walentina's review against another edition
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
maudalorian's review
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
No empire is worth it if I don't have you too.
I can't tell if this was actually better than the first book or just happened to hit all my buttons, but I did not expect to enjoy it this much. Gal made for a delicious POV character—bitter, conflicted, whip-smart princeling held captive in the court of his former lover, current enemy? YES PLEASE.
Spoiler
Arrogant, scheming imperial heir very slowly comes around and realizes his true loyalties never lay with the family and ideology he was born into, but the ones he chose? HELL YES.I feel like Skrutskie is convinced that Wen is her most interesting character, to the detriment of Gal and especially Ettian's characterization. I wonder how that's gonna play out in the next book.
Spoiler
Is she setting Wen up to be the last empress standing at the end of all this, if Gal and Ettian don't end up ruling together?hackedbyawriter's review against another edition
5.0
I finally finished. I must say I didn’t expect to get so attached, the last bit actually hurt bc I cared so much about them that I didn’t listen to the last 20mins for weeks bc I was so emotionally devastated by the separation. I loved the politics + characters so much and I really love that the author didn’t shy away from Gal hating Ettian at the beginning (or at least pretending to himself that he did).
Wen was so badass esp at the end and I love how her complexities deepen in this book. Ettian will always remain my beloved angel who can do no wrong. But then you had Gal (whom I love don’t get me wrong) saying most out of pocket shit this book that I did several double takes while listening and one time almost tripped over my cat.
Wen was so badass esp at the end and I love how her complexities deepen in this book. Ettian will always remain my beloved angel who can do no wrong. But then you had Gal (whom I love don’t get me wrong) saying most out of pocket shit this book that I did several double takes while listening and one time almost tripped over my cat.
eliza_cat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
sarahdm's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This book would be better if Gal wasn't absolutely insufferable.
This book takes place from Gal's POV while he is a prisoner. He is struggling with his love for Ettian and his duty as heir to the throne. On the surface this seems like a really great set up but it just didn't get executed well. Gal's motivations and ethics are never really explored to the depth that it could have. It was sometimes so poorly done, I was straight up confused about what the hell Gal was doing. On top of all this, it was hard to really care about Gal's struggle because he is just so insufferable. I never felt a drop of sympathy for Gal. He really was just an arrogant whiny little teenage boy who just oozed "My blood makes me better than everyone around me" kind of attitude. Not sure what Ettian sees in this absolute prick. Now if the book was actually in Ettian or even Wen POV, I feel like it would have been better. Ettian and Wen's characters are just more sympathetic, likeable characters. Their struggles make sense and I want to cheer for them. And honestly, this was Wen's book at the end of the day. It really should have been her POV.
The plot doesn't pick up until about the 60% point. Like absolutely NOTHING was happening until this point and all I could think was "finally some good fucking soup." The character's don't start TALKING TO EACH OTHER until the 90% point. This books suffers from the big "everything would be fixed if they just talked to each other" trope, just like in the first book. Also the last 30 mins of the book has a wild left of field plot point that lets everything end in a cliff hanger with no answers. Felt like Skrutskie had to rely on a cheap plot twist instead of having the narrative stand on its own merits (you know like, a good plot or likable characters).
I'm sad that this isn't better. 2 stars because this isn't absolute trash and there is still a 3rd book that will hopefully save what's left of the scraps that was left behind.
This book takes place from Gal's POV while he is a prisoner. He is struggling with his love for Ettian and his duty as heir to the throne. On the surface this seems like a really great set up but it just didn't get executed well. Gal's motivations and ethics are never really explored to the depth that it could have. It was sometimes so poorly done, I was straight up confused about what the hell Gal was doing. On top of all this, it was hard to really care about Gal's struggle because he is just so insufferable. I never felt a drop of sympathy for Gal. He really was just an arrogant whiny little teenage boy who just oozed "My blood makes me better than everyone around me" kind of attitude. Not sure what Ettian sees in this absolute prick. Now if the book was actually in Ettian or even Wen POV, I feel like it would have been better. Ettian and Wen's characters are just more sympathetic, likeable characters. Their struggles make sense and I want to cheer for them. And honestly, this was Wen's book at the end of the day. It really should have been her POV.
The plot doesn't pick up until about the 60% point. Like absolutely NOTHING was happening until this point and all I could think was "finally some good fucking soup." The character's don't start TALKING TO EACH OTHER until the 90% point. This books suffers from the big "everything would be fixed if they just talked to each other" trope, just like in the first book. Also the last 30 mins of the book has a wild left of field plot point that lets everything end in a cliff hanger with no answers. Felt like Skrutskie had to rely on a cheap plot twist instead of having the narrative stand on its own merits (you know like, a good plot or likable characters).
I'm sad that this isn't better. 2 stars because this isn't absolute trash and there is still a 3rd book that will hopefully save what's left of the scraps that was left behind.
ljstrain28's review against another edition
5.0
Gal is horrible to start, but don't give up friends - it's worth it. I am excited for the third!