taylormoore6's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
I appreciated how descriptive and flush with detail this book was. The story line seems secondary when compared to the atmosphere and grandiosity of the setting. The main character is at times a bit annoying/whiny and it would be amazing to spend time in some of the other characters’ heads. Either way, know I’ll be returning for the last book in the series.
brits_bomb_books's review against another edition
4.0
So it’s been a few weeks since I read this book, and I’m still hungry for absolutely everything in it.
I chose to post this review today because this book is chock full of women who are strong in a multitude of ways. Camille’s strength comes from her love of her sisters. Edel’s strength comes from chasing a better future. I love the diversity we see in this book, and the narrative against valuing beauty above all else.
I really enjoyed listening to this book, largely due to Clayton’s amazing writing style. The narration was very well done. I was left a little confused by this book. It was either a rushed completion of a duology or a victim of second-book-syndrome. That’s not to say it wasn’t a very good book, though! My main issues are not having enough of it to answer all of my questions
I chose to post this review today because this book is chock full of women who are strong in a multitude of ways. Camille’s strength comes from her love of her sisters. Edel’s strength comes from chasing a better future. I love the diversity we see in this book, and the narrative against valuing beauty above all else.
I really enjoyed listening to this book, largely due to Clayton’s amazing writing style. The narration was very well done. I was left a little confused by this book. It was either a rushed completion of a duology or a victim of second-book-syndrome. That’s not to say it wasn’t a very good book, though! My main issues are not having enough of it to answer all of my questions
librarykat95's review against another edition
2.0
Felt a bit rushed, the level of character development from the first book wasnt as present this time around
sophie5927's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly, it’s been a long time since I’ve read book one so I was pretty confused at the beginning of this one. I am very much the kind of person who needs to binge read series, so I’ll reread these together soon. Also is there going to be more books in this series?? Let me know if you know :)
cheyanneartistry's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
5.0
LOVE the two books. I wish I could have more of this world!!
emilylouisereads's review
3.0
This was definitely and eagerly anticipated read and I just had to get this because the ending of The Belles was such a cliffhanger! This sequel did not disappoint.
Plot:
After escaping the Queen, Camille Beaureguard, a former favourite Belle of the kingdom is on the run from her majesty. Queen Sophia is changing the rules and the laws of the kingdom and is destroying the Belles one by one, now that the princess is presumed dead. Camille teams up with her guard, Remy, and one of her Belle sisters, Edel, to hunt down the missing princess and destroy the Queen to get the kingdom back to what it once was.
Writing:
The Everlasting Rose had so much atmosphere and drama that I really felt like I was thrown into the action alongside the characters. The story and world building is so great. I really enjoyed how Clayton, as well as focusing on the drama/action, the character relationships were really at the forefront of this book. The story has an underlying theme of sisterhood and family; as the Belles are non-biological family but treat each other as such and Queen Sophia and Princess Charlotte are biological siblings but have a hatred for one another. It really shows two different sides to the familial story.
The first book was definitely based a lot more on the message that people cared a lot more about the beauty of their kingdom and how they would do anything to change their appearance to fit into society. However, this theme took more of a backseat in this with regards to the kingdom's population but focused on how the leader is gaining power from beauty. Queen Sophia is a vain ruler and wants all the power in her hands, no matter what she has to do to get it. Her vanity has taken over from her heart. The message was clear that power and vanity can cloud a person's thoughts, turning them from good to evil and that their is a power in sisterhood.
Summary:
Dhonielle Clayton has created a really amazing world with The Belles and The Everlasting Rose and I hope there is more to come. The action really built up in TER and I loved it. It was such a great balance of action and romance as well as friendships and just badass female characters. The only downside was that I was really hooked as much as the first one while I was reading it which is the reason for the three star rating, but the writing was really great.
☆☆☆/5
Plot:
After escaping the Queen, Camille Beaureguard, a former favourite Belle of the kingdom is on the run from her majesty. Queen Sophia is changing the rules and the laws of the kingdom and is destroying the Belles one by one, now that the princess is presumed dead. Camille teams up with her guard, Remy, and one of her Belle sisters, Edel, to hunt down the missing princess and destroy the Queen to get the kingdom back to what it once was.
Writing:
The Everlasting Rose had so much atmosphere and drama that I really felt like I was thrown into the action alongside the characters. The story and world building is so great. I really enjoyed how Clayton, as well as focusing on the drama/action, the character relationships were really at the forefront of this book. The story has an underlying theme of sisterhood and family; as the Belles are non-biological family but treat each other as such and Queen Sophia and Princess Charlotte are biological siblings but have a hatred for one another. It really shows two different sides to the familial story.
The first book was definitely based a lot more on the message that people cared a lot more about the beauty of their kingdom and how they would do anything to change their appearance to fit into society. However, this theme took more of a backseat in this with regards to the kingdom's population but focused on how the leader is gaining power from beauty. Queen Sophia is a vain ruler and wants all the power in her hands, no matter what she has to do to get it. Her vanity has taken over from her heart. The message was clear that power and vanity can cloud a person's thoughts, turning them from good to evil and that their is a power in sisterhood.
Summary:
Dhonielle Clayton has created a really amazing world with The Belles and The Everlasting Rose and I hope there is more to come. The action really built up in TER and I loved it. It was such a great balance of action and romance as well as friendships and just badass female characters. The only downside was that I was really hooked as much as the first one while I was reading it which is the reason for the three star rating, but the writing was really great.
☆☆☆/5
belle_of_the_books's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
bookowl's review against another edition
3.0
I’m here for the teacup animals (BE STILL, MY HEART) and the decadent writing. I can’t say I’m a huge fan of the plot, but the world is excellent and the writing is like eating cake!
brooke_city's review against another edition
3.0
Another good read! Though not as captivating as the first. It took me a lot longer to get through.
Spoiler, perhaps?
Much of the book is spent following Camille around the countryside. A few scrapes, but not much action. You get a lot of her thoughts. Sophia doesn't come back until about 70% into the book? Things get pretty interesting, but also by that time, I was just ready to get through to the end.
I can say the ending leaves a nice setup for book 3. So I'm looking forward to more fantasy with "brown skin and tight coiled hair." Fantasy that looks like me!
Spoiler, perhaps?
Much of the book is spent following Camille around the countryside. A few scrapes, but not much action. You get a lot of her thoughts. Sophia doesn't come back until about 70% into the book? Things get pretty interesting, but also by that time, I was just ready to get through to the end.
I can say the ending leaves a nice setup for book 3. So I'm looking forward to more fantasy with "brown skin and tight coiled hair." Fantasy that looks like me!