could have been consolidated a bit, but what do I know? It is a really interesting story and I enjoy the world Adeyemi is building. I plan on reading the third.
brakeboundaries's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I did not enjoy this book as much as the first book, which I loved. The story was good but the characters felt less compelling. They each seemed to be in their own worlds, not attempting to communicate with each other which caused so many "miscommunication conflicts". It didn't feel believable to me.
lindasdarby's review
3.0
I loved the first book in this series and I was so excited to read this follow up - unfortunately it was a let down. The character development in the first book along with the interesting plot of the first book were gone. It was all war and hate and fighting. What a disappointment. I had to slog to get through this and the ending was just DUMB.
fae_sarelfi's review
2.0
I thought the first book was fine, though I was bored. Its pace was slow. I might go back and reread it just to see how many of the problems that wreck the second book were actually taking root in the first.
This book has no plot, no character development. It's multi-first person account style plummets to the depths of disinterested. The characters all sound the same and they all sound monotone. If you are an emotional character about to confront another emotional character, why would you suddenly repeat, for the millionth time, the color of your crush's eyes or describe the décor of someone's bedroom? You would not, especially if it is something you are already familiar with and it does not factor into your current priorities. And especially if it is in present tense! Stopping for minutiae wrenches the reader out of the narrative.
Did this author want to write political tension and machinations but didn't know anything about that subject? Cuz that's what it felt like. I mean, I don't know anything about that. But neither does anyone in this book.
The writing is atrocious in other ways. ("I long for the smell of her soul"??????) I did not understand the sexual tension in this book. It felt forced and inappropriate--not because it is YA, although the way the characters describe their sensuality did feel odd, but rather because it veered off course when the plot (if you can call it a plot) called for plowing ahead. I did not understand the insistence on a "blood sacrifice" (and I didn't care! Maybe if I remembered the first book better, I would have felt emotionally attached, but I really, really didn't care. It seemed bizarre and unnecessary). And on that note, I do not understand the gods. They play such a small role in the culture of this world. Until they're asking for a blood sacrifice, apparently. I think they're a device of convenience. I did not understand Zelie stoically. This feels like devolution of character rather than evolution. (And like every magical evil villain ever.) But... the book seemed to think this was indicative of a stronger Zelie, a Zelie who has learned and is ready to move on.
And poor Tzain is a prop. Apparently a sexy one. So Amari would like me to believe. But still a prop. And there is no fire in their relationship. (Additionally: all the characters are props. No one has complex motivations.)
Zelie gets a new supporting character to feel close to, but the reader doesn't feel close to him because he is one-dimensional. And then but it does not significantly alter Zelie's motivations or desires. It serves no purpose--which should never be true for an "important" character. It's just supposed to be sad. And it's not sad. (See previous note about props...)
The two main characters are almost copies of each other in this book: flat, angry, irrational, bad at what they are supposed to be good at. Bad at communicating, but bad at keeping their intentions from each other. I have no objections to them getting together, as other readers suggest. That would make more sense than anything else that is going on. Though they never get along and their conflict almost never makes sense anymore, they still have the best chemistry in the book. Go figure.
But I have something to confess. The biggest reason I'm angry is how this series was misrepresented. I should admit that. A new J K Rowling? Not even a little bit, good or bad. Her style lacks the charm, her setting lacks the creativity, her characters lack the nuance, her plot lacks the drive. It lacks anything that would make it a generation-capturing series like the Harry Potter series was when I was a kid. Which is a shame, because its trumpet-blowers said this would be the series to put black characters on posters and bedspreads in the bedrooms of this decade's young readers. And I really don't think it will. (And I had friends who had Potter-themed birthday parties.)
(I gave up reading and listened to the bulk of it while playing Minecraft. And it still took me almost a month to get through it. Roan is the only character I had mild feels for. And his archetype is my weak spot so that's not a fair assessment.)
Spoiler
I had forgotten that Zelie's father died in the first book. Which should be all the answer I need, really.This book has no plot, no character development. It's multi-first person account style plummets to the depths of disinterested. The characters all sound the same and they all sound monotone. If you are an emotional character about to confront another emotional character, why would you suddenly repeat, for the millionth time, the color of your crush's eyes or describe the décor of someone's bedroom? You would not, especially if it is something you are already familiar with and it does not factor into your current priorities. And especially if it is in present tense! Stopping for minutiae wrenches the reader out of the narrative.
Did this author want to write political tension and machinations but didn't know anything about that subject? Cuz that's what it felt like. I mean, I don't know anything about that. But neither does anyone in this book.
The writing is atrocious in other ways. ("I long for the smell of her soul"??????) I did not understand the sexual tension in this book. It felt forced and inappropriate--not because it is YA, although the way the characters describe their sensuality did feel odd, but rather because it veered off course when the plot (if you can call it a plot) called for plowing ahead. I did not understand the insistence on a "blood sacrifice" (and I didn't care! Maybe if I remembered the first book better, I would have felt emotionally attached, but I really, really didn't care. It seemed bizarre and unnecessary). And on that note, I do not understand the gods. They play such a small role in the culture of this world. Until they're asking for a blood sacrifice, apparently. I think they're a device of convenience. I did not understand Zelie stoically
Spoiler
using her magic to kill Inan now that she finally has the chanceAnd poor Tzain is a prop. Apparently a sexy one. So Amari would like me to believe. But still a prop. And there is no fire in their relationship. (Additionally: all the characters are props. No one has complex motivations.)
Zelie gets a new supporting character to feel close to, but the reader doesn't feel close to him because he is one-dimensional. And then
Spoiler
he diesThe two main characters are almost copies of each other in this book: flat, angry, irrational, bad at what they are supposed to be good at. Bad at communicating, but bad at keeping their intentions from each other. I have no objections to them getting together, as other readers suggest. That would make more sense than anything else that is going on. Though they never get along and their conflict almost never makes sense anymore, they still have the best chemistry in the book. Go figure.
But I have something to confess. The biggest reason I'm angry is how this series was misrepresented. I should admit that. A new J K Rowling? Not even a little bit, good or bad. Her style lacks the charm, her setting lacks the creativity, her characters lack the nuance, her plot lacks the drive. It lacks anything that would make it a generation-capturing series like the Harry Potter series was when I was a kid. Which is a shame, because its trumpet-blowers said this would be the series to put black characters on posters and bedspreads in the bedrooms of this decade's young readers. And I really don't think it will. (And I had friends who had Potter-themed birthday parties.)
(I gave up reading and listened to the bulk of it while playing Minecraft. And it still took me almost a month to get through it. Roan is the only character I had mild feels for. And his archetype is my weak spot so that's not a fair assessment.)
anxietee9's review
3.0
It was fine? I'd say 2.5 stars rounded up because I loved the first book so much and I have high hopes for the conclusion.
Like many others, I pre-ordered this and received it as soon as it came out. I started it immediately and I was just... Bored. I put it down, hoping I just wasn't in the mood. When I picked it up again several months later, the same thing happened. I finally got the audiobook from my library because I was struggling so much with physically reading it, but I wanted to get through it because I wanted to continue the series after the cliffhanger of the first book. Six months later and I've finally finished it.
This book starts off suuuuper slow. Once I finally got into it, it was giving me major Order of the Phoenix vibes where Zélie is just moody all the time. Unlike Order of the Phoenix, though, there wasn't enough plot to keep me engaged, and all of the characters whose perspectives we read were moody, so there was no relief. I found myself constantly annoyed with everyone and it sucked me out of the story. When scenes that were meant to evoke strong emotions happened I just couldn't really bring myself to care. With the way it was wrapping up, I feel like it would've been better if large chunks were cut out at the beginning and then had an actual conclusion, making this series a duology.
In all, it was a standard filler novel: nothing inherently wrong with it but it was unengaging. I do still plan on finishing the series and I hope Adeyemi knocks it out of the park with the conclusion.
Like many others, I pre-ordered this and received it as soon as it came out. I started it immediately and I was just... Bored. I put it down, hoping I just wasn't in the mood. When I picked it up again several months later, the same thing happened. I finally got the audiobook from my library because I was struggling so much with physically reading it, but I wanted to get through it because I wanted to continue the series after the cliffhanger of the first book. Six months later and I've finally finished it.
This book starts off suuuuper slow. Once I finally got into it, it was giving me major Order of the Phoenix vibes where Zélie is just moody all the time. Unlike Order of the Phoenix, though, there wasn't enough plot to keep me engaged, and all of the characters whose perspectives we read were moody, so there was no relief. I found myself constantly annoyed with everyone and it sucked me out of the story. When scenes that were meant to evoke strong emotions happened I just couldn't really bring myself to care. With the way it was wrapping up, I feel like it would've been better if large chunks were cut out at the beginning and then had an actual conclusion, making this series a duology.
In all, it was a standard filler novel: nothing inherently wrong with it but it was unengaging. I do still plan on finishing the series and I hope Adeyemi knocks it out of the park with the conclusion.
coco6356's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
blok_sera_szwajcarskiego's review against another edition
4.0
3,5 ⭐
zasadniczo jedynym, co obniża ocenę tej książki, jest "rozwój" bohaterów, bo PRZEPRASZAM BARDZO ALE CO TO MIAŁO BYĆ
I DON'T NEED SLEEP I NEED ANSWERS
zasadniczo jedynym, co obniża ocenę tej książki, jest "rozwój" bohaterów, bo PRZEPRASZAM BARDZO ALE CO TO MIAŁO BYĆ
I DON'T NEED SLEEP I NEED ANSWERS
anadantas's review
4.0
Com umas mudanças mínimas, esse poderia ter sido um fim incrível para uma duologia. Eu adoro esse universo, eu adoro os personagens, o conflito é deveras emocionante, e o segundo livro foi bem menos clichê que o primeiro, então essa deveria ter sido uma leitura fantástica.
Então vamos falar sobre o que impediu o livro de alcançar seu pleno potencial.
Inan e Amari ainda são os melhores personagens. A Zeile é coerente, mas ela realmente só pensa nos maji, e a população de Orisha também tem titans e kusidan. Inan e Amari enxergam isso... Mas eles tomam decisões burras o livro inteiro. São decisões que fazem sentido com as personalidades deles, mas não com a inteligência e nível de instrução. Como pode dois jovens CRIADOS NO PALÁCIO não entenderem que o rei não consegue governar sem o apoio da nobreza? Não dá pra governar se você dá uma ordem e na suas costas tem alguém des-dando ordens.
Mas até esse deslize seria perdoado depois da revelação sobre a rainha, porque até então a situação tinha dois lados, mas depois disso fica muito claro quem é o inimigo. Depois disso não era pra ter hesitação. Se nesse agora eles tivessem agido, todas as besteiras que fizeram antes iam ser computadas como desenvolvimento de personagem. Em vez disso os dois continuam sendo burros, o Ojore é desperdiçado, e o epílogo tira um conflito extra do c*.
Então vamos falar sobre o que impediu o livro de alcançar seu pleno potencial.
Inan e Amari ainda são os melhores personagens. A Zeile é coerente, mas ela realmente só pensa nos maji, e a população de Orisha também tem titans e kusidan. Inan e Amari enxergam isso... Mas eles tomam decisões burras o livro inteiro. São decisões que fazem sentido com as personalidades deles, mas não com a inteligência e nível de instrução. Como pode dois jovens CRIADOS NO PALÁCIO não entenderem que o rei não consegue governar sem o apoio da nobreza? Não dá pra governar se você dá uma ordem e na suas costas tem alguém des-dando ordens.
Mas até esse deslize seria perdoado depois da revelação sobre a rainha, porque até então a situação tinha dois lados, mas depois disso fica muito claro quem é o inimigo. Depois disso não era pra ter hesitação. Se nesse agora eles tivessem agido, todas as besteiras que fizeram antes iam ser computadas como desenvolvimento de personagem. Em vez disso os dois continuam sendo burros, o Ojore é desperdiçado, e o epílogo tira um conflito extra do c*.