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christinereads1823's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
My only gripe is the time travel plot; but as it's a personal preference (I hate time travel plots in any form, although this one is decent in that it addresses that even the smallest thing can severely impact the future) it doesn't really detract from the book overall. Solid sequel, and I'm excited for the third and final book.
Graphic: Death, Gore, Sexual content, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
ali_k0's review against another edition
- 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
Regardless, it is a stunning, terrifying sequel by all accounts. Kingsbane grabs your heart from the start and refuses to let go, tightening it's grip with every word until it finally rips it out from your chest at the very moment you think it will let you go.
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Colonisation, and War
Moderate: Child abuse, Infidelity, Torture, and Pregnancy
Minor: Slavery and Medical content
kaip's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing, Incest, and Alcohol
kayanoelle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was gagged for the last 50 pages, what the hell did I just read???
Also, Audric is the incarnation of ‘work song’ by Hozier.
“No grave can hold my body down,
I’ll crawl home to her.”
That’s literally Audric.
There were so many plot twists, I could barely keep up. I’m still a little confused with the one right at the end.
This is one of the darkest books I’ve ever read, it’s crazy to see how Corien corrupts Rielle and makes her doubt everything. He always tells her exactly what she needs to hear to gain her trust and it’s working and the f#cked up thing is I UNDERSTAND WHY IT’S WORKING. Her situation is impossible to handle, she’s annoying and selfish sometimes but I do understand how difficult it is. Claire Legrand did a wonderful job of portraying the constant conflict in her mind.
What I find really impressive is when an author manages to convey feelings and boy did she succeed in that. The relationship between Eliana and Simon made me ache, I didn’t know what to do with my despair lmfao. Corien made me want to throw the book, Audric made me ehdbwjskbwwi because he’s just too good for the world. I was shocked, I cried, I laughed.
I’m very very excited for book 3!
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Gaslighting, and War
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Murder
Minor: Cursing and Pregnancy
kathrynleereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
•
The world she built is so complex and ever-growing that I can’t help but marvel at the sheer size and genius of it.
•
Eliana - There was absolutely a lot more growth for Eliana in Furyborn, but she still made some pretty significant strides in Kingsbane.
Rielle - Rielle also has some pretty significant character development, but it was far from growth.
Audric, Ludivine, Tal, Evyline, Atheria.
Audric - While Audric does grow as a character in Kingsbane, I still find him a rather cookie-cutter character. Not necessarily in a bad way.
Ludivine - I honestly don’t trust my own thoughts on Ludivine anymore.
Simon - The true star of this book. I’m not even sure how I feel. Or where to start.
Remy - Remy frustrated me a bit during Kingsbane, especially when he decides to shun Eliana because of what happened with Rozen.
Zhara - Zhara is so pure in her love for Eliana, and I have to appreciate a (pretty much) eternal being who doesn’t gatekeep information. Every time Eliana had a question or wanted to know something, Zhara provided the information without hesitation.
Atheria - Every book needs a great fictional pet, and Atheria doesn’t disappoint. She makes it very clear when she doesn’t approve of Rielle’s actions, but is also there to support and defend her when needed.
Tal - While Tal on his own is tolerable, I find his relationship with Rielle very odd. The teacher/student sexual tension makes me uncomfortable, especially as Rielle views him as a sort of secondary father figure.
Evyline - Still very much a side character, but definitely one of my favorites. We don’t know much about her, but every time she shows up on the page I smile.
Time Travel
Obviously, time travel has been a part of this story from the very beginning, so I’m a little surprised that I didn’t see more of it coming.
•
Sexual Tension
After reading Furyborn, I specifically highlighted the sexual positivity. In Kingsbane, however, it was more like sexual tension.
Beyond the mere excitement, these parallels gave me each time I found one, I am astounded by Legrand’s skill.
•
After that ending, I could barely keep Lightbringer on my bookshelf long enough to write this review.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic friendship, and War
Moderate: Infidelity, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Blood, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cursing, and Pregnancy
csmall73's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Colonisation, War, and Classism
eve_reads's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
⁕ I am happy to report that, as I had hoped, this book does expand MUCH upon the historical context of the angelic/human wars. A majority of my questions were answered and I was very satisfied.
⁕ This book did not give me the fast-paced, edge of seat, nail-biting start that the Furyborn did. The chapters were still decently short, but I wasn't as absorbed in the action as consistently. The ending (and a massive plot twist) did turn things around in the end, though.
To read my full review, visit: https://evereads.online/
For regular book-related content, follow my Instagram account: @eve_reads
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Child death, Gore, Gun violence, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, and War
angstifies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
one thing i don’t like about this series in general is how abusers get forgiven? this is the third time that happens, it really fucking bothers me.
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Vomit, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, War, and Injury/Injury detail
junebugreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Graphic: Mental illness, Torture, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
Minor: Suicide attempt
leeang's review against another edition
- 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
3.75
I still am invested in the characters, and the writing remains beautiful. Rielle's decent into madness is so well done and took me on a journey. The way that Rielle and Eliana mirror each other in the writing is exquisitely done.
And the last 50 or so pages felt like the action packed first book, with at least one twist I did not expect!
But all of it felt simultaneously like too much and too little.
I found the sex scenes gratuitous and awkward. The Audric one in the hall ... yikes. And the LGBTQ+ representation to be SO NICE TO SEE, but also felt ... lack luster.
It just felt like I was on the upward ramp of the rollercoaster where all you can do is look around at the scenery because nothing else is really happening yet. You feel the good part coming, but all this really served was to make me increasingly nervous.
I look forward to see how this story concludes. That will honestly depend on if I recommend this series or not to others.
Graphic: Infidelity, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness, Violence, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, and War