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A review by margaretadelle
Whispers of Stone by Allegra Pescatore
4.0
The ending of the first book was explosive, so I was happy to accept a review copy of this one!
Admittedly, I am not the best judge of high fantasy worldbuilding. The world of this series is highly complex with centuries of history impacting the story's politics. I was confused a lot of the time about what was going on and what different historical events meant. It didn't help that I'd waited a year between reading installments. As a result, I didn't take off any stars for said confusion. Someone who has a better grasp on high fantasy worldbuilding (and doesn't put off reading sequels) will probably be a lot less confused.
The plot of this book was much slower compared to it's predecessor. It's primarily concerned with the fall out of all the giant events that took place at the end of the first. As a result, very few big things happen in this book. It more relies on dissecting and analyzing everything that happened in the previous book and how the world has changed as a result of it. The book suffered a bit from "second book syndrome." At times, it felt more interested in parsing the plot points of the previous book and setting up the tension of the next book more than having any major plot points of it's own. And that's the biggest reason I took off a star.
However, even as the book can feel as if it's spinning it's wheels at times, there is a wonderful tension to everything. There are plenty of situations set up where the reader knows certain things are inevitable, but in a way that invites excitement. The reader knows certain things will be revealed and characters long since separated will be reunited and it leads to a delightful anticipation of what's to come. Even if I wish at least one of those things had happened in this book.
Probably the most impressive part of the story is the fact that the author built up an impressive romantic web and I don't hate it. I usually avoid love triangles like the plague. But this thing has a love octagon that I'm highly invested in. I credit that to the author establishing that polyamory exists in this world (at least in certain cultures). The narrative also shows that the characters have a much more pragmatic view with the way their relationships will have to work, within the confines of the world they live in. And unlike most love triangles, where it is painfully obvious that a specific character will be chosen as the love interest, the book doesn't give away it's cards for who's going to end up with who. Or multiple who's. It, again, makes for great tension.
All in all, while I wish the book had a bit more happening plot-wise, I have to admit the promise of plot to come is incredibly tempting.. and also I want a fluffy dragon, please.
Admittedly, I am not the best judge of high fantasy worldbuilding. The world of this series is highly complex with centuries of history impacting the story's politics. I was confused a lot of the time about what was going on and what different historical events meant. It didn't help that I'd waited a year between reading installments. As a result, I didn't take off any stars for said confusion. Someone who has a better grasp on high fantasy worldbuilding (and doesn't put off reading sequels) will probably be a lot less confused.
The plot of this book was much slower compared to it's predecessor. It's primarily concerned with the fall out of all the giant events that took place at the end of the first. As a result, very few big things happen in this book. It more relies on dissecting and analyzing everything that happened in the previous book and how the world has changed as a result of it. The book suffered a bit from "second book syndrome." At times, it felt more interested in parsing the plot points of the previous book and setting up the tension of the next book more than having any major plot points of it's own. And that's the biggest reason I took off a star.
However, even as the book can feel as if it's spinning it's wheels at times, there is a wonderful tension to everything. There are plenty of situations set up where the reader knows certain things are inevitable, but in a way that invites excitement. The reader knows certain things will be revealed and characters long since separated will be reunited and it leads to a delightful anticipation of what's to come. Even if I wish at least one of those things had happened in this book.
Probably the most impressive part of the story is the fact that the author built up an impressive romantic web and I don't hate it. I usually avoid love triangles like the plague. But this thing has a love octagon that I'm highly invested in. I credit that to the author establishing that polyamory exists in this world (at least in certain cultures). The narrative also shows that the characters have a much more pragmatic view with the way their relationships will have to work, within the confines of the world they live in. And unlike most love triangles, where it is painfully obvious that a specific character will be chosen as the love interest, the book doesn't give away it's cards for who's going to end up with who. Or multiple who's. It, again, makes for great tension.
All in all, while I wish the book had a bit more happening plot-wise, I have to admit the promise of plot to come is incredibly tempting.. and also I want a fluffy dragon, please.