Scan barcode
thewitchwhoreads's review
4.0
I didn’t write a review for the first book but there’s a lot about this series I really like. I enjoy the “magical warrior girls are known celebrities” aspect a lot. I also really enjoy Maia’s journey from fangirl (which I identify with hardcore) to the other side of things. I enjoy the racial diversity and I’m always down for the corrupt organization trope. This second installment was more intense and fast paced than the first and really set the stage for a very exciting climax. There was a surprise I didn’t quite see coming which is hard to pull off, and the romance doesn’t feel forced. If I have a complaint it would be that some of the themes are a bit juvenile and the plot a bit to simple but I recognize that I am much older than the characters and the target audience so that kind of thing is bound to miss the mark with me. Overall I really enjoy this series. It’s funny and exciting and it has a lot of heart. I can’t wait for the last book!
sparky_young_upstart's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
amburhostyn's review
4.0
I'm not even sure where to start on this review...SIEGE OF SHADOWS left me reeling! If you're unfamiliar with this book, SIEGE OF SHADOWS is the sequel to FATE OF FLAMES, the first book in Sarah Raughley's Effigies series. Set in an alternate version of our world where spirit-like monsters called phantoms exist and plague the world, the series follows one main character named Maia. Maia is an Effigy, one of four girls with elemental powers able to fight the phantoms. These books have serious Sailor Moon, Pacific Rim, and Buffy vibes, and it's pretty much perfect for readers who love sci-fi or fantasy, action, and fandom of any kind!
I've been eagerly waiting for SIEGE OF SHADOWS ever since I finished FATE OF FLAMES last year because I've been desperate to know what happens next for Maia and the other Effigies! The first book sucked me in with the epic world-building, and that continued with this one. SIEGE OF SHADOWS has a bit of a time jump, but as the description reveals, it does jump right back into the Sect and Effigies search efforts for Saul. While I wouldn't say that the book is non-stop action, this does effectively pull you in right away and everything looming around the characters keeps you riveted to the page!
Just like the first book, some of my favourite parts of SIEGE OF SHADOWS had to do with the girls' abilities, and I also loved seeing how the dynamics of the characters have shifted since the first book. Maia and the other Effigies: Belle, Chae Rin, and Lake, are all finding their rhythm, they're starting to work better as a team, and it was great to see how their relationships have evolved. I especially loved seeing Maia and Lake together! They had a really sweet friendship going on that I absolutely adored! I also loved seeing them all use their powers! I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll keep it vague, but seeing Maia using more of her powers in this book was definitely something that I loved! It was something I wanted to see more of in the first book, so it was definitely great to see in this one.
While I was pulled in quickly, I did feel like the middle part of SIEGE OF SHADOWS dragged a little bit. It felt like the Effigies were often in transit and there was surprisingly a lot more detail on their celebrity and public personas than I was expecting. I did enjoy seeing it, but it also left me wanting a bit more of the main plot, so I felt like I kind of rushed through reading the middle a bit. That being said, there were quite of few other things I did enjoy. I loved seeing more of the Sect and the various people involved in it. I loved seeing more of Rhys...I'm a total Rhys fangirl! I do wish that there had a few more solid answers in SIEGE OF SHADOWS, but as it's the middle book I wasn't expecting to have too many questions answered. :P I believe there's only one more book left now, so I CANNOT wait to see the epic conclusion to this series!
Overall, I really enjoyed SIEGE OF SHADOWS! It definitely left me with more questions than answers (as most middle books in a series do), but I couldn't put it down and I absolutely loved the characters and the world-building! I can't wait to see what happens next in the Effigies series!
I've been eagerly waiting for SIEGE OF SHADOWS ever since I finished FATE OF FLAMES last year because I've been desperate to know what happens next for Maia and the other Effigies! The first book sucked me in with the epic world-building, and that continued with this one. SIEGE OF SHADOWS has a bit of a time jump, but as the description reveals, it does jump right back into the Sect and Effigies search efforts for Saul. While I wouldn't say that the book is non-stop action, this does effectively pull you in right away and everything looming around the characters keeps you riveted to the page!
Just like the first book, some of my favourite parts of SIEGE OF SHADOWS had to do with the girls' abilities, and I also loved seeing how the dynamics of the characters have shifted since the first book. Maia and the other Effigies: Belle, Chae Rin, and Lake, are all finding their rhythm, they're starting to work better as a team, and it was great to see how their relationships have evolved. I especially loved seeing Maia and Lake together! They had a really sweet friendship going on that I absolutely adored! I also loved seeing them all use their powers! I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll keep it vague, but seeing Maia using more of her powers in this book was definitely something that I loved! It was something I wanted to see more of in the first book, so it was definitely great to see in this one.
While I was pulled in quickly, I did feel like the middle part of SIEGE OF SHADOWS dragged a little bit. It felt like the Effigies were often in transit and there was surprisingly a lot more detail on their celebrity and public personas than I was expecting. I did enjoy seeing it, but it also left me wanting a bit more of the main plot, so I felt like I kind of rushed through reading the middle a bit. That being said, there were quite of few other things I did enjoy. I loved seeing more of the Sect and the various people involved in it. I loved seeing more of Rhys...I'm a total Rhys fangirl! I do wish that there had a few more solid answers in SIEGE OF SHADOWS, but as it's the middle book I wasn't expecting to have too many questions answered. :P I believe there's only one more book left now, so I CANNOT wait to see the epic conclusion to this series!
Overall, I really enjoyed SIEGE OF SHADOWS! It definitely left me with more questions than answers (as most middle books in a series do), but I couldn't put it down and I absolutely loved the characters and the world-building! I can't wait to see what happens next in the Effigies series!
booksatdawn's review
4.0
SIEGE OF SHADOWS by Sarah Raughley is the sequel to last year's fantastic debut, Fate of Flames. For centuries, four girls are bestowed elemental powers to fight off the monster like phantoms and protect the world from destruction. They are called the Effigies. In the present day, new Effigy Maia and her oddball team of girls must face a new threat, Saul and his plans to destroy or save (however you look at it) world. They must learn to work together to get to the bottom of this global disaster and save the world from possible annihilation.
Picking up a couple weeks or months after the end of Fate of Flames, the girls are starting to work better together. I thought SIEGE OF SHADOWS was an amazing sequel. It has more action, more girls kicking ass with their cool powers, more character developments, and a closer look at the world and mythology.
Raughley steps up her writing game and produced a well-written story. Her world building became more extensive, her character writing became more refined and the story just grips you from beginning to end. There are so many secrets, lies, and other conspiracies that get brought to light! Let's not forget that ending. I want to talk about it so much but it's a major spoiler. It takes guts as a writer to take it as far as Raughley did, and I think it was well worth it! I'm so interested to see what happens next.
Although I am still not feeling the main character Maia, the other three girls still remain a highlight for me. Belle is going through some dark times in the sequel, Chae Rin is dealing with problems at home, and Lake is still trying to find some semblance of a normal life in this crazy world they live in. With the events that happen at the end of the book, I'm interested to see how this is going to affect the characters and the group as a whole.
Saul/Alice/Nick, on the other hand, are so devilishly captivating. Definitely one of the biggest highlights of SIEGE OF SHADOWS for me. I love how dark and evil they are, even if they see what they're doing as good. We need more interactions with them with the other characters though.
Overall, SIEGE OF SHADOWS is an explosive sequel and I highly recommend getting into this series. You will love the Sailor Moon, Buffy, Pacific Rim influences!!
Picking up a couple weeks or months after the end of Fate of Flames, the girls are starting to work better together. I thought SIEGE OF SHADOWS was an amazing sequel. It has more action, more girls kicking ass with their cool powers, more character developments, and a closer look at the world and mythology.
Raughley steps up her writing game and produced a well-written story. Her world building became more extensive, her character writing became more refined and the story just grips you from beginning to end. There are so many secrets, lies, and other conspiracies that get brought to light! Let's not forget that ending. I want to talk about it so much but it's a major spoiler. It takes guts as a writer to take it as far as Raughley did, and I think it was well worth it! I'm so interested to see what happens next.
Although I am still not feeling the main character Maia, the other three girls still remain a highlight for me. Belle is going through some dark times in the sequel, Chae Rin is dealing with problems at home, and Lake is still trying to find some semblance of a normal life in this crazy world they live in. With the events that happen at the end of the book, I'm interested to see how this is going to affect the characters and the group as a whole.
Saul/Alice/Nick, on the other hand, are so devilishly captivating. Definitely one of the biggest highlights of SIEGE OF SHADOWS for me. I love how dark and evil they are, even if they see what they're doing as good. We need more interactions with them with the other characters though.
Overall, SIEGE OF SHADOWS is an explosive sequel and I highly recommend getting into this series. You will love the Sailor Moon, Buffy, Pacific Rim influences!!