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A review by acaciathorn
Empire of Night by Kelley Armstrong
3.0
This book was, overall, an improvement over the first one. The writing was better, and some of the confusing aspects of the previous novel were explained. I got a much better understanding of Moria's powers, although Ashyn's still seem pretty ineffective. The world-building continued to suffer from a lack of clarity and refinement, but the villain was a suitably shitty scumbag, so that's good. The plot picks up right where we left off, and proceeds in much the same way as it did in the first book. The sisters set out to get shit done. There's a massacred village destroyed by shadow-stalkers. The sisters get separated and travel around with a love interest. There's a last minute reveal about Gavril. This time around, though, the stakes are more interesting and I care more about the characters (well, Moria and Tyrus at least).
Although it's told from both sisters' perspectives, Empire of Night is unquestionably Moria's book. Everything in the story that actually mattered revolved around her struggles and triumphs, not Ashyn's. I was sorely disappointed with how underutilized Ashyn was. I get the feeling that the author knows how to write kickass spitfires, but no idea how to utilize more introspective characters. Moria is repeatedly allowed to demonstrate her talents and strengths, but Ashyn's "talents" are almost always mentioned rather than shown. She's said to be book smart, but doesn't get to use her knowledge to her advantage. She's said to be a skilled tactician, but she reacts emotionally and jumps into things without thinking. It's so disappointing, because I preferred Ashyn in Sea of Shadows and really wanted to see her shine.
The romance in this book was...odd. I think the author was attempting to show that real-world love can often subvert your expectations: Moria, who only ever wanted sexytimes devoid of emotional connection, finds that she is capable of caring about someone deeply. Ashyn, who dreamed of storybook romance, discovers that love is complicated and often transient. Unfortunately, only Moria's romantic subplot is handled well. Now that Gavril is a "traitor" (maybe), Moria is paired with the bastard imperial prince, Tyrus, and I prefer their relationship in pretty much every conceivable way. Whereas Gavril teased and belittled her, Tyrus supports and encourages her. He's a skilled military leader, and he knows how to bring out the best in those who are under his command, including Moria. He's got a sense of humor and a genuine desire to help people, and he actually listens to Moria's suggestions and tells her to cool it when she flies off the handle. I may be alone in my preference for Tyrus; I know a lot of the fandom likes Gavril better and wants him to end up with Moria, but I can't see the appeal. Everyone in the narrative keeps talking about how Moria and Gavril belong together but...why? Because they both like fighting? Lots of people like fighting. They have no chemistry. Tyrus 5ever.
On to Ronan and Ashyn. What a disappointment. At the beginning of the book Ronan randomly decides that he "can't be with her" because he's casteless, and the untouchables aren't supposed to even TALK to regular folks, let alone woo them. Not that his status stopped him from kissing her in the first book. What's worse, he's doesn't TELL her why he's suddenly withdrawn his attentions until almost the end, so she spends the majority of the narrative making all the wrong assumptions. Now, I don't know about you, but watching two people give each other the cold shoulder for hundreds of pages is NOT my idea of a good time. And like, what reason did the author have for keeping them apart? It served no purpose. It would've been much more interesting if Ronan had been honest with her about his casteless status from the beginning, so that the two of them could spend their time furthering their relationship and finding a solution rather than avoiding each other for 300+ pages. The most frustrating part of Ashyn's character is that she never seems willing to fight for what she wants, and this really shows in her interactions with Ronan. If she had TRIED to pursue him, even a little, I think they could've worked something out, especially since it's made clear that Seekers and Keepers are superspecialsnowflakes who are allowed to take any lovers they want, whether they be rogues or merchants, artisans or princes. Ugh, I just wanted to see them interact. Learn from each other. Snog in the back room. Sigh.
One final character to mention. Guin was new to this book, and I found her fascinating. Basically, she's a long-dead spirit who comes to inhabit the soulless body of a young woman. Because she's spent so long wandering the earth in incorporeal form, she's largely forgotten what it means to be human, and watching her try to figure it out is quite compelling. When we finally learn her backstory, it's incredibly tragic, and makes me SUPER glad I don't live in a time and place where women are treated like chattel. Unfortunately, she is killed about 2/3 of the way through the book, which makes me question why she was introduced in the first place. Maybe, since she's a spirit, she'll come back in the final installment. I hope so.
So...final rating. If Sea of Shadows was 3 stars, then Empire of Night is 3.5. Not fantastic, but still exciting, and definitely an improvement.
Although it's told from both sisters' perspectives, Empire of Night is unquestionably Moria's book. Everything in the story that actually mattered revolved around her struggles and triumphs, not Ashyn's. I was sorely disappointed with how underutilized Ashyn was. I get the feeling that the author knows how to write kickass spitfires, but no idea how to utilize more introspective characters. Moria is repeatedly allowed to demonstrate her talents and strengths, but Ashyn's "talents" are almost always mentioned rather than shown. She's said to be book smart, but doesn't get to use her knowledge to her advantage. She's said to be a skilled tactician, but she reacts emotionally and jumps into things without thinking. It's so disappointing, because I preferred Ashyn in Sea of Shadows and really wanted to see her shine.
The romance in this book was...odd. I think the author was attempting to show that real-world love can often subvert your expectations: Moria, who only ever wanted sexytimes devoid of emotional connection, finds that she is capable of caring about someone deeply. Ashyn, who dreamed of storybook romance, discovers that love is complicated and often transient. Unfortunately, only Moria's romantic subplot is handled well. Now that Gavril is a "traitor" (maybe), Moria is paired with the bastard imperial prince, Tyrus, and I prefer their relationship in pretty much every conceivable way. Whereas Gavril teased and belittled her, Tyrus supports and encourages her. He's a skilled military leader, and he knows how to bring out the best in those who are under his command, including Moria. He's got a sense of humor and a genuine desire to help people, and he actually listens to Moria's suggestions and tells her to cool it when she flies off the handle. I may be alone in my preference for Tyrus; I know a lot of the fandom likes Gavril better and wants him to end up with Moria, but I can't see the appeal. Everyone in the narrative keeps talking about how Moria and Gavril belong together but...why? Because they both like fighting? Lots of people like fighting. They have no chemistry. Tyrus 5ever.
On to Ronan and Ashyn. What a disappointment. At the beginning of the book Ronan randomly decides that he "can't be with her" because he's casteless, and the untouchables aren't supposed to even TALK to regular folks, let alone woo them. Not that his status stopped him from kissing her in the first book. What's worse, he's doesn't TELL her why he's suddenly withdrawn his attentions until almost the end, so she spends the majority of the narrative making all the wrong assumptions. Now, I don't know about you, but watching two people give each other the cold shoulder for hundreds of pages is NOT my idea of a good time. And like, what reason did the author have for keeping them apart? It served no purpose. It would've been much more interesting if Ronan had been honest with her about his casteless status from the beginning, so that the two of them could spend their time furthering their relationship and finding a solution rather than avoiding each other for 300+ pages. The most frustrating part of Ashyn's character is that she never seems willing to fight for what she wants, and this really shows in her interactions with Ronan. If she had TRIED to pursue him, even a little, I think they could've worked something out, especially since it's made clear that Seekers and Keepers are superspecialsnowflakes who are allowed to take any lovers they want, whether they be rogues or merchants, artisans or princes. Ugh, I just wanted to see them interact. Learn from each other. Snog in the back room. Sigh.
One final character to mention. Guin was new to this book, and I found her fascinating. Basically, she's a long-dead spirit who comes to inhabit the soulless body of a young woman. Because she's spent so long wandering the earth in incorporeal form, she's largely forgotten what it means to be human, and watching her try to figure it out is quite compelling. When we finally learn her backstory, it's incredibly tragic, and makes me SUPER glad I don't live in a time and place where women are treated like chattel. Unfortunately, she is killed about 2/3 of the way through the book, which makes me question why she was introduced in the first place. Maybe, since she's a spirit, she'll come back in the final installment. I hope so.
So...final rating. If Sea of Shadows was 3 stars, then Empire of Night is 3.5. Not fantastic, but still exciting, and definitely an improvement.