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A review by _ckarys
Beneath the Alabaster Spire by Allison Carr Waechter
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
BENEATH THE ALABASTER SPIRE was one of my most anticipated sequels, and it delivered exactly what I expected from it: more romance, more rep, more incredible world-building! This series is truly a must read for fantasy romance fans, especially if you love Crescent City and A Discovery of Witches.
Finn and Harlow’s relationship was a big part of this sequel, and while I did love them in the first book (a lot), they’ve now truly cemented themselves as one of my favorite couples. If you enjoy this pairing, you can look forward to some amazing steamy scenes—which I deeply enjoyed—but also to an incredibly healthy and balanced relationship. I love the way these two listen and understand one another, the trust that unites them, and the room they give each other to grow as individuals and as a unit. Relationship goals right here!
Like in the first book, the author also didn’t shy away from getting deep and personal with Harlow’s character. Despite her being in a much happier place here than she was in DNGD, her insecurities didn’t magically vanish with her growing confidence. Her character resonates with me so deeply, and I’m sure many readers will feel the same.
Apart from my babies Finn and Harlow, I once again found myself loving the secondary characters. The ones that joined the cast toward the end of DNGD had a lot more page time now, and unsurprisingly, Cian became one of my favorites! Every character plays a pivotal role in the plot, which takes huge steps forward with plenty of reveals, unexpected twists and even a betrayal or two that had my heart shattering. The build-up to the climax was exquisite and shocking! I think I’ve seen this film before when I finished reading DNGD, but I cannot wait for the next installment of this series. This author is a gift that keeps on giving!
Finn and Harlow’s relationship was a big part of this sequel, and while I did love them in the first book (a lot), they’ve now truly cemented themselves as one of my favorite couples. If you enjoy this pairing, you can look forward to some amazing steamy scenes—which I deeply enjoyed—but also to an incredibly healthy and balanced relationship. I love the way these two listen and understand one another, the trust that unites them, and the room they give each other to grow as individuals and as a unit. Relationship goals right here!
Like in the first book, the author also didn’t shy away from getting deep and personal with Harlow’s character. Despite her being in a much happier place here than she was in DNGD, her insecurities didn’t magically vanish with her growing confidence. Her character resonates with me so deeply, and I’m sure many readers will feel the same.
Apart from my babies Finn and Harlow, I once again found myself loving the secondary characters. The ones that joined the cast toward the end of DNGD had a lot more page time now, and unsurprisingly, Cian became one of my favorites! Every character plays a pivotal role in the plot, which takes huge steps forward with plenty of reveals, unexpected twists and even a betrayal or two that had my heart shattering. The build-up to the climax was exquisite and shocking! I think I’ve seen this film before when I finished reading DNGD, but I cannot wait for the next installment of this series. This author is a gift that keeps on giving!