Reviews with content warning for Fire/Fire injury - The Rose and the Thorn

Reviews tagging 'Fire/Fire injury'

The Rose and the Thorn by Michael J. Sullivan

6 reviews

marie_thereadingotter's review against another edition

adventurous funny tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This might actually be my least favorite World of Elan book. It's still a really great book, but it felt like the majority POV was through a character I don't care about. Hilfred (Reuben), I do not care one ounce about that character or his background. I understand why it was through his POV. Certain events had to be told from an "outside" perspective, but I still didn't care about his back story. It wasn't something I wondered after his role in Revelations was over.

All that aside, this was a plot dense book considering how short it is. One thing that can be said about Sullivan is he doesn't waste pages. There are so many books that are 500-600 pages that do not have as much plot relevant 'stuff' as books in this world/series. I do think that there could have and should have been more POV moments through Rose's eyes. Her story is so tragic and sad. I hate to think of what Ruben's father made her think that Ruben knew what was going to happen to her. He was just a kid trying to do the right thing, and his father was a selfish ass who liked to blame others for his choices.

Oddly, it felt like Royce and Hadrain took a back seat for this book. I didn't count their page time, but it must've still been at least half the book. But I didn't feel like they were the main characters of this story, and I waned them to be. I like that they have inside jokes now, and how close they've gotten in the year since they met. I totally forgot what Gwen had told Rose about her (Rose) falling in love, and since I'm using the library for this first read through I can't go back and check. Likely nothing good considering what happened to her.

I forgot what a pone Saulder is, and I wish Ruben had said something to the King about the Bishop visiting him the day before, and what he said. Ruben didn't seem like the religious type. So he couldn't have any faith in the church, not to mention Bishop Saulder was one of the people who tired to stop him from trying to rescue the Royal family.

Content Warnings

fromjuliereads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark funny 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? Yes

4.0

This is my first Riyria book that wasn't 5 stars. It was something with the pacing for this one I think. Maybe just who it followed as well. And it lacked some of the humour that I love - got a bit more dark and gory. I get that it's Riyria's backstory, and showing Royce before we see him in Revelations, where Gwen and Hadrian have rubbed off on him. It was still a good book and I liked it! Just not a favourite. Fun to read as a prequel!

Content Warnings

karlin0336's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Once again, I loved the Royce and Hadrian POVs and found myself not caring much for any of the other POVs. They're super important to the story (especially in terms of the bigger picture laid out by the original trilogy), and it wasn't that I disliked reading about any of them, but I just have a special fondnes for Royce and Hadrian and wanted to get back to what all was going on with them.

Seeing the rise of Riyria has been an absolute joy. I am eagerly looking forward to continuing with these books.

Content Warnings