anjreading's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. The second book in the “Warrior Bards” series. Brocc has left to live in the world of Faery with his new wife, and though we get some of his continuing story in this book, the focus is mostly on Liobhan and Dau. At the start of the book, Dau is blinded in a freak training accident and has to return to his absolutely horrible family while he heals. Liobhan goes with him as an indentured bond-servant as punishment for her part in his accident. Liobhan is put through some serious crap by Dau’s evil brother, and Dau has a lot of growing and learning to do as well, as he struggles with his blindness and traumatic family history.
bibliophilicwitch's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.25
ptaradactyl's review against another edition
3.0
I always get pulled into these books, no matter how much I catch myself wanting to lecture the characters for making bad choices from time to time.
lecrockett's review against another edition
3.0
Thank you, Edelweiss, for providing this ARC from PRH for review!
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book of the warrior bard series last year (The Harp of Kings)—the undercover work, spy mission, character development, druids—and reading this next installment proved Marillier still has those writing chops for great character development and visceral storytelling.
However, the content in the novel was a bit vicious and harrowing for my taste right now (trauma, abuse, neglect, gaslighting), and the leader reminded me so much of the current scumbag in office that I struggled to not get extremely riled up when the characters just took his lashings without comment. It’s dark yet beautifully written—just hit a little too close to home. I’m glad to see the representation in here—mental health, blindness, domestic violence survivors—and of course I’m thrilled to see where Dau and Liobhan end up in the final book.
I’m aware this review isn’t much of a review—I can’t say too much without spoiling the narrative—but I read it, I enjoyed it as a second in the series, but it (through no fault of its own) was a bit too close to home for me at this point in time. Years down the road I’ll reread this with new eyes and absorb the other aspects of the narrative, I’m sure.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book of the warrior bard series last year (The Harp of Kings)—the undercover work, spy mission, character development, druids—and reading this next installment proved Marillier still has those writing chops for great character development and visceral storytelling.
However, the content in the novel was a bit vicious and harrowing for my taste right now (trauma, abuse, neglect, gaslighting), and the leader reminded me so much of the current scumbag in office that I struggled to not get extremely riled up when the characters just took his lashings without comment. It’s dark yet beautifully written—just hit a little too close to home. I’m glad to see the representation in here—mental health, blindness, domestic violence survivors—and of course I’m thrilled to see where Dau and Liobhan end up in the final book.
I’m aware this review isn’t much of a review—I can’t say too much without spoiling the narrative—but I read it, I enjoyed it as a second in the series, but it (through no fault of its own) was a bit too close to home for me at this point in time. Years down the road I’ll reread this with new eyes and absorb the other aspects of the narrative, I’m sure.
19lindsey89's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
waclements7's review against another edition
2.0
Not what I expected
I enjoyed the first book in this trilogy. This one felt tedious, and I hate saying that about a book by Juliet Marillier, because I’ve liked everything I’ve read by her until this book. I skimmed a lot of it because it just wasn’t very interesting to me. I will try the next one, but won’t stick with it if I have the same issues as with this one.
I enjoyed the first book in this trilogy. This one felt tedious, and I hate saying that about a book by Juliet Marillier, because I’ve liked everything I’ve read by her until this book. I skimmed a lot of it because it just wasn’t very interesting to me. I will try the next one, but won’t stick with it if I have the same issues as with this one.
joanaentrelivros's review against another edition
4.0
Gostei deste livro, não fosse ele de uma das minhas autoras favoritas, mas não é certamente o que mais gosto.
Liobhan e Dau crescem muito neste livro, não como exatamente como guerreiros mas como mulher e homem, e esta evolução foi algo que adorei assistir. Cada vez estou mais encantada com estes dois. Neste livro vamos mais a fundo no passado de Dau e ele revelou-se uma bela surpresa.
Brocc está num caminho diferente, e apesar de ter ficado entusiasmada com alguns dos capítulos em que ele é o narrador, noutros não tanto, talvez porque inicialmente não estava a ver como as histórias se interligavam. Mas estou desejando ler sobre a continuação da sua jornada.
Seanan é a personagem mais desprezível do livro, mas achei que iriam existir ali reviravoltas que não existiram, e os acontecimentos finais foram mais rápidos do que eu esperava. Contudo não deixei de gostar da história e da forma como ela se foi desenrolando.
Como sempre, os cenários criados por Juliet são sempre muito vívidos para mim, e adoro isso num livro, que me consiga transportar para onde as personagens se encontram quase como se estivesse ao seu lado.
Agora estou ansiosa pelo próximo livro para continuar a viver as aventuras com estes três.
“Tenho de encontrar a minha forma de escapar. Vou encontrá-la… em breve, muito em breve… mas agora tenho de fechar os olhos, só por um instante…” p. 352
Liobhan e Dau crescem muito neste livro, não como exatamente como guerreiros mas como mulher e homem, e esta evolução foi algo que adorei assistir. Cada vez estou mais encantada com estes dois. Neste livro vamos mais a fundo no passado de Dau e ele revelou-se uma bela surpresa.
Brocc está num caminho diferente, e apesar de ter ficado entusiasmada com alguns dos capítulos em que ele é o narrador, noutros não tanto, talvez porque inicialmente não estava a ver como as histórias se interligavam. Mas estou desejando ler sobre a continuação da sua jornada.
Seanan é a personagem mais desprezível do livro, mas achei que iriam existir ali reviravoltas que não existiram, e os acontecimentos finais foram mais rápidos do que eu esperava. Contudo não deixei de gostar da história e da forma como ela se foi desenrolando.
Como sempre, os cenários criados por Juliet são sempre muito vívidos para mim, e adoro isso num livro, que me consiga transportar para onde as personagens se encontram quase como se estivesse ao seu lado.
Agora estou ansiosa pelo próximo livro para continuar a viver as aventuras com estes três.
“Tenho de encontrar a minha forma de escapar. Vou encontrá-la… em breve, muito em breve… mas agora tenho de fechar os olhos, só por um instante…” p. 352
zobow's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
4.0
loosealbluth's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5