bookswithbets's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
writingwwolves's review against another edition
5.0
Just as incredible as the first book! But with even more surprises & clever plot twists.
Leena has managed to create five different narratives that were all so individual & unique that each sister was totally exceptional & noteworthy in their own right. The book was written eloquently throughout & the ending was beyond unpredictable. I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who loves historical fantasy or just fantasy YA in general. I'm sure I will read this duology many times during my life time.
I was sent a copy of this book by the author as an early birthday present, but this has in no way affected my opinion of the book.
Extended Review: https://wp.me/p8MbIo-2op
Leena has managed to create five different narratives that were all so individual & unique that each sister was totally exceptional & noteworthy in their own right. The book was written eloquently throughout & the ending was beyond unpredictable. I cannot recommend this book enough to anyone who loves historical fantasy or just fantasy YA in general. I'm sure I will read this duology many times during my life time.
I was sent a copy of this book by the author as an early birthday present, but this has in no way affected my opinion of the book.
Extended Review: https://wp.me/p8MbIo-2op
mmefish's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
A disappointment.
The sisters continue keeping secrets from each other, like in book 1, only it doesn't make sense anymore. They don't grow. They repeat the same mistakes. They repeat the same words, sentences, paragraphs.
And nothing happens.
All interesting ideas (Alina interracting with shadows, the Witch/the magpie, Elise's romance with a captain, the Moon powers) are wasted. We get more pointless poundering instead. Oh, and one (1) scene with the caricature of a villain, who is apparently both Lenin and Rasputin. He basically eats children's souls by the way.
Speaking of, what was the point of even including the revolution? It's a plot device and nothing more. Only there is no real plot to find.
Then we come to Merile and her dogs. Oh boy, this girl really just exists to speak differently. Merile literally adds nothing to the plot, and as there were only four Romanov sisters, I really don't see the point of her character.
And her dogs were written only so they could conveniently die, which I just knew from the beginning. We love to include animals to kill them 🥰
If all of that wasn't bad enough, the book doesn't even resolve anything. It's not even an open ending, it's just trash.
What an utter waste of time.
The sisters continue keeping secrets from each other, like in book 1, only it doesn't make sense anymore. They don't grow. They repeat the same mistakes. They repeat the same words, sentences, paragraphs.
And nothing happens.
All interesting ideas (Alina interracting with shadows, the Witch/the magpie, Elise's romance with a captain, the Moon powers) are wasted. We get more pointless poundering instead. Oh, and one (1) scene with the caricature of a villain, who is apparently both Lenin and Rasputin. He basically eats children's souls by the way.
Speaking of, what was the point of even including the revolution? It's a plot device and nothing more. Only there is no real plot to find.
Then we come to Merile and her dogs. Oh boy, this girl really just exists to speak differently. Merile literally adds nothing to the plot, and as there were only four Romanov sisters, I really don't see the point of her character.
And her dogs were written only so they could conveniently die, which I just knew from the beginning. We love to include animals to kill them 🥰
If all of that wasn't bad enough, the book doesn't even resolve anything. It's not even an open ending, it's just trash.
What an utter waste of time.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Death, and Murder
Minor: Sexual content
wordnerdy's review against another edition
4.0
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2017/11/2017-book-191.html
The second book in Likitalo's duology, a fantasy/alternate history inspired by the Romanovs, left me almost breathless! I loved the journeys of the five sisters (though Elise is more sympathetic and compelling in the first one) and the end had me going “oh whaaaaaaat” but like in a good way. I a, pretty sure this is the end of the story, and while I found the ending fitting, I would one hundred percent read more in this universe. And will definitely read more from this author. A/A-.
__
A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released tomorrow.
The second book in Likitalo's duology, a fantasy/alternate history inspired by the Romanovs, left me almost breathless! I loved the journeys of the five sisters (though Elise is more sympathetic and compelling in the first one) and the end had me going “oh whaaaaaaat” but like in a good way. I a, pretty sure this is the end of the story, and while I found the ending fitting, I would one hundred percent read more in this universe. And will definitely read more from this author. A/A-.
__
A review copy was provided by the publisher. This book will be released tomorrow.
endlessmidnight's review against another edition
1.0
I would have liked this more if it wasn’t just so boring, nothing really happened or even caught my attention here at all.
The characters were really bland, and I often forgot about them. Not to mention the fact that the plot often lead to nowhere, in the sense that I just didn’t want to read on, sadly.
Although the premise was intriguing, but I felt that there was not anything that really kept my attention here. Although it is a sequel, but it still has to be engaging, and actually make me care.
The world was something that I thought really lacked something, something that will have drawn me into the story.
But, I just don’t, and I barely understand what this story is all about.
The characters were really bland, and I often forgot about them. Not to mention the fact that the plot often lead to nowhere, in the sense that I just didn’t want to read on, sadly.
Although the premise was intriguing, but I felt that there was not anything that really kept my attention here. Although it is a sequel, but it still has to be engaging, and actually make me care.
The world was something that I thought really lacked something, something that will have drawn me into the story.
But, I just don’t, and I barely understand what this story is all about.
jskstarr's review against another edition
3.0
Strangely paced
The story is an odd mix of anti communist fantasy and historical fiction reimagining. What felt gleaming and original in the first half of the duology was done to death. Merile's speech pattern made me want to scream, and after nothing much happening for the first 60% or so of the book, suddenly plot threads are dropped and the characters race to an inevitable finish line. I really thought this book would be much more unique given how promising the first one was. Disappointed. I'm disappointed that this book wasn't better.
The story is an odd mix of anti communist fantasy and historical fiction reimagining. What felt gleaming and original in the first half of the duology was done to death. Merile's speech pattern made me want to scream, and after nothing much happening for the first 60% or so of the book, suddenly plot threads are dropped and the characters race to an inevitable finish line. I really thought this book would be much more unique given how promising the first one was. Disappointed. I'm disappointed that this book wasn't better.
oliviagwynne's review against another edition
3.0
I really didn’t like the ending. And Elise went from being one of my favourites of the sisters to being the one I hated the most. She’s such an idealistic idiot.
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
5.0
WOW. This was an absolutely stunning conclusion. It had an incredibly lush setting. The writing was this mixture of luxurious detail and thrilling suspense. The characters were incredibly complex and their journeys were mesmerizing to read. And Likitalo continuously outdoes herself with plots that challenge our expectations. If you loved the first, or even liked it, you need to read this one. If you're at all interested in the Romanov sisters, this duology needs to be on your list.
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-sisters-crescent-empress-leena-likitalo/
Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review from the publisher.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-sisters-crescent-empress-leena-likitalo/
crimsoncor's review
5.0
Strong finish to the Duology. Some great world building in limited space (due to the novella format)
kelseythefancyhatladyreads's review
4.0
Video review here: https://youtu.be/yRGlt6Iiwj0
This deeply character-driven sequel to [b:The Five Daughters of the Moon|33099589|The Five Daughters of the Moon (The Waning Moon, #1)|Leena Likitalo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484680087s/33099589.jpg|53763121] is where the story of the Waning Moon duology really finds its strength, as each of its five protagonists come into their own under the most trying of circumstances. (You can read my review of book one here.)
In The Sisters of the Crescent Empress, the Daughters of the Moon arrive at an isolated house in the far north of the empire where they are held prisoner, as their distrust of each other festers with the secrets they keep. Unbeknownst to the others, Celestia is harboring the soul of a swan within her own. She's also suffering the damage of the things Gagargi Pratlsav has done to her, and her careful planning seems increasingly futile. Elise, previously an idealistic supporter of the rebellion, is at an idealogical standoff with her older sister, and their growing misunderstanding of each other's motives is intentionally frustrating. Sibilia, whose chapters are told, as in the first book, in diary entries, emerges as a central character, as she teaches herself magic from the mysterious runes hidden in the scriptures that only reveal themselves to a few. Merile is increasingly frustrated with being dismissed as a child unworthy of having things explained to her, and when she acts on incomplete information, she puts everyone in peril. And the things that Alina has been seeing in the shadows all along? They may be divinations of her sisters' destinies, but they are not to be understood until it is too late.
And did I mention that the house is haunted? The ghosts hold grudges, and reveal themselves only to the the youngest Daughters. It is clear to the reader that Irina and Olesia are their mother's sisters, and their presence in this desolate and lonely place sheds a dark light on what it means to be a sister of the Crescent Empress, even if Celestia should manage to reclaim her throne, as she hopes to.
This is an intimate and claustrophobic story of five girls who are central to the fate of an empire in the throes of a civil war, but receive no outside news of events save some blatant propaganda, and are left to speculate on what has come to pass since the Gagargi's attempt to seize power. Like the politics, the magic in the story continues to be both elusive and compelling. You get the sense that there's a lot to it that you just don't get to see. There's a witch with unclear intentions, but an interest in the Daughters, a complicated system of casting mind-control spells that is never thoroughly explained, and last but not least, the incomprehensible will of their father the moon himself.
I found myself becoming increasingly nervous as the ending approached. Our Daughters are based on the Romanovs, and we know how that story ends. On the one hand, I would never have accepted a wildly revisionist, victorious conclusion to their stories. But on the other hand, you can't kill off all five of your protagonists at the end of a book and expect your readers to ever forgive you. Likitalo strikes a balancing act here with incredible finesse, delivering both tragedy and hope. The conclusion is heartbreaking, and stuck with me long after I put the book aside. Don't expect the fate of the Crescent Empire to be resolved here, or even that of each of the Daughters... there are still battles to be fought. But it's unquestionably the right ending for this story.
This deeply character-driven sequel to [b:The Five Daughters of the Moon|33099589|The Five Daughters of the Moon (The Waning Moon, #1)|Leena Likitalo|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1484680087s/33099589.jpg|53763121] is where the story of the Waning Moon duology really finds its strength, as each of its five protagonists come into their own under the most trying of circumstances. (You can read my review of book one here.)
In The Sisters of the Crescent Empress, the Daughters of the Moon arrive at an isolated house in the far north of the empire where they are held prisoner, as their distrust of each other festers with the secrets they keep. Unbeknownst to the others, Celestia is harboring the soul of a swan within her own. She's also suffering the damage of the things Gagargi Pratlsav has done to her, and her careful planning seems increasingly futile. Elise, previously an idealistic supporter of the rebellion, is at an idealogical standoff with her older sister, and their growing misunderstanding of each other's motives is intentionally frustrating. Sibilia, whose chapters are told, as in the first book, in diary entries, emerges as a central character, as she teaches herself magic from the mysterious runes hidden in the scriptures that only reveal themselves to a few. Merile is increasingly frustrated with being dismissed as a child unworthy of having things explained to her, and when she acts on incomplete information, she puts everyone in peril. And the things that Alina has been seeing in the shadows all along? They may be divinations of her sisters' destinies, but they are not to be understood until it is too late.
And did I mention that the house is haunted? The ghosts hold grudges, and reveal themselves only to the the youngest Daughters. It is clear to the reader that Irina and Olesia are their mother's sisters, and their presence in this desolate and lonely place sheds a dark light on what it means to be a sister of the Crescent Empress, even if Celestia should manage to reclaim her throne, as she hopes to.
This is an intimate and claustrophobic story of five girls who are central to the fate of an empire in the throes of a civil war, but receive no outside news of events save some blatant propaganda, and are left to speculate on what has come to pass since the Gagargi's attempt to seize power. Like the politics, the magic in the story continues to be both elusive and compelling. You get the sense that there's a lot to it that you just don't get to see. There's a witch with unclear intentions, but an interest in the Daughters, a complicated system of casting mind-control spells that is never thoroughly explained, and last but not least, the incomprehensible will of their father the moon himself.
I found myself becoming increasingly nervous as the ending approached. Our Daughters are based on the Romanovs, and we know how that story ends. On the one hand, I would never have accepted a wildly revisionist, victorious conclusion to their stories. But on the other hand, you can't kill off all five of your protagonists at the end of a book and expect your readers to ever forgive you. Likitalo strikes a balancing act here with incredible finesse, delivering both tragedy and hope. The conclusion is heartbreaking, and stuck with me long after I put the book aside. Don't expect the fate of the Crescent Empire to be resolved here, or even that of each of the Daughters... there are still battles to be fought. But it's unquestionably the right ending for this story.
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