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loang 's review for:
The Dark Secret
by Tui T. Sutherland
Rating: 8 out of 10
As already usual with Wings of Fire by now, my expectations for this book were high. I'd heard a lot of people consider it as their favorite from the first arc, and I was honestly so excited to read it! After not being completely sure about my love for The Hidden Kingdom, I started to get worried I was losing interest on reading this books. Thankfully, that was not the case! This was an excellent read and an absolute win for the series.
Told from Starflight's perspective, the story takes place almost entirely on the Night Kingdom, home of the NightWings. The obscure and spooky atmosphere suited the book well and Starflight was the perfect narrator: smart but still realistic, funny but not so much it was distracting. His personality mixed well with the slow-paced mystery and the challenges he faced were fitting for him and his development. I really enjoyed all the growth he experienced and I could easily relate to him in various aspects.
The tone of this book was a bit darker than the previous ones. There were some pretty graphic and violent scenes I don't think the average young child could manage, but an older reader would find really exciting and moving. The part on the tavern in the Sky Kingdom was shocking and unexpected, and I think it was one of the most unforgettable moments in the entire series.
I wasn't sure if to share this, but this book felt more personal than anything else I've read in a while. Between Starflight and Fatespeaker, I felt seen and represented, something I relish a lot. I can be very unsure of myself and of what others may think of me, so Starflight's arc was inspirational and truly touched me. Also, as an extrovert and a quite outspoken person, I feel like I can be seen as annoying and "too much" to others, including the ones I consider my friends/family, and Fatespeaker's struggle on this topic felt so real to me, like a punch on the guts. It seems like this book exposed some of my biggest insecurities and fears and showed them to me by fictional characters. Connecting with the characters is the thing I like the most about reading, and if this isn't a great book, I don't know what it is.
Going back to the more objective side of the review, I'm glad to say the author did it again with the side characters! I repeat this with each installment I review, but seriously, the characterization is top notch on every single one. The fake dragonets of destiny, as nasty as some of them may have been, were interesting to read about and had some nice comparisons and parallels with the original ones. Mastermind and Morrowseer weren't that good morally-talking, but the reader could clearly see why they did what they did and understand them to some degree. Deathbringer was as amazing as always (I would read an entire series just about him, that's how much I love his character) and his personality shone every time he appeared on the pages. Because this book was heavily centered in Starflight and Fatespeaker, we again didn't get to see the other members of the main cast aside from some short scenes, but I don't think I had any problems with that after following them for the entire last book.
Lastly but not less important, I have mixed feelings on the plot-twist at the climax of the story. At first, I thought it was incredible, and while I still love the concept, right now I'm not sure about how this will work out on the ending of the series. Ever since I finished The Dark Secret, I've been thinking a lot about the possible outcomes and I have some theories, but nothing will tell but time and reading! I'm still nervous, though: it could either destroy the premise and make the whole thing pointless... or deliver a strong message and end on the best, most amazing note.
Note (spoilers): Even though I love both characters, I disliked the hints to a romantic relationship between Starflight and Fatespeaker, and hope it isn't touched upon again. I do think they would make a nice couple, but Sunny is by far the best match for Starflight and we all know they are going to end up together, so making unnecessary love triangles is just annoying.
Edit (after reading The Brightest Night): Looks like my assumptions were pretty wrong! In my review of the fifth book I wrote a note about it. I'm not entirely satisfied but it was a better resolution than I expected.
As already usual with Wings of Fire by now, my expectations for this book were high. I'd heard a lot of people consider it as their favorite from the first arc, and I was honestly so excited to read it! After not being completely sure about my love for The Hidden Kingdom, I started to get worried I was losing interest on reading this books. Thankfully, that was not the case! This was an excellent read and an absolute win for the series.
Told from Starflight's perspective, the story takes place almost entirely on the Night Kingdom, home of the NightWings. The obscure and spooky atmosphere suited the book well and Starflight was the perfect narrator: smart but still realistic, funny but not so much it was distracting. His personality mixed well with the slow-paced mystery and the challenges he faced were fitting for him and his development. I really enjoyed all the growth he experienced and I could easily relate to him in various aspects.
The tone of this book was a bit darker than the previous ones. There were some pretty graphic and violent scenes I don't think the average young child could manage, but an older reader would find really exciting and moving. The part on the tavern in the Sky Kingdom was shocking and unexpected, and I think it was one of the most unforgettable moments in the entire series.
I wasn't sure if to share this, but this book felt more personal than anything else I've read in a while. Between Starflight and Fatespeaker, I felt seen and represented, something I relish a lot. I can be very unsure of myself and of what others may think of me, so Starflight's arc was inspirational and truly touched me. Also, as an extrovert and a quite outspoken person, I feel like I can be seen as annoying and "too much" to others, including the ones I consider my friends/family, and Fatespeaker's struggle on this topic felt so real to me, like a punch on the guts. It seems like this book exposed some of my biggest insecurities and fears and showed them to me by fictional characters. Connecting with the characters is the thing I like the most about reading, and if this isn't a great book, I don't know what it is.
Going back to the more objective side of the review, I'm glad to say the author did it again with the side characters! I repeat this with each installment I review, but seriously, the characterization is top notch on every single one. The fake dragonets of destiny, as nasty as some of them may have been, were interesting to read about and had some nice comparisons and parallels with the original ones. Mastermind and Morrowseer weren't that good morally-talking, but the reader could clearly see why they did what they did and understand them to some degree. Deathbringer was as amazing as always (I would read an entire series just about him, that's how much I love his character) and his personality shone every time he appeared on the pages. Because this book was heavily centered in Starflight and Fatespeaker, we again didn't get to see the other members of the main cast aside from some short scenes, but I don't think I had any problems with that after following them for the entire last book.
Lastly but not less important, I have mixed feelings on the plot-twist at the climax of the story. At first, I thought it was incredible, and while I still love the concept, right now I'm not sure about how this will work out on the ending of the series. Ever since I finished The Dark Secret, I've been thinking a lot about the possible outcomes and I have some theories, but nothing will tell but time and reading! I'm still nervous, though: it could either destroy the premise and make the whole thing pointless... or deliver a strong message and end on the best, most amazing note.
Note (spoilers): Even though I love both characters, I disliked the hints to a romantic relationship between Starflight and Fatespeaker, and hope it isn't touched upon again. I do think they would make a nice couple, but Sunny is by far the best match for Starflight and we all know they are going to end up together, so making unnecessary love triangles is just annoying.
Edit (after reading The Brightest Night): Looks like my assumptions were pretty wrong! In my review of the fifth book I wrote a note about it. I'm not entirely satisfied but it was a better resolution than I expected.