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cobycoyle's review against another edition
4.0
So...in the beginning and early middle of the book I was irritated. Like you couldn’t think of a more creative plot line/sequel than repeating the same story over? But it did get better as it went along.
Also, Stark at the end? Please, my heart couldn’t take it. I never meant to be a Stark stan but here I am.
Also, Stark at the end? Please, my heart couldn’t take it. I never meant to be a Stark stan but here I am.
millymollycx's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
cala_p's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t generally give updates of my thoughts throughout my reading of a book in my reviews, but this one I need to because I went through a bit of a hill of thoughts to get to where I ended. And despite what the first half of this review may seem like, just know (talking to you authors and editors!), I do want another HON novel from the wonderful duo. Read to the end. I read the Q&A at the end of the novel, and the fact that another book may or may not come, depending fan’s reactions scares me, so please read to the end of this. So why say all the bad stuff, you may ask? Because I give honesty and I can’t deny my feelings for the first half that are still there, but it all became better in the end…
10%:
So far, this seems so much like the original HON series, it is annoying. Except it is worse because they’re trying to make him sound like her, but it is not working. The story is similar but different. Kevin is a healed red vampire (as we saw at the end of the last one) who, after seeing the real world, is going to use all the same key players in his world to stop Neferet. But it’s also a very different story because there are differences, such as Zoey being dead, Stark and Aphrodite being on Neferet’s side, Neferet is already in a lot of control over the school and town which she didn’t make it that far in the original story, and Dragon and Anastasia being alive while Travis and Lenobia is not.
I feel like their writing quality from the original series has dropped. A paragraph saying: “Get yourself together and snap out of it! … In this world Heath is dead. Your mom is dead. And we actually defeated Neferet. Get a grip!” did not scream quality to me. It was very cringe-worthy in fact. No one talks to themselves like that. I was as if the authors wanted to remind us of previous stories, but just didn’t do it well. A “Get it together. Kevin is where he needs to be and all is right here.” would be better.
At this point, I am still trying to figure out where they are going with this HON 2.0 series. I love the HON series, so of course series 2 I have to read. But at this point, I am reading to read them. I need them to give me something! And stop reminding me of what happened in previous books all the time. We don’t need so many reminders.
Zoey’s Heath obsession…Oh don’t get me started. I wasn’t a review writer when I first read the HON series (or the second time…or the third time…etc.), but maybe when I eventually reread them again, I should give official reviews. I’ve liked/loved every one, but even back then, the Heath stuff and her obsession with him despite her vampire boyfriends...oh, it killed me. Now it just is not going away! She went through multiple stages of grief already. I get that finding out he is alive in another world could make you miss him more. I do get it, but at the same time she’s always sad. She spent the first chunk of the book just moping. I feel so bad for Stark, and it is a shame because their romance is one for the books for sure.
There is a line in this part of the book that drove me nuts. It is: "What I wouldn’t give to be a fledgling again, without a care in the world." Well. According to every HON book, even when she was a fledgling, she had a lot of worries: human boyfriend being left behind (Heath), new vampire crush (Erik), adult vampire lover at the same time (Loren Blake), new Warrior lover and boyfriend and mate (Stark), evil teacher (Neferet), Changing, pleasing the Goddess…what have I missed?? As a fledgling, she was always worried about something. I mean, in the later books it was more major of course. But the first three? What, when she started dating a vampire, cheated on him with a teacher, and still moped over her human boyfriend? She never did not have “cares in the world”, so I am not sure how this line is appropriate.
12%:
She does not tell Stark about her dream. Big surprise! I get that she does not want to worry him, but has she not figured out that he is her most trusted person and also very much needs to know these things so he can be there for her at all times?? Look how well hiding stuff like this from him in the past worked out for her. I suspect this is how this novel goes down.
24%:
Why is she worried about her own death in the Other World and how that is affecting people? She is literally stressing her own life away by being worried about her Other Self. Other Self is in Other World in which there is an Other Alternate Present occurring. Nothing can be done without upsetting the universe.
Presenting where I start changing feelings:
41%:
The story is getting good now. In the Other World it is super neat to see old characters like Anastasia, Loren Blake, and Neferet return and to see familiar ones like Aphrodite and Stark in different roles, since Neferet is alive and changed the world from what we know it as in the original HON books. Just to see how their roles and lives worked out, but they’re still keeping some of the same qualities that gives foreshadowing for later events. Basically, it is the original HON story, except Neferet becomes more evil and takes over, kills Zoey, which means she isn’t being stopped, so when Stark joins the school, he ends up on her side and Aphoridite lost her Dark Daughters but still got the visions. Almost as this is an alternate ending for the original series. I also like seeing Neferet a lot, because let’s be honest: she’s an interesting character and an amazing villain. I loved her as a villain (and obviously hated her, which makes her a fantastic villain), but the authors always did right by her evil character.
The story is generally picking up and getting good. I was at a 2 star rating earlier, but not I am up to a 3.5.
49%:
More eye rolling. Zoey hints at going to the Other World just because Heath is alive. Is this like cheating on Stark? I get her depression, but did she really think through going to the other side fully?? And not telling anyone?
57%:
Things are better. She is going over for a mission and that’s fine and fun. I suspect Heath is making a return to the story though, like a full-on talking side character. Not one seen and is passed on. I do not disagree with Stark’s response. He has a right to feel hurt and betrayed, and even jealous, considering how she has been acting to him since discovering Other Heath is alive.
80%-86%
The romance between Kevin and Aphrodite is interesting and cute. Partly, because we’ve seen so much of her other character/version and her being with Darius only. I’m not sure if they’re looking to force a romance here, but regardless it is sweet. I feel like it is a little rushed though. Since Aphrodite is slightly different in this world, it it interesting for her character. It is as if Kevin is her “humanity”, as in helping her to be better. While in the original, she was getting better and good by joining with Zoey, and then Darius sealed the deal. The line: “What if in this world you are my Darius?" just melted me. It is showing that she likes him for him while understanding that her counterpart has her own life. So if Darius does make an appearance in this life, I do not foresee her switching. Although, look how cute Erik and Zoey started out, so I can see this romance going South real quick too, as Darius may be her “destined” one and all that.
I’m so into this book now it isn’t even funny. I’ll leave a lot of the gushing until the end though. It seems like the writing quality also improved over the course of the novel.
I love how Other Stark is a mirror of the original. In book 5? 6? 7? (one of those), Neferet was controlling his mind. I remember on command when he aimed the bow at Zoey. He did it in this one, again on her command, at it was such a mirrored image of the past that the fan in me squealed. Again, shouting out to the fact that if Zoey didn’t do anything and have any powers, this is how it, he specifically, would have ended up.
94%:
Oh. Aphrodite. I did not see that coming. Like at all. Hm. That’s all I’ll say here.
I was really happy that she didn’t even talk to Heath. She accepted that this is his life now and he is not the same, and that Stark is it for her. The depression will stop. I have good feelings about the future.
So now my end of book comments:
I reallllllllly hope for another book!! I know it sounds like I wasn’t liking it, and for a while things did bug me, but it soon picked up. In fact, I end this story on a 4. 5 for the second half and 3 for the first half. So we’ll go into the middle to be fair. Plus, now that Zoey is happy in her world, I can’t wait to see what’s next. But Neferet is still alive in the Other World, so I assume there is more there. Plus, the series is called Other World so I assume it is not the last we have seen of it. Additionally, with an ending like that in the stadium, it can’t be it. I think that isn’t the last we’ve seen of that.
I was really enthralled the second half of the book. As mentioned before, the characters were so much fun to read about, and the whole situation is crazy because it’s a duplicate of the original but on a deeper level than it ever got in the original series thanks to Zoey. It was so good. I can’t wait for the next one. So c’mon editors; do not stop the duo from writing us more!
10%:
So far, this seems so much like the original HON series, it is annoying. Except it is worse because they’re trying to make him sound like her, but it is not working. The story is similar but different. Kevin is a healed red vampire (as we saw at the end of the last one) who, after seeing the real world, is going to use all the same key players in his world to stop Neferet. But it’s also a very different story because there are differences, such as Zoey being dead, Stark and Aphrodite being on Neferet’s side, Neferet is already in a lot of control over the school and town which she didn’t make it that far in the original story, and Dragon and Anastasia being alive while Travis and Lenobia is not.
I feel like their writing quality from the original series has dropped. A paragraph saying: “Get yourself together and snap out of it! … In this world Heath is dead. Your mom is dead. And we actually defeated Neferet. Get a grip!” did not scream quality to me. It was very cringe-worthy in fact. No one talks to themselves like that. I was as if the authors wanted to remind us of previous stories, but just didn’t do it well. A “Get it together. Kevin is where he needs to be and all is right here.” would be better.
At this point, I am still trying to figure out where they are going with this HON 2.0 series. I love the HON series, so of course series 2 I have to read. But at this point, I am reading to read them. I need them to give me something! And stop reminding me of what happened in previous books all the time. We don’t need so many reminders.
Zoey’s Heath obsession…Oh don’t get me started. I wasn’t a review writer when I first read the HON series (or the second time…or the third time…etc.), but maybe when I eventually reread them again, I should give official reviews. I’ve liked/loved every one, but even back then, the Heath stuff and her obsession with him despite her vampire boyfriends...oh, it killed me. Now it just is not going away! She went through multiple stages of grief already. I get that finding out he is alive in another world could make you miss him more. I do get it, but at the same time she’s always sad. She spent the first chunk of the book just moping. I feel so bad for Stark, and it is a shame because their romance is one for the books for sure.
There is a line in this part of the book that drove me nuts. It is: "What I wouldn’t give to be a fledgling again, without a care in the world." Well. According to every HON book, even when she was a fledgling, she had a lot of worries: human boyfriend being left behind (Heath), new vampire crush (Erik), adult vampire lover at the same time (Loren Blake), new Warrior lover and boyfriend and mate (Stark), evil teacher (Neferet), Changing, pleasing the Goddess…what have I missed?? As a fledgling, she was always worried about something. I mean, in the later books it was more major of course. But the first three? What, when she started dating a vampire, cheated on him with a teacher, and still moped over her human boyfriend? She never did not have “cares in the world”, so I am not sure how this line is appropriate.
12%:
She does not tell Stark about her dream. Big surprise! I get that she does not want to worry him, but has she not figured out that he is her most trusted person and also very much needs to know these things so he can be there for her at all times?? Look how well hiding stuff like this from him in the past worked out for her. I suspect this is how this novel goes down.
24%:
Why is she worried about her own death in the Other World and how that is affecting people? She is literally stressing her own life away by being worried about her Other Self. Other Self is in Other World in which there is an Other Alternate Present occurring. Nothing can be done without upsetting the universe.
Presenting where I start changing feelings:
41%:
The story is getting good now. In the Other World it is super neat to see old characters like Anastasia, Loren Blake, and Neferet return and to see familiar ones like Aphrodite and Stark in different roles, since Neferet is alive and changed the world from what we know it as in the original HON books. Just to see how their roles and lives worked out, but they’re still keeping some of the same qualities that gives foreshadowing for later events. Basically, it is the original HON story, except Neferet becomes more evil and takes over, kills Zoey, which means she isn’t being stopped, so when Stark joins the school, he ends up on her side and Aphoridite lost her Dark Daughters but still got the visions. Almost as this is an alternate ending for the original series. I also like seeing Neferet a lot, because let’s be honest: she’s an interesting character and an amazing villain. I loved her as a villain (and obviously hated her, which makes her a fantastic villain), but the authors always did right by her evil character.
The story is generally picking up and getting good. I was at a 2 star rating earlier, but not I am up to a 3.5.
49%:
More eye rolling. Zoey hints at going to the Other World just because Heath is alive. Is this like cheating on Stark? I get her depression, but did she really think through going to the other side fully?? And not telling anyone?
57%:
Things are better. She is going over for a mission and that’s fine and fun. I suspect Heath is making a return to the story though, like a full-on talking side character. Not one seen and is passed on. I do not disagree with Stark’s response. He has a right to feel hurt and betrayed, and even jealous, considering how she has been acting to him since discovering Other Heath is alive.
80%-86%
The romance between Kevin and Aphrodite is interesting and cute. Partly, because we’ve seen so much of her other character/version and her being with Darius only. I’m not sure if they’re looking to force a romance here, but regardless it is sweet. I feel like it is a little rushed though. Since Aphrodite is slightly different in this world, it it interesting for her character. It is as if Kevin is her “humanity”, as in helping her to be better. While in the original, she was getting better and good by joining with Zoey, and then Darius sealed the deal. The line: “What if in this world you are my Darius?" just melted me. It is showing that she likes him for him while understanding that her counterpart has her own life. So if Darius does make an appearance in this life, I do not foresee her switching. Although, look how cute Erik and Zoey started out, so I can see this romance going South real quick too, as Darius may be her “destined” one and all that.
I’m so into this book now it isn’t even funny. I’ll leave a lot of the gushing until the end though. It seems like the writing quality also improved over the course of the novel.
I love how Other Stark is a mirror of the original. In book 5? 6? 7? (one of those), Neferet was controlling his mind. I remember on command when he aimed the bow at Zoey. He did it in this one, again on her command, at it was such a mirrored image of the past that the fan in me squealed. Again, shouting out to the fact that if Zoey didn’t do anything and have any powers, this is how it, he specifically, would have ended up.
94%:
Oh. Aphrodite. I did not see that coming. Like at all. Hm. That’s all I’ll say here.
I was really happy that she didn’t even talk to Heath. She accepted that this is his life now and he is not the same, and that Stark is it for her. The depression will stop. I have good feelings about the future.
So now my end of book comments:
I reallllllllly hope for another book!! I know it sounds like I wasn’t liking it, and for a while things did bug me, but it soon picked up. In fact, I end this story on a 4. 5 for the second half and 3 for the first half. So we’ll go into the middle to be fair. Plus, now that Zoey is happy in her world, I can’t wait to see what’s next. But Neferet is still alive in the Other World, so I assume there is more there. Plus, the series is called Other World so I assume it is not the last we have seen of it. Additionally, with an ending like that in the stadium, it can’t be it. I think that isn’t the last we’ve seen of that.
I was really enthralled the second half of the book. As mentioned before, the characters were so much fun to read about, and the whole situation is crazy because it’s a duplicate of the original but on a deeper level than it ever got in the original series thanks to Zoey. It was so good. I can’t wait for the next one. So c’mon editors; do not stop the duo from writing us more!
bookishghoul_96's review against another edition
5.0
Blessed be ✨
Words cannot describe how much I love this series. It’s an amazing and thrilling read. You can’t help, but love the Hero and Nerd Herd. The war scenes are heart wrenching and still give you a happy ending. I lost my favorite character, but loved how they made her realistic in the sense that just because something good happened doesn’t mean you start being perfect and put back together.
Words cannot describe how much I love this series. It’s an amazing and thrilling read. You can’t help, but love the Hero and Nerd Herd. The war scenes are heart wrenching and still give you a happy ending. I lost my favorite character, but loved how they made her realistic in the sense that just because something good happened doesn’t mean you start being perfect and put back together.
batgirl_bethany's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
sad
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? No
4.0
brokenchell's review against another edition
5.0
“Hey, Rephaim, know what’s the strongest thing in any world?” Stevie Rae said. “Yes, I do. It’s love … always love …”
There hasnt been a House of Night book, that I didnt love. I have fallen in love with each and every character. The otherworld House of Night is no exception. This book even brought tears to my eyes. If you havent read House of Night and The Otherworld House of Night, get shopping, it's well worth it.
There hasnt been a House of Night book, that I didnt love. I have fallen in love with each and every character. The otherworld House of Night is no exception. This book even brought tears to my eyes. If you havent read House of Night and The Otherworld House of Night, get shopping, it's well worth it.
zealous_bibliophile's review against another edition
1.0
Spoilers
How can they keep bringing back Heath and not letting him and Zoey be together?!?! Heath loves Zoey unconditional in any universe and Stark continues to be jealous here letting his jealousy let Zoey down. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. It's even a universe where she could have both guys, not no let's just continually bringing Heath back to rip him away again. It is unforgivable and has turned this from series I love to one that I dont think I'm going to continue. Let me be clear, I'm not abandoning the series because they killed off a character I love, the guy who wasn't an insecure jealous db, it's because the authors continue to bring him back and kill, literally or figuratively, him off all over again time and time again. Next book Heath will be back again as an angel popping between realms, until he is killed again, but wait now he is a valkyrie, oh but he's dead again. You killed him. Move on and stop torturing your readers and your characters.
How can they keep bringing back Heath and not letting him and Zoey be together?!?! Heath loves Zoey unconditional in any universe and Stark continues to be jealous here letting his jealousy let Zoey down. EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. It's even a universe where she could have both guys, not no let's just continually bringing Heath back to rip him away again. It is unforgivable and has turned this from series I love to one that I dont think I'm going to continue. Let me be clear, I'm not abandoning the series because they killed off a character I love, the guy who wasn't an insecure jealous db, it's because the authors continue to bring him back and kill, literally or figuratively, him off all over again time and time again. Next book Heath will be back again as an angel popping between realms, until he is killed again, but wait now he is a valkyrie, oh but he's dead again. You killed him. Move on and stop torturing your readers and your characters.
lizzy_kiddle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
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
3.75
gabster77's review against another edition
3.0
The best book in the series thus far! It pulled on my heartstrings to hear from characters that had died during the original HoN series. I greatly enjoyed witnessing Dragon and Anastacia's relationship and how they interacted with the other characters. And also OMG "Other Aphrodite's" story was heartbreaking.