Reviews

This might actually be my least favorite World of Elan book. It's still a really great book, but it felt like the majority POV was through a character I don't care about. Hilfred (Reuben), I do not care one ounce about that character or his background. I understand why it was through his POV. Certain events had to be told from an "outside" perspective, but I still didn't care about his back story. It wasn't something I wondered after his role in Revelations was over.

All that aside, this was a plot dense book considering how short it is. One thing that can be said about Sullivan is he doesn't waste pages. There are so many books that are 500-600 pages that do not have as much plot relevant 'stuff' as books in this world/series. I do think that there could have and should have been more POV moments through Rose's eyes. Her story is so tragic and sad. I hate to think of what Ruben's father made her think that Ruben knew what was going to happen to her. He was just a kid trying to do the right thing, and his father was a selfish ass who liked to blame others for his choices.

Oddly, it felt like Royce and Hadrain took a back seat for this book. I didn't count their page time, but it must've still been at least half the book. But I didn't feel like they were the main characters of this story, and I waned them to be. I like that they have inside jokes now, and how close they've gotten in the year since they met. I totally forgot what Gwen had told Rose about her (Rose) falling in love, and since I'm using the library for this first read through I can't go back and check. Likely nothing good considering what happened to her.

I forgot what a pone Saulder is, and I wish Ruben had said something to the King about the Bishop visiting him the day before, and what he said. Ruben didn't seem like the religious type. So he couldn't have any faith in the church, not to mention Bishop Saulder was one of the people who tired to stop him from trying to rescue the Royal family.

Content Warnings

r4hand's review against another edition

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4.0

If you're a fan of Michael J. Sullivan's other tales of Royce and Hadrian, then what else is there to say?

liicu's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced

5.0

kmdll's review against another edition

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5.0

Royce, the man that you are

lukehoop's review against another edition

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4.0

Another page-turner that expands on a lot of stuff that I liked from the main series. Seeing the royal family and some of the politicking from the perspective of Hilfred was enjoyable. Beyond background for the main series this book just has a great, fast plot also. We get to see Royce and Hadrian first get their footholds into the Medford crime scene as they try and control the nobles and save Gwen and Rose.

matylda_015's review against another edition

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adventurous funny mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

bookbug17's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny mysterious 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

4.25

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