ladyknightkaci's review against another edition
dark
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I loved the Midnight Lie, but I was very disappointed by the Hollow Heart. I wish it was a standalone instead of a duology. That being said, The Midnight Lie was a fantastic novel 10/10 would recommend.
lrgluck's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
sammy234's review against another edition
2.0
The Hollow Heart was a very disappointing follow up not only to the first book in the Forgotten Gods duology, but to one of my favorite trilogies of all time, the Winner's Curse series. And that's because I couldn't stand Sid or Nirrim at all, when in the previous book I actually found them book quite likable.
Nirrim has had her compassion stolen by a god, so she goes from this sweet, brave character to this totalitarian dictator in the blink of an eye, and I just couldn't connect with her anymore. There was no room for character development, either positive or negative, because all her actions were influenced by the curse that was put on her. By the end, she magically becomes a good person again, and everything is supposed to be great, even though she murdered so many people in her quest for vengeance.
If she had become a villain through natural means, I would have found her story arc more interesting. I would have loved if she had still possessed compassion, but slipped further and further into becoming just like the people who once oppressed her because of her single minded desire to ruin those that had hurt her. (if you want to read a book that shows a really brilliant devolution of a once moral character, I'd recommend The Poppy War)
As for Sid, I just found her so dense and annoying. She has two loving parents and lives a life of privilege, but resents them for not perfectly understanding her thoughts and feelings that she hides from them. She feels jealous that she hasn't had "adventure" like Kestrel and Arin, and just ignores the fact that although a lot of crazy things happened to them, most of their lives were full of terror and suffering.
Her mother was sentenced to death at a labor camp by her own father, and her father's parents were slaughtered and then he became a slave for most of his youth. Not to mention the fact that Sid just goes off, steals a ship, and has an adventure, and no one stops her and restricts her or makes her come home. All of her character development was basically just realizing that her parents never forced her to do anything, and she just did what she thought they would want and then resented them for it... based off of nothing. It was so frustrating.
Speaking of Kestrel and Arin, I was so annoyed that Sid's nanny tried to poison Kestrel (A very Victoria Holt type of plot twist), and Arin just decided not to kill her because it would hurt Sid's feelings and because he understood her motive. That's so out of character for Arin, not to mention the fact that Kestrel is the queen of their country. Someone tried to assassinate her and they just shrugged their shoulders like it was no big deal. I mean, honestly, this book sometimes read like bad fan fiction.
The original trilogy is still amazing, but this duology ended up being really underwhelming for me.
Two stars.
Nirrim has had her compassion stolen by a god, so she goes from this sweet, brave character to this totalitarian dictator in the blink of an eye, and I just couldn't connect with her anymore. There was no room for character development, either positive or negative, because all her actions were influenced by the curse that was put on her. By the end, she magically becomes a good person again, and everything is supposed to be great, even though she murdered so many people in her quest for vengeance.
If she had become a villain through natural means, I would have found her story arc more interesting. I would have loved if she had still possessed compassion, but slipped further and further into becoming just like the people who once oppressed her because of her single minded desire to ruin those that had hurt her. (if you want to read a book that shows a really brilliant devolution of a once moral character, I'd recommend The Poppy War)
As for Sid, I just found her so dense and annoying. She has two loving parents and lives a life of privilege, but resents them for not perfectly understanding her thoughts and feelings that she hides from them. She feels jealous that she hasn't had "adventure" like Kestrel and Arin, and just ignores the fact that although a lot of crazy things happened to them, most of their lives were full of terror and suffering.
Her mother was sentenced to death at a labor camp by her own father, and her father's parents were slaughtered and then he became a slave for most of his youth. Not to mention the fact that Sid just goes off, steals a ship, and has an adventure, and no one stops her and restricts her or makes her come home. All of her character development was basically just realizing that her parents never forced her to do anything, and she just did what she thought they would want and then resented them for it... based off of nothing. It was so frustrating.
Speaking of Kestrel and Arin, I was so annoyed that Sid's nanny tried to poison Kestrel (A very Victoria Holt type of plot twist), and Arin just decided not to kill her because it would hurt Sid's feelings and because he understood her motive. That's so out of character for Arin, not to mention the fact that Kestrel is the queen of their country. Someone tried to assassinate her and they just shrugged their shoulders like it was no big deal. I mean, honestly, this book sometimes read like bad fan fiction.
The original trilogy is still amazing, but this duology ended up being really underwhelming for me.
Two stars.
graceh6068's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
strawberrycandy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Death
Minor: Homophobia and Gore
ameliethemoomin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- 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
2.5
womanon's review against another edition
1.0
I had many issues with this book, but the main one was that it didn't grip me. I really wanted to enjoy it, but I couldn't get into it from the very first moment, and so I ended up skipping a lot of parts. Unfortunately, I don't think this book was for me, and I don't think I will be giving it another chance.
justacanofsouup's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
foreverarose's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.25
wowzha97's review against another edition
2.0
I've been trying to finish this for almost a year wow. Midnight Lie was one of my favorite sapphic novels. The lore behind the kits captured me and of course Sid and Nirrim's dynamic put the book on top-tier for me. But this sequel, I'm so disappointed, it was frustrating. 70% of the book and they still haven't meet again? Having individual plots were understandable but Sid's investigation and dark Nirrim's introspection were taking waaaaay too long. It didn't feel like the first book I fell in love with :(