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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Book 2 continues to build off the absolutely solid foundation of the first and I really enjoyed how the series developed, from the characters to the world to the stakes.
Forced into exile, Tasia starts to regather forces of her own to challenge the false Regent and her grandfather who were behind her father's assassination. We really see her grow but of course she still makes headstrong mistakes with real cost and I loved seeing how she dealt with this. She makes new allies and friends and keeps moving forward despite her grief and all the challenges she faces.
Meanwhile Joslyn has made a deal with the devil to regain one year of mortal life to fix things. While her initial goal is to reunite and protect Tasia, the fates conspire to show her true destiny (which she is extremely reluctant to accept). The reveals of her backstory and personality and all her regrets really fleshed her out and having her story parallel Tasia's was a great choice. In some aspects I did still find her overpowered (especially when it came to teaching herself the shadow arts) but she definitely did face stakes.
This book is definitely more character driven than the first and is basically everything I want in an epic like this- strong stakes, focus on a small cast with diverse and well thought out worldbuilding.
Only minor nitpicks were how easily injuries were healed and the magic system itself was fairly obtuse, I still don't quite understand it and its limitations but aside from the easy heals it didn't feel too overpowered. The epilogue was also a bit rushed after such amazing build up (the two climaxes were brilliantly layered).
I am super excited to read the final book and I hope it carries this fantastic momentum to the finale!
Forced into exile, Tasia starts to regather forces of her own to challenge the false Regent and her grandfather who were behind her father's assassination. We really see her grow but of course she still makes headstrong mistakes with real cost and I loved seeing how she dealt with this. She makes new allies and friends and keeps moving forward despite her grief and all the challenges she faces.
Meanwhile Joslyn has made a deal with the devil to regain one year of mortal life to fix things. While her initial goal is to reunite and protect Tasia, the fates conspire to show her true destiny (which she is extremely reluctant to accept). The reveals of her backstory and personality and all her regrets really fleshed her out and having her story parallel Tasia's was a great choice. In some aspects I did still find her overpowered (especially when it came to teaching herself the shadow arts) but she definitely did face stakes.
This book is definitely more character driven than the first and is basically everything I want in an epic like this- strong stakes, focus on a small cast with diverse and well thought out worldbuilding.
Only minor nitpicks were how easily injuries were healed and the magic system itself was fairly obtuse, I still don't quite understand it and its limitations but aside from the easy heals it didn't feel too overpowered. The epilogue was also a bit rushed after such amazing build up (the two climaxes were brilliantly layered).
I am super excited to read the final book and I hope it carries this fantastic momentum to the finale!
these books are amazing. i was in a reading slump and they got me out of it. the writing style, the story line the characters... all of it just beautiful
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
How do I put it? I was quite disappointed by this book. I was excited to start this one after reading the first book. But this one was slow and it dragged.
There were good things. The writing was decent but I think the book just needed a lot of editing. It seemed like the story was going nowhere.A lot of chapters were flashbacks but then they were not chronologically. They were just whatever periods that fitted the plot. Pretty sure it was at 86% that Tasia and Joslyn reunited. I wanted to see them together for much longer than just the last 15% of the book!! I'm just sad that the book wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. I don't think I will read book 3.
There were good things. The writing was decent but I think the book just needed a lot of editing. It seemed like the story was going nowhere.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
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:
Complicated
honestly i barely finished but i do love the characters i just don’t think the two main characters being apart for the most of the book was for me
Another satisfying chapter in my favorite queer-girls-with-swords Game of Thrones inspired trilogy!
Being quarantined in 2020 is a perfect excuse to read books about worlds that are different than ours, and what better stories than those of queer heroines who take on the patriarchy. “Princess of Dorsa” was one of my favorite finds in 2019, and what impressed me the most was the author’s careful depiction of consent and falling in love after trauma. The relationship in this series is beautiful, and the sequel does an excellent job of growing the characters. They get stronger not just because of the traumas and battles they face, but also because of the vulnerability they share with each other. Tasia and Josyln are a team as much as they are a couple, and they’re powerhouses. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
Being quarantined in 2020 is a perfect excuse to read books about worlds that are different than ours, and what better stories than those of queer heroines who take on the patriarchy. “Princess of Dorsa” was one of my favorite finds in 2019, and what impressed me the most was the author’s careful depiction of consent and falling in love after trauma. The relationship in this series is beautiful, and the sequel does an excellent job of growing the characters. They get stronger not just because of the traumas and battles they face, but also because of the vulnerability they share with each other. Tasia and Josyln are a team as much as they are a couple, and they’re powerhouses. Can’t wait to see what happens next!
I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next one. The “then” and “now” perspectives were really well done. The only thing that I didn’t enjoy was the fight scenes seemed to go on forever, and there were a lot of the. There were a lot of bad guys though so I guess they were needed.
loved it!
I loved this second installment of the adventures of Tasia, Empress of Dorsa, ans Joslyn, her warrior lover. The plot moved in unexpected ways and kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. Looking forward to the third!
I loved this second installment of the adventures of Tasia, Empress of Dorsa, ans Joslyn, her warrior lover. The plot moved in unexpected ways and kept me on the edge of my seat all the way through. Looking forward to the third!
As solid as the first! I really enjoyed the character development in this novel. Looking forward to finishing the third.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really like how the art of meditation is woven in. The flash backs are well done.