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throneofsnark 's review for:
The Crown of Gilded Bones
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5⭐️
Still chugging along through this series, and I’m still confused half the time.
I listened to this one on audio, which didn’t help with the fact that so many names sound alike or are spelled in just slightly different ways. Combine that with lore that includes deities, gods, and primal gods (all distinct, apparently), and I was constantly trying to figure out who or what was being referenced.
The beginning had me interested, but the middle dragged. It felt like a lot of repetitive dialogue and exposition with very little actual plot movement. Then the last 20% hit, and everything suddenly started happening. The stakes were high, the pace picked up, and the ending definitely delivered some jaw-dropping twists. It’s frustrating, but it worked and I have to know what happens next!
Character-wise:
Kieran continues to be a standout. His loyalty and dry wit are refreshing.
Casteel felt a little too one-sided this time around. The constant innuendos started to wear me thin, and he lacked some of the emotional depth I appreciated in earlier books.
Poppy is still inconsistent. She swings between naïve and all-knowing with little explanation for her growth or regression. While I loved seeing more strength from her toward the end, her overall development felt uneven.
I do appreciate the growing sense of political tension and the expanded worldbuilding. There are interesting layers being introduced, but the execution is muddy. The series is juggling a lot, and without a clearer structure, or a proper glossary and family tree, it can be difficult to stay fully immersed.
Despite my issues, the cliffhanger was strong, and I’m definitely continuing the series. I'm invested, even if I’m also mildly exasperated.
TLDR:
✅ Solid beginning
😴 Slow and repetitive middle
🔥 Explosive and twisty end
📚 Needs a glossary + family tree
💬 Stronger side characters than mains
📖 Still invested (against my better judgment...)
Still chugging along through this series, and I’m still confused half the time.
I listened to this one on audio, which didn’t help with the fact that so many names sound alike or are spelled in just slightly different ways. Combine that with lore that includes deities, gods, and primal gods (all distinct, apparently), and I was constantly trying to figure out who or what was being referenced.
The beginning had me interested, but the middle dragged. It felt like a lot of repetitive dialogue and exposition with very little actual plot movement. Then the last 20% hit, and everything suddenly started happening. The stakes were high, the pace picked up, and the ending definitely delivered some jaw-dropping twists. It’s frustrating, but it worked and I have to know what happens next!
Character-wise:
Kieran continues to be a standout. His loyalty and dry wit are refreshing.
Casteel felt a little too one-sided this time around. The constant innuendos started to wear me thin, and he lacked some of the emotional depth I appreciated in earlier books.
Poppy is still inconsistent. She swings between naïve and all-knowing with little explanation for her growth or regression. While I loved seeing more strength from her toward the end, her overall development felt uneven.
I do appreciate the growing sense of political tension and the expanded worldbuilding. There are interesting layers being introduced, but the execution is muddy. The series is juggling a lot, and without a clearer structure, or a proper glossary and family tree, it can be difficult to stay fully immersed.
Despite my issues, the cliffhanger was strong, and I’m definitely continuing the series. I'm invested, even if I’m also mildly exasperated.
TLDR:
✅ Solid beginning
😴 Slow and repetitive middle
🔥 Explosive and twisty end
📚 Needs a glossary + family tree
💬 Stronger side characters than mains
📖 Still invested (against my better judgment...)