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librarianlizreads's review against another edition
5.0
I'll do my best to come back and write a real review soon, but goodness am I enjoying this series!
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
4.5/5 stars
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I thought this second book was even better than the first. This installment had all the adventurous and magical elements of the first book, but those aspects of the book were intensified. I also found myself laughing more, and the worldbuilding was stronger. I thought the first book did a pretty good job of these things, but this second book definitely outshone it.
But the thing that I loved most about this one was the social commentary. The elves have been herded into Freestone and are pretty much under guard. The humans look at them with suspicion---partially just because they're different and partially because they believe the elves brought their city's destruction down on themselves. In today's political and social climate, it's not hard to see some parallels there. Plus, we learn that the elves themselves have a society that has been at war with itself and certain factions are looked down on and treated as second-class citizens. (I will say that both the authors are white---and I am too---so it would be interesting to read the opinions of some POC readers, but I thought that they handled the plight of the elves very well and that the messages are positive.)
Oh, and once again, the ending has a twist that will send our heroes down a completely new path for book three!
This series is a perfect blend of adventure and heart!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
I thought this second book was even better than the first. This installment had all the adventurous and magical elements of the first book, but those aspects of the book were intensified. I also found myself laughing more, and the worldbuilding was stronger. I thought the first book did a pretty good job of these things, but this second book definitely outshone it.
But the thing that I loved most about this one was the social commentary. The elves have been herded into Freestone and are pretty much under guard. The humans look at them with suspicion---partially just because they're different and partially because they believe the elves brought their city's destruction down on themselves. In today's political and social climate, it's not hard to see some parallels there. Plus, we learn that the elves themselves have a society that has been at war with itself and certain factions are looked down on and treated as second-class citizens. (I will say that both the authors are white---and I am too---so it would be interesting to read the opinions of some POC readers, but I thought that they handled the plight of the elves very well and that the messages are positive.)
Oh, and once again, the ending has a twist that will send our heroes down a completely new path for book three!
This series is a perfect blend of adventure and heart!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
the_ghost_penguin_reader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-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
4.25
321zeggy's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
maridkbro's review against another edition
5.0
I generally cannot believe how much I loved this book, it just proved to be that sometimes "kids books" are better than YA. This first one was good, but this one is on another level. The plot kept enfolding and it revealed more and more layers. Most of the plot twists got me pretty good. I really just loved this book front to back, and boy that cliffhanger has me intrigued. Can't wait to read the last one.
thistlechaser's review against another edition
2.0
The first book in this series was one of my favorites from last year, but unfortunately this second one just did not work for me.
In the first book, we learned about the setting: Some fantasy world (or future Earth?), where "Dangers" (monsters) have taken over. Almost all people (humans, elves, dwarves) have been killed by the Dangers, just a few cities are left, protected by walls, men, and magic.
In this second book, the main characters from the first book set out to try to save one of the cities lost to Dangers.
Right from the beginning, I had problems with this book. I'm sure as an author, it's hard to balance how much recapping to do in a series -- do you add enough recap to bring people who haven't reread the earlier books up to speed? Or do you write for some future reader who is reading all the books one after another? Unfortunately the authors used the latter choice, and so I spent most of the book going "Wait, who was that again? Why is he here? Is this a new character or just one I forgot?".
I never hated this book, but from early on, I was bored with it (not helped at all by not knowing/remembering who most of the characters are). I could have reread the first book, so maybe that issue is on me. Because I had enjoyed the first one, I stuck with this one a lot longer than I usually would have, finally giving up at the 84% mark.
When the third book comes out (assuming there is one), maybe I'll reread the first two before I check it out.
In the first book, we learned about the setting: Some fantasy world (or future Earth?), where "Dangers" (monsters) have taken over. Almost all people (humans, elves, dwarves) have been killed by the Dangers, just a few cities are left, protected by walls, men, and magic.
In this second book, the main characters from the first book set out to try to save one of the cities lost to Dangers.
Right from the beginning, I had problems with this book. I'm sure as an author, it's hard to balance how much recapping to do in a series -- do you add enough recap to bring people who haven't reread the earlier books up to speed? Or do you write for some future reader who is reading all the books one after another? Unfortunately the authors used the latter choice, and so I spent most of the book going "Wait, who was that again? Why is he here? Is this a new character or just one I forgot?".
I never hated this book, but from early on, I was bored with it (not helped at all by not knowing/remembering who most of the characters are). I could have reread the first book, so maybe that issue is on me. Because I had enjoyed the first one, I stuck with this one a lot longer than I usually would have, finally giving up at the 84% mark.
When the third book comes out (assuming there is one), maybe I'll reread the first two before I check it out.
morgan_arrrrrr's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the characters development but at the same time I hated it. The characters were able to develop emotionally but I wish Brock and Zed didn’t grow so far apart. In the first book they had such a strong bond and I missed that in this book. They each created a bond with another character but it wasn’t as strong as the one between Brock and Zed in the first book.
I did really love Zed’s fondness with the elves as he discovers that missing part of him! And the plot was great!!! Overall it’s a 4.5 stars!
I did really love Zed’s fondness with the elves as he discovers that missing part of him! And the plot was great!!! Overall it’s a 4.5 stars!