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A review by caroline_mclaughlin
War Storm by Victoria Aveyard
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
This book was only marginally better than the previous two, and I had a hard time distinguishing between whether I was enjoying the second half better, or was just feeling excited to be nearly done.
I don’t understand the point of adding in multiple perspectives for the final book, especially from those we have never heard from before. It feels like a cheap way to extend the story without actually introducing anything of interest. Also, why were they introduced when so many of them just think about how amazing mare is. I don’t need more perspectives talking about how fantastic she is when she is literally the least intriguing character in this whole series. I get that she is considered the protagonist, but there is no way that every other character would think about her that much, especially Iris.
I don’t understand the point of adding in multiple perspectives for the final book, especially from those we have never heard from before. It feels like a cheap way to extend the story without actually introducing anything of interest. Also, why were they introduced when so many of them just think about how amazing mare is. I don’t need more perspectives talking about how fantastic she is when she is literally the least intriguing character in this whole series. I get that she is considered the protagonist, but there is no way that every other character would think about her that much, especially Iris.
This series seriously would’ve benefitted from a better editor to cut down so much of the unnecessary content. The amount of repeated phrases did nothing to help the theme or anything story wise, and just made every conversation so much longer. How many times do we need to have convos with diplomats or other leaders about the same exact things over and over and over again? It’s obvious that in a war, this would be necessary, but we don’t need to read it! We know maven lied, we know that mare was forced to do things, we know all of this info and we have been told it 6 times over every single time that anyone in this book talks to anyone even kinda new. The book was trying way too hard to be Game of Thrones with its level of political intrigue, but it lacks any of the world building to support something like that. I have to assume everyone who loves this book was constantly skimming or took super long breaks between reading each section because there is no way that the repetition wouldn’t bother you otherwise.
This whole series had the tiniest bit of promise with the first book, but the narration style and the constant infodumping and unnecessary details made it so incredibly mediocre and boring, I don’t know how it has been recommended so much. I always feel there is something to gain from finishing a book despite not enjoying it, but this has absolutely proved that wrong. Just because it picks up a bit close to the end doesn’t redeem the meandering plot and repetitive nature of the book. This series is not worth reading and especially not worth finishing.