mallorypen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
OH MY GOD this was SO GOOD. The politics are so brilliantly told, and the constant twists are simply delicious. Wen come crashing into her own in this novel, Ettian is the dashing, careworn hero he spent the first book building up to be, and Gal … Gal is the unreliable narrator with a beautiful growth arc that brings him from unlikable, manipulative, cowardly brat to a noble, capable, loyal man.
A note on this narrator: definitely not as compelling as the first book’s narrator. Book 1 used a British accent for Gal, and the overall performance was just better. I was disappointed to hear someone new for book 2, and though he did a good job, it just wasn’t on par with the first narrator.
Gal’s story arc is by far the winning point of the novel, though the political machinations around him are fantastically plotted. He grows from hard to like to incredibly sympathetic, and the amount of times my heart hurt for him with his fears about Ettian and Wen continued to grow throughout the book. I adored how he grew to care for Wen, and how he fights between his desire to protect his birthright and his desperation to keep the people he loves safe. The abstract versus the actual did really interesting things for his character development, and the storyline was just *chef’s kiss*
The twists … my God, the TWISTS. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, the author yanked the rug out from under me in the most surprising and tension-heightening ways. Ettian giving his victory speech and then Not to mention the general forcing Wen away from command and speaking with Ettian’s voice by offering her And then in the 11th hour, after Gal
All that to say, this book was one ruttin’ hell of a ride. On to the final book of the trilogy!
A note on this narrator: definitely not as compelling as the first book’s narrator. Book 1 used a British accent for Gal, and the overall performance was just better. I was disappointed to hear someone new for book 2, and though he did a good job, it just wasn’t on par with the first narrator.
Gal’s story arc is by far the winning point of the novel, though the political machinations around him are fantastically plotted. He grows from hard to like to incredibly sympathetic, and the amount of times my heart hurt for him with his fears about Ettian and Wen continued to grow throughout the book. I adored how he grew to care for Wen, and how he fights between his desire to protect his birthright and his desperation to keep the people he loves safe. The abstract versus the actual did really interesting things for his character development, and the
Spoiler
friends to lovers to enemies to loversThe twists … my God, the TWISTS. Just when I thought I knew where the story was going, the author yanked the rug out from under me in the most surprising and tension-heightening ways. Ettian giving his victory speech and then
Spoiler
getting shot by HANJI of all people … holy shit. And then Gal finding her and beating the ever loving shit out of her for shooting the man he loves - oh hell yes!Spoiler
the powersuit, which, for her character, oh my God what a pivotal moment for her!!Spoiler
makes up his mind (in gorgeous parallel to the decisions Ettian makes to save Gal in Book 1) that the only empire he wants is one with Ettian in it, WEN BETRAYS HIM AND GIVES AWAY THE POWER SUIT?! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!!!All that to say, this book was one ruttin’ hell of a ride. On to the final book of the trilogy!
Content Warnings
Moderate: War and Violence
ashley_lieb's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Another sequel I pushed off for no reason. Loved Gal’s POV in this one
artemis's review against another edition
“I realized it’s the most important thing to me. I realized I could have the throne, have the entire galaxy laid at my feet, but…No empire is worth it if I don’t have you too.”
kira_dance's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rebeccamariel25's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jerseygrrrl's review against another edition
3.0
*Sigh.* I loved the first book in this series because it was So. Much. Fun. The heroes kept getting into situations where there was only one bed or he was going to die of hypothermia if I didn't take off all my clothes and get in his sleeping back with him! (Actually, I'm not sure if that hypothermia example was from Bonds of Brass, but it's representative of the feel of the book.)
In any case, Oaths of Legacy has fewer situations that push our heroes together, less fun, and much less kissing. The stakes are higher now; Gal and Effian have bigger things to worry about than smooching. (Bummer for us.) It was a little hard being in Gal's mind--he's the narrator--since he's in such a bad place for most of the book. But there was a ton of action and Wen finally got some time center stage.
In any case, Oaths of Legacy has fewer situations that push our heroes together, less fun, and much less kissing. The stakes are higher now; Gal and Effian have bigger things to worry about than smooching. (Bummer for us.) It was a little hard being in Gal's mind--he's the narrator--since he's in such a bad place for most of the book. But there was a ton of action and Wen finally got some time center stage.
dvrlingkenobi's review against another edition
2.0
è la prima sera? i continui spiegoni di storia galattica? semplicemente gal mi ha abbuffato la uallera in maniera irrecuperabile intorno a pagina 5? chissà PURTROPPO leggerò anche il terzo perché sono una capera e ho bisogno di sapere che succede
fictionalmandy's review
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
srharris's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars.
I liked this one better than the first book, there wasn't that much predictability in this one. I was honestly shocked by all the twists and turns that this story took.
I must say Gal was an absolute dick in the beginning of the story but I loved reading his growth and him finally coming into his own and realizing that hid mother's way may not have been the right way.
My only real issue is the lack of romance. I was hoping that Gal and Ettain would have figured it out by now and join together to kick some ass.
For all this build up, I really hope the final book is epic.
I liked this one better than the first book, there wasn't that much predictability in this one. I was honestly shocked by all the twists and turns that this story took.
I must say Gal was an absolute dick in the beginning of the story but I loved reading his growth and him finally coming into his own and realizing that hid mother's way may not have been the right way.
My only real issue is the lack of romance. I was hoping that Gal and Ettain would have figured it out by now and join together to kick some ass.
For all this build up, I really hope the final book is epic.
pemdas97's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25