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cassiekayyye's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
vellichor_xv's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca for the opportunity to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
While The Curse of Saints wasn’t a 5 star read for me, I did enjoy it and was excited to be able to read this ARC.
Unfortunately, I felt the same as many other reviewers in that this book just felt too long and too drawn out. It didn’t feel like there was much substance in such a long book and I feel that there were certainly parts that could have been omitted without the storyline changing.
Additionally, I felt that the frequently character switches were a disservice in this book, although there were some characters where I simply wasn’t interested in their storylines, so this might just be a me problem.
I was able to finish this book, though it took some pushing, and after doing so, I definitely think that book 1 was better than book 2, although book 2 was worth the read, just to see how the story continues, in my opinion.
While The Curse of Saints wasn’t a 5 star read for me, I did enjoy it and was excited to be able to read this ARC.
Unfortunately, I felt the same as many other reviewers in that this book just felt too long and too drawn out. It didn’t feel like there was much substance in such a long book and I feel that there were certainly parts that could have been omitted without the storyline changing.
Additionally, I felt that the frequently character switches were a disservice in this book, although there were some characters where I simply wasn’t interested in their storylines, so this might just be a me problem.
I was able to finish this book, though it took some pushing, and after doing so, I definitely think that book 1 was better than book 2, although book 2 was worth the read, just to see how the story continues, in my opinion.
hannahrowan13's review against another edition
4.0
What I love most about this series is how the author is able to balance the fantasy and the romance of the story so well. I’ve heard some people consider this a “romantasy,” and I suppose it is but not in the stereotypical way. There is so much political intrigue (which I loved!) The world building is very complex and at times was a little confusing, but that could be because it’s been over a year since I read the first book. It took me until the 75 percent mark to get a sense of the conflict/what the upcoming war was about. The book did drag in some places but the last 25 perfect was fast paced. I do think this book was too long. It definitely could have been condensed. I wasn’t a fan of the additional POVs but could see how one of the character’s pov was necessary considering they were an ally kingdom. What I loved about the romance is that despite the two main characters being together they still faced obstacles. It wasn’t happily ever after. A lot of times in books when a couple gets together there is no conflict in the relationship and it feels too easy. I never felt that way about the romance sub plot. The romance was familiar because it was established in the first book but was also kept fresh. I am curious to see how this series wraps up!
Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for an Arc in exchange for my honest review!
Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for an Arc in exchange for my honest review!
lanereading's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
- 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
Ever since reading Curse of Sins, I’ve been in such a reading slump because I just feel like nothing else could compare.
Curse of Saints was such an unexpected top read for me least year, so much that Sins made its way straight to the top of my 2024 anticipated list and I screamed at 3AM when the ARC showed on my kindle. I’ve read it maybe 3 times now.
I already loved Aya and Will’s story so much and Sins just solidified that love more. Seeing their relationship with themselves and each other grow to new levels made me so happy.
I also loved that Aidan and Josie remained integral characters in the story and took up space in the book. Can’t wait to see their stories unfold more in the next instalment!
The pacing and maturity level felt more natural in Sins compared to Saints which I hope to see continue.
joyfullylauren's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
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
5.0
This is one hell of a second book. It takes these characters that formed something of a found family in book 1 and explores what happens when bonds forged in the fire are exposed to the cold air and revealing light of day. How much can they actually rely on each other? How much pressure will it take to make them break?
Will and Aya return to Dunmeaden intent on discovering what dangerous game Queen Gianna is playing and how they can deliver Tala from the threat of Kakos. They try to step back into the roles they filled before the events of Book 1, but they find that they don't fit quite as comfortably as they did before. They have to put distance between themselves for their own safety and to hide their real mission, and they both struggle with that isolation, especially Aya.
Aidon and Josie remain in Trahir to establish and new reign and to deal with the relational and emotional fallout from Vi's betrayal and the murder of the king. Josie struggles to process her own feelings while simultaneously holding space for Vi to process her trauma, and it feels impossible. She is determined to make her own way in the world apart from her title of princess, and she struggles to stay in good relationship with her brother who longs to keep her safe and protected. Aidon struggles to establish himself as king without giving in to the temptation to solve problems the way his uncle would have, and he fights to keep the secret of his Visya power hidden from his people, even if suppressing it might kill him.
The two things that I loved most about this book is that is raises the stakes significantly from book 1 and it forces the characters to deal with adult struggles and choices. This not YA fantasy with added smut to make it adult. It's a book filled with characters who have to face impossible choices with real consequences to themselves and other people. They are courageous and emotionally aware enough to make those decisions with care even if all options lead to a dark end.
This book made me fall more in love with these characters and this series. I highly recommend it for fans of fantasy with a strong romance subplot, morally gray characters, and those who tend to love angsty second books filled with longing and deep inner struggles.
And smut. Let's not forget that this book also delivers on the explicit intimate content. Chefs kiss.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for gifting me an e-ARC to review.
Will and Aya return to Dunmeaden intent on discovering what dangerous game Queen Gianna is playing and how they can deliver Tala from the threat of Kakos. They try to step back into the roles they filled before the events of Book 1, but they find that they don't fit quite as comfortably as they did before. They have to put distance between themselves for their own safety and to hide their real mission, and they both struggle with that isolation, especially Aya.
Aidon and Josie remain in Trahir to establish and new reign and to deal with the relational and emotional fallout from Vi's betrayal and the murder of the king. Josie struggles to process her own feelings while simultaneously holding space for Vi to process her trauma, and it feels impossible. She is determined to make her own way in the world apart from her title of princess, and she struggles to stay in good relationship with her brother who longs to keep her safe and protected. Aidon struggles to establish himself as king without giving in to the temptation to solve problems the way his uncle would have, and he fights to keep the secret of his Visya power hidden from his people, even if suppressing it might kill him.
The two things that I loved most about this book is that is raises the stakes significantly from book 1 and it forces the characters to deal with adult struggles and choices. This not YA fantasy with added smut to make it adult. It's a book filled with characters who have to face impossible choices with real consequences to themselves and other people. They are courageous and emotionally aware enough to make those decisions with care even if all options lead to a dark end.
This book made me fall more in love with these characters and this series. I highly recommend it for fans of fantasy with a strong romance subplot, morally gray characters, and those who tend to love angsty second books filled with longing and deep inner struggles.
And smut. Let's not forget that this book also delivers on the explicit intimate content. Chefs kiss.
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for gifting me an e-ARC to review.
alana_maj's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.75
blankpagepanic's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I had hoped that with such great barebones this sequel would be a lot better than the first, especially considering its length, but I was unfortunately wrong. Every problem I had with The Curse of Saints came back 10x stronger for this sequel, which is so sad.
First off, this book is way, way too long considering not a lot happens except for brooding, brooding, and more brooding. Don't get me wrong, I love a reluctant, tortured here (or cast) as much as the next person, but I have major issues with authors destroying the character development they had during their previous work for the sake of ~edginess~. Now, I'd be lying if I said this is what breaks the book for me, because what truly does it is how fucking incompetent every single one of there characters are. You mean to tell me that you have the (supposedly) best spy in the kingdom, two generals, a torturer that for some reason is better at spying than the spy is (wtf?), and not a single one of them can see a plot that couldn't be more obvious if it was written in neon lights? And these people are supposed to help run a nation? No wonder what happened happened, because my god are they all so stupid.
Another big issue I have is how some things happen merely for the sake of plot to never be mentioned again and carry virtually no consequence, but I won't get into it now because of spoilers.
Anyway, 2.75 starts rounded up and I'm possibly DNF'ing the series after this disaster of a sequel.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
First off, this book is way, way too long considering not a lot happens except for brooding, brooding, and more brooding. Don't get me wrong, I love a reluctant, tortured here (or cast) as much as the next person, but I have major issues with authors destroying the character development they had during their previous work for the sake of ~edginess~. Now, I'd be lying if I said this is what breaks the book for me, because what truly does it is how fucking incompetent every single one of there characters are. You mean to tell me that you have the (supposedly) best spy in the kingdom, two generals, a torturer that for some reason is better at spying than the spy is (wtf?), and not a single one of them can see a plot that couldn't be more obvious if it was written in neon lights? And these people are supposed to help run a nation? No wonder what happened happened, because my god are they all so stupid.
Another big issue I have is how some things happen merely for the sake of plot to never be mentioned again and carry virtually no consequence, but I won't get into it now because of spoilers.
Anyway, 2.75 starts rounded up and I'm possibly DNF'ing the series after this disaster of a sequel.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
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