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deshanejt's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Blood, Sexual content, Slavery, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Classism, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Torture, Colonisation, and Grief
Minor: Gun violence, Infidelity, and Infertility
betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I'm going to admit, the only reason I read this book is because I saw a spoiler for the next book on Instagram and I was curious. I needed to know how it worked! Though we don't get a lot of explanation there at the end, so I guess I'm going to have to read the next book, too.
My issue with this book is that, for me, it felt like the plot was all over the place. However, I'm not sure if that's becuase I don't remember what happened in the first book at all, or because the plot is actually all over the place. I'm still not actually sure what Bryce and crew were exactly fighting for, but it seemed important by the end.
This book is par for the SJM course in that it seemed spicier than the first book in the series. I'm expecting the next book to continue in that trend, honestly. If you enjoy fantasy romance (or "romantasy"), SJM is definitely one of the most popular. Also can be great if you're looking for a sort of introduction to the fantasy genre.
My issue with this book is that, for me, it felt like the plot was all over the place. However, I'm not sure if that's becuase I don't remember what happened in the first book at all, or because the plot is actually all over the place. I'm still not actually sure what Bryce and crew were exactly fighting for, but it seemed important by the end.
This book is par for the SJM course in that it seemed spicier than the first book in the series. I'm expecting the next book to continue in that trend, honestly. If you enjoy fantasy romance (or "romantasy"), SJM is definitely one of the most popular. Also can be great if you're looking for a sort of introduction to the fantasy genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, and Violence
Moderate: Torture, War, and Slavery
angelofthetardis's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Keeping their promise to the Asteri to live a quiet life is exactly what Bryce and Hunt had planned. That, and getting to know each other properly before taking the next step in their burgeoning relationship. Unfortunately however, those surrounding them have other plans, which might just drag them both into the crosshairs of both the human rebellion and the overlords of Midgard...
While I think the author has done better relationship arcs, this is probably the first time that it's felt like an equal relationship from the get go, rather than the big powerful man teaching the gorgeous girl something to help her to become his equal. And their banter, understanding and ease around one another, plus their protectiveness of each other, is my favourite part of the book. If this book were focused on the development of their relationship, with other bits going on in the background, I could definitely get in board with it. However, as it is their relationship is just one element of an incredibly busy plot.
I had hoped that I'd have absorbed enough from the first book to be comfortable with the world and the characters going into book two. No, I'm not floundering and completely lost, but at the same time there are so many characters, species and sub-plots to keep straight, I ended up feeling a little overwhelmed with it, which tempered my enjoyment. I'm sure certain plot threads will be picked up again in future books, but at this stage there seems to be a lot of loose ends or even dead ends, again giving the feeling of about three books worth of plot being crammed into one. And yet the pace isn't that fast - it's not a slog to read, but you are fully aware of the heft of this tome as you are trying to get through it.
As always, you cannot fault the worldbuilding, and I admire the depth and breadth of the creativity of thought and detail that has gone into bringing life to Crescent City - again, I think this is the most considered scape Maas has created to date. However, I again come back to the sheer quantity of information the reader needs to be able to process.
Unfortunately I wasn't shocked by the Day/Night twist at all; to me, it was incredibly obvious straight away how that was going to turn out. The more interesting twist for me was Bryce's plans for Emile, but equally this felt like a rather clunky explanation; it can across like the author had forgotten to include a resolution to that particular aspect and so covered herself with a quickly invented 'secret plan reveal'. This sort of sums up the writing overall for me - it doesn't flow anywhere near as well as ACOTAR or TOG.
However, this is a prime example of why I don't generally mind spoilers - someone told me ages ago about what happens at the end of this book and so, even though this is my least favourite of SJM's series to date, I knew I had to get these read so that I can devour book 3 when it comes out! I am desperately hoping will give this series a huge boost in my estimations!
While I think the author has done better relationship arcs, this is probably the first time that it's felt like an equal relationship from the get go, rather than the big powerful man teaching the gorgeous girl something to help her to become his equal. And their banter, understanding and ease around one another, plus their protectiveness of each other, is my favourite part of the book. If this book were focused on the development of their relationship, with other bits going on in the background, I could definitely get in board with it. However, as it is their relationship is just one element of an incredibly busy plot.
I had hoped that I'd have absorbed enough from the first book to be comfortable with the world and the characters going into book two. No, I'm not floundering and completely lost, but at the same time there are so many characters, species and sub-plots to keep straight, I ended up feeling a little overwhelmed with it, which tempered my enjoyment. I'm sure certain plot threads will be picked up again in future books, but at this stage there seems to be a lot of loose ends or even dead ends, again giving the feeling of about three books worth of plot being crammed into one. And yet the pace isn't that fast - it's not a slog to read, but you are fully aware of the heft of this tome as you are trying to get through it.
As always, you cannot fault the worldbuilding, and I admire the depth and breadth of the creativity of thought and detail that has gone into bringing life to Crescent City - again, I think this is the most considered scape Maas has created to date. However, I again come back to the sheer quantity of information the reader needs to be able to process.
Unfortunately I wasn't shocked by the Day/Night twist at all; to me, it was incredibly obvious straight away how that was going to turn out. The more interesting twist for me was Bryce's plans for Emile, but equally this felt like a rather clunky explanation; it can across like the author had forgotten to include a resolution to that particular aspect and so covered herself with a quickly invented 'secret plan reveal'. This sort of sums up the writing overall for me - it doesn't flow anywhere near as well as ACOTAR or TOG.
However, this is a prime example of why I don't generally mind spoilers - someone told me ages ago about what happens at the end of this book and so, even though this is my least favourite of SJM's series to date, I knew I had to get these read so that I can devour book 3 when it comes out! I am desperately hoping will give this series a huge boost in my estimations!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Sexual content, Cursing, Death, Colonisation, and Blood
Moderate: Torture, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Sexual violence, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, and Slavery
Minor: Vomit
boyname's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Blood, and Body horror
Minor: Drug use, Slavery, and War
taremeredzwatchirewa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Slavery, War, and Death
Moderate: Rape
piercelou's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Slavery, Domestic abuse, Murder, Blood, Death, Drug use, Rape, Sexual assault, and Torture
sannesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
These books have heavy mystery/detective storylines. If you enjoy that and fantasy/romance this is the perfect serie for you.
I was personally a bit dissapointed that this leaned so much toward mystery/detective because I didn't expect it to be like this and I think it should have been made clear in the description. I do enjoy mystery/thriller type of books, but I personlly find all the detective work in this book a bit boring. It's dragging on and on with about 700! pages of detective work. I am more interested in the action scenes and the magic. I find these very entertaining!
And maybe it's an unpopular opinion, but I don't really care (that deeply) about the romance in these books. I am way more interested in the friendships!
The book would have been better if it was shorter in my opinion, but o verall it was an entertaining read and I definitely want to pick up the next book! Especially because of that ending!
I was personally a bit dissapointed that this leaned so much toward mystery/detective because I didn't expect it to be like this and I think it should have been made clear in the description. I do enjoy mystery/thriller type of books, but I personlly find all the detective work in this book a bit boring. It's dragging on and on with about 700! pages of detective work. I am more interested in the action scenes and the magic. I find these very entertaining!
And maybe it's an unpopular opinion, but I don't really care (that deeply) about the romance in these books. I am way more interested in the friendships!
The book would have been better if it was shorter in my opinion, but o verall it was an entertaining read and I definitely want to pick up the next book! Especially because of that ending!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, Violence, War, Murder, and Slavery
jcrawford31's review against another edition
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Vomit, Death, Gun violence, Murder, Rape, Sexual content, Torture, and War
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Slavery, and Panic attacks/disorders
carolinesoverbooked's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, Death, Murder, and Grief
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Body shaming, Torture, Drug use, and Alcohol
sfdogmom's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
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
5.0
Pretty slow start but that was one hell of an ending
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Physical abuse, Violence, Toxic relationship, and Slavery
Minor: Infertility