conniving_cat's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
secre's review
4.0
After the cliff-hanger at the end of the last book, Brie and Kai are separated and this novel takes an interesting turn into multiple point of view chapters. The various points of view really did add an additional dimension to this novel, giving multiple perspectives from different locations as the rebellion takes control. That said, the multiple perspectives also slowed the pace of this down quite a bit, particularly when most of the action was coming from the rebellion, at least until the final chapters.
There was a little bit more historical world building here, which is one of the key elements I've found completely lacking throughout the series - the authors are excellent at building up the current world, but there were still a lot of holes in terms of how and why the world got to this point. It's still lacking here, and by three books in, I'd have hoped to have learned a little more about how the world reached this magical dystopia where humans are long gone and a variety of magical casters and beings have taken their place.
That said, the current world building, action and characterisations are once more done brilliantly here and that more than carries the novel. I particularly enjoyed watching the rebellion's tactics once they have control of the domes and I felt the authors really carried the differences between revenge and justice... and how those on both sides feel. These tactics gave more impetus to Brie's abandonment of the cause, so my previous issues with the rushed romance and her changing sides too quickly have all but dissipated. I also appreciated the linking of the past and the present as Kai meets with Brie's father and has to prove his worth.
All in all, another well written novel. I think the split narrative adds more than it detracts, making it a win overall. I'd still liked to have seen more historical world building, but I had far fewer issues with the romance element and Brie's allegiances. Of course, that might be helped along by the fact that Brie and Kai are separated for the vast majority of the novel. We end on another cliffhanger... but I was kind of expecting that at this point.
There was a little bit more historical world building here, which is one of the key elements I've found completely lacking throughout the series - the authors are excellent at building up the current world, but there were still a lot of holes in terms of how and why the world got to this point. It's still lacking here, and by three books in, I'd have hoped to have learned a little more about how the world reached this magical dystopia where humans are long gone and a variety of magical casters and beings have taken their place.
That said, the current world building, action and characterisations are once more done brilliantly here and that more than carries the novel. I particularly enjoyed watching the rebellion's tactics once they have control of the domes and I felt the authors really carried the differences between revenge and justice... and how those on both sides feel. These tactics gave more impetus to Brie's abandonment of the cause, so my previous issues with the rushed romance and her changing sides too quickly have all but dissipated. I also appreciated the linking of the past and the present as Kai meets with Brie's father and has to prove his worth.
All in all, another well written novel. I think the split narrative adds more than it detracts, making it a win overall. I'd still liked to have seen more historical world building, but I had far fewer issues with the romance element and Brie's allegiances. Of course, that might be helped along by the fact that Brie and Kai are separated for the vast majority of the novel. We end on another cliffhanger... but I was kind of expecting that at this point.
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