The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
laughlinesandliterature's review against another edition
3.0
This is a really tough to review for me to write because I did enjoy this book. There wasn't anything particularly wrong with it, but it didn't capture me the way The Glass Spare did. There was just something that was a little off. I don't know if it was the pacing or the fact that it was all a bit predicable but something just fell flat for me.Things I did like: How Wil's relationship with her remaining brothers were strengthened. I thought the backstory to Wil's curse was interesting and definitely lent a deeper thread to the story. It would have been nice though for that to have been a story in it's own right. There was definitely enough there to give it substance. Instead it felt like filler in an already existing story.
Loom and Wil's relationship was so so predictable. The slow dance they did in the first one that gave tension and added dimension to the characters just unraveled. Pretty much everything on that end was a snooze for me. By the end I wasn't sure why these two loved each other as I wasn't sure that they really knew and understood each other. The romantic relationship was the weak link in this book, and I think it was the cause of most of the issues I had. The writing was beautiful but that is where DeStefano shines. The prose and world-building was lovely and I'll still pick up her books, but this one was a dud for me. 3 out of 5 stars.
*This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam Reviews http://moonlightgleam.com/2019/04/the-cursed-sea-by-lauren-destefano-review.html*
Loom and Wil's relationship was so so predictable. The slow dance they did in the first one that gave tension and added dimension to the characters just unraveled. Pretty much everything on that end was a snooze for me. By the end I wasn't sure why these two loved each other as I wasn't sure that they really knew and understood each other. The romantic relationship was the weak link in this book, and I think it was the cause of most of the issues I had. The writing was beautiful but that is where DeStefano shines. The prose and world-building was lovely and I'll still pick up her books, but this one was a dud for me. 3 out of 5 stars.
*This review was first posted to Moonlight Gleam Reviews http://moonlightgleam.com/2019/04/the-cursed-sea-by-lauren-destefano-review.html*
kthomas4415's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I actually really enjoyed this series! Great audiobook for the cursed sea
booknerd777's review against another edition
3.0
I’m still not sure how I feel about this book. I loved the first book and this book disappointed me. It wasn’t a bad book but I was honestly bored while reading most of the book. Also most of the characters I didn’t care about at all! I liked reading about Wil, Loom and her brothers but the side characters were so unnecessary and I was bored reading about them. Book one was so much better! This book ended fine but it was kind of rushed. We don’t really know what happens to the characters, the epilogue was pretty vague. So yeah, I was bored through most of the book but that’s my personal opinion. I still recommend it to anyone that likes the first book.
bellarose6802's review against another edition
2.0
Okay so this book was odd... I really enjoyed the first one; loved the characters and world-building and the curses and magic, but in this one almost all of those things fell flat. The saving grace for this book was the characters. Loom has become a new favorite book boyfriend and seeing him struggle with his heart and duty was compelling. Wil was still badass, but her curse felt... not developed. The end was super rushed but I will admit the epilogue was nice. In summary, love Loom and I want to marry him, Raya is adorable, and everything else paled in comparison to the first book.
scrollsofdragons's review against another edition
2.0
2.5
This was not really better then the first one because of the disconnect with the characters that it feels like I'm being told a story instead of being in the story, there's just no emotion. The character I liked the most before, the little kid, had no speaking part whatsoever in this book, it was like he barely existed.
This one did not improve on the world building, despite the amount of places they went to there should have been. It's not even clear on the politics/way of life in their own kingdoms let alone what the others look like.
The plot seemed to be leading up to a war which was more a battle that was over within seconds it felt like. Also too many fake deaths, just either take it all the way or leave it out entirely. Everything felt too easy and was over too quickly. Yeah it was enjoyable but it wasn't enough.
This was not really better then the first one because of the disconnect with the characters that it feels like I'm being told a story instead of being in the story, there's just no emotion. The character I liked the most before, the little kid, had no speaking part whatsoever in this book, it was like he barely existed.
This one did not improve on the world building, despite the amount of places they went to there should have been. It's not even clear on the politics/way of life in their own kingdoms let alone what the others look like.
The plot seemed to be leading up to a war which was more a battle that was over within seconds it felt like. Also too many fake deaths, just either take it all the way or leave it out entirely. Everything felt too easy and was over too quickly. Yeah it was enjoyable but it wasn't enough.
jennaguidi's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book I just wish the end wasn’t as rushed, it was a bit jarring, but otherwise I’m very satisfied!
steph_sosa's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
unicornjen1993's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
spookynerd13's review against another edition
4.0
Super fun, and I really loved it. I felt like the ending was rushed or maybe confused and not sure how they wanted to end it... but really loved it :)
julianastevv's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
3.0