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chasinggrace's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I fell in love with the cover of this book, and on the surface I enjoyed the story. The loved the dynamic between the sisters and I thought the world was built well.
Unfortunately, the writing is amateur, at best. The author TELLS you everything instead of showing you, and emphasizes and spells out every single interaction. I wish the author trusted the reader to infer emotions, to connect the dots themselves. Many statements were obvious observations that had me rolling my eyes.
I will also say that the plot is predictable - this is a basic fantasy romance story. Additionally, the love interest is too good with his words, he borders on corny.
I am interested in the two older sisters, MUCH more than I was in Larkyra, but I’m not sure if I can continue the series - the writing bothers me to that extent. The one thing I wish I could skip to is the obviously budding romance between the eldest sister and Zimri. I want to know more about him and I want to read about them specifically.
If you’re looking for an easy fantasy read with female characters that are equal parts strong and soft, this is a good read. The magic is unique yet uncomplicated as well.
Unfortunately, the writing is amateur, at best. The author TELLS you everything instead of showing you, and emphasizes and spells out every single interaction. I wish the author trusted the reader to infer emotions, to connect the dots themselves. Many statements were obvious observations that had me rolling my eyes.
I will also say that the plot is predictable - this is a basic fantasy romance story. Additionally, the love interest is too good with his words, he borders on corny.
I am interested in the two older sisters, MUCH more than I was in Larkyra, but I’m not sure if I can continue the series - the writing bothers me to that extent. The one thing I wish I could skip to
If you’re looking for an easy fantasy read with female characters that are equal parts strong and soft, this is a good read. The magic is unique yet uncomplicated as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
micaelamariem's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I was drawn in by the pretty cover and convincing blurb. The writing style was so prosaic and beautiful at first that it had me hooked for a while. Then it kind of fell flat. I think my first disappointment was that for something that’s labeled a “dark fantasy” it really wasn’t all that dark. The characters made choices that rendered them more like YA characters than adult characters (which isn’t necessarily a bad thing but I found it to be unbelievable for their experience and circumstances). I think the dialogue tags ruined the dialogue as well. Their spoken words alone were fine but when added with these adult women “grumbling” and “puffing” while trying fight against certain death, it just doesn’t feel like the right timing.
Plus the book was full of cliches, I could practically guess what would happen next, at least with the love interest. But idk if it’s the book or if I’m just in some weird slump and hating everything.
But I really do think the biggest thing is it needed to be darker. I’ve read YA fantasy’s not labeled as dark fantasy and they were darker than this. I probably unfortunately won’t continue the series.
Plus the book was full of cliches, I could practically guess what would happen next, at least with the love interest. But idk if it’s the book or if I’m just in some weird slump and hating everything.
But I really do think the biggest thing is it needed to be darker. I’ve read YA fantasy’s not labeled as dark fantasy and they were darker than this. I probably unfortunately won’t continue the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug use, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
authorash's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
Not bad, it took me awhile because I got too busy with work and then hit a reading slump. It wasn't keeping my attention heavily that I felt compelled to finish reading it despite that. I like the concept and the interesting plot that was taking place with the intrigue and mystery behind things. It'll be interesting to see where the sister's story goes too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Physical abuse, Torture, and Violence
Minor: Death of parent
Familial Abuse:dreambornnicole's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Death of parent
beetree's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.0
This was just okay - fairly surface level and predictable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Torture, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
malisac16's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
mvergari_13's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I think the idea of the series is cool but unfortunately for me the pacing was too slow and way too predictable. The main characters were hard to identify with. The ending felt sort of rushed and obvious. The romance was technically slow burn but I wasn't very emotionally invested in it. The characters technically had character growth but it didn't feel like they actually had to process or learn anything and the author had an end goal but struggled with the journey. The setting was interesting and the magic was fun.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Torture, and Death of parent
jennaniho's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The biggest takeaway I had from this story was the dynamic perspective offered through the eyes of both Darius and Larkyra, while still keeping the latter as the main focus. Most importantly, E.J. Mellow's narrative beautifully captures the weight of their concealed emotions and makes them remarkably relatable, underscoring the profound lesson that, we can often be our own adversaries or we can decide to be our own saviors. Likewise, the world building is not too specific but not too vague; just right to keep your imagination going and still retain a bit of mystery of "what will come next".
Yet, the biggest focus "Song of Forever Rains" has is towards the lesson that our voice is our biggest weapon and ally; revealing that mastering when and how to use it empowers us to be not only assertive and potent but ultimately, happy and capable of facing even the hardest of challenges.
Yet, the biggest focus "Song of Forever Rains" has is towards the lesson that our voice is our biggest weapon and ally; revealing that mastering when and how to use it empowers us to be not only assertive and potent but ultimately, happy and capable of facing even the hardest of challenges.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Blood
Moderate: Addiction, Misogyny, Self harm, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment
mariamarsbar's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Physical abuse
Moderate: Sexual content and Gaslighting
Minor: Addiction and Death of parent
doubletherazzle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Interesting world building, generally enjoyable but not overwhelming YA fantasy read
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent