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secretdearest's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
3.75/5 ⭐️
This book begins during a festival (Kivratide), however don't be fooled by the initial good mood, it soon turns dangerous.
As I'm perplexed as to what the beginning had to do with the rest of the story, apart from the figure stalking Sonya (which is revealed later in the book).
Sonya has to take part in a trial judging Valko, the former emperor, and give her statement, which will either save his life or convict him to death.
More than halfway through, the book stops analysing the FMC's behaviour and relationship, and takes a turn for the dark. There is death, there are tears, and break-ups.
When they were told that they couldn't travel along, that twist was predictable.
Also a pet peeve of mine, was when I read:
"Another evening fell", which could've been substituted with
"After evening fell", which would have felt more storytelling-like.
I loved how they always managed to run into complications. (Honestly).
This book begins during a festival (Kivratide), however don't be fooled by the initial good mood, it soon turns dangerous.
As I'm perplexed as to what the beginning had to do with the rest of the story, apart from the figure stalking Sonya (which is revealed later in the book).
Sonya has to take part in a trial judging Valko, the former emperor, and give her statement, which will either save his life or convict him to death.
More than halfway through, the book stops analysing the FMC's behaviour and relationship, and takes a turn for the dark. There is death, there are tears, and break-ups.
When they were told that they couldn't travel along, that twist was predictable.
Also a pet peeve of mine, was when I read:
"Another evening fell", which could've been substituted with
"After evening fell", which would have felt more storytelling-like.
I loved how they always managed to run into complications. (Honestly).
kaia8523's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely hate Nadia ,love Sonya and Anton cute couple even though Sonya had the chance to end valko but failed to do so and got shot by him.
ewil6681's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mitchosaur's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book a LOT more than the first book. I still really enjoyed the first book, but Crystal Blade just had more to add to the story. And I loved seeing the inner turmoil Sonya experienced due to her ability. I could almost feel her pain through the pages. I just loved all the characters in this book (besides the obvious evil ones). I can't wait to see how this trilogy ends and if it will be one of my favorite series or not.
cammmiam's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 out of 5 stars.
A pretty successful sequel, if I might say so. It's not as large as its predecessor; it felt more focused on the birth of a democracy from imperialism, and the struggles that come with trying to force freedoms on a nation. Sonya's power and history are explored as well.
Much more action and a very interesting set-up for the final book of the series. Just don't expect Sonya's decision making to be improved upon in this book...because it's not.
A pretty successful sequel, if I might say so. It's not as large as its predecessor; it felt more focused on the birth of a democracy from imperialism, and the struggles that come with trying to force freedoms on a nation. Sonya's power and history are explored as well.
Much more action and a very interesting set-up for the final book of the series. Just don't expect Sonya's decision making to be improved upon in this book...because it's not.
booksncurls's review against another edition
3.0
Crystal Blade started out slightly slow in the beginning. I am not someone who loves to read a bunch of politics. In the second book, you definitely see a lot more conflict for each character. My main issue is most of the characters regressed. I would have liked to see more character development. (I think the series could have stopped after book one)
Overall I think the book was good. The second book honestly felt like it could have been a first book in the series. There was a lot of time used setting up the plot of the story.
I will definitely finish the series. I mean how could I not after that ending!!
Overall I think the book was good. The second book honestly felt like it could have been a first book in the series. There was a lot of time used setting up the plot of the story.
I will definitely finish the series. I mean how could I not after that ending!!
lectriza's review against another edition
2.0
Sonya screwed up one too many times, man. I'm done.
I'm a firm supporter of letting your protag mess up. Let them be human, flawed, let them commit terrible acts, let them struggle and hate and be angry, let them screw up so bad it seems unfixable.
But you gotta do it in a way that provokes the reader's empathy and not their hatred. Sonya was unbearable-- I guess because she kept doing really stupid, awful things, but never truly facing the consequences. I get that it's hard to write a broken, guilt-wracked and devastated narrator but... that's what Sonya should have been. She was way too calm & mellow after the crap she pulled. If Anton meant as much to her as she said he did, then her betrayal of him should have WReCKED her. (what she did to him... man it was awful like HECK it was awful for me that crosses a line) Yet... she was just sad for a bit and then she was pretty much back to normal.
I still enjoy Purdie's writing style, but the characters and plot were a bit grating. Okay, they were last time too but I cut a little more slack since it was the first one. Unfortunately there wasn't much improvement in the sequel. I can't decide whether I should bother with the third one.
I'm a firm supporter of letting your protag mess up. Let them be human, flawed, let them commit terrible acts, let them struggle and hate and be angry, let them screw up so bad it seems unfixable.
But you gotta do it in a way that provokes the reader's empathy and not their hatred. Sonya was unbearable-- I guess because she kept doing really stupid, awful things, but never truly facing the consequences. I get that it's hard to write a broken, guilt-wracked and devastated narrator but... that's what Sonya should have been. She was way too calm & mellow after the crap she pulled. If Anton meant as much to her as she said he did, then her betrayal of him should have WReCKED her. (what she did to him... man it was awful like HECK it was awful for me that crosses a line) Yet... she was just sad for a bit and then she was pretty much back to normal.
I still enjoy Purdie's writing style, but the characters and plot were a bit grating. Okay, they were last time too but I cut a little more slack since it was the first one. Unfortunately there wasn't much improvement in the sequel. I can't decide whether I should bother with the third one.
charliesmom's review against another edition
3.0
This was definitely weaker than the first book. It was nice to see how characters who were in the first book evolved in this one, but I almost wish we were introduced to more characters, because it seemed everything revolved around three characters with a sprinkle of side characters every now and then. A little bit repetitive when that’s the case for two books in a row. There was a bit of plot twist when someone from Sonya’s past shows up but other than that the book was very straight in terms of plot, not much rising and falling. In the first book we saw Sonya struggling to find herself while battling dealing with the emotions of everyone around her, and I had hoped by the second book she would have become stronger and more like herself. However, we see the same dilemma that we saw in the first book: Sonya not being able to decipher between herself and others. As a result she continues to do things she doesn’t want to or doesn’t mean to. I wish she would get that under control so more of her personality could shine through. There was definitely a lack of the original love triangle, which i’m not complaining about. However, when the back of the book talks about Anton and Sonya fighting for their love, I did expect a little more va-va-voom between them. Their story seemed to seep into the very back of my mind when I was reading because it just wasn’t brought up enough times. I felt that the first book was very romantic and I wish it would have been carried on in this book, because I do love the relationship between Anton and Sonya. Overall, I did enjoy this book for its continuation of the original story, but the plot of this particular book wasn’t anything special.
taliatalksbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Just as riveting as the first, this quick read will keep you on the edge of your seat. Find out what happens to the empire, Emperor Valko, Prince Anton, and of course Sonya in the middle novel of this trilogy. Without giving too much of the plot away, you’ll even see some old faces make their returns to push Sonya further and further into her power. Can she use her power to help her homeland or will Valko’s aura overtake her? You’ll want to dive straight into the finale when you finish this one, since it has an ending you won’t see coming, so be sure to have the next waiting in the wings!