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missrosymaplemoth's review against another edition
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Moderate: Drug use, Racism, Grief, Car accident, and Alcohol
Minor: Death of parent and Pregnancy
madsmcw_reads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Rivals was easily one of my most anticipated books of the year, and while I enjoyed the book, I didn't like it as much as the previous books in the series.
This installment is very character driven so it doesn't feel like there's a ton that happens plotwise. I missed seeing Teddy and Bea together, they made so many strides in Majesty and it felt like so much of that went backward in Rivals. I'm also extremely over the Nina-Daphne-Jeff love triangle, I really hope this gets resolved and Daphne is revealed for who she truly is.
My favorite storyline was Sam and Marshall. Out of all of the characters, I feel like Sam has stayed the most true to all of the character growth she's had this far in the series. It was nice to see that Sam and Beatrice's bond as sisters retained the growth from the previous books too. Sisters are so much stronger when they support one another and I love that they can be there for each other even though their personalities are so different. I also liked Nina and Daphne working together, I thought we were going to see some true change in Daphne from this but then she ends up even more horrible than before.
The book ended in a huge cliffhanger so I obviously can't wait for the next one, I just hope it lives up to the standard of the first two books.
This installment is very character driven so it doesn't feel like there's a ton that happens plotwise. I missed seeing Teddy and Bea together, they made so many strides in Majesty and it felt like so much of that went backward in Rivals. I'm also extremely over the Nina-Daphne-Jeff love triangle, I really hope this gets resolved and Daphne is revealed for who she truly is.
My favorite storyline was Sam and Marshall. Out of all of the characters, I feel like Sam has stayed the most true to all of the character growth she's had this far in the series. It was nice to see that Sam and Beatrice's bond as sisters retained the growth from the previous books too. Sisters are so much stronger when they support one another and I love that they can be there for each other even though their personalities are so different. I also liked Nina and Daphne working together, I thought we were going to see some true change in Daphne from this but then she ends up even more horrible than before.
The book ended in a huge cliffhanger so I obviously can't wait for the next one, I just hope it lives up to the standard of the first two books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Grief, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual content, and Alcohol
a_stylish_bookworm's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I liked the take on this book not focusing on Beatrice and her succession as queen but on the side characters in the previous books. There is a lot going on in this story from Daphne and Nina's joining forces to bring down Gabrielle, the love triangle between Daphne, Nina and Jefferson, Sam and Marshall's relationship to Beatrice's first role in the king's summit.
I enjoyed all the stories and my main complaint is that it leaves on another cliff hanger!! I have to wait impatiently for book 4. The narration was great and kept me vested.
Thank you to @prhaudio @netgalley for a copy of the audiobook and ebook.
I enjoyed all the stories and my main complaint is that it leaves on another cliff hanger!! I have to wait impatiently for book 4. The narration was great and kept me vested.
Thank you to @prhaudio @netgalley for a copy of the audiobook and ebook.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use