sarahmalov's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
4.75
guardyourhonor's review
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Series review: Big ol' mixed bag, here.
Always start with the positives: I was really into them. They were fun to read and I'm sad not to spend any more time with them. The heroes are very distinct characters with personalities and backstories and identifiable voices and I really liked them all. The world is very fun and not just a standard version of Faerie. Honestly, 4.5 stars if purely based on enjoyment.
But on to the negatives:
I'll be upfront: the writing in the first book is bad. Dialogue is unrealistic and cringe, the characterization of Lera is all over the place, and the pacing is truly terrible - particularly the pacing of the relationships. It <i>does</i> get better as the series goes on. All three issues even out the further into the series, thankfully. Unfortunately they do continue to call them 'her males' until the end of time, though, so just make peace with it.
The last three books - when the writing is on more solid footing - are like an entirely different series? In which the plotting is better I guess but also more frustrating narratively. Things dragged on too long and the whole point of reading reverse harem - the harem - is missing so it's a real shift from the first four. Maybe even just stop at the 4th, honestly.
But why, <b>why</b> are Lera's chapters in 1st person present tense and 'the males' voices in 3rd person past tense? It's bad and confusing and adds nothing, but Lidell sticks with it all the way through the series.
Also Leralynn is a stupid name and jarred me every time.
Always start with the positives: I was really into them. They were fun to read and I'm sad not to spend any more time with them. The heroes are very distinct characters with personalities and backstories and identifiable voices and I really liked them all. The world is very fun and not just a standard version of Faerie. Honestly, 4.5 stars if purely based on enjoyment.
But on to the negatives:
I'll be upfront: the writing in the first book is bad. Dialogue is unrealistic and cringe, the characterization of Lera is all over the place, and the pacing is truly terrible - particularly the pacing of the relationships. It <i>does</i> get better as the series goes on. All three issues even out the further into the series, thankfully. Unfortunately they do continue to call them 'her males' until the end of time, though, so just make peace with it.
The last three books - when the writing is on more solid footing - are like an entirely different series? In which the plotting is better I guess but also more frustrating narratively. Things dragged on too long and the whole point of reading reverse harem - the harem - is missing so it's a real shift from the first four. Maybe even just stop at the 4th, honestly.
But why, <b>why</b> are Lera's chapters in 1st person present tense and 'the males' voices in 3rd person past tense? It's bad and confusing and adds nothing, but Lidell sticks with it all the way through the series.
Also Leralynn is a stupid name and jarred me every time.
mrose21's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
This was OK. It wasn't as good as the previous book just found it quite slow and long winded.
diaryofthebookdragon's review
2.0
Hmmm so this was pretty disappointing.
✗ I feel like a read a couple of chapters from a bigger book. The book just stops and I don't feel like any major development resolved here. Since with 216 pages I definitely would not call this a chunkster, I think author should have maybe merged this and book #3.
✗ I thought that 'reverse harem' label meant upgrade of 'menage'. And I was intrigued to find out how the author will pull that off - 4 males and one females in a relationship. But so far, MC is jumping in affection from one to another. The one who is closest to her attracts her the most and then 5 minutes later it's another one...
While I like the whole idea behind the plot of Power of Five series, the books is more erotic-fantasy-romance then anything else. In other words, a lot of lovin' at every available moment and a small amount of plot. So however the events are intriguing me, I am not sure how much of Lyra's indecision I can stomach.
✗ I feel like a read a couple of chapters from a bigger book. The book just stops and I don't feel like any major development resolved here. Since with 216 pages I definitely would not call this a chunkster, I think author should have maybe merged this and book #3.
✗ I thought that 'reverse harem' label meant upgrade of 'menage'. And I was intrigued to find out how the author will pull that off - 4 males and one females in a relationship. But so far, MC is jumping in affection from one to another. The one who is closest to her attracts her the most and then 5 minutes later it's another one...
Spoiler
Sex also it seems is going to be on this kind of switch.While I like the whole idea behind the plot of Power of Five series, the books is more erotic-fantasy-romance then anything else. In other words, a lot of lovin' at every available moment and a small amount of plot. So however the events are intriguing me, I am not sure how much of Lyra's indecision I can stomach.
zaliw77's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
bananabread98's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Since the books are so short, this and the next one are really only building up to the final battle scene. Fun little dynamic though.
halleyesmith's review
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
sam17's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
siennan's review
4.0
Maybe 3.5? 3.8? I don't think it deserves three stars, so four it is.
I really enjoyed this book. We discover a little more about the guys (Coal is my favorite, btw, I cannot resist a troubled guy with a dark past. Right behind is River) and the obstacles that they on the Citadel face are very interesting and exciting and I think they will develop very well in the future. In this book we can see the history unfold behind the guys POV, which I find that, with them, the book became more rich, story-wise. Lera is also evolving like a pokemon and maturing on a well estabilished pace, so it doesn't seems like is lacking (which is not, it's there) or forced upon.
It breaks my heart how short are the books in the series, which makes some things being rushed. I think we could have some more time in some parts of the book, per ex.:
And, I should add, that hate so much how the author ends her books. IT IS OUT OF NOWHERE, in the middle of a scene or a conversation. It's this a think now?? if it is, it should stop being. This decreases the quality of the work by a lot . Maybe the author is inexperienced, I don't know. It's just something to take in consideration, I suppose.
Anyway, looking foward for the next book, which seems to be out only in setember! (are you guys already hearing my scream of despair? It's already happening!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
I really enjoyed this book. We discover a little more about the guys (Coal is my favorite, btw, I cannot resist a troubled guy with a dark past. Right behind is River) and the obstacles that they on the Citadel face are very interesting and exciting and I think they will develop very well in the future. In this book we can see the history unfold behind the guys POV, which I find that, with them, the book became more rich, story-wise. Lera is also evolving
It breaks my heart how short are the books in the series, which makes some things being rushed. I think we could have some more time in some parts of the book, per ex.:
Spoiler
the talk with Autumn was almost non-existent; the confrontation between Shade and River; the time when Coal was training and she was just looking, Lera could have had more lines of thought while sat through the night on that scene, thinking about the guilty, sadness, not knowing if she should go to him or not.And, I should add, that hate so much how the author ends her books. IT IS OUT OF NOWHERE, in the middle of a scene or a conversation. It's this a think now?? if it is, it should stop being. This decreases the quality of the work by a lot . Maybe the author is inexperienced, I don't know. It's just something to take in consideration, I suppose.
Anyway, looking foward for the next book, which seems to be out only in setember! (are you guys already hearing my scream of despair? It's already happening!!!!!!!!!!!!!)