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3.76 AVERAGE
3.76 AVERAGE
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
tense
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
adventurous
mysterious
fast-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
adventurous
challenging
funny
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Mood: đđ„°đ€Łđ±đ„°
Marlow has taken the blame for the attack on Aurelius Falcrest, intent on protecting Adrius, but she is surprised when Cormorant Vale pays her bail. She is even more surprised to learn that Vale is not only the man who placed the compulsion curse on Adrius, but is also her father, and he very much wants her to be in his family. While this provides new access to Evergarden, Marlow finds it more difficult than ever to do what she needs to do with an overprotective father always near, and Marlow has a lot to do. She has to find Swift, break the curse on Adrius, prove her own innocence, and stop whatever plan her father has for Caraza, all while keeping her heart from being broken once again.
I really liked this book! Marlow and Adrius both had a good head on their shoulders. After her initial, reactionary disappointment after finding out Adrius is officially looking for a bride (who isnât her), she realizes that it must be a result of the compulsion curse. Itâs not, but it gave her the leeway to learn the true reason with an open mind, and that true reason was that Adrius is essentially being blackmailed by his sister, promising to get Marlowâs charges dismissed if Adrius gets engaged before the trial. At first, Marlow is understanding (yet distressed), until Silvan points out that sheâs never let roadblocks like this stop her before, and he and Jemma start helping her sneak around with Adrius. It was hilarious and so cute! Another thing I really liked was Marlowâs confliction around Valeâs plans and desires. She approves of his want to make the world equal, but she struggles with whether or not he can be trusted. She keeps struggling with it to the very end, and I like how she had to come to terms with what sacrifices she needed to make for what she wanted. There were plenty of scenes that had me cackling, and I loved the gangster scenes, and the romance, and the family drama. The perfect ending to this duology!
adventurous
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Death
adventurous
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I really enjoyed the first book and I'm always a fan of the "conflict is actually much bigger than originally thought" but I wish the resolution and the whole final confrontation was more impactful
Overall still a good book
Overall still a good book
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Fantastic story with great characters! Only critique is I feel as if it couldâve been more descriptive at certain points. There were so many interesting scenes that I felt like should have been drug out to go a lot longer and have a lot more detail to make me feel even more as a reader.
Itâs hard to separate my opinion of this book from how much I loved the first book (Garden of the cursed). But I was really disappointed in this sequel. I did still read it in one sitting bc I was heavily INVESTEDDDD in these characters.
What I liked in this book: Vale. I thought he was an interesting and nuanced character.
Top 3 things I didnât like:
There were storylines dangling all over the place.
1)The breaking of the compulsion curse was glossed over like it was an afterthought when it was the entire plot line of the first book!!! Like what?? You cannot âbtw true loves kissâ me and move on like that!!!
2). Cassandra just casually popping up again (âthought Iâd find your mom since you found mineâ) was so jarring! And no time was spent on it!
3)The sharp decrease in chemistry and tension between Marlow and Adrius was so disappointing, especially when it had been shown so masterfully in the first book.
It just felt vastly inferior to the sublime first book.
What I liked in this book: Vale. I thought he was an interesting and nuanced character.
Top 3 things I didnât like:
There were storylines dangling all over the place.
1)The breaking of the compulsion curse was glossed over like it was an afterthought when it was the entire plot line of the first book!!! Like what?? You cannot âbtw true loves kissâ me and move on like that!!!
2). Cassandra just casually popping up again (âthought Iâd find your mom since you found mineâ) was so jarring! And no time was spent on it!
3)The sharp decrease in chemistry and tension between Marlow and Adrius was so disappointing, especially when it had been shown so masterfully in the first book.
It just felt vastly inferior to the sublime first book.