ageekyreader's review against another edition
3.0
The balance was a little off for my personal reading tastes, but this was still a really fun and enjoyable read. I would have liked to see more happen in terms of plot, I enjoyed seeing Lila, Rhy, and Kell handle, or not handle, the aftermath of the previous book. That being said, Lila could be a bit infuriating. Headstrong is a kind way of describing her, and I found it a bit harder to cheer her on in this book. Not that I didn't enjoy her perspective or tenacity. Because I did. But I did find it harder to overlook how foolish she could be when she only lead with her gut.
On the other hand, learning more about Kell and Rhy's relationship as brothers was really enjoyable because it was obvious that a lot of thought went in to how their dynamic works now that they are bound to one another.
While I tore through this book nearly as quickly as I did the first, I wish the plot had picked up the pace a little sooner than when it did, which was about 2/3 of the way through the book.
These are my personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of my employer.
On the other hand, learning more about Kell and Rhy's relationship as brothers was really enjoyable because it was obvious that a lot of thought went in to how their dynamic works now that they are bound to one another.
While I tore through this book nearly as quickly as I did the first, I wish the plot had picked up the pace a little sooner than when it did, which was about 2/3 of the way through the book.
These are my personal opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or views of my employer.
jane333's review against another edition
5.0
She made this book for me, even though I hate that Kell and Lila will probably end up together, but this was very fun and I had a good time reading it. I hate that I need to wait and get through a few more books before I read the last book in the series but I’m looking forward to the day I do
myanoia's review against another edition
4.0
This was… something. Let me just say I do not like Lila at all. She is the epitome of a Mary Sue archetype and her only personality trait is being a dick. If only V.E. Schwab could write her women like she writes her men
valodniece's review
3.0
Dammit, cliffhanger. That means I'm going to have to read the last one, doesn't it? Sigh.
I mean, it's not awful, but actual plot of substance is lacking, and instead setting up everything for the third book, in the grand tradition of most modern trilogies. I wish the seconds of trilogies were better, I really do.
I mean, it's not awful, but actual plot of substance is lacking, and instead setting up everything for the third book, in the grand tradition of most modern trilogies. I wish the seconds of trilogies were better, I really do.
calebj's review against another edition
3.0
Ended on quite the large cliffhanger and not too memorable tbh, Lilah was a bit OP and I was constantly waiting for Kell’s POV.
evie_71's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
simly's review against another edition
4.0
"Politica e un dans pana in momentul in care devine razboi. Iar noi controlam muzica"
"Se intrerupse, cand o margea de noroi inghetat ii cazu pe umarul hainei.
-Ah! exclama, cand bucatica i se strecura pe sub guler. Stiu unde dormi, Bard.
Ea zambi cu un aer superior.
-Atunci stii si ca dorm cu cutitele langa mine."
"Nu stiu de ce va dati tarcoale unul altuia ca luna si soarele. Nu e dansul cosmic la care sa ma pricep eu. Insa stiu ca veniti sa intrebati unul de celalalt, cand va separa numai cativa pasi si un sir de trepte."
"S-au izbit unul de celalalt de parca ar fi fost propulsati de gravitatie si el nu mai stia care dintre ei era meteoritul si care pamantul, ci stia numai ca se ciocnisera."
Cate fraze frumoase pentru o singura carte! Pot spune ca a fost un volum divin din mai multe motive. In primul rand worldbuilding-ul a fost excelent si m-am indragostit de aceasta lume de la prima carte. Imi place ideea din spate, in plus Londra mi se pare un oras magic din toate punctele de vedere chiar si in viata reala, chiar daca nu am fost niciodata acolo. Acum, aceasta destinatie a urcat printre primele locuri pentru mine. In al doilea rand mi-a placut ca autoarea a decis sa arunce o privire in trecut si sa scrie despre ce s-a intamplat in cele patru luni. In schimb as fi vrut sa existe mai multa actiune in aceasta parte a povestirii, chiar daca au existat multe parti interesante. Mi s-a parut un pic cam lunga introducerea in actiunea propriu zisa, si de aceea i-am cordat 4/5.
Evolutia personajelor in schimb mi-a palcut foarte mult, mai ales a Lilei, care intr-un fel stiam ca este speciala si ca va putea lucra cu magia elementelor. Imi place foarte mult determinarea si curajul ei de a se aventura in acest fel "nebunec" si "nesabuit".
Cred in continuare ca aceasta serie trebuie citita de amatorii de YA fantasy pentru ca e ceva special legat de ea si e unica. Abia astept sa citesc si urmatorul volum si sa vad cum se va sfarsi aceasta aventura.
"Se intrerupse, cand o margea de noroi inghetat ii cazu pe umarul hainei.
-Ah! exclama, cand bucatica i se strecura pe sub guler. Stiu unde dormi, Bard.
Ea zambi cu un aer superior.
-Atunci stii si ca dorm cu cutitele langa mine."
"Nu stiu de ce va dati tarcoale unul altuia ca luna si soarele. Nu e dansul cosmic la care sa ma pricep eu. Insa stiu ca veniti sa intrebati unul de celalalt, cand va separa numai cativa pasi si un sir de trepte."
"S-au izbit unul de celalalt de parca ar fi fost propulsati de gravitatie si el nu mai stia care dintre ei era meteoritul si care pamantul, ci stia numai ca se ciocnisera."
Cate fraze frumoase pentru o singura carte! Pot spune ca a fost un volum divin din mai multe motive. In primul rand worldbuilding-ul a fost excelent si m-am indragostit de aceasta lume de la prima carte. Imi place ideea din spate, in plus Londra mi se pare un oras magic din toate punctele de vedere chiar si in viata reala, chiar daca nu am fost niciodata acolo. Acum, aceasta destinatie a urcat printre primele locuri pentru mine. In al doilea rand mi-a placut ca autoarea a decis sa arunce o privire in trecut si sa scrie despre ce s-a intamplat in cele patru luni. In schimb as fi vrut sa existe mai multa actiune in aceasta parte a povestirii, chiar daca au existat multe parti interesante. Mi s-a parut un pic cam lunga introducerea in actiunea propriu zisa, si de aceea i-am cordat 4/5.
Evolutia personajelor in schimb mi-a palcut foarte mult, mai ales a Lilei, care intr-un fel stiam ca este speciala si ca va putea lucra cu magia elementelor. Imi place foarte mult determinarea si curajul ei de a se aventura in acest fel "nebunec" si "nesabuit".
Cred in continuare ca aceasta serie trebuie citita de amatorii de YA fantasy pentru ca e ceva special legat de ea si e unica. Abia astept sa citesc si urmatorul volum si sa vad cum se va sfarsi aceasta aventura.
itsdanixx's review against another edition
5.0
RE-READ JULY 2020 Felt like it was long past time for a re-read of this glorious series, and the release of the final Steel Prince graphic novel was the final excuse I needed. So good, so much fun.
ORIGINAL REVIEW OCTOBER 2016: I have loved everything I've read by V E Schwab so far, this being no exception.
I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I enjoyed A Darker Shade of Magic, but I still enjoyed every moment of it and I love every single character (even the baddies) - can't wait for the third and final (which honestly feels like forever away right now D: ).
ORIGINAL REVIEW OCTOBER 2016: I have loved everything I've read by V E Schwab so far, this being no exception.
I didn't enjoy it quite as much as I enjoyed A Darker Shade of Magic, but I still enjoyed every moment of it and I love every single character (even the baddies) - can't wait for the third and final (which honestly feels like forever away right now D: ).
ivynguyen310's review
adventurous
dark
slow-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
4.5