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thechronicknitter's review
3.0
The second installment in the Effigies series has moments of thrills and excitement, of secrets to be uncovered, and relationships to ponder. After the Efigies' battle against Saul in France he hasn't showed up again, but Natalaya is entering Maia's dreams every time she closes her eyes. Maia lives in constant fear that Natalaya will finally get strong enough to take over her body again, but the one way to beat Saul is to figure out what Natalaya knew (which means scrying giving Natalaya the opportunity to take over her body) or she has to find Marian which means getting past Natalaya. The hardest part is that now it's not just the girls who need Maia to scry, but the Sect is asking as well. She has no choice.
Meanwhile, they are being attacked by former Sect trainees that had supposedly had died years ago but have magical powers. One dies before we learn of them, and a girl, Jessie, is able t control the bodies of the dead (and can control an army's worth at once). The Sect, and most likely the Council has been infiltrated by these traitors who are loyal to Saul and his vision of "rebuilding" the earth. Which is really code for laughing while the world burns. The girls have to figure out how to stop him and who they can trust.
Meanwhile, Maia is also trying to figure out whether the vision Natalaya keeps showing her of the night she died is true or if she's lying. Did her crush Aidan Rhys really kill Natalaya Filipova, or was it someone else? Can she trust him, or will he end up killing her too? The only thing she knows is that if Belle ever hears of it she will kill Rhys, and both his death or the knowledge that he killed Natalaya will kill Maia.
This book is all about plot, though even with that said this book is a little sluggish. Until readers get to the turning point (at least halfway) they will not be staying up late into the night to finish reading the book. I enjoy the mystery of trying to get down to the bottom of how the effigies were created, how the phantoms/magic entered their world etc. Readers still don't know the answer at the end of this book but they will be one step closer.
Character development leaves much to be desired. There is still some romance between Maia and Aidan/Rhys but it is marred by the question/answer of whether or not he killed Natalaya and what else he has done in his time as a Sect agent. Their relationship is an overused trope of a broken boy that needs to be fixed and can only be fixed by the love and attention of a girl. The diversity is still wonderful and even secondary characters are described and diverse which is exciting and refreshing.
While the second book doesn't live up to the first it is still readable and makes me hopeful for the third book.
Meanwhile, they are being attacked by former Sect trainees that had supposedly had died years ago but have magical powers. One dies before we learn of them, and a girl, Jessie, is able t control the bodies of the dead (and can control an army's worth at once). The Sect, and most likely the Council has been infiltrated by these traitors who are loyal to Saul and his vision of "rebuilding" the earth. Which is really code for laughing while the world burns. The girls have to figure out how to stop him and who they can trust.
Meanwhile, Maia is also trying to figure out whether the vision Natalaya keeps showing her of the night she died is true or if she's lying. Did her crush Aidan Rhys really kill Natalaya Filipova, or was it someone else? Can she trust him, or will he end up killing her too? The only thing she knows is that if Belle ever hears of it she will kill Rhys, and both his death or the knowledge that he killed Natalaya will kill Maia.
This book is all about plot, though even with that said this book is a little sluggish. Until readers get to the turning point (at least halfway) they will not be staying up late into the night to finish reading the book. I enjoy the mystery of trying to get down to the bottom of how the effigies were created, how the phantoms/magic entered their world etc. Readers still don't know the answer at the end of this book but they will be one step closer.
Character development leaves much to be desired. There is still some romance between Maia and Aidan/Rhys but it is marred by the question/answer of whether or not he killed Natalaya and what else he has done in his time as a Sect agent. Their relationship is an overused trope of a broken boy that needs to be fixed and can only be fixed by the love and attention of a girl. The diversity is still wonderful and even secondary characters are described and diverse which is exciting and refreshing.
While the second book doesn't live up to the first it is still readable and makes me hopeful for the third book.
matandrub's review
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
emhromp's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
The idea of this story is great. I also like the complexity of the plot and the fact that the four girls aren't besties from the get go.
The writing, however, is too messy for my liking. Sarah Raughley assumes too often that her readers understand what she is on about, while I could've done with a little elaboration.
The writing, however, is too messy for my liking. Sarah Raughley assumes too often that her readers understand what she is on about, while I could've done with a little elaboration.
odettebrethouwer's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
Dit boek voelde redelijk als second book syndrome. Voor mijn gevoel veel minder actie en meer plot. Grotendeels van het boek was dat niet helemaal waar ik naar op zoek was in deze serie. Maar aan het eind werd het plot weer zo interessant en zat er weer zo veel actie en twists in dat ik weer enthousiast ben.
littlewhiterabbitreads's review
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-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
1.75
titou's review
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
bplivie23's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Death
Minor: Suicide attempt
daphneereads's review
DNF, it put me in a slump and the format was not the best to read on my phone. Can’t get into this series.
oreowild's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.75
lpcoolgirl's review
5.0
Wow, this book was just so fantastic! So enjoyable, and so much happened, and then that ending! That hurt, and then was such a cliffhanger! I need the final book in this trilogy!