Scan barcode
A review by _isabel_
A Whisper and a Breath by Adelaide Blaike
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
4.0
What a ride!
This second installment is so much better than the first one: I wasn't sure I was going to finish off this series, but now I'm pretty sure I have to. The last few chapters were non-stop betrayals and cliffhangers, and I HAVE to know what happens next.
I found "A Whisper and a Breath" much more coherent from a world-building and character-building point of view than the first one, and I adored the writing here (despite some word use that I found a tad anachronistic in the high fantasy setting this series has). So all in all, I'm very happy with how some of things that made me dislike the first book were handled!
Mat and Ren are both infuriating main characters, but I still loved them and I adored their dynamic. Both of them have their share of trauma and vulnerabilities, and it was satisfying to see their relationship progress more, and to see them finally let go of their fears to try and give what they have together a go. Their relationship has a decidedly slow-burn vibe to it, and I can't tell you how many times I wanted to scream out loud at the constant interruptions (be it, Ren's pesky guards or his family, or The Plot™), but I'm sure it will make their HEA even more sweeter (WHEN they manage to get to it *sobs*)
I adored the side characters: I'd die for every single one of Ren's guards, and Starling owns my soul. I AM ANGRY at the sheer unfairness of some of the author's choices though ((view spoiler)), but on the other hand, maybe I got used to all those lovely romance standalones where everyone is happy and whole by the end.
Also, I don't think this book should have been *that* long: despite loving most of it, I ended up skimming by the end because of how long it took to get to the point (impatient much?) and because of the anxiety those last few chapters gave me. I was planning on jumping into book three right away, but I'll give myself a few weeks to recover from that rollercoaster ending.
All in all, despite some niggles, I really enjoyed this book, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else this author has in store for Mat and Ren.
TWs/CWs: rough sex, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, attempted rape, childhood abuse, torture, violence, death.
This second installment is so much better than the first one: I wasn't sure I was going to finish off this series, but now I'm pretty sure I have to. The last few chapters were non-stop betrayals and cliffhangers, and I HAVE to know what happens next.
I found "A Whisper and a Breath" much more coherent from a world-building and character-building point of view than the first one, and I adored the writing here (despite some word use that I found a tad anachronistic in the high fantasy setting this series has). So all in all, I'm very happy with how some of things that made me dislike the first book were handled!
Mat and Ren are both infuriating main characters, but I still loved them and I adored their dynamic. Both of them have their share of trauma and vulnerabilities, and it was satisfying to see their relationship progress more, and to see them finally let go of their fears to try and give what they have together a go. Their relationship has a decidedly slow-burn vibe to it, and I can't tell you how many times I wanted to scream out loud at the constant interruptions (be it, Ren's pesky guards or his family, or The Plot™), but I'm sure it will make their HEA even more sweeter (WHEN they manage to get to it *sobs*)
I adored the side characters: I'd die for every single one of Ren's guards, and Starling owns my soul. I AM ANGRY at the sheer unfairness of some of the author's choices though ((view spoiler)), but on the other hand, maybe I got used to all those lovely romance standalones where everyone is happy and whole by the end.
Also, I don't think this book should have been *that* long: despite loving most of it, I ended up skimming by the end because of how long it took to get to the point (impatient much?) and because of the anxiety those last few chapters gave me. I was planning on jumping into book three right away, but I'll give myself a few weeks to recover from that rollercoaster ending.
All in all, despite some niggles, I really enjoyed this book, and I'm looking forward to seeing what else this author has in store for Mat and Ren.
TWs/CWs: rough sex, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia, attempted rape, childhood abuse, torture, violence, death.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Child abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual assault, Misogyny, Transphobia, and Homophobia