jeaninetaniece's review
5.0
I am so stinking glad I discovered this series! The love I have for it is crazy. Like obsessed! The first book was ridiculously good, Kiran and Asha are one of my all time favorite enemies to more. And the world the author has created is full of terrific characters and amazing storylines. There is so much potential, so much yet to explore, so much to dissect, so much to savor!
The second book in the series gives us Piper’s story. We meet her toward the end of AWSFS and she is gifted like Asha. Piper, being half-fae and gifted, is abandoned by her family and left to die. When Bronger finds her, he raises her, then begins to manipulate her and her gift, to build an army of stolen children, an army to take down the fae king. She feels she is saving these children from a life of harm and hunger. But in reality they are taken from one dangerous situation to another.
Things start to go horribly wrong after Piper plays her tune and “rescues” Amity. She is injury, they are set upon by traffickers…then a mysterious man appears offering aid and protection.
Marcus and Piper are two tortured souls. Consumed with guilt, tortured by the pasts. They are alone on the world. They are both harboring secrets, neither are what they claim to be. Their paths verge, then diverge — all the while not knowing it crossed and bonded them long before they realize. They are brought together, then torn apart.
There are sooo many things I loved! When Piper channels her inner Katniss Everdeen I was like BOOM, YES! Did I know it was coming? I had an inkling. Did I care? Heck no! When she plays her tune for the unwanted, hurt children and Marcus is the one it calls to! I was so happy to see Elias. I loved his introduction and have been dying to find out about who he really worked for. Then I found out who Marcus worked for
The second book in the series gives us Piper’s story. We meet her toward the end of AWSFS and she is gifted like Asha. Piper, being half-fae and gifted, is abandoned by her family and left to die. When Bronger finds her, he raises her, then begins to manipulate her and her gift, to build an army of stolen children, an army to take down the fae king. She feels she is saving these children from a life of harm and hunger. But in reality they are taken from one dangerous situation to another.
Things start to go horribly wrong after Piper plays her tune and “rescues” Amity. She is injury, they are set upon by traffickers…then a mysterious man appears offering aid and protection.
Marcus and Piper are two tortured souls. Consumed with guilt, tortured by the pasts. They are alone on the world. They are both harboring secrets, neither are what they claim to be. Their paths verge, then diverge — all the while not knowing it crossed and bonded them long before they realize. They are brought together, then torn apart.
There are sooo many things I loved! When Piper channels her inner Katniss Everdeen I was like BOOM, YES! Did I know it was coming? I had an inkling. Did I care? Heck no! When she plays her tune for the unwanted, hurt children and Marcus is the one it calls to! I was so happy to see Elias. I loved his introduction and have been dying to find out about who he really worked for. Then I found out who Marcus worked for
evee1992's review
4.0
A pied piper retelling.
I don't know how good these books are 'meant' to be, but I have been enjoying the series. Definitely like some of the characters more than others, and feel like there's quite a lot of difference between the level of details.
I don't know how good these books are 'meant' to be, but I have been enjoying the series. Definitely like some of the characters more than others, and feel like there's quite a lot of difference between the level of details.
dessbian's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I did really enjoy this one but not as much as the first in the series! I’m absolutely going to keep reading though. I loved piper, Marcus grew on me but I still think pipe deserved better idk idk idk
therealataylor's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Story: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🫑 (clean)
Pros: interesting magic system, a different spin on the pied piper lore, a precocious child side character.
Spice: 🫑 (clean)
Pros: interesting magic system, a different spin on the pied piper lore, a precocious child side character.
Cons: I enjoyed the idea of the characters and the story more than the execution. It didn’t grab me, but we coasted along together.
I will say it’s impressive work to make a main character who traffics children likable. The twist on the pied piper was unique however the overall character development felt weak. I am usually a fan of dual POV. However I found Marcus’ perspective to be grating and overly dramatized. A critique I have of the first book in the series as well—- the peeks into the male love interests’ perspective feels more like tormented monologues than something that furthers plot or character development.
Overall it’s an okay read. Not something I’ll pick up again but also not something I felt angry about having spent time reading.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Child abuse
journal_aangel's review
I am not getting into another long ass book with new characters that will surely lead nowhere. I'm done with this series, it wasn't that compelling to being with anyways.
harukeirin's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75