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veggiestrawenjoyer13's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
For the first time ever, I actually liked the sequel better than the first book. Some of the first book continued into this one, like the somewhat flatness of the characters and stereotypical/expected behavior. However, I found myself more interested in continuing the book. I was really skeptical after reading some reviews, though I genuinely was more interested in this book. I could see where the writing style of the author improved in certain places. There were also moments that I completely didnt expect and fully shocked me. For example, I expected Derek’s betrayal because he was too obviously involved. But I didn’t expect Aurora and Neve’s separate plot. I didnt see it coming, like how I had for Derek and Kal. The character’s still struggled with lacking dimension, but I think they had more complex emotions and motives than in the first book. This made it much more intriguing to read. The ending became very fast paced and quite rushed, I’m not very satisfied with it. Overall, this book was still better (in my opinion) than the first of the series. I’m not sure that I would recommend them, but if you think this is something you would like, you should give it a try.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and War
Moderate: Torture, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death and Bullying
mirandyli's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
THIS BOOK WAS SO MESSY! The plot of the second book was so much worse than the first one. The first book had great world building, which is expanded on in the second book. But the main character is hopelessly and problematically in love with her oppressor. It’s a whole mess. There are so many plot twists that will make you so frustrated.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, War, and Classism
quitegood's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I have to say that once its all been said and done, I did enjoy my time with duology. There's certainly many ways the books could be better, but I believe the author's intention was to write about the trauma of abuse, and how the can end up swallowing you whole if you're not careful. I myself am a survivor of constant bullying in school resonate with Alyce, and seeing her stumble way throught the maturation one needs to go through in order to get over the bullying was equal parts inspiring and frustrating. And I fully believe that frustration was intentional, because it can be difficult to help someone with trauma. You're brain is like that of a teenager; illogical and regressed. Outside obersevers can see so many paths to a better you, but you as the victim see them all, and the indecision can be crushing!
If I was to offer literary criticism, I'd ask for more world building. I can't place my finger on it, but the world didn't feel rich enough. It felt like I was reading a text book at times, as opposed to a narrative. Maybe the author was going for a more magical realism vibe, but considering large plot-points hinge on how the magic works in this world, it reading less like an instruction manual might have helped. I also feel teh characters were a little inconsistent. Their logic didn't quite work, and while yes, its a story about victims of trauma and how you can't think straight, the book would spell out a character's internal logic, and then they'd act completely against it.
All that criticism aside, I did like the ending. No spoilers, but it was a refreshingly real ending what wasn't bitter sweet.
If I was to offer literary criticism, I'd ask for more world building. I can't place my finger on it, but the world didn't feel rich enough. It felt like I was reading a text book at times, as opposed to a narrative. Maybe the author was going for a more magical realism vibe, but considering large plot-points hinge on how the magic works in this world, it reading less like an instruction manual might have helped. I also feel teh characters were a little inconsistent. Their logic didn't quite work, and while yes, its a story about victims of trauma and how you can't think straight, the book would spell out a character's internal logic, and then they'd act completely against it.
All that criticism aside, I did like the ending. No spoilers, but it was a refreshingly real ending what wasn't bitter sweet.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gore, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Xenophobia, Murder, and War
meghansarmiento97's review against another edition
Too slow, got bored, first book was better
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Gore, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, and Injury/Injury detail
scifi_rat's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Plot: 3.5 ★
Prose: 4 ★
Pace: 3 ★
Concept/Execution: 4 ★/3★
Characters: 3.5 ★
Worldbuilding: 3.5 ★
Ending: 3.5 ★
Prose: 4 ★
Pace: 3 ★
Concept/Execution: 4 ★/3★
Characters: 3.5 ★
Worldbuilding: 3.5 ★
Ending: 3.5 ★
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Confinement, Death, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
livlamentloathe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, War, and Classism
Moderate: Genocide, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, and Murder
Minor: Slavery, Torture, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
There is no racism/sexism based on skin or gender. But there is racism based on magical creatures like imps vs. fae, etc.litalia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
schnaucl's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
I liked it.
I was so glad Heather Walter didn't have Aurora and Alyce immediate resume their relationship. There needed to be real consequences for everything that happened at the end of Malice. Even if Aurora could somehow get past the murder of almost everyone she knew and the destruction of her home, Alyce leaving her sleeping for 100 years when she knew she could be could wake with a single kiss from someone else is unbelievably selfish and cruel. (And would also ensure in the normal course of things that everyone Aurora knew probably would have died of old age).
I like that they had to rebuild trust and that they also had to spend time apart and figure out who they were before they could think about maybe trying to be together again.
I'm also glad Callow lived!
I'd really like to see more books from this author.
I like that they had to rebuild trust and that they also had to spend time apart and figure out who they were before they could think about maybe trying to be together again.
I'm also glad Callow lived!
I'd really like to see more books from this author.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Child death, Grief, and Death of parent
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