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jkay44's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The book was okay. It was an okay sequel. But it became really laborious at times. The relationships between characters was the strong suit of the previous book, and in this one they became weirdly superficial.
The plot didn't really do much for me. It was very much based on illogical decisions of the characters, but that could be attributed to the YA nature of the book.
And there was such a labouring of whether or not curses did or did not exist anymore, and I understand there's nuance there, but the narrative did not make me care. It just became annoying.
The plot didn't really do much for me. It was very much based on illogical decisions of the characters, but that could be attributed to the YA nature of the book.
And there was such a labouring of whether or not curses did or did not exist anymore, and I understand there's nuance there, but the narrative did not make me care. It just became annoying.
jessicaswan's review against another edition
3.0
Amazing conclusion. I enjoyed how the story wrapped up and I feel that this is a solid duology.
heiroffire1989's review
3.0
3.5 stars.
I was really looking forward to reading this sequel, since the Glass Spare was so much fun to read.
There were definitely some expectations present before starting this book. Some of them, were lived up too but some of them weren't either. I think this is partly because of the fact that it's a duology? IDK, but I'd preferred it, I think, if there'd be a third book so the author could've expanded things a bit more and so she could've focused on a more detailed ending.
What I thought could've been handled a bit better
The switching in POV was often a bit chaotic in my experience. I like it more if there are obvious points in a book there's being switched in POV, by using names on the top of the pages for example or the start of an entire new chapter. That way you're in the loop of knowing there's another POV you're reading, which now often wasn't the case. It was a bit chaotic for me to have to find out for myself while starting a new paragraph, that there was a switch in POV all of a sudden. That was the only thing about the set-up that bothered me a bit.
The build up towards the ending was quite huge and then the Ending itself felt quite rushed to me. Everything gets wrapped up, so that's not an issue, but I would've liked there to be so more expansion written into some scenes, you know? Some things were over so quickly and therefore it felt like one thing fell into the next. I think the author wanted to go this way so things would feel exciting and exhilarating for the reader and to make it fast-paced, but I think the elaboration of it all lacked a bit, which is a bit of a shame.
Even though, a lot of things get answered, there are still some questions I'm being left with or answers I would've liked to be more expanded. Like Wil's power for example. I loved this particular power she had right from the start. It was original and intriguing to read about. I would've liked to be able to read more about it. It felt like it was being put into the background a lot in this second book (which I can understand up to a point because story-line developing is important too), and this is yet another reason I feel that a trilogy would've been better here so the author could've used the second book to tell more about this particular power and elaborate some more on Wil's hunt for some answers about it. So yeah, there should've been more possible with this in my opinion.
What I absolutely loved
As in the first book, I love the characters present and their development in the story-line. Whether I'm talking about the main characters or the minor ones. I really love them all. There are some kickass female characters and some swoon worthy male characters and I think the author really did all of them justice. They complement one another perfectly. I love the fact that Loom's sister, Espel and her guard Masali, are more present in this one and that we get to see them in a whole other lighting. They were a beautiful addition to the story-line development in my opinion.
I am in so love with the authors writing. It's so beautiful! Even though, there are some 'gaps/underdevelopment' present in the story, the writing itself is utterly enthralling to me and I couldn't get enough of it. I finished the book within a day, so that says enough, right? I am really looking forward to read more books by this author. There's an open enough ending, that definitely gives the author the opportunity to continue writing in this world, so fingers crossed.
So, yeah... Overall, I really liked the book. Sure, as I've mentioned, it had some flaws in my opinion, but this duology in general was just really fun to read and is a nice addition to the YA genre. It has some really fun and interesting characters to read about, a good enough world building with some court politics, the author's writing is so beautiful and enchanting. There's action and adventure, a bit of magic, there's betrayal, there's laughter, love and sadness. It has all the ingredients to be a story I'd really recommend to get yourself aquatinted with < You have to be aware though that this is a book that is for readers that love a light fantasy with light politics from time to time and not expect a book that has you guessing throughout it the entire time seeing it's quite predictable. The predictability didn't ruin it for me though, but it is a reason why I gave the rating that I did. But it definitely was enjoyable nonetheless! I for one, am excited to see what more there's to come from this author in the future and be looking back with a smile to this reading experience.
I was really looking forward to reading this sequel, since the Glass Spare was so much fun to read.
There were definitely some expectations present before starting this book. Some of them, were lived up too but some of them weren't either. I think this is partly because of the fact that it's a duology? IDK, but I'd preferred it, I think, if there'd be a third book so the author could've expanded things a bit more and so she could've focused on a more detailed ending.
What I thought could've been handled a bit better
The switching in POV was often a bit chaotic in my experience. I like it more if there are obvious points in a book there's being switched in POV, by using names on the top of the pages for example or the start of an entire new chapter. That way you're in the loop of knowing there's another POV you're reading, which now often wasn't the case. It was a bit chaotic for me to have to find out for myself while starting a new paragraph, that there was a switch in POV all of a sudden. That was the only thing about the set-up that bothered me a bit.
The build up towards the ending was quite huge and then the Ending itself felt quite rushed to me. Everything gets wrapped up, so that's not an issue, but I would've liked there to be so more expansion written into some scenes, you know? Some things were over so quickly and therefore it felt like one thing fell into the next. I think the author wanted to go this way so things would feel exciting and exhilarating for the reader and to make it fast-paced, but I think the elaboration of it all lacked a bit, which is a bit of a shame.
Even though, a lot of things get answered, there are still some questions I'm being left with or answers I would've liked to be more expanded. Like Wil's power for example. I loved this particular power she had right from the start. It was original and intriguing to read about. I would've liked to be able to read more about it. It felt like it was being put into the background a lot in this second book (which I can understand up to a point because story-line developing is important too), and this is yet another reason I feel that a trilogy would've been better here so the author could've used the second book to tell more about this particular power and elaborate some more on Wil's hunt for some answers about it. So yeah, there should've been more possible with this in my opinion.
What I absolutely loved
As in the first book, I love the characters present and their development in the story-line. Whether I'm talking about the main characters or the minor ones. I really love them all. There are some kickass female characters and some swoon worthy male characters and I think the author really did all of them justice. They complement one another perfectly. I love the fact that Loom's sister, Espel and her guard Masali, are more present in this one and that we get to see them in a whole other lighting. They were a beautiful addition to the story-line development in my opinion.
I am in so love with the authors writing. It's so beautiful! Even though, there are some 'gaps/underdevelopment' present in the story, the writing itself is utterly enthralling to me and I couldn't get enough of it. I finished the book within a day, so that says enough, right? I am really looking forward to read more books by this author. There's an open enough ending, that definitely gives the author the opportunity to continue writing in this world, so fingers crossed.
So, yeah... Overall, I really liked the book. Sure, as I've mentioned, it had some flaws in my opinion, but this duology in general was just really fun to read and is a nice addition to the YA genre. It has some really fun and interesting characters to read about, a good enough world building with some court politics, the author's writing is so beautiful and enchanting. There's action and adventure, a bit of magic, there's betrayal, there's laughter, love and sadness. It has all the ingredients to be a story I'd really recommend to get yourself aquatinted with < You have to be aware though that this is a book that is for readers that love a light fantasy with light politics from time to time and not expect a book that has you guessing throughout it the entire time seeing it's quite predictable. The predictability didn't ruin it for me though, but it is a reason why I gave the rating that I did. But it definitely was enjoyable nonetheless! I for one, am excited to see what more there's to come from this author in the future and be looking back with a smile to this reading experience.
amyapple's review against another edition
1.0
Not sure what happened to everything I liked about the first book.
This book just seemed to drag on and really did not have anything clever or fun about it. The terribly written romance that spanned across majority of the book was just a bore.
It felt like the author really struggled with what was going on and didn’t know what to do to finish what she started in the first one.
I think it may have been nicer to just live with the cliffhanger of the first enjoyable book than to have read this terrible sequel.
This book just seemed to drag on and really did not have anything clever or fun about it. The terribly written romance that spanned across majority of the book was just a bore.
It felt like the author really struggled with what was going on and didn’t know what to do to finish what she started in the first one.
I think it may have been nicer to just live with the cliffhanger of the first enjoyable book than to have read this terrible sequel.
mkoehn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
listenbeforeigo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bejeweled - taylor swift
ashezbookz's review against another edition
4.0
I like this series a lot, I think its the idea that I could be rich.... maybe - this was very romeo and juliet star crossed lovers feeling to it, not bad at all, less action than I would have liked and I was really mad about the climax, but hey ... one cant have it all
kerrycat's review
5.0
each new book of DeStefano's is better than the last, and this is no exception. above all else, there's a lot of beautiful writing here - and quite the body count.
I think I've read all of her YA books, and I've reviewed some of her middle grade work for School Library Journal, and it's safe to say that grief is central to them all. she isn't afraid to lay out the truth of it, either - there's none of that 'time heals' business going on, just the facts. the reality of the ferocity grief bears, the unpredictability, the hopelessness, as well as characters who find their way through it, but not without a fight, and not with the idea that it is gone completely. I think I appreciate this more than anything else in her stories, and what young readers as well as older ones need to see to validate their own experience.
I think I've read all of her YA books, and I've reviewed some of her middle grade work for School Library Journal, and it's safe to say that grief is central to them all. she isn't afraid to lay out the truth of it, either - there's none of that 'time heals' business going on, just the facts. the reality of the ferocity grief bears, the unpredictability, the hopelessness, as well as characters who find their way through it, but not without a fight, and not with the idea that it is gone completely. I think I appreciate this more than anything else in her stories, and what young readers as well as older ones need to see to validate their own experience.
taygus's review against another edition
2.0
Poor pacing and ai felt the plot was undeveloped in some places and pushed far too fast in others.
and the marvelor magic is very much unpredictable plot armor.
This auther does alot of telling not showing. She tells you what the characters are like, but she doesn't show it through their behaviour.
And I'm seriously frustrated with Wil, who's supposed to be trained and used to danger and what not.||.always needing to be rescued..not once did she save herself..she didn't show herself to be strong and fearless especially in this book,|| tho the author repetitively tells us its so.
I did enjoy the friendship and connection between Loom and Zey in this series tho.
and the marvelor magic is very much unpredictable plot armor.
This auther does alot of telling not showing. She tells you what the characters are like, but she doesn't show it through their behaviour.
And I'm seriously frustrated with Wil, who's supposed to be trained and used to danger and what not.||.always needing to be rescued..not once did she save herself..she didn't show herself to be strong and fearless especially in this book,|| tho the author repetitively tells us its so.
I did enjoy the friendship and connection between Loom and Zey in this series tho.