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theoguinto's review against another edition
5.0
Just as good as the first two.
The throuple that Rune, Brand, and Addam seem to be forming is really interesting to watch unfold.
Ciaran retaking the Magician's Throne was unexpected, and I kind of wish that it didn't happen in the same book that we found out that he was the Magician. I'm interested in seeing how the power struggle between him and the false Magician plays out.
I legitimately cried when Rune told Addam about how it was his fault that the Sun Court originally fell, and how Brand was involved with it because of him.
The fight scenes were very action-y and fun to read, but the final fight with Lady Time was a little anti-climactic when she just dies from over-exhausting her Majuer.
I refuse to believe the Tower is dead, I'm hoping he comes back in later entries so that he can become Rune's consort. Maybe he's doing something similar to Lord Time who isn't dead and was able to survive in the stream.
I'm also curious about who the new heads of the Judgement and Dagger courts will be now. Also very curious about the Moon, Devil, and Star courts that all didn't participate in the story (particularly the Moon and Star as they both have links to the previous Sun court)
I loved the different characters' short parts at his wake. It was very personal and really emphasized how big of an influence the Tower was to all these people. I was really surprised to see Brand confess to being attracted to the Tower (similar to Rune's crush), but he said he was in love and that reframed a lot of their previous interactions for me.
The not so sly Empress seems to have some part in the next set of stories, so I'm very interested in seeing how that develops.
I cannot wait for the next book to come out.
The throuple that Rune, Brand, and Addam seem to be forming is really interesting to watch unfold.
Ciaran retaking the Magician's Throne was unexpected, and I kind of wish that it didn't happen in the same book that we found out that he was the Magician. I'm interested in seeing how the power struggle between him and the false Magician plays out.
I legitimately cried when Rune told Addam about how it was his fault that the Sun Court originally fell, and how Brand was involved with it because of him.
The fight scenes were very action-y and fun to read, but the final fight with Lady Time was a little anti-climactic when she just dies from over-exhausting her Majuer.
I refuse to believe the Tower is dead, I'm hoping he comes back in later entries so that he can become Rune's consort. Maybe he's doing something similar to Lord Time who isn't dead and was able to survive in the stream.
I'm also curious about who the new heads of the Judgement and Dagger courts will be now. Also very curious about the Moon, Devil, and Star courts that all didn't participate in the story (particularly the Moon and Star as they both have links to the previous Sun court)
I loved the different characters' short parts at his wake. It was very personal and really emphasized how big of an influence the Tower was to all these people. I was really surprised to see Brand confess to being attracted to the Tower (similar to Rune's crush), but he said he was in love and that reframed a lot of their previous interactions for me.
The not so sly Empress seems to have some part in the next set of stories, so I'm very interested in seeing how that develops.
I cannot wait for the next book to come out.
chthonicgod's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sweevle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-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
5.0
loise18's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.5
tjrogers1684's review against another edition
5.0
Another entertaining book in the series! The relationships, the quips, the magic and the mythology is spectacular! I ALWAYS enjoy visiting the world of New Atlantis.
ironlightwood's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
wardenred's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.75
Rune, it's not as if we have orientation materials for new Arcana. There’s not a training module titled Shit We Keep Secret.
This one was a little hard for me to get into initially. The persistent mentions of the pandemic were one reason: while this is an urban fantasy series, I don’t feel like the story of this type requires this much grounding in reality. Moreover, New Atlantis is such a separate location. While it has humans living alongside magic beings, it’s pretty disconnected from the rest of the world, and its residents have wards, healing spells, rejuvenation technologies, and the ability to use infectious diseases to fuel magic. It just doesn’t make sense they would be affected by the pandemic the same way we were, so it took me out of the story a bit early on. There was also a bit of a disjointed sense to the start. There was the plot with the attack on the rejuvenation clinic and something big and dangerous brewing that Rune was being excluded from, there was the build-up to Rune’s coronation, and for the first few chapters, those felt like separate plots that were distracting from each other.
However, pretty soon the two storylines coalesced into one absolutely glorious, higher-stakes-than-ever whole, and I couldn’t tear myself away from the book. It was an absolutely wild, exciting, and heartbreaking ride. I’m in awe of how well all the time-travel weirdness was executed: just enough of a mindfuck to keep me from getting too confused, with the foreshadowing and reveals balanced just right. So many small plot threads from all over the previous books got continued, all the characters got amazing development, there were scenes that had me outright sobbing as well as banter that had me laughing out loud.
I very much appreciate how diverse the series is becoming. The author is very much making up for the earlier absence of interesting female characters. And just honestly, all the new and returning members have so much depth, just like all the continuously developing relationships between them! I’m just so in love with everyone in this book, and with how intricately the character arcs and the plot challenges are balanced. It was awesome to get immersed into the Arcana politics, to get to know more about Ciaran, to realize that somewhere along the way I’ve become a fan of Lord Tower (insert a spring of incoherent mega-spoilerific emotions here, because that one plot point, how am I supposed to even live with it, please undo it, arghhhh). Rune, Bran, and Addam continue to be the sunshine of my existence, whether it’s all three of them on the page together or any two of them.
Certain reveals from the past still have me shaking, and so do certain hits at what’s to come in the future. It’s so hard to talk about this book without spoilers, tbh! This entire series is so going on my list of the 2024 best reads. From what I know, the author is still in the process of writing book 4, and I’m wishing him all sorts of success and zero writing block, because I can’t wait. Meanwhile, I guess I’ll go buy the first book from the side series about the younger generation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Sexual assault, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Rape, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Death of parent
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
creardon19's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
The Hourglass Throne was definitely on the same level as the hanged man. The story is very well-crafted and kept me hooked throughout the entire book. There were also a lot of clarifying moments in this book this book that closed open loops throughout the trilogy. Looking forward to book 4!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Minor: Rape
sylvia221's review against another edition
5.0
It was a freaking brilliant novel. I want to give it a gazillion stars if possible. My heart aches for them. So much loss and pain. I suffocated with them. My rune, brand and addam. I have so much love for them. I want the three to be together and happy. Don't make complications. And when will I get to read more of them. Please please I want the next book soon.