chawlios's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
theamazingmrg's review against another edition
4.0
The second book in the series had a lot to live up to. Twelve Kings in Sharakhai was a great start to The Song of the Shattered Sands and left the heroine in an interesting position.
I'm glad to say book 2 takes those foundations and builds in them, ramping everything up (stakes, revelations, and body count)
A great follow-up that has me excited for book 3!
I'm glad to say book 2 takes those foundations and builds in them, ramping everything up (stakes, revelations, and body count)
A great follow-up that has me excited for book 3!
kamikazefooby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
aurora69006's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
htb2050's review against another edition
5.0
Its once in a blue moon that you come upon a book where the writer doesn't just write a 2nd book in a trilogy to just use as a filler before telling the story in the 3rd book and keep readers interested. This book takes the story and character building in the first book to a whole new level and a lot of important points in the series are explained which fills the back story and gives you an idea of why Sharakai is what it is.
zenalth's review against another edition
I do feel bad about not pushing through so close to the end, but I just. don't. care. I have squandered all of February trying to get through this book and avoiding it to do almost anything else.
By all accounts, the characters are complex and multi-dimensional. If someone had told me about Ceda and Emre and Ihsan and Meryam, I'd imagine myself perfectly fascinated. But something is just missing on the page. There's no vitality to the writing, no life breathed into the desert.
I couldn't connect with the characters in Twelve Kings. I'd hoped the plot developments would engage me in this one, but it was so bloody slow. I don't mind a sluggish story if I love the cast, but unfortunately, I still didn't care about anyone. Not a single one! That's insane!
With traitors and rebels and blood mages and immortal kings running around, I've genuinely shocked myself with my apathy. I think it's another case of a lack of synergy between the writing style and my frosty emotions.
Truly a shame, especially since I've heard almost nothing but positive things about this series.
By all accounts, the characters are complex and multi-dimensional. If someone had told me about Ceda and Emre and Ihsan and Meryam, I'd imagine myself perfectly fascinated. But something is just missing on the page. There's no vitality to the writing, no life breathed into the desert.
I couldn't connect with the characters in Twelve Kings. I'd hoped the plot developments would engage me in this one, but it was so bloody slow. I don't mind a sluggish story if I love the cast, but unfortunately, I still didn't care about anyone. Not a single one! That's insane!
With traitors and rebels and blood mages and immortal kings running around, I've genuinely shocked myself with my apathy. I think it's another case of a lack of synergy between the writing style and my frosty emotions.
Truly a shame, especially since I've heard almost nothing but positive things about this series.
laurenslittlelibrary_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
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
4.25
Definitely enjoyed this more than the first book. The pacing felt a lot better and there was actually some plot progression. Çeda is becoming more aware of the schemes going on around her and learning more about her heritage within the tribes of the desert. I liked Emre’s and Ramhad’s chapters more this book and I’m definitely intrigued by Ihsan’s last chapter as well. Davud’s chapters were fine, but other than one particular scene, I don’t feel like they added much to the story overall. There’s obviously a lot of moving pieces on the board, so it’ll be interesting to see where they all lead.
selinadragonair's review against another edition
4.0
I'm glad to see that all threads come together in this book and things get seriously rolling.
It's been a while since I have read the first book and I forgot quite a bit, so a short summary at the beginning would have been very helpful. I did not remember what Ramahd and Meryam did in book 1 and apart from what happened to Ramahd I still don't know tbh. (How did he meet Ceda again?)
Luckily book 2 works incredible well on its own. There is more action, more intrigue and finally more information! The previous book was very slow and had a bigger focus on worldbuilding and the backstory. Both flow and prose are quite slow and detailed in this one too, but it hooked me more.
I'm all ready for book 3 now.
It's been a while since I have read the first book and I forgot quite a bit, so a short summary at the beginning would have been very helpful. I did not remember what Ramahd and Meryam did in book 1 and apart from what happened to Ramahd I still don't know tbh. (How did he meet Ceda again?)
Luckily book 2 works incredible well on its own. There is more action, more intrigue and finally more information! The previous book was very slow and had a bigger focus on worldbuilding and the backstory. Both flow and prose are quite slow and detailed in this one too, but it hooked me more.
I'm all ready for book 3 now.
maleesha's review
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
I'm finally continuing my journey into the desert of Shangazi and I'm glad I did. The world remains as engaging and the main character is great, with a great supporting cast. It started off a little slow but I was kind of glad since I needed to remember who everyone was lol. Of the storylines I found myself enjoying Ramahd and Meryam the least. I don't trust that chick as far as I can throw her skinny butt. She is super shady. But as well written as all the others.
down_legends_and_lore's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0