Scan barcode
A review by blackcatreads
Empress Crowned in Red by Ciannon Smart
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Stats
Writing - 10/10
Plot - 6/10
Characters - 7/10
World-Building - 8/10
I loved book 1, and book 2 picked up right where the first left off, but the pace dropped off dramatically from book 1.
For the writing, I still thought it was just as beautiful as in book 1. It maintained the writing-style that I loved where I really felt like I was immersed in the world.
The plot, however, is where I feel book 2 really dropped off. The entirety of book 2 was longer than book 1, and the plot had already been drawn out. Here, it was severely drawn out. There was quite a bit that could have been taken out of the book and it would have accomplished the same goal. The underlying plot was mostly political as Iraya and Jazmyne worked to secure allies for Aiyca, but I felt that it really halted the story. It felt like it was way too long without much substance.
The characters also dropped off a bit for me. I felt that Jazmyne's development from book 1 was swept aside in book 2 and she reverted back to the person she was at the very beginning. I also felt that Iraya did not really progress as a character. She remained the same as she was at the end of book 1. Additionally, I felt that everything in Iraya's plot was far too easy for her, and Jazmyne's plot was extremely difficult. It was meant to be a point of contention between the two witches, but Iraya was always harsh with Jazmyne that she could never do anything right, and I couldn't really get on board with it.
Lastly, the world-building. It was still great, through we did not expand much on the world. The main idea was that we are battling monsters from beyond the veil, but that wasn't really expanded on much. We also only got hints of the Skylands and their island, but the book is still enjoyable without those details.
Writing - 10/10
Plot - 6/10
Characters - 7/10
World-Building - 8/10
I loved book 1, and book 2 picked up right where the first left off, but the pace dropped off dramatically from book 1.
For the writing, I still thought it was just as beautiful as in book 1. It maintained the writing-style that I loved where I really felt like I was immersed in the world.
The plot, however, is where I feel book 2 really dropped off. The entirety of book 2 was longer than book 1, and the plot had already been drawn out. Here, it was severely drawn out. There was quite a bit that could have been taken out of the book and it would have accomplished the same goal. The underlying plot was mostly political as Iraya and Jazmyne worked to secure allies for Aiyca, but I felt that it really halted the story. It felt like it was way too long without much substance.
The characters also dropped off a bit for me. I felt that Jazmyne's development from book 1 was swept aside in book 2 and she reverted back to the person she was at the very beginning. I also felt that Iraya did not really progress as a character. She remained the same as she was at the end of book 1. Additionally, I felt that everything in Iraya's plot was far too easy for her, and Jazmyne's plot was extremely difficult. It was meant to be a point of contention between the two witches, but Iraya was always harsh with Jazmyne that she could never do anything right, and I couldn't really get on board with it.
Lastly, the world-building. It was still great, through we did not expand much on the world. The main idea was that we are battling monsters from beyond the veil, but that wasn't really expanded on much. We also only got hints of the Skylands and their island, but the book is still enjoyable without those details.