A review by amanda_reads13
City of Mirth and Malice by Alexis L. Menard

medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

We pick up after the events at the end of book 2. Milla has been captured and taken to Hightower and Nico is scheming to get her out. 

There was a lot going on in this book. I think my sentiments from the first book still apply here. I didn't really care about the characters and what happened to them. I think this is because they felt very underdeveloped and quite lackluster.  

Also, this stems from over-complicating the plot, which continually pulled me out of the world as I tried to figure out what was going on. Too much, thats what was going on. We get Milla's experience in the tower, Nico's prison break scheme where he
gives up his shadow to create a portal
, family drama including
Nanna's almost dying, the train being destroyed, her brother possibly backstabbing her, Vanya possibly backstabbing her
, the attack on the house of blood, all sorts of Felix craziness, Nico almost recklessly dying 1000x, and the list goes on...

I think the idea and world had so much potential had they just edited down the story a bit and focused more on building the world, characters, and magical system. It has a very interest premise, but falls victim to trying to do too much. 

I though this was supposed to be a duolology, but the ending signifies more to come. In my opinion,   do not get a satisfying ending, there is too much left open. Will they find her mother? What will happen on the continent? Will Order escape?  
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