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chrisljm's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Confinement, Sexism, Torture, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Vomit
melina_30's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Nicht so gut, wie der erste Teil, aber trotzdem spannend. Die Stimmung des Buches war sehr deprimierend und hoffnungslos, daher kein Buch, was man unbedingt gerne liest... Trotzdem war es sehr gut geschrieben, spannend und ein relativ guter Abschluss der Reihe.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death
taryn_g's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and War
Minor: Animal death and Death of parent
beyondapage's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, Grief, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Slavery and Death of parent
matheo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Body horror, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Misogyny and Sexism
journeythroughthechapters's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-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
Thoughts
What a conclusion!!! First off I want to say 3/4 of this book was a 3 star but that last quarter was 5 stars.
I was genuinely shocked at how little I was enjoying the first half of the book. There was no plot, things moved very slow and I had no idea where the story was going. We traveled a little but even that was underwhelming. And I like when characters travel in books. But I’m glad I pushed to the end because it made it worth it in the end.
Things I liked
- The Characters: There is a shift in the main character that is to be expected if you continue the story. HOWEVER throughout all that she remained true to herself and her family. I love that family remains a theme through both novels and if that is something you enjoy then you might like this. We see less of one of my fav characters which is probably why I hated the start but he’s there in the end so I’ll forgive the book haha.
- The Relationships: This also has a focus on new friendships. One a true friendship the other a mutual respect. I don’t want to spoil the book but I found the mutual respect dynamic fascinating. It goes to show that while you don’t have to like everyone you can still be respectful.
- The Writing: I’m a simple women I like my writing basic and to the point. And while Elizabeth Lim has beautiful descriptions they aren’t convoluted so I can understand them which is what I want from a book.
Things I didn’t love
- The Pacing: like I mentioned this was PAINFULLY slow at the start. I kept wanting to put it down. It didn’t hold my attention like the first but I pushed through. And I’m glad.
- The Plot: The combination of pacing and lack of plot is what in my opinion let the book down. I understand what the author was trying to do by focusing in on Maia but it was too much of the same thing.
But overall a beautiful duology. Sadly not one of my favourites but one I would highly recommend.
Representation
POC (Asian Rep), Gay (side character)
Trigger Warning
Violence, Abuse, Animal Death
What a conclusion!!! First off I want to say 3/4 of this book was a 3 star but that last quarter was 5 stars.
I was genuinely shocked at how little I was enjoying the first half of the book. There was no plot, things moved very slow and I had no idea where the story was going. We traveled a little but even that was underwhelming. And I like when characters travel in books. But I’m glad I pushed to the end because it made it worth it in the end.
Things I liked
- The Characters: There is a shift in the main character that is to be expected if you continue the story. HOWEVER throughout all that she remained true to herself and her family. I love that family remains a theme through both novels and if that is something you enjoy then you might like this. We see less of one of my fav characters which is probably why I hated the start but he’s there in the end so I’ll forgive the book haha.
- The Relationships: This also has a focus on new friendships. One a true friendship the other a mutual respect. I don’t want to spoil the book but I found the mutual respect dynamic fascinating. It goes to show that while you don’t have to like everyone you can still be respectful.
- The Writing: I’m a simple women I like my writing basic and to the point. And while Elizabeth Lim has beautiful descriptions they aren’t convoluted so I can understand them which is what I want from a book.
Things I didn’t love
- The Pacing: like I mentioned this was PAINFULLY slow at the start. I kept wanting to put it down. It didn’t hold my attention like the first but I pushed through. And I’m glad.
- The Plot: The combination of pacing and lack of plot is what in my opinion let the book down. I understand what the author was trying to do by focusing in on Maia but it was too much of the same thing.
But overall a beautiful duology. Sadly not one of my favourites but one I would highly recommend.
Representation
POC (Asian Rep), Gay (side character)
Trigger Warning
Violence, Abuse, Animal Death
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Physical abuse, and Violence
Minor: Grief
frenchtoast_n_books's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Overall, a great sequel and end to a duology series.
I didn't connect with this book as much as I did it's predecessor. The writing wasn't has up to par with the first book in my opinion, and the overuse of the word "melted" in romatic contexts irked me, but I really enjoyed the journey Maia made.
I loved that characters weren't automatically forgiven for things that happened from the first book and this one. The romantic relationship was serious goals. The familial and friendship relationships were very well rounded and thought out in how they shape Maia's arc. The world, magic, and mythology were so fascinating. The duology conclusion felt complete and not too fast or "perfect".
I can't wait to read Elizabeth Lim's next story.
I didn't connect with this book as much as I did it's predecessor. The writing wasn't has up to par with the first book in my opinion, and the overuse of the word "melted" in romatic contexts irked me, but I really enjoyed the journey Maia made.
I loved that characters weren't automatically forgiven for things that happened from the first book and this one. The romantic relationship was serious goals. The familial and friendship relationships were very well rounded and thought out in how they shape Maia's arc. The world, magic, and mythology were so fascinating. The duology conclusion felt complete and not too fast or "perfect".
I can't wait to read Elizabeth Lim's next story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Gore, Violence, and Blood