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A review by skylarkblue1
Celestial Monsters by Aiden Thomas
adventurous
funny
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? It's complicated
2.75
I'm conflicted. On one hand, sunbearer trials is one of my favourite ever books. On the other hand.... This really didn't meet expectations.
I loved the characters of course, Niya is still best girl and her dialogue with other characters was still on point. The character growth and their emotions did come through really nicely as well. The new additions didn't feel too much or too overwhelming, they all had their places. Honestly, don't really have much issue with the characters!
The plot is where it starts to fall apart though. For such a large book, larger than the first one, there really isn't that much that happens. It's a bit like Tom Cardy's lord of the rings song... Most of the plot happens in the last 15% ish, and the ending is good.. but somehow feels a little rushed at the same time. A lot is told, a lot just seems to work out first try without really any planning and things just go a bit too well. It's all a bit convenient.
As for pacing, it was both very slow, but then in that ending bit super fast. There was odd bits of action thrown in, and a couple interesting character moments, but otherwise they where just walking.
The creativity and brightness from book 1 is gone, and while yes that's partially due to how different the plot is, I still want to get more of a sense of the world. The apocalypse only *just* happened! Society hasn't fully collapsed yet!! Most of what we see is honestly just.... Societies that have existed like that for ages and haven't really changed from the apocalypse.
I think, book 1 is still absolutely worth reading, but don't expect this to be on the same level. The cliffhanger from book 1 is too brutal to just leave on so I guess it's a catch 22 aha..
I loved the characters of course, Niya is still best girl and her dialogue with other characters was still on point. The character growth and their emotions did come through really nicely as well. The new additions didn't feel too much or too overwhelming, they all had their places. Honestly, don't really have much issue with the characters!
The plot is where it starts to fall apart though. For such a large book, larger than the first one, there really isn't that much that happens. It's a bit like Tom Cardy's lord of the rings song... Most of the plot happens in the last 15% ish, and the ending is good.. but somehow feels a little rushed at the same time. A lot is told, a lot just seems to work out first try without really any planning and things just go a bit too well. It's all a bit convenient.
As for pacing, it was both very slow, but then in that ending bit super fast. There was odd bits of action thrown in, and a couple interesting character moments, but otherwise they where just walking.
The creativity and brightness from book 1 is gone, and while yes that's partially due to how different the plot is, I still want to get more of a sense of the world. The apocalypse only *just* happened! Society hasn't fully collapsed yet!! Most of what we see is honestly just.... Societies that have existed like that for ages and haven't really changed from the apocalypse.
I think, book 1 is still absolutely worth reading, but don't expect this to be on the same level. The cliffhanger from book 1 is too brutal to just leave on so I guess it's a catch 22 aha..
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child death, Torture, and War
Minor: Genocide, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts