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corlif's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Abandonment
cossty's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This series is very frustrating. Good guys in this series can't take a break. Nothing is going their away. The bad guys are not just two steps ahead. It feels like it is 10. Yes, it is different and I appreciate that. But sometimes I just want to bury my head in a pillow. Second book finished and good side did basically nothing. They just reacted to others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
melaniearchercat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Rape
tcbailey32's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Rape and Slavery
Minor: Grief and Fire/Fire injury
laraloops's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
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
4.5
A very good sequel to Malice, though I wish I read this one shortly after Malice as I had to brush up on all the character names again and like Malice the character list is extensive.
Since the story did not have to spend as much time introducing characters the pace was nice and fast and it was a fun book with lots of treachery and running and fighting - all good fighting stuff. The twists could be a bit predictable but it was all very entertaining. The ending wasn't as crazy as the first book but I bet it's the placement in the book series - I am very interested to see how all of the prophecies play out. There were some satisfying parts whenCorban finally met with his subsection of the Jehar and finally got some more information on his whole destiny . I was very sad to hear that Kastell was dead dead but Maquin's storyline was very interesting and it's nice to have some older protags in the lineup.
I hope that Fidele gets some good comeuppance for what she went through in this book.
A good viking fantasy read.
Since the story did not have to spend as much time introducing characters the pace was nice and fast and it was a fun book with lots of treachery and running and fighting - all good fighting stuff. The twists could be a bit predictable but it was all very entertaining. The ending wasn't as crazy as the first book but I bet it's the placement in the book series - I am very interested to see how all of the prophecies play out. There were some satisfying parts when
A good viking fantasy read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery and Violence
Moderate: Rape
isi__1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
This book had all of the positive elements of the first book (interesting plot, 3-dimensional characters, solid world-building), but without the slow setup.
Although I do have to say that I don‘t think that the ending of book one was topped by the ending of book two, I do think that the pacing of this sequel was a lot more consistent. I couldn‘t stop reading!
Even though this book isn‘t short, it is a breeze to get through. This is definitely made easier by the very short chapters, which manage to make any book go by way faster.
There‘s a few new POVs added, but it wasn‘t hard to keep track of these new characters, because I was already familiar with the world, general direction of the plot, and the other characters.
The only reason why it‘s not a perfect 5-star book is because I can see some improvements to be made in the pacing. Although I was never bored for long, there were certain scenes or subplots that did drag on a tiny bit, in my opinion. Don‘t get me wrong, this really wasn‘t a glaring issue & didn‘t happen most of the time. All I‘m saying is that I do feel like there‘s some room for growth.
In any case, I can‘t wait to read the third and fourth book. Especially because people do seem to like these the most.
Although I do have to say that I don‘t think that the ending of book one was topped by the ending of book two, I do think that the pacing of this sequel was a lot more consistent. I couldn‘t stop reading!
Even though this book isn‘t short, it is a breeze to get through. This is definitely made easier by the very short chapters, which manage to make any book go by way faster.
There‘s a few new POVs added, but it wasn‘t hard to keep track of these new characters, because I was already familiar with the world, general direction of the plot, and the other characters.
The only reason why it‘s not a perfect 5-star book is because I can see some improvements to be made in the pacing. Although I was never bored for long, there were certain scenes or subplots that did drag on a tiny bit, in my opinion. Don‘t get me wrong, this really wasn‘t a glaring issue & didn‘t happen most of the time. All I‘m saying is that I do feel like there‘s some room for growth.
In any case, I can‘t wait to read the third and fourth book. Especially because people do seem to like these the most.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, and War
Moderate: Slavery and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Torture
dani_reis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, and War
Minor: Rape
Rapeinkspren's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
slow-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
4.75
Does everyone die in this book?
I found this second book weaker compared to the first, but a bit more clear. Still a lovely world, and solid story telling.
I found this second book weaker compared to the first, but a bit more clear. Still a lovely world, and solid story telling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Rape
xta_07's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Things I muttered to myself while reading the last few chapters of this book: What? On no! And of course: NoNoNONONonono!
While both the beginning and the end of the book were very exciting and fun to read, I had trouble maintaining my momentum through the middle. What truly carried me through were the characters. They shine in this story; they all feel incredibly real. I really particularly enjoyed Cywens journey, and her budding relationship with Vedaris and Alcyon. Even though she is their captive, they end up caring about each other. I also really liked Camlin finding his place in the “crew” and learning the value of loyalty. There are a few one sided “bad guys” but most of the characters have nuance and depth, which is something I really appreciate.
John Gwynne has a knack for taking a tangled spider web of a plot and weaving it all together in a beautiful tear stained tapestry. I am both exited and scared to pick up book 3!
While both the beginning and the end of the book were very exciting and fun to read, I had trouble maintaining my momentum through the middle. What truly carried me through were the characters. They shine in this story; they all feel incredibly real. I really particularly enjoyed
John Gwynne has a knack for taking a tangled spider web of a plot and weaving it all together in a beautiful tear stained tapestry. I am both exited and scared to pick up book 3!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Confinement, Rape, and Torture