bcat0124's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.5
chyreads29's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars. I liked this a lot better than the first book. What I'm enjoying about this series so far is that it does not sugar coat. I do think teens can read this but if anything, this series feels too mature to be confined by the YA genre. Anyways, I've accepted that this is a plot-driven story. We don't get much from Arrah outside of her intense grief and that she wants to be with Rudjek instead of saving the world. And speaking of Rudjek, I get why we needed a dual perspective, but I am not invested in his character at all. I skimmed through his chapters because they just weren't interesting. Ironically enough, it is the side characters that I am invested in but unfortunately, they are cursed with the sidekick trope. Every time you get attached to them....I also think there are too many villains in the story and the time jumps between Dimma's back story and Arrah's present made it really difficult to keep up sometimes. Really curious to see how this story ends with the third and final book.
librarianlayla's review against another edition
4.0
I was granted an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Slow to start and then barreling straight into adventure, heartbreak and deception.
I adored Kingdom of Souls so much and it's sequel does not disappoint. Rich with it's history coupled with a plan eons in the making, it takes the reader further into the world that Arrah lives in and the past that has forged their present.
Prepare yourselves for twists and turns, epic battles and heart wrenching moments.
Slow to start and then barreling straight into adventure, heartbreak and deception.
I adored Kingdom of Souls so much and it's sequel does not disappoint. Rich with it's history coupled with a plan eons in the making, it takes the reader further into the world that Arrah lives in and the past that has forged their present.
Prepare yourselves for twists and turns, epic battles and heart wrenching moments.
cafeyre's review against another edition
4.0
Arrah always dreamed about having her gift of magic. However, when her dreams finally come true, she needs to pay a high price for them. After she finally defeated her sister, she is the last surviving witchdoctor. Together with her friends, she comes back home to pick up the shattered pieces of a family that betrayed her, and her secret identity that was buried long ago. Being back home isn’t easy since she is a daughter of a traitor. It’s not getting easier since the Demon King is closer now than she thinks.
Arrah desperately tries to fix what her mother destroyed. She comes back to the tribal lands to search for the survivors. However, the voice of the Demon King in her mind gets louder and louder. He shares with her the memories she lost. With his shadow in her mind, it’s hard for her to stay in control. She begins to understand that defeating him might be impossible.
Book Review:
To be honest, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first book. I was really disappointed with this book, while I had very high expectations. However, this book surprised me by how much more interesting it was. I loved how the author connected Arrah’s story with the unnamed goddess. We finally had a chance to learn more about Dimma’s life and what she did that cost her losing her life and name. Moreover, Demon’s King story is finally explained and shows a completely different side of his character and his past.
I noticed a big improvement in Arrah’s character. In the last book, I was very annoyed by her. She was acting like an annoying kid that has only one goal in her life, to get power. I think that her growth can be connected to getting magic as she always dreamed of. However, receiving such a big amount of power has also its consequences and she felt it on her skin in a short time. She grows up to the responsibility of her people and she does everything to find the survivors of the tribe’s people. I think this is one of her characteristics I like the most. She never steps down when she knows that there is someone that needs her help. She gives herself to the case and there’s nothing that can stop her. Also, the fact that Arrah is the most powerful witch doctor is amazing. Every time she shows how powerful she is, I want to give her a standing ovation. Especially when she’s accompanied by Rodjek’s father. I still cannot stand him. I think he’s even worse in this book because he’s on the top.
As much as I liked Rodjek in the last book, I was a little bit disappointed with his part of the story in this book. Especially, that he finally got his point of view in the book. The storyline was pretty boring. However, I like the idea of anti-magic very much. Without it, his and Arrah’s relationship would be flat. This actually adds a little bit of newness to the story. It makes their relationship different from the others and I like it very much. I always liked a forbidden love tribe so I wasn’t disappointed when this was a case in this story.
What was also very well managed, were the scenes of the battles. I was very upset that so many people died, however, I’m glad that it happened. Thanks to it the scene was much more realistic since it’s not that often that everyone comes out of the battlefield alive or without a scratch. Especially, battle with blood-thirsty demons.
The ending is the thing I’m not sure how to feel about. It made me want to read the next book, however, it ended in a way that there should be at least one more chapter. The epilogue was amazing, but the last chapter should have at least 5 pages of continuation. I was confused that it ended this way but maybe it was a point. The epilogue had a great cliffhanger so it makes us wait for book three. I didn’t feel this way after the first book, so it’s an improvement.
idea of anti-magic very much. Without it, his and Arrah’s relationship would be flat. This actually adds a little bit of newness to the story. It makes their relationship different from the others and I like it very much. I always liked a forbidden love tribe so I wasn’t disappointed when this was a case in this story.
What was also very well managed, were the scenes of the battles. I was very upset that so many people died, however, I’m glad that it happened. Thanks to it the scene was much more realistic since it’s not that often that everyone comes out of the battlefield alive or without a scratch. Especially, battle with blood-thirsty demons.
The ending is the thing I’m not sure how to feel about. It made me want to read the next book, however, it ended in a way that there should be at least one more chapter. The epilogue was amazing, but the last chapter should have at least 5 pages of continuation. I was confused that it ended this way but maybe it was a point. The epilogue had a great cliffhanger so it makes us wait for book three. I didn’t feel this way after the first book, so it’s an improvement.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Rena Barron and Harper Voyager for providing me with this book! I can't wait to read book three! I think book was definitely a step up in the story and I can't wait to read more of Arrah's story!
Arrah desperately tries to fix what her mother destroyed. She comes back to the tribal lands to search for the survivors. However, the voice of the Demon King in her mind gets louder and louder. He shares with her the memories she lost. With his shadow in her mind, it’s hard for her to stay in control. She begins to understand that defeating him might be impossible.
Book Review:
To be honest, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first book. I was really disappointed with this book, while I had very high expectations. However, this book surprised me by how much more interesting it was. I loved how the author connected Arrah’s story with the unnamed goddess. We finally had a chance to learn more about Dimma’s life and what she did that cost her losing her life and name. Moreover, Demon’s King story is finally explained and shows a completely different side of his character and his past.
I noticed a big improvement in Arrah’s character. In the last book, I was very annoyed by her. She was acting like an annoying kid that has only one goal in her life, to get power. I think that her growth can be connected to getting magic as she always dreamed of. However, receiving such a big amount of power has also its consequences and she felt it on her skin in a short time. She grows up to the responsibility of her people and she does everything to find the survivors of the tribe’s people. I think this is one of her characteristics I like the most. She never steps down when she knows that there is someone that needs her help. She gives herself to the case and there’s nothing that can stop her. Also, the fact that Arrah is the most powerful witch doctor is amazing. Every time she shows how powerful she is, I want to give her a standing ovation. Especially when she’s accompanied by Rodjek’s father. I still cannot stand him. I think he’s even worse in this book because he’s on the top.
As much as I liked Rodjek in the last book, I was a little bit disappointed with his part of the story in this book. Especially, that he finally got his point of view in the book. The storyline was pretty boring. However, I like the idea of anti-magic very much. Without it, his and Arrah’s relationship would be flat. This actually adds a little bit of newness to the story. It makes their relationship different from the others and I like it very much. I always liked a forbidden love tribe so I wasn’t disappointed when this was a case in this story.
What was also very well managed, were the scenes of the battles. I was very upset that so many people died, however, I’m glad that it happened. Thanks to it the scene was much more realistic since it’s not that often that everyone comes out of the battlefield alive or without a scratch. Especially, battle with blood-thirsty demons.
The ending is the thing I’m not sure how to feel about. It made me want to read the next book, however, it ended in a way that there should be at least one more chapter. The epilogue was amazing, but the last chapter should have at least 5 pages of continuation. I was confused that it ended this way but maybe it was a point. The epilogue had a great cliffhanger so it makes us wait for book three. I didn’t feel this way after the first book, so it’s an improvement.
idea of anti-magic very much. Without it, his and Arrah’s relationship would be flat. This actually adds a little bit of newness to the story. It makes their relationship different from the others and I like it very much. I always liked a forbidden love tribe so I wasn’t disappointed when this was a case in this story.
What was also very well managed, were the scenes of the battles. I was very upset that so many people died, however, I’m glad that it happened. Thanks to it the scene was much more realistic since it’s not that often that everyone comes out of the battlefield alive or without a scratch. Especially, battle with blood-thirsty demons.
The ending is the thing I’m not sure how to feel about. It made me want to read the next book, however, it ended in a way that there should be at least one more chapter. The epilogue was amazing, but the last chapter should have at least 5 pages of continuation. I was confused that it ended this way but maybe it was a point. The epilogue had a great cliffhanger so it makes us wait for book three. I didn’t feel this way after the first book, so it’s an improvement.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Rena Barron and Harper Voyager for providing me with this book! I can't wait to read book three! I think book was definitely a step up in the story and I can't wait to read more of Arrah's story!
gtgirl1's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
decembermagpie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gaslighting, Violence, Child death, Death of parent, War, Death, Gore, Kidnapping, and Vomit
crazybookishcool'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
thisistrashpsyd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0