jessyhayward's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
obviously_lene's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-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
3.5
idratherliveinbooks's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
zoec24's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Minimal romance was good, but the last 100 pages are really all that's needed to resolve the whole thing and it's tied up way too neatly. Isa also becomes a way better character than Eva because she's so complex.
curiousarty's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I enjoyed this book every much as the first one! I'm honestly disappointed it's over, and it's all tied up so neatly at the end that I fear there won't be a book 3. I don't want to let some of these characters go, especially Baccha and Isa. I have to say, this book's strength is its world-building, though of course the characters are fun to follow and root for, too. But the khaemir people are incredibly cool, and it's refreshing to see a book position humans as the colonizers. I did hope to learn more about the fae and the bloodkin, but alas. Book 3? Please?
A few nitpicks... the alternating POVs, with Eva still being in first person, were a little jarring, but in all honesty, I don't know how else it could have been done? If anything, I'd almost prefer to retroactively go back and see book 1 in alternating POVs just for consistency, and put Eva in third person as well. I think Eva's characterization suffered a little when compared with her sister, who has a much bigger role here. Isa is a conflicted, interesting, sympathetic character, which contrasts with Eva who is brash and young, and yes, we root for her, but she's a little too... perfect at times?
Another thing I would appreciate a bit more are the romances being better fleshed out. Eva and Aketo are cute but they mostly do lots of intense moments where they're about to kiss, and I'd maybe like to see them talk more? Isa and Aketo's brother (I forget his name) were fine, but it just happened so quickly... I find them interesting and would like to see how their time together plays out. Lastly, Falun and Baccha... I'm really, honestly, quite disappointed with how little time was paid to this relationship. Yes, it was cute the couple times Eva teased Falun about Baccha, but then we literally saw no indication that Baccha felt the same way. The ending was kind of a surprise, albeit a pleasant surprise.
STILL. 5.0 star book!!!!! Can't wait to read more from this author!
A few nitpicks... the alternating POVs, with Eva still being in first person, were a little jarring, but in all honesty, I don't know how else it could have been done? If anything, I'd almost prefer to retroactively go back and see book 1 in alternating POVs just for consistency, and put Eva in third person as well. I think Eva's characterization suffered a little when compared with her sister, who has a much bigger role here. Isa is a conflicted, interesting, sympathetic character, which contrasts with Eva who is brash and young, and yes, we root for her, but she's a little too... perfect at times?
Another thing I would appreciate a bit more are the romances being better fleshed out. Eva and Aketo are cute but they mostly do lots of intense moments where they're about to kiss, and I'd maybe like to see them talk more? Isa and Aketo's brother (I forget his name) were fine, but it just happened so quickly... I find them interesting and would like to see how their time together plays out. Lastly, Falun and Baccha... I'm really, honestly, quite disappointed with how little time was paid to this relationship. Yes, it was cute the couple times Eva teased Falun about Baccha, but then we literally saw no indication that Baccha felt the same way. The ending was kind of a surprise, albeit a pleasant surprise.
STILL. 5.0 star book!!!!! Can't wait to read more from this author!
nettle_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-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
5.0
w_xinnie's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story, such a wonderful story about rivals, forgiveness and oppression. I found the author writing easy to read and to imagine.
At one point I thought that this needed more books because it was quite slow but I didn't mind it. And yes the ending was quick and everything, maybe I would have wanted a bit more details but I did really like this book !
I would say 4,5/5 or maybe a 4/5
At one point I thought that this needed more books because it was quite slow but I didn't mind it. And yes the ending was quick and everything, maybe I would have wanted a bit more details but I did really like this book !
I would say 4,5/5 or maybe a 4/5
holiday7's review against another edition
1.5
1.5 stars rounded up.
DNFed at 125 pages. Nothing was going on. There were way too many POV's. And the "romance" was so bland and uninteresting. This book was not good. All I really expected was a good sci-fi book. Because that's what everyone I knew said it was. But no, I got this terrible as well as slow ass book. The plot was also very bland. And it was just boring. I don't like it. Also there were way too many mentions of people snorting. Why was that in there?
DNFed at 125 pages. Nothing was going on. There were way too many POV's. And the "romance" was so bland and uninteresting. This book was not good. All I really expected was a good sci-fi book. Because that's what everyone I knew said it was. But no, I got this terrible as well as slow ass book. The plot was also very bland. And it was just boring. I don't like it. Also there were way too many mentions of people snorting. Why was that in there?
f1nni's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0