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A review by dembury
Rebel Spring by Morgan Rhodes
3.0
This was a pretty solid installment of the "Falling Kingdoms" series- it definitely moved the plot forwards, introduced a couple promising characters (I want to know more about Prince Ashur!), and I can see the overall plot being something I *really* get into. I'm for sure reading the next book!
I do think a couple aspects could use some improvement. Firstly- where tf are the adults in this book? Like, I know it's YA and adults generally don't have as much as a role, but come on. I especially had a tricky time reading about the rebel camp because it's seriously composed of ALL TEENS. I find it impossible to believe that no adults in Auranos are actively trying to protest the new king and also apparently never interact with Jonas's rebels. Side note: Jonas bugs me- how did this wishy washy boy with very little skill at thinking ahead become leader of the rebels??? I protest.
Secondly, the writing and dialogue is fairly predictable. Nothing in this book surprised me or went in a direction I couldn't see coming. This series gets compared to "Game of Thrones" quite a lot, but where GoT throws in sucker punches and rips the rug out from under you, "Falling Kingdoms" has (so far) gone down a much more predictable route. Fingers crossed for some more unexpectedness in the rest of the series!
Lastly, there is so much sidestepping and teasing in this book! I understand that it's a 6-book series and things build up over time, but all the chapters with King Gaius or the Watchers just seemed to be there so Rhodes could tease about what the true purpose is of the road. There's a fine line between building up and dragging things on, and Rhodes is straddling that line.
Also- UGH I was starting to have hope for Magnus as a character, but Chapter 23 just made him even a bigger jerk in my eyes. He's so aggressive and harsh towards Cleo and the way he pushes her around (literally) is just awful. I JUST WANT TO SEE MORE OF CLEO AND LUCIA TEAMING UP! YASSSS GIRLS YASSSSS.
So anyways. A good installment but there's plenty of room for improvement! On to book 3 :)
I do think a couple aspects could use some improvement. Firstly- where tf are the adults in this book? Like, I know it's YA and adults generally don't have as much as a role, but come on. I especially had a tricky time reading about the rebel camp because it's seriously composed of ALL TEENS. I find it impossible to believe that no adults in Auranos are actively trying to protest the new king and also apparently never interact with Jonas's rebels. Side note: Jonas bugs me- how did this wishy washy boy with very little skill at thinking ahead become leader of the rebels??? I protest.
Secondly, the writing and dialogue is fairly predictable. Nothing in this book surprised me or went in a direction I couldn't see coming. This series gets compared to "Game of Thrones" quite a lot, but where GoT throws in sucker punches and rips the rug out from under you, "Falling Kingdoms" has (so far) gone down a much more predictable route. Fingers crossed for some more unexpectedness in the rest of the series!
Lastly, there is so much sidestepping and teasing in this book! I understand that it's a 6-book series and things build up over time, but all the chapters with King Gaius or the Watchers just seemed to be there so Rhodes could tease about what the true purpose is of the road. There's a fine line between building up and dragging things on, and Rhodes is straddling that line.
Also- UGH I was starting to have hope for Magnus as a character, but Chapter 23 just made him even a bigger jerk in my eyes. He's so aggressive and harsh towards Cleo and the way he pushes her around (literally) is just awful. I JUST WANT TO SEE MORE OF CLEO AND LUCIA TEAMING UP! YASSSS GIRLS YASSSSS.
So anyways. A good installment but there's plenty of room for improvement! On to book 3 :)