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A review by theinquisitxor
A Vow So Bold and Deadly by Brigid Kemmerer
5.0
Oh my gosh, what do I even say about this book? I was a little worried how Brigid Kemmerer would treat certain characters that weren't doing too hot in the second book. I was also worried that the ending would be too 'drastic' or too 'shock-value' for my liking. This book was so so good. It's not secret that I'm usually let down by the finale book-- but this gains a spot on the shelf with the rare exceptions.
I read A Curse so Dark and Lonely when it was released in 2019. I didn't read A Heart so Fierce and Broken when it was released, and I put the series on the back-burner because I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to continue. But oh man, I am so glad I did. I reread ACSDAL a few days ago, I read AHSFAB yesterday, and this book today. I feel like I've been swept up in this fantasy land and like I've spent the last few days riding and battling along with the characters.
There has been several YA fantasy books I read in 2020 that I didn't really like. I've been afraid that I'm aging out of YA, or that I just don't really enjoy YA stories anymore. These books changed that, and made me realize my love of YA books again. This book also had some really good morals? mistakes don't define you forever, forgiveness, believing in yourself, standing tall, understanding and learning about people who are different from you.
Harper: she is the love of my life and possibly an all time favorite character for me. I do wish she had more page time in the last two books. The first book is definitely focused on her, but the second and third, not as much. She still shone in this last book, and I cherished all of her chapters.
Rhen: I've always liked Rhen, even when he is being an ass or making mistakes. I know a lot of people stopped liking Rhen in the second book, but no! this boy has been through years and years of abuse and manipulation and trauma! he has some severe mental health and ptsd issues in this series! yes he makes mistakes and hurts people, but just leave him alone! get him a therapist!
aside, I like what Kemmerer did with Rhen in this book. I was worried that she would either twist up his character too much, make him evil or irredeemable, but no, she handled things really well and I thought it was satisfying.
Grey: oh Grey. I think I like Grey the most in the first book (eek, I'm sorry!). Don't get me wrong, I liked him throughout the series, but first book Grey was the best Grey for me. He is the character who probably goes through the most growth and change throughout the series.
Mia Lara: I liked her most in the second book, but she is still a very good, relatable character. She tries to be strong when all she really feels is fear. She wasn't exactly trained for queenship, but has to navigate ruling anyway. She's trying to take a society so ingrained in brutality and domineering gender roles, and shape it into something softer and kinder.
you-know-who: um yeah. no spoilers. but I thought this specific someone's return was really well done, and actually had me more concerned this time around than in the first book. unnerving and unsettling for the reader, terrifying and traumatic for the characters.
Side Characters: I even thought that just about all of the side/ supporting characters were really well done and likable and very dimensional. Sometimes minor/side characters fall flat, but they did not disappoint. Brave, loyal, capable side characters who challenge, support and love the main characters. They have their own roles to play and are more than just a means to an end.
A couple little nitpicks: at some points in the second and third books, the whole squabble/fight between Rhen and Grey seemed a little pointless and was caused purely by a lack of communication. I just wanted to gather all the characters and lock them in a room together until they sorted out their miscommunications. Sometimes I felt like this was used a little too much to continue the plot. Also, does it really matter that much who was born first? like, shouldn't the person trained in governance be the more logical choice? Why are so many people so stuck up about 'oohh who is the first born, omg they are my one-true-ruler!!" like geesh people, calm down.
more Harper povs (just because she's my fav), but really, Jacob needed to lay off her. Sometimes I felt like characters (cough, Jacob, cough) were trying to degrade her to Rhen's love interest and a woman who is trapped. She's not! she knows her own place and her own worth!
I also would have liked more of the portal element in the second and third book. That might just be because I'm a sucker for portal magic, but I really wanted a scene where our main cast of characters are in D.C. for whatever reason. I would've loved to have seen Rhen reacting to D.C. and his impressions and trying to figure everything out.
There were still some unanswered/unresolved questions that almost makes me wonder if Kemmerer will continue to write more in this universe. I'd honestly be down for just a scene of Harper taking Rhen to D.C, buying him Starbucks frappuccinos and taking him to his weekly therapist appointment.
All in all, a new favorite YA series for me, and a series I can see myself returning to in the future
I read A Curse so Dark and Lonely when it was released in 2019. I didn't read A Heart so Fierce and Broken when it was released, and I put the series on the back-burner because I wasn't entirely sure I wanted to continue. But oh man, I am so glad I did. I reread ACSDAL a few days ago, I read AHSFAB yesterday, and this book today. I feel like I've been swept up in this fantasy land and like I've spent the last few days riding and battling along with the characters.
There has been several YA fantasy books I read in 2020 that I didn't really like. I've been afraid that I'm aging out of YA, or that I just don't really enjoy YA stories anymore. These books changed that, and made me realize my love of YA books again. This book also had some really good morals? mistakes don't define you forever, forgiveness, believing in yourself, standing tall, understanding and learning about people who are different from you.
Harper: she is the love of my life and possibly an all time favorite character for me. I do wish she had more page time in the last two books. The first book is definitely focused on her, but the second and third, not as much. She still shone in this last book, and I cherished all of her chapters.
Rhen: I've always liked Rhen, even when he is being an ass or making mistakes. I know a lot of people stopped liking Rhen in the second book, but no! this boy has been through years and years of abuse and manipulation and trauma! he has some severe mental health and ptsd issues in this series! yes he makes mistakes and hurts people, but just leave him alone! get him a therapist!
aside, I like what Kemmerer did with Rhen in this book. I was worried that she would either twist up his character too much, make him evil or irredeemable, but no, she handled things really well and I thought it was satisfying.
Grey: oh Grey. I think I like Grey the most in the first book (eek, I'm sorry!). Don't get me wrong, I liked him throughout the series, but first book Grey was the best Grey for me. He is the character who probably goes through the most growth and change throughout the series.
Mia Lara: I liked her most in the second book, but she is still a very good, relatable character. She tries to be strong when all she really feels is fear. She wasn't exactly trained for queenship, but has to navigate ruling anyway. She's trying to take a society so ingrained in brutality and domineering gender roles, and shape it into something softer and kinder.
you-know-who: um yeah. no spoilers. but I thought this specific someone's return was really well done, and actually had me more concerned this time around than in the first book. unnerving and unsettling for the reader, terrifying and traumatic for the characters.
Side Characters: I even thought that just about all of the side/ supporting characters were really well done and likable and very dimensional. Sometimes minor/side characters fall flat, but they did not disappoint. Brave, loyal, capable side characters who challenge, support and love the main characters. They have their own roles to play and are more than just a means to an end.
A couple little nitpicks: at some points in the second and third books, the whole squabble/fight between Rhen and Grey seemed a little pointless and was caused purely by a lack of communication. I just wanted to gather all the characters and lock them in a room together until they sorted out their miscommunications. Sometimes I felt like this was used a little too much to continue the plot. Also, does it really matter that much who was born first? like, shouldn't the person trained in governance be the more logical choice? Why are so many people so stuck up about 'oohh who is the first born, omg they are my one-true-ruler!!" like geesh people, calm down.
more Harper povs (just because she's my fav), but really, Jacob needed to lay off her. Sometimes I felt like characters (cough, Jacob, cough) were trying to degrade her to Rhen's love interest and a woman who is trapped. She's not! she knows her own place and her own worth!
I also would have liked more of the portal element in the second and third book. That might just be because I'm a sucker for portal magic, but I really wanted a scene where our main cast of characters are in D.C. for whatever reason. I would've loved to have seen Rhen reacting to D.C. and his impressions and trying to figure everything out.
There were still some unanswered/unresolved questions that almost makes me wonder if Kemmerer will continue to write more in this universe. I'd honestly be down for just a scene of Harper taking Rhen to D.C, buying him Starbucks frappuccinos and taking him to his weekly therapist appointment.
All in all, a new favorite YA series for me, and a series I can see myself returning to in the future