The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
princessleopard's review
3.0
I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Actual rating: 3.25 stars
I read this book in tandem with the first, Clarity. Of the two, this one was definitely stronger. It had a clearer and more concise plot, and I enjoyed the characters more. The major characters of the first novel all re-appear, although weirdly Danae, our main viewpoint character from the first, doesn't have a viewpoint chapter in this one until a little over halfway through. Still, Kell is compelling enough, and I liked the manservant she brought with her, as well as her interactions with Asha. We learned more about Asha and his past in this book, which was nice, and saw more of Danae's adopted sister, who I also enjoyed. There was also more worldbuilding in this one, including a very weird but enjoyable scene where Asha interrogates a swamp-monster. Weird though it was, that single scene alluded to many previous adventures and a greater scope of the world and its inhabitants, which I thought was well done.
There were still some issues that were present in the first book, though. Everyone is still mistrustful and downright rude to Asha, even though he never really does anything to warrant this attitude. A major character from the first novel is killed off-screen, and the fallout is treated with the same blind ridiculousness as certain events were in the first book. Honestly, it might just be that everyone in the Abbey is dumb as a box of rocks, as the rest of the outside world seems to manage just fine. There are other weird coincidences and plot contrivances that exist solely to move the plot, but that might not bother some readers as much as it irks me.
Overall, though, it was an improvement, and adds more color to the world. If you liked the first book, you'll like this one, too.
Actual rating: 3.25 stars
I read this book in tandem with the first, Clarity. Of the two, this one was definitely stronger. It had a clearer and more concise plot, and I enjoyed the characters more. The major characters of the first novel all re-appear, although weirdly Danae, our main viewpoint character from the first, doesn't have a viewpoint chapter in this one until a little over halfway through. Still, Kell is compelling enough, and I liked the manservant she brought with her, as well as her interactions with Asha. We learned more about Asha and his past in this book, which was nice, and saw more of Danae's adopted sister, who I also enjoyed. There was also more worldbuilding in this one, including a very weird but enjoyable scene where Asha interrogates a swamp-monster. Weird though it was, that single scene alluded to many previous adventures and a greater scope of the world and its inhabitants, which I thought was well done.
There were still some issues that were present in the first book, though. Everyone is still mistrustful and downright rude to Asha, even though he never really does anything to warrant this attitude. A major character from the first novel is killed off-screen, and the fallout is treated with the same blind ridiculousness as certain events were in the first book. Honestly, it might just be that everyone in the Abbey is dumb as a box of rocks, as the rest of the outside world seems to manage just fine. There are other weird coincidences and plot contrivances that exist solely to move the plot, but that might not bother some readers as much as it irks me.
Overall, though, it was an improvement, and adds more color to the world. If you liked the first book, you'll like this one, too.
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