schnoebs13's review
4.0
4.25⭐️
The one thing I can truly say about this series is that Sarah Beth Durst sure knows how to create a very vivid world. I can easily see every type of spirit she depicts and the formations of the all the tree buildings.
This story started slow for me after a very explosive first 2 chapters. Queen Delaena is not dealing with the aftermath of the Coronation Massacre, the beginning of her reign and what seems to be a mysterious and deadly disease. The main issue is that she has these fainting spells that mimic death which inturn allow the spirits to have complete control of themselves and attack the humans near to them. Due to this issue, Queen Delaena sends her Champions out to look for new candidates who might be able to become her new heirs and this is where we meet Naelin. She is a woman with two kids and a husband who just wants to live a simple life and avoid spirits at all costs.
The first half of this book is where I struggled a bit because of the pacing. It was very much a journey story just like the first but the dynamics between the group frustrated me at times. I understand that Naelin is a mother but you can't mother every single person you meet (but I understand that it's probably from her fear that those actions were derived). Once the second half hit though and Naelin started becoming who she's supposed to be beyond that fear and we got more time and the palace with Delaena (who I love!), I really loved the story. I ended up finished the second half pretty much in one evening. The final scenes had my heart racing like crazy and I can't wait to see what happens in the final book of this trilogy; especially with how that epilogue ended!
The one thing I can truly say about this series is that Sarah Beth Durst sure knows how to create a very vivid world. I can easily see every type of spirit she depicts and the formations of the all the tree buildings.
This story started slow for me after a very explosive first 2 chapters. Queen Delaena is not dealing with the aftermath of the Coronation Massacre, the beginning of her reign and what seems to be a mysterious and deadly disease. The main issue is that she has these fainting spells that mimic death which inturn allow the spirits to have complete control of themselves and attack the humans near to them. Due to this issue, Queen Delaena sends her Champions out to look for new candidates who might be able to become her new heirs and this is where we meet Naelin. She is a woman with two kids and a husband who just wants to live a simple life and avoid spirits at all costs.
The first half of this book is where I struggled a bit because of the pacing. It was very much a journey story just like the first but the dynamics between the group frustrated me at times. I understand that Naelin is a mother but you can't mother every single person you meet (but I understand that it's probably from her fear that those actions were derived). Once the second half hit though and Naelin started becoming who she's supposed to be beyond that fear and we got more time and the palace with Delaena (who I love!), I really loved the story. I ended up finished the second half pretty much in one evening. The final scenes had my heart racing like crazy and I can't wait to see what happens in the final book of this trilogy; especially with how that epilogue ended!
chloec_m's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
dmpphoto's review
3.0
3.5 stars
I was super excited for this book after loving the first installment of the series Queen of Blood. So I was really happy with 90 percent of this book, the plots was intense and unpredictable, the new characters where great, the new developments in the plots were interesting and unexpected... but then the third act happen and the book just lost all of it punch. I am so disappointed because this was one of my favorite series and it just kinda fizzled out and the end.
I was super excited for this book after loving the first installment of the series Queen of Blood. So I was really happy with 90 percent of this book, the plots was intense and unpredictable, the new characters where great, the new developments in the plots were interesting and unexpected... but then the third act happen and the book just lost all of it punch. I am so disappointed because this was one of my favorite series and it just kinda fizzled out and the end.
jlieaz's review
5.0
This book actually surprises me.
After the end of the first book, my brain had several possible plots for the sequel. However, this book has proven me wrong and provided me to an interesting and another adventure. The book looks at the kingdom, the magic system, the characters from a fresh perspective.
While the first book engages more in learning the magic system and responsibility, this book deals more about love and politics / strategy.
Even though the end seemed a bit forced to me, especially considering the 'different' concept the first book had to offer, I think the author has a plan for this in the third book.
Am intrigued to see how the third book will unfold.
After the end of the first book, my brain had several possible plots for the sequel. However, this book has proven me wrong and provided me to an interesting and another adventure. The book looks at the kingdom, the magic system, the characters from a fresh perspective.
While the first book engages more in learning the magic system and responsibility, this book deals more about love and politics / strategy.
Even though the end seemed a bit forced to me, especially considering the 'different' concept the first book had to offer, I think the author has a plan for this in the third book.
Am intrigued to see how the third book will unfold.
parue's review against another edition
3.0
It's hard for me to fully describe how I feel about this book. I was annoyed with it for a good chunk of the story and considered DNFing for a while, yet I stayed up until 3AM to finish it.
I think it comes down to the fact that I really don't care for Naelin. I find Daleina much more interesting and relatable to me, and I wish there was a bit more of her and less of Naelin. A character that isn't strong and has to approach problems differently because of it is much more appealing to me than someone who is overpowered from the beginning but has to learn to control those powers.
Toward the end I started to like Naelin a little more, but not really enough to want her to be a central character to the story. While she certainly wasn't one-dimensional, I feel as though her primary personality trait was 'mother'. It didn't seem like she had very many thoughts, interests, or goals outside of "keeping her children safe".
I enjoyed the introduction of Ganrah, and I also liked that Arin played a bigger role. I only wish we saw more of them.
To be honest, I'm quite tired of this series. I want it to be done.I would have been quite content if the story ended after the first book. I'm still planning to give the third book a shot, but I ain't happy about it!
I think it comes down to the fact that I really don't care for Naelin. I find Daleina much more interesting and relatable to me, and I wish there was a bit more of her and less of Naelin. A character that isn't strong and has to approach problems differently because of it is much more appealing to me than someone who is overpowered from the beginning but has to learn to control those powers.
Toward the end I started to like Naelin a little more, but not really enough to want her to be a central character to the story. While she certainly wasn't one-dimensional, I feel as though her primary personality trait was 'mother'. It didn't seem like she had very many thoughts, interests, or goals outside of "keeping her children safe".
I enjoyed the introduction of Ganrah, and I also liked that Arin played a bigger role. I only wish we saw more of them.
To be honest, I'm quite tired of this series. I want it to be done.I would have been quite content if the story ended after the first book. I'm still planning to give the third book a shot, but I ain't happy about it!
bookswithjelena's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Finally got around to reading a sequel to one of my favorite reads of last year - Queen of Blood. I picked it up to fulfill an ‘Elemental magic’ prompt in this year's r/fantasy bingo. I’m determined to finish one card and at least start another one, wish me luck.
I picked this book up without reading the synopsis so the first portion of the book felt very jarring and a bit sudden. It felt like a rehashing of the same plot from the first book but with different characters. And the best part of the first book for me was the plot and the pace, so when I basically had to read it all over again I was a bit let down. I didn’t really expect to see new characters but they grew on me as the book went on.
Although the climax and the reveal were very surprising. I also loved that we saw some characters from the previous book. And the whole plot thread with the healer's mother is the most interesting and I can’t wait to see where it leads in the next book.
I can’t really say that the new protagonist as much as I loved Daleina. It was all a bit too much mama bear. It felt like her whole personality was her kids. But she provided a really great contrast for how young all of the previous queens really were and what burden was placed upon such young women.
All in all, I really enjoyed it. I’m excited to read the series finale. And if you liked the first book I would still recommend you continue with the series. The pace is still on par with the first book, and if you don't mind a very protective mother as your main character, I'm sure you will enjoy this sequel.
Although the climax and the reveal were very surprising. I also loved that we saw some characters from the previous book. And the whole plot thread with the healer's mother is the most interesting and I can’t wait to see where it leads in the next book.
I can’t really say that the new protagonist as much as I loved Daleina. It was all a bit too much mama bear. It felt like her whole personality was her kids. But she provided a really great contrast for how young all of the previous queens really were and what burden was placed upon such young women.
All in all, I really enjoyed it. I’m excited to read the series finale. And if you liked the first book I would still recommend you continue with the series. The pace is still on par with the first book, and if you don't mind a very protective mother as your main character, I'm sure you will enjoy this sequel.