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A review by lucianagrimm
Misrule by Heather Walter
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
*potential spoilers throughout*
Every creature residing in Briar is so incredibly illustrated and beautifully described. I absolutely loved returning to this world and discovering the ups and downs and new curses to be broken. Alyce and Aurora are gorgeous examples of learning to love who you are despite actions of your past and believing that you can still grow to make a better future. The battles and sieges were epic and brutal and often heartbreaking. All of the characters express deep and profound emotions that resonate through each page. The conflict in both Alyce and Aurora draws on the discourse between light/dark magic and the ‘goodness’ and ‘badness’ that they’re expected to uphold. The lore and history that pieces itself together throughout the story is woven in so cleverly that it makes the chapters unveil the mystery perfectly. I love the resolution and the fulfilment of the fae prophecy and the final piece of the puzzle shimmering into place. The recreation of a newer and all inclusive Briar was constructed with elements that honour all of the magical species we’ve come to love from both of the books.
I am pleased that the sapphic romance is unbroken and the love story they share across both novels is truly beautiful but I do wish there was an epilogue to the epilogue where they live a partially more domestic lifestyle and spend time building libraries and teaching children the history of their legacy.
Every creature residing in Briar is so incredibly illustrated and beautifully described. I absolutely loved returning to this world and discovering the ups and downs and new curses to be broken. Alyce and Aurora are gorgeous examples of learning to love who you are despite actions of your past and believing that you can still grow to make a better future. The battles and sieges were epic and brutal and often heartbreaking. All of the characters express deep and profound emotions that resonate through each page. The conflict in both Alyce and Aurora draws on the discourse between light/dark magic and the ‘goodness’ and ‘badness’ that they’re expected to uphold. The lore and history that pieces itself together throughout the story is woven in so cleverly that it makes the chapters unveil the mystery perfectly. I love the resolution and the fulfilment of the fae prophecy and the final piece of the puzzle shimmering into place. The recreation of a newer and all inclusive Briar was constructed with elements that honour all of the magical species we’ve come to love from both of the books.
I am pleased that the sapphic romance is unbroken and the love story they share across both novels is truly beautiful but I do wish there was an epilogue to the epilogue where they live a partially more domestic lifestyle and spend time building libraries and teaching children the history of their legacy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Death, and Violence