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ombraluce's review
2.0
Difficult to judge this book. First of all I have not read the first volume, and this is particularly harmful to the understanding of events, plus, it is clearly aimed at an age group that is not mine, and, last but not least, the writing is rather dull.
I thank John Catt Educational Ltd and NetGalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Difficile dare un giudizio a questo libro. Innanzi tutto non ho letto il primo volume, e questo pregiudica notevolmente la comprensione degli eventi, in più è chiaramente mirato a una fascia di età che non è la mia, e, ultimo ma non meno importante, la scrittura è piuttosto noiosa.
Ringrazio John Catt Educational Ltd e NetGalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.
I thank John Catt Educational Ltd and NetGalley for giving me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Difficile dare un giudizio a questo libro. Innanzi tutto non ho letto il primo volume, e questo pregiudica notevolmente la comprensione degli eventi, in più è chiaramente mirato a una fascia di età che non è la mia, e, ultimo ma non meno importante, la scrittura è piuttosto noiosa.
Ringrazio John Catt Educational Ltd e NetGalley per avermi fornito una copia gratuita in cambio di una recensione onesta.
jkkenobi's review
4.0
In Ruins I was delighted to see the return of some of my favourite characters from Sentinel. Sam continues to represent for older heroes, Liberty for the POCs, and we begin to see hints of LGBT representation, and not where I initially expected. Isabel continued to delight me with her feline wit, grump and feistiness.
I thoroughly enjoyed the world building and mythology and I’m curious to know if this is based on existing mythology or entirely from the author’s imagination. The story is split between various characters which almost had an action movie feel of changing scenes to follow the drama, although at times it was shrewdly tantalising (“Noooo, I want to know what happens to Sam next!”). I found the recaps of the previous book a little frustrating – it’s important to have the sequel readable either without the first novel or sometime after, so this isn’t a criticism of the author but rather a compliment, showing how eager I was to continue with the story.
There was some clever intrigue as to who the mysterious girl could be and which ‘side’ certain characters were on. The villains were both dangerous and interesting, and the eventual Big Bad was suitably terrifying. The Gentlemen in Buffy episode Hush? Yeah, that level *shudder*.
An excellent sequel to Sentinel that really drew me into this world and left me eager to dive back in for the finale, if somewhat anxious at what horrors may lie in wait!
I thoroughly enjoyed the world building and mythology and I’m curious to know if this is based on existing mythology or entirely from the author’s imagination. The story is split between various characters which almost had an action movie feel of changing scenes to follow the drama, although at times it was shrewdly tantalising (“Noooo, I want to know what happens to Sam next!”). I found the recaps of the previous book a little frustrating – it’s important to have the sequel readable either without the first novel or sometime after, so this isn’t a criticism of the author but rather a compliment, showing how eager I was to continue with the story.
There was some clever intrigue as to who the mysterious girl could be and which ‘side’ certain characters were on. The villains were both dangerous and interesting, and the eventual Big Bad was suitably terrifying. The Gentlemen in Buffy episode Hush? Yeah, that level *shudder*.
An excellent sequel to Sentinel that really drew me into this world and left me eager to dive back in for the finale, if somewhat anxious at what horrors may lie in wait!
sarah_mcmullan_nz's review
5.0
I was gnashing at the teeth for the second in this trilogy and thankfully, film journalist Josh Winning has proven that the mythical tale of the difficult second novel/film is just that: a myth.
Ruins continues the story of Nicholas Hallow, a young man born into a magical secret society that helps protect the world from the forces of evil that wish to swallow it whole.
Cleverly combining magic, myth, folklore and good old teenage coming of age angst; Winning has created a whole new world that will appeal not only to the tween / young adult market, but to those of us significantly older, ahem.
In particular, I can see this being a big hit with reluctant boy readers who may identify with Nicholas, a fairly average kid.
I gave a copy of the first book, Sentinel, to a friend’s 11 year old son who was absolutely hooked. He loved the action, he loved the mystery, the magic and he loved the interaction with Isabel – the cat!
It’s clear that Winning’s love for horror in both cinema and literature has helped him craft a story that knows how to both use and subvert the usual genre tropes.
With subtle nods to the greats, Winning has written a book that feels new and fresh; no mean feat in a market full of books vying to be the next big supernatural series. The difference is this feels as if it really could be.
Bring on Book 3!
4.5 Stars / 5
Reviewer: Sarah McMullan @SarahMcMullanNZ
[email protected]
www.13thfloor.co.nz
Ruins continues the story of Nicholas Hallow, a young man born into a magical secret society that helps protect the world from the forces of evil that wish to swallow it whole.
Cleverly combining magic, myth, folklore and good old teenage coming of age angst; Winning has created a whole new world that will appeal not only to the tween / young adult market, but to those of us significantly older, ahem.
In particular, I can see this being a big hit with reluctant boy readers who may identify with Nicholas, a fairly average kid.
I gave a copy of the first book, Sentinel, to a friend’s 11 year old son who was absolutely hooked. He loved the action, he loved the mystery, the magic and he loved the interaction with Isabel – the cat!
It’s clear that Winning’s love for horror in both cinema and literature has helped him craft a story that knows how to both use and subvert the usual genre tropes.
With subtle nods to the greats, Winning has written a book that feels new and fresh; no mean feat in a market full of books vying to be the next big supernatural series. The difference is this feels as if it really could be.
Bring on Book 3!
4.5 Stars / 5
Reviewer: Sarah McMullan @SarahMcMullanNZ
[email protected]
www.13thfloor.co.nz
thebookreader2's review
5.0
http://thebookreaderblogg.com/2018/08/15/the-sentinel-trilogy-2-ruins-joshua-winning/
nithou's review
5.0
Thanks to NetGalley and Joshua Winning for giving me the chance to review this book :)
I really loved the first volume of the Sentinels, and I adored this one. The whole climax of the book is filled with some dark and tormented fantasy, a really dark version of most of the great young adults fantasy tales. The whole plot is wonderful, tremendous, and really well handled, I couldn't let go off the book, staying awake as late as I could just to finish it.
The whole world, as in the previous tome, is astonishing, quite rich and full of new discoveries. I started to really love all the characters (especially Nicholas, Merlyn and the dear cat), who grow deeper and deeper in this part of the story. The whole plot is breathtaking, I cringed at some parts of the story, got tears in my eyes at others.
Really one of the greatest YA fantasy trilogy I had the chance to read for a while, I'm looking forward to the third one and I could bet those books will go far!
I really loved the first volume of the Sentinels, and I adored this one. The whole climax of the book is filled with some dark and tormented fantasy, a really dark version of most of the great young adults fantasy tales. The whole plot is wonderful, tremendous, and really well handled, I couldn't let go off the book, staying awake as late as I could just to finish it.
The whole world, as in the previous tome, is astonishing, quite rich and full of new discoveries. I started to really love all the characters (especially Nicholas, Merlyn and the dear cat), who grow deeper and deeper in this part of the story. The whole plot is breathtaking, I cringed at some parts of the story, got tears in my eyes at others.
Really one of the greatest YA fantasy trilogy I had the chance to read for a while, I'm looking forward to the third one and I could bet those books will go far!
bookmarked642's review
2.0
This is one of the galleys I'm reviewing thanks to NetGalley - a massive thank you to Peridot Press for granting me access to the title.
I started reading this a rather long time ago now (way over a month). It's not a particularly long book, but neither was the previous novel and that took me a pretty long time to get through, too. Hmm.
Following the first book, this novel is focused on Nicholas Hallow, who has just discovered his Sentinel heritage. He's still learning but has finally realised how important his existence is.
Nicholas is to use his Sensitive powers and is also required to unlock certain knowledge within his mind. He has to find a girl, a girl who is important for reasons he doesn't yet know. But how does he find a girl he's never met before?
Laurent is attempting to revive the Dark Prophets, bringing terrible destruction to Bury St Edmunds in the process. Nicholas must find the girl to stop him, and he needs to get a hold of his powers, too.
There are a few nice fight scenes in this, and some hints of mystery and suspense. But I can't get past the lack of time passing in this series, and the lack of character development. I don't feel like I'm living the book along with the characters, and I don't feel that the characters are real. There's just something very wrong with the pacing of these books.
It's not a bad book, but there may actually be a bit too much description. As I said, the pacing really ruins (hah!) these books for me, sadly. I'm going to have to say 2-3 stars for this.
I started reading this a rather long time ago now (way over a month). It's not a particularly long book, but neither was the previous novel and that took me a pretty long time to get through, too. Hmm.
Following the first book, this novel is focused on Nicholas Hallow, who has just discovered his Sentinel heritage. He's still learning but has finally realised how important his existence is.
Nicholas is to use his Sensitive powers and is also required to unlock certain knowledge within his mind. He has to find a girl, a girl who is important for reasons he doesn't yet know. But how does he find a girl he's never met before?
Laurent is attempting to revive the Dark Prophets, bringing terrible destruction to Bury St Edmunds in the process. Nicholas must find the girl to stop him, and he needs to get a hold of his powers, too.
There are a few nice fight scenes in this, and some hints of mystery and suspense. But I can't get past the lack of time passing in this series, and the lack of character development. I don't feel like I'm living the book along with the characters, and I don't feel that the characters are real. There's just something very wrong with the pacing of these books.
It's not a bad book, but there may actually be a bit too much description. As I said, the pacing really ruins (hah!) these books for me, sadly. I'm going to have to say 2-3 stars for this.
longtimereader's review
4.0
Ruins is the second book in this series. It is action packed, yet not a book that you can read quickly. This book is even more in depth than Sentinel. Nicholas is just now really finding how how serious his new calling is. His group has to find a specific girl, and her roll is more than anyone has considered. Nicholas and his friends are about to learn more, and go through more than can be crammed into one review while avoiding spoilers. Fighting demons, trying to avoid magic, or use it when necessary, losing people in horrific events, this book has a great deal occurring. The cat on the cover is important, and you have to have read the first book before you read this one!
I hope I am able to read the final book in this series, as the Tortor and other things in this book are strangely familiar, and very eerie. I do want to see how this ends.
My copy came from Story Cartel in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
I hope I am able to read the final book in this series, as the Tortor and other things in this book are strangely familiar, and very eerie. I do want to see how this ends.
My copy came from Story Cartel in exchange for my honest review and nothing more.
bookyeller's review
1.0
Summary
Nicholas is trying to resurrect the prophets. For that, he needs another person just like him. Meanwhile, he faces so many troubles. He also meets new people. But can he trust everyone?
My Review
I really did not enjoy this book. There’s always a question. What do I like the most? The Story or the characters? I always answered both because they both complete the book. But this time I was wrong. The story goes down and down with every chapter. The story was getting boring. And their adventures were not that exciting. I was afraid that this book will make me go on a reading slump but I was reading some other stuff to get me going. Characters were plain and simple. I did not feel attached to any characters. But I still gave them a second chance but like story characters also lose their charisma. The characters feel dull most of the time. The book did not grip me at all. So it took me days to read the book. Every chapter felt like a drag. I want to decrease a star from a previous book too now.
How Should You Read This Book?
Just do not.
Nicholas is trying to resurrect the prophets. For that, he needs another person just like him. Meanwhile, he faces so many troubles. He also meets new people. But can he trust everyone?
My Review
I really did not enjoy this book. There’s always a question. What do I like the most? The Story or the characters? I always answered both because they both complete the book. But this time I was wrong. The story goes down and down with every chapter. The story was getting boring. And their adventures were not that exciting. I was afraid that this book will make me go on a reading slump but I was reading some other stuff to get me going. Characters were plain and simple. I did not feel attached to any characters. But I still gave them a second chance but like story characters also lose their charisma. The characters feel dull most of the time. The book did not grip me at all. So it took me days to read the book. Every chapter felt like a drag. I want to decrease a star from a previous book too now.
How Should You Read This Book?
Just do not.