shiro_betta's review
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-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
5.0
loucs's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
3.25
quinncandescent's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
_melissaalexander's review
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
4.0
the_cover_contessa's review
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? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you for allowing me to read and review this egalley. I was so happy it was fixed so I could read this book.
Please note if you have not read the first book in this series, you will be lost. Also you may see spoilers in this review.
I adore Dawson's writing. This book was no different. It picks up right where the first one left off. Devastation and destruction from the fight at the end of book one, The book is told from the POVs of the same witches: Elle, Theo, and Leonie plus we see some information coming from Luke (not who we thought he was!) and Chinara. And now we have Ciara's POV rather than Nimah since she is in her body. I love the idea of seeing this story from all these points of view, it gives a more grand sweep of what is happening.
Overall the story moves fast. The witches are looking for Dabney Hale, trying to stop him from whatever destruction he is bound to reek on the world. But we also see a new group of witch hunters from Luke's POV and come to find out his background is much more sinister than we could have imagined! So now there's much at stake from several areas.
At first I thought I'd hate Ciara, after all, she did kill Nimah and take her body. But I did find that I rather liked her overall. Plus she has some great growth, realizing her mistakes (though still with some power hungriness to her) and wanted to correct those wrongs. I am was a little surprised at how easily Leonie and Elle were ok with who she was and what happened. They seemed to join with her rather quickly considering what she did but I can also see they may have some forgiveness since part of how she came back was from the death of the previous high priestess who was possessed.
Theo's character also showed immense growth during this book. I love how she comes into herself, figuring out how to function in society as a female. Her friends showing her respect and acceptance. She has many complicated feelings she tries to explore. She's especially worried about her acceptance into a family as she was tossed around to many foster homes and wants to feel she has security in that.
The ending! UGH! I did not see it coming, I will be honest. I was a bit confused, like were all their memories altered about Milo and his past? How was it that no one remembered what had happened to him, including his mother? And why did his dad know? I hope it gets explained better in book 3 because I felt it was a bit of a plot hole even at the end.
And that naked foot, I have a feeling who it is, but don't want to say and I'm chomping at the bit to see in book #3! It was definitely a cliff hanger.
Overall, I think I may have enjoyed this book more than the first! Quite a few new characters and many of the ones we already know. I'm excited for this series to continue!
Please note if you have not read the first book in this series, you will be lost. Also you may see spoilers in this review.
I adore Dawson's writing. This book was no different. It picks up right where the first one left off. Devastation and destruction from the fight at the end of book one, The book is told from the POVs of the same witches: Elle, Theo, and Leonie plus we see some information coming from Luke (not who we thought he was!) and Chinara. And now we have Ciara's POV rather than Nimah since she is in her body. I love the idea of seeing this story from all these points of view, it gives a more grand sweep of what is happening.
Overall the story moves fast. The witches are looking for Dabney Hale, trying to stop him from whatever destruction he is bound to reek on the world. But we also see a new group of witch hunters from Luke's POV and come to find out his background is much more sinister than we could have imagined! So now there's much at stake from several areas.
At first I thought I'd hate Ciara, after all, she did kill Nimah and take her body. But I did find that I rather liked her overall. Plus she has some great growth, realizing her mistakes (though still with some power hungriness to her) and wanted to correct those wrongs. I am was a little surprised at how easily Leonie and Elle were ok with who she was and what happened. They seemed to join with her rather quickly considering what she did but I can also see they may have some forgiveness since part of how she came back was from the death of the previous high priestess who was possessed.
Theo's character also showed immense growth during this book. I love how she comes into herself, figuring out how to function in society as a female. Her friends showing her respect and acceptance. She has many complicated feelings she tries to explore. She's especially worried about her acceptance into a family as she was tossed around to many foster homes and wants to feel she has security in that.
The ending! UGH! I did not see it coming, I will be honest. I was a bit confused, like were all their memories altered about Milo and his past? How was it that no one remembered what had happened to him, including his mother? And why did his dad know? I hope it gets explained better in book 3 because I felt it was a bit of a plot hole even at the end.
And that naked foot, I have a feeling who it is, but don't want to say and I'm chomping at the bit to see in book #3! It was definitely a cliff hanger.
Overall, I think I may have enjoyed this book more than the first! Quite a few new characters and many of the ones we already know. I'm excited for this series to continue!
keya_caivalur's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Murder, Addiction, Drug abuse, Grief, Blood, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Fire/Fire injury, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Miscarriage, Infertility, Adult/minor relationship, War, Misogyny, and Child abuse
Minor: Hate crime, Death of parent, Dementia, Genocide, Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Child death, Bullying, and Cursing
lindsayhotrod's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
sweekune's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
4.0
4/5
After the dramatic events of Her Majesty's Royal Coven, the witches have some clean up to do. However, not all is well or as it seems. Ciara has taken over her sister's body, a powerful warlock seeks a powerful artifact and witchfinders are on the hunt.
- Due to a slight change in the character line up, we get to see some new perspectives in this book and I enjoyed that. We also got to see changes and growth in the previous characters and how they react to new situations.
- Although not a major part of the book, I enjoyed the foreign parts and seeing different witches from parts of Europe. Also the Greek legend reference was amazing and I hope it is revisited.
- The book does suffer from second book syndrome a little. There's continuation from HMRC and set up for book three and although okay to read, you don't get the pay off just yet.
A worthy sequel and exciting set up for Human Rites, book three in the series. I also hear rumours of a novella within the HMRC universe which I am so excited for.
After the dramatic events of Her Majesty's Royal Coven, the witches have some clean up to do. However, not all is well or as it seems. Ciara has taken over her sister's body, a powerful warlock seeks a powerful artifact and witchfinders are on the hunt.
- Due to a slight change in the character line up, we get to see some new perspectives in this book and I enjoyed that. We also got to see changes and growth in the previous characters and how they react to new situations.
- Although not a major part of the book, I enjoyed the foreign parts and seeing different witches from parts of Europe. Also the Greek legend reference was amazing and I hope it is revisited.
- The book does suffer from second book syndrome a little. There's continuation from HMRC and set up for book three and although okay to read, you don't get the pay off just yet.
A worthy sequel and exciting set up for Human Rites, book three in the series. I also hear rumours of a novella within the HMRC universe which I am so excited for.
hannahwitton's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
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
3.5
nanc_282's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- 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
A really enjoyable second book in the HMRC series. Dawson keeps the plot twisting in unexpected ways and brings out some of the minor characters from book one.