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saraelga 's review for:
Two Dark Reigns
by Kendare Blake
I actual would give this book 3.5 stars
After finishing this book I was extremely overwhelmed with what happened towards the end. This book definitely packs a punch. It was really hard to rate because I was feeling a lot of feelings and I could not really figure out if this book was a hit or miss for me.
Initially when I read the book, I felt like it really diverted from the first two books. Like they were two different plot lines. And this makes sense since this was originally set up as a duology and then the author signed on to extend this to 4 books. The reader will definitely notice the jump to a different story. The author still uses things from the previous books to connect the storylines, but it definitely does not hide the fact that this was originally supposed to be a duology. Usual this would bother me. But it didn’t since I actual preferred this plot line more than the plot line of three sisters vying for the throne. The storyline in the third book definitely feels grander and circumstances that befall the characters are outside of their control. I actual wish the author just started the story this way, I find it way more interesting. It definitely feels more game of thrones.
Things I like:
- Kendare Blake is a great writer and the dialogue just flows between the characters. No cheesy lines here
- The book does not focus on romances. Instead it focuses on the relationship of the sisters, Katherine dealing with trying to rule, world building, and politics.
- Pacing definitely slowly built up to create tension
- Katherine is a great, complicated character who you love/hate
- The historical background of Fennbirn. And it connecting to the present.
- The concept of prophecies and fate. The fact that characters would run away from their fate, but while on the road to running away from their fate, they meet their fate.
- The ending was definitely intriguing and a cliffhanger
- The story was not at all predictable. There were a lot of surprises that kept you on your toes.
- The dark themes
Things I did not like:
- Where the third book picks up for the second is unclear. But it is safe to assume that a bit of time has passed between both books. I wish this was more clear as to how much time. You are struggling to catch up to the characters.
- Emilia, Arsinoe, Billy, and Pietyr. Characters who I don’t like and I don’t really connect with. I don’t really feel any character development with these characters and I don’t understand them. I don’t especially understand Pietyr. He loves Katherine so much then why did he push her in the Breccia Domain (that was never clear to me)?
- Pacing. Beginning was slow. End was too fast and short. Middle had the best pacing.
- Mirabella. I wanted more of her character. She just became a side character in this book, too busy protecting her sister Arsinoe (who I found annoying). She is too important character to be a side character. She needed more development.
After the second book I was going to originally drop the series. But then I decided to give the third book a try. And although I was not wowed I am definitely intrigued to find out what happens to all the characters. Especially Jules and Katherine.
After finishing this book I was extremely overwhelmed with what happened towards the end. This book definitely packs a punch. It was really hard to rate because I was feeling a lot of feelings and I could not really figure out if this book was a hit or miss for me.
Initially when I read the book, I felt like it really diverted from the first two books. Like they were two different plot lines. And this makes sense since this was originally set up as a duology and then the author signed on to extend this to 4 books. The reader will definitely notice the jump to a different story. The author still uses things from the previous books to connect the storylines, but it definitely does not hide the fact that this was originally supposed to be a duology. Usual this would bother me. But it didn’t since I actual preferred this plot line more than the plot line of three sisters vying for the throne. The storyline in the third book definitely feels grander and circumstances that befall the characters are outside of their control. I actual wish the author just started the story this way, I find it way more interesting. It definitely feels more game of thrones.
Things I like:
- Kendare Blake is a great writer and the dialogue just flows between the characters. No cheesy lines here
- The book does not focus on romances. Instead it focuses on the relationship of the sisters, Katherine dealing with trying to rule, world building, and politics.
- Pacing definitely slowly built up to create tension
- Katherine is a great, complicated character who you love/hate
- The historical background of Fennbirn. And it connecting to the present.
- The concept of prophecies and fate. The fact that characters would run away from their fate, but while on the road to running away from their fate, they meet their fate.
- The ending was definitely intriguing and a cliffhanger
- The story was not at all predictable. There were a lot of surprises that kept you on your toes.
- The dark themes
Things I did not like:
- Where the third book picks up for the second is unclear. But it is safe to assume that a bit of time has passed between both books. I wish this was more clear as to how much time. You are struggling to catch up to the characters.
- Emilia, Arsinoe, Billy, and Pietyr. Characters who I don’t like and I don’t really connect with. I don’t really feel any character development with these characters and I don’t understand them. I don’t especially understand Pietyr. He loves Katherine so much then why did he push her in the Breccia Domain (that was never clear to me)?
- Pacing. Beginning was slow. End was too fast and short. Middle had the best pacing.
- Mirabella. I wanted more of her character. She just became a side character in this book, too busy protecting her sister Arsinoe (who I found annoying). She is too important character to be a side character. She needed more development.
After the second book I was going to originally drop the series. But then I decided to give the third book a try. And although I was not wowed I am definitely intrigued to find out what happens to all the characters. Especially Jules and Katherine.