winglesswarrior's review
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
No second book slump to be found here. We pick up with Brand, Rune, and their found family not long after the events of the first book with a chase through town when Max is taken. That's resolved fairly quickly, but the truth of what Max has been hiding has come out and Rune and Brand are tossed into the fray again.
I loved this one almost more than the first, because it really gives the characters the space to shine. Rune is finally coming into his own, learning that it's not just Brand and the very capable Queenie that he has to take care of, and is starting to see Max as family. His relationship with Addam is growing and by way of that Quinn. We get to see him really start to see how important his role is, and how he can do more than just toss himself headlong into danger and how his entire background has built him into these moments where he has to out think, out politic, and pull strings that he didn't even though he had.
The banter is still A+ and Brand and Rune are quickly joining the ranks of the Raven boys and the Monsters as some of my absolute favorite characters. They fight, they bicker, but the love between them is real, and the love between them and their little family is even better.
We get more characters this book with the intro of the Dawncreeks, including the viciously intense Anna and the adorable Corbie. We also get more insight into the mysterious Lord Tower, more of his Companion Mayan and meet a former Companion Corinne (which of course opens all sorts of questions about Brand and the impact of his bond with Rune).
The mystery and the emotion are even harder with this one (check those trigger warnings), but the reveals are worth it. Rune has his moment in the sun (hah!) and you can't help but feel proud of him.
I loved this one almost more than the first, because it really gives the characters the space to shine. Rune is finally coming into his own, learning that it's not just Brand and the very capable Queenie that he has to take care of, and is starting to see Max as family. His relationship with Addam is growing and by way of that Quinn. We get to see him really start to see how important his role is, and how he can do more than just toss himself headlong into danger and how his entire background has built him into these moments where he has to out think, out politic, and pull strings that he didn't even though he had.
The banter is still A+ and Brand and Rune are quickly joining the ranks of the Raven boys and the Monsters as some of my absolute favorite characters. They fight, they bicker, but the love between them is real, and the love between them and their little family is even better.
We get more characters this book with the intro of the Dawncreeks, including the viciously intense Anna and the adorable Corbie. We also get more insight into the mysterious Lord Tower, more of his Companion Mayan and meet a former Companion Corinne (which of course opens all sorts of questions about Brand and the impact of his bond with Rune).
The mystery and the emotion are even harder with this one (check those trigger warnings), but the reveals are worth it. Rune has his moment in the sun (hah!) and you can't help but feel proud of him.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Death
Moderate: Rape
Minor: Pedophilia
mallorypen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
A fabulous sequel and holy cow, what a ride!
First and foremost: Josh Hurley does an incredible job as a narrator. His inflection and emotion, pacing and character choices made the listening experience gripping and deeply entertaining.
Secondly: as a sequel goes, I’d give this 5/5 stars. KD Edwards built on the world he created in the first novel while adding new elements and characters in a well-balanced way. We got to know the side characters from Book One more deeply; in the first book, Max felt a little less important than he should have been given how the novel started, but by the end of Book Two I was so emotional over Rune bringing Max formally into his family.
The relationships continued to build in a really lovely way. Addam feels a little too good to be true, but as that’s how Rune often sees him I don’t feel like it takes me out of the story. Brand and Rune’s relationship? Chef’s kiss. That said, I have yelled “BE A THRUPPLE ALREADY” at my speakers in multiple occasions, because c’mon. Rune has a soulmate and a boyfriend and the Atlantians are supposed to be laissez-faire about multiple partners, so I’m set up for that belief.
The concept of the ghost ship was exceedingly well done and appropriately horrific in its execution. All of The Hanged Man’s pieces - from taking away Rune’s ability to breathe unconsciously, to how he grew his mushrooms, to the carnage on the ship made him a formidable opponent and excellent Big Bad.
Also - I totally thought KD Edwards was a woman. I say that as the highest compliment, because oftentimes books written by men give me an ick in some way; how they write women, how they treat sex, etc. but not KD Edwards. Bravo!
I took off a half star because, like Book One, the climax of the story felt a little rushed in places and there were a few payoffs that didn’t quite fulfill the promise they made.
That said, this was an overall joyride of a story and I can’t wait for Book Three!
First and foremost: Josh Hurley does an incredible job as a narrator. His inflection and emotion, pacing and character choices made the listening experience gripping and deeply entertaining.
Secondly: as a sequel goes, I’d give this 5/5 stars. KD Edwards built on the world he created in the first novel while adding new elements and characters in a well-balanced way. We got to know the side characters from Book One more deeply; in the first book, Max felt a little less important than he should have been given how the novel started, but by the end of Book Two I was so emotional over Rune bringing Max formally into his family.
The relationships continued to build in a really lovely way. Addam feels a little too good to be true, but as that’s how Rune often sees him I don’t feel like it takes me out of the story. Brand and Rune’s relationship? Chef’s kiss. That said, I have yelled “BE A THRUPPLE ALREADY” at my speakers in multiple occasions, because c’mon. Rune has a soulmate and a boyfriend and the Atlantians are supposed to be laissez-faire about multiple partners, so I’m set up for that belief.
The concept of the ghost ship was exceedingly well done and appropriately horrific in its execution. All of The Hanged Man’s pieces - from taking away Rune’s ability to breathe unconsciously, to how he grew his mushrooms, to the carnage on the ship made him a formidable opponent and excellent Big Bad.
Also - I totally thought KD Edwards was a woman. I say that as the highest compliment, because oftentimes books written by men give me an ick in some way; how they write women, how they treat sex, etc. but not KD Edwards. Bravo!
I took off a half star because, like Book One, the climax of the story felt a little rushed in places and there were a few payoffs that didn’t quite fulfill the promise they made.
That said, this was an overall joyride of a story and I can’t wait for Book Three!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Pedophilia, and Violence
Moderate: War, Sexual violence, and Rape
patriciomas's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Cursing, and Death
Minor: Pedophilia, Bullying, Death of parent, War, Rape, and Torture
gooseturnover's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.5
Sometimes a family is you, your soul-bonded queerplatonic bodyguard bestie, an accidentally acquired teenager sworn to you by vow who throws his safety out the window in an earnest but ill-advised attempt to help, your literal knight in shining armor boyfriend who gently but firmly rebuffs your attempts to protect him from your lifestyle, his extremely cryptic and endearing younger brother who drops life-altering sentences on you before your morning coffee, your housekeeper who you try to get to take a day off but refuses because if she does then you all forget how to feed yourself properly, your ex-boss/patron who is literally one of the most terrifying people in the entire world but that's cool bc he's sort of maybe also kind of your surrogate dad, and HIS soul-bonded bodyguard who's not his bestie but the other half of a terrifyingly efficient super-spy team.
And then you meet FOUR OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW ALSO INEXPLICABLY PART OF YOUR FOUND FAMILY. THREE OF WHOM ARE ALSO KIDS.
Anyways the Hanged Man can choke <3
And then you meet FOUR OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW ALSO INEXPLICABLY PART OF YOUR FOUND FAMILY. THREE OF WHOM ARE ALSO KIDS.
Anyways the Hanged Man can choke <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Drug abuse, Torture, Suicidal thoughts, Trafficking, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, Child abuse, Death, and Slavery
Moderate: Pedophilia, Self harm, Stalking, and Kidnapping
Bombs/explosives are used to kill/maim characters, but the descriptions are not graphic. Every time the Hanged Man appears, descriptions of fatal injuries are described as it is a part of his appearance. Slashes in his clothes, gaping wounds, and blood in particular. He also pursues and has a history of pursuing minors. It is never explicitly described what he does with them in detail, but the characters do posit theories to what he does with them, some of which are very dark. The characters visit a red-light district with various degrees of corruption; consent and its lack thereof crop up frequently. Proceed with caution once they approach the Green Docks.pvbobrien'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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, and Violence
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, War, Death of parent, Murder, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Cursing, Death, Kidnapping, Pedophilia, Torture, Drug use, Grief, and Gun violence
Minor: Cannibalism, Stalking, Self harm, Sexual violence, Adult/minor relationship, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, and Rape
montyalmoro's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Blood, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment
lmaurer's review
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Sexual content
Minor: Death and Blood
technicallyaly's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
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
5.0
Words cannot describe how much I adore this book and these characters.
The plot and world-building, while absolutely captivating, can be a little dizzying sometimes, but the characterization is super grounding. The dynamics between everyone, the relationships forged feel so natural, their interactions and quips make the entire story — steeped in magical realism and fantasy — feel real and relatable. (The quips are also a source of comedy, even in the darkest, tenses moments, which I really appreciate. I love being reminded to breathe as characters are facing imminent threats.) The ensemble of characters are so entertaining, I feel like I've known them all my life. Everything comes together in a way that just makes sense.
The world building is intricate and intentional, it's obvious that K.D. Edwards wholly understands the world he's creating; it makes me trust that, even if something is confusing to me now, it'll all come together in the end. And it does, I haven't been left down yet. This was a great sequel to an already great first novel (The Last Sun), I can't wait to see what the next book has in store for us!
The plot and world-building, while absolutely captivating, can be a little dizzying sometimes, but the characterization is super grounding. The dynamics between everyone, the relationships forged feel so natural, their interactions and quips make the entire story — steeped in magical realism and fantasy — feel real and relatable. (The quips are also a source of comedy, even in the darkest, tenses moments, which I really appreciate. I love being reminded to breathe as characters are facing imminent threats.) The ensemble of characters are so entertaining, I feel like I've known them all my life. Everything comes together in a way that just makes sense.
The world building is intricate and intentional, it's obvious that K.D. Edwards wholly understands the world he's creating; it makes me trust that, even if something is confusing to me now, it'll all come together in the end. And it does, I haven't been left down yet. This was a great sequel to an already great first novel (The Last Sun), I can't wait to see what the next book has in store for us!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Cannibalism, Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
alouette's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
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
5.0
what else to say but wow... any and all gripes i might have had with the first novel of this urban fantasy were amended with this thrilling sequel. the new characters were lovely, and the dialogue just as fun. it was near impossible for me to put the book down, as following the adventures of the most beautiful found family i've ever seen is a completely immersive experience. the blend of action, intrigue, emotion, darkness, and love- there's probably a dozen other aspects to name, mixed in so well to create a stunning product.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Pedophilia, and Violence
Moderate: Rape and Torture
astudyinfic's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cannibalism, Child abuse, Death, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Rape, and Trafficking