skconaghan 's review for:

The Damned by Renée Ahdieh

3.5

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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An improvement on the first instalment, gaining ground with slightly matured characters and an increasingly complex plot.

Part 2 in a 4-part story that pulls together all aspects of fantasy and the darkest corners of fairytales, with honourable vampires, vengeful werewolves, aloof and mischievous faeries, and even a few daft goblins and thickheaded dwarves.

We cross between worlds, uncover hidden truths, and face inner-darknesses. All very interesting. And of course, there’s a love-triangle lingering on the fringes, albeit a weakly established one. There’s never any doubt who will win out.

Several of the secondary characters (Arjun & Pippa) show promising intrigue for the next portions of the story…

Though not a remarkable standout, it’s one for the genre that treads the middle line for quality. Entertaining overall, with bouts of predictability and satisfaction in the romance and fantasy departments, and fortunately easy to read at a fast pace to the finish.