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A review by mel095
Guardian of the Drowned Empire by Frankie Diane Mallis
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Given how much I enjoyed the first book, this was kind of a disappointing follow-up. I liked where the story was heading, but it feels like it’s just taking so long to get there. As for the characters, they were so nicely written initially, but now they are just getting more annoying and less layered by the chapter.
I absolutely loved the way Rhyan was portrayed in #1, but now he reads like lovesick puppy, and he lost all his edge. The slow-burn is also burning way too slow. At this point, you can bet that whenever they start anything, they will get interrupted. Every single fucking time. And it’s getting kind of old.
As for Lyriana, I have a bone to pick with her. She is a woman shows us time and time again that she believes that she is powerless when faced with powerful men, and it is driving me NUTS. She may not match their physical or magical strength, that is understandable, but for crying out loud she keeps going on about how she grew up in court politics. And not once, not ONCE when she is faced with a powerful male enemy does she even consider to be cunning, to use her wits, to maybe try to outsmart them, to do anything but slip on her ‘mask’ and submit entirely. I know misogyny is a trigger warning in this book but for Pete's sake I don’t have the patience to wait for 3 books for the female MC to finally revolt against it.
I absolutely loved the way Rhyan was portrayed in #1, but now he reads like lovesick puppy, and he lost all his edge. The slow-burn is also burning way too slow. At this point, you can bet that whenever they start anything, they will get interrupted. Every single fucking time. And it’s getting kind of old.
As for Lyriana, I have a bone to pick with her. She is a woman shows us time and time again that she believes that she is powerless when faced with powerful men, and it is driving me NUTS. She may not match their physical or magical strength, that is understandable, but for crying out loud she keeps going on about how she grew up in court politics. And not once, not ONCE when she is faced with a powerful male enemy does she even consider to be cunning, to use her wits, to maybe try to outsmart them, to do anything but slip on her ‘mask’ and submit entirely. I know misogyny is a trigger warning in this book but for Pete's sake I don’t have the patience to wait for 3 books for the female MC to finally revolt against it.