natcommon's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I feel the same about this book as the first. It has a really cool setting and atmosphere but it has a lot of repetitive language and repetitive scenes a few times.
I still will read book three because I am very interested about how it ends.
I feel the same about this book as the first. It has a really cool setting and atmosphere but it has a lot of repetitive language and repetitive scenes a few times.
I still will read book three because I am very interested about how it ends.
aira_imani's review against another edition
1.0
I still don't know what the hell was going on in this book.
And why doesn't Malachiasz just stay dead? His whole situation is getting annoying.
And why doesn't Malachiasz just stay dead? His whole situation is getting annoying.
blanchesblankspace's review against another edition
Spoilers ahead
An okay read but way too bland, I still wasn't attached to the characters in the slightest and still didn't care what would happen to them which was a cue for me to finally drop this lol. The whole thing with Malakayasz was annoying especially like their romance WAS nice in the first book but?? Enough for Nadya to be still down bad after this man after that betrayal AND the fact he's not even himself anymore, just a monster??? It doesn't even feel like him anymore anyway so why the hell would you ever root for them again
The side characters were forgettable ngl still cant differentiate Ostya and Kacper from Parijahan and Rashid like the only difference is that they're either Nadya's or Serefin's companions instead
Why the hell is Kostya back??? Should've let that man die literally what the hell is he even supposed to stir up in the plot. Could've had some impact were some things done differently but rn ehh
Conclusion
The concept was nice but soo much of the execution should've been changed to make this not as forgettable. Feeling kinda meh about the characters except maybe Serefin(I literally just like just his name and his moth and stars aesthetic thingy... oh and how he's keen on trusting Nadya despite everything now THAT would've been a nice romance). But like. He literally became a god or whatever and so did Malakayasz AND Nadya has her own op magic and they somehow managed to still be just as boring and useless to the plot like?? What even IS the plot
Also. Pelagya. WHY is there a cliche old creepy witch oracle lady there to mumble some prophecies. Should've deleted her from the draft because that is so cliche and she serves no purpose to the plot she's just ruining the tension or telling us things we already know but in an annoying confusing way instead
Have to say it again but the focus put on monster Malakayasz was annoying Nadya should've thrown that man in the trash while she could idc about his goofy now 7 eyed 347 mouthed ass and the "boy behind the monster" go stay in your creepy villain dungeon or whatever
First book was fun(4 stars) but this was just a hassle to get through. Between 1 and 1.5 stars tbh
An okay read but way too bland, I still wasn't attached to the characters in the slightest and still didn't care what would happen to them which was a cue for me to finally drop this lol. The whole thing with Malakayasz was annoying especially like their romance WAS nice in the first book but?? Enough for Nadya to be still down bad after this man after that betrayal AND the fact he's not even himself anymore, just a monster??? It doesn't even feel like him anymore anyway so why the hell would you ever root for them again
The side characters were forgettable ngl still cant differentiate Ostya and Kacper from Parijahan and Rashid like the only difference is that they're either Nadya's or Serefin's companions instead
Why the hell is Kostya back??? Should've let that man die literally what the hell is he even supposed to stir up in the plot. Could've had some impact were some things done differently but rn ehh
Conclusion
The concept was nice but soo much of the execution should've been changed to make this not as forgettable. Feeling kinda meh about the characters except maybe Serefin(I literally just like just his name and his moth and stars aesthetic thingy... oh and how he's keen on trusting Nadya despite everything now THAT would've been a nice romance). But like. He literally became a god or whatever and so did Malakayasz AND Nadya has her own op magic and they somehow managed to still be just as boring and useless to the plot like?? What even IS the plot
Also. Pelagya. WHY is there a cliche old creepy witch oracle lady there to mumble some prophecies. Should've deleted her from the draft because that is so cliche and she serves no purpose to the plot she's just ruining the tension or telling us things we already know but in an annoying confusing way instead
Have to say it again but the focus put on monster Malakayasz was annoying Nadya should've thrown that man in the trash while she could idc about his goofy now 7 eyed 347 mouthed ass and the "boy behind the monster" go stay in your creepy villain dungeon or whatever
First book was fun(4 stars) but this was just a hassle to get through. Between 1 and 1.5 stars tbh
jmckendry's review against another edition
5.0
When I started this series, I did not think I would enjoy it. I was VERY wrong.
I love the characters, I love the writing, I love the struggle against the darkness (both within, and without). I can't wait to read the final installment in the series.
I love the characters, I love the writing, I love the struggle against the darkness (both within, and without). I can't wait to read the final installment in the series.
spiringempress's review against another edition
3.0
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review
Kinda ambivalent about this sequel (as I did with the first one). It has such a beautiful setting and characters with so much potential, but ultimately the plot drags on and the ending seemed to leave it at the same place, where the first one ended. Mysterious powers, uncertainty, and questionable intentions.
Six months have passed since the ending of the first book, Serefin is king but Tranavia is in turmoil after the death of his father. The nobles are also trying to overthrow him through political machinations. He's got a voice in his head that keeps trying to manipulate him. Malachiasz has become the Black Vulture and rules from the Salt Mines, where eldritch horrors exist. Nadya on the other hand no longer has her gods and she decides on something that involves bringing Malachiasz back.
This plot is the main focus of the book. Nadya finds Malachiasz, she helps him remember and then they travel around the country until the climax of the book. Sure, there are some other cool things like Serefin meeting the actual queen of Kalyzi, who wears a necklace made out of vulture teeth, and her helping him. But that's it. The whole book is centered around Serefin battling the voices in his head, being whisked away to an enchanted forest and then magically finding Nadya headed in the same direction as him.
Honestly, the ending of the book was the most interesting part of the story because stuff actually happened. In fact, the ending is enough to keep me wanting to read the next book to find out what happens.
Overall, the slow pacing and Nadya's characterization and lack of clear motives were my biggest issues with the book. I've always wanted a young adult book that featured a questionable male love interest, but I don't find Malachiasz that interesting. He wavers between being forbidding and simpering, which is more annoying than unique. Nadya's obsession with him seems to have ulterior motives, but we really never get an explanation or a clear indication of her future plans. In this book, Nadya questions the source of her power and it leads her to somewhat of an existential crisis, but this primarily left in the background. And while I'd really like an ~*evil*~ female heroine, Duncan is not really clear on where her protagonist is going or what she's thinking.
Kinda ambivalent about this sequel (as I did with the first one). It has such a beautiful setting and characters with so much potential, but ultimately the plot drags on and the ending seemed to leave it at the same place, where the first one ended. Mysterious powers, uncertainty, and questionable intentions.
Six months have passed since the ending of the first book, Serefin is king but Tranavia is in turmoil after the death of his father. The nobles are also trying to overthrow him through political machinations. He's got a voice in his head that keeps trying to manipulate him. Malachiasz has become the Black Vulture and rules from the Salt Mines, where eldritch horrors exist. Nadya on the other hand no longer has her gods and she decides on something that involves bringing Malachiasz back.
This plot is the main focus of the book. Nadya finds Malachiasz, she helps him remember and then they travel around the country until the climax of the book. Sure, there are some other cool things like Serefin meeting the actual queen of Kalyzi, who wears a necklace made out of vulture teeth, and her helping him. But that's it. The whole book is centered around Serefin battling the voices in his head, being whisked away to an enchanted forest and then magically finding Nadya headed in the same direction as him.
Honestly, the ending of the book was the most interesting part of the story because stuff actually happened.
Spoiler
Malachiasz reveals to only be interested in dethroning all the gods and ancient beings and restructuring the divine hierarchy. Serefin wakes up the ancient beings, who want revenge. There's also a cool tidbit about how the 'gods' are actually humans, with magical abilities that have surpassed the limits of mortality. And Nadya hints at finally becoming dark by betraying Malachiasz and stabbing him.Overall, the slow pacing and Nadya's characterization and lack of clear motives were my biggest issues with the book. I've always wanted a young adult book that featured a questionable male love interest, but I don't find Malachiasz that interesting. He wavers between being forbidding and simpering, which is more annoying than unique. Nadya's obsession with him seems to have ulterior motives, but we really never get an explanation or a clear indication of her future plans. In this book, Nadya questions the source of her power and it leads her to somewhat of an existential crisis, but this primarily left in the background. And while I'd really like an ~*evil*~ female heroine, Duncan is not really clear on where her protagonist is going or what she's thinking.