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auburnedge's review against another edition
3.0
I had a hard time with the first book and this one was no different. The plot and thrills were exceptional but I still get urked with Sonya as a character. The immense need she has to fill the void of herself and feed off everyone else's darkness is just not for me.
On the other side I enjoy the plot and the originality of it all. The twists and turns keep you reading and the ending is quite the surprise.
On the other side I enjoy the plot and the originality of it all. The twists and turns keep you reading and the ending is quite the surprise.
lanegard's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the first. The protagonist kind of got some old habits back and it was pretty annoying, she's also very weak and that's frustrating to read. I'm just glad the 3rd one is short so I can finish the series without suffering too much.
peachywrites's review against another edition
3.0
while I did think this was better than the first one, i still had issues with it.
I won't spoil anything for potential readers but basically she made some really avoidable bad desicions. you will understand if u decide to read it.
Small rant:
Also there is a whole thing that killing is wrong and then a chapter or so later, it's okay ok? so saving your loved ones is wrong but it's ok to kill to save thousands?
End rant.
I think this book though had a pretty strong start but a little over halfway, I started thinking "why?" and struggled through the rest of it. Idk I'm not sure I will bother finishing the series but I still want to try and give it a chance bc I don't hate the books, I just feel like there is all this potential for it but it doesn't meet my expectations.
granted, I do believe many ppl would enjoy these books. I'm certain of it. Maybe im just not the right audience for it despite loving the genre.
I guess my biggest issue is with Sonya bc I like the other characters very much.
anyway, I give it a 3/5 bc the book wasn't terrible but there were just some things that made me do a whole face palm and wonder why this or that happens. there were just things in this I didn't understand why it shifts so much and changes it's mind. I'm not sure what the author was going for.
I leave it completely up to u. I say if you really enjoyed the first book, I'm sure you will like this one. I do think it was better overall. The pacing was much better, I just struggled with Sonya and the whole changing opinions on things so suddenly in the book and it made no sense to me.
I won't spoil anything for potential readers but basically she made some really avoidable bad desicions. you will understand if u decide to read it.
Small rant:
Also there is a whole thing that killing is wrong and then a chapter or so later, it's okay ok? so saving your loved ones is wrong but it's ok to kill to save thousands?
End rant.
I think this book though had a pretty strong start but a little over halfway, I started thinking "why?" and struggled through the rest of it. Idk I'm not sure I will bother finishing the series but I still want to try and give it a chance bc I don't hate the books, I just feel like there is all this potential for it but it doesn't meet my expectations.
granted, I do believe many ppl would enjoy these books. I'm certain of it. Maybe im just not the right audience for it despite loving the genre.
I guess my biggest issue is with Sonya bc I like the other characters very much.
anyway, I give it a 3/5 bc the book wasn't terrible but there were just some things that made me do a whole face palm and wonder why this or that happens. there were just things in this I didn't understand why it shifts so much and changes it's mind. I'm not sure what the author was going for.
I leave it completely up to u. I say if you really enjoyed the first book, I'm sure you will like this one. I do think it was better overall. The pacing was much better, I just struggled with Sonya and the whole changing opinions on things so suddenly in the book and it made no sense to me.
kkrs28's review against another edition
4.0
This book was actually really good. I was kinda in a reading slump and I finished it so quickly. I know Valko is toxic asf but I want more scenes with him and Sonya
jadedfrrog's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
melmelbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
cathy_acasefullofbooks's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed Burning Glass a lot, but I loved Crystal Blade even more! Kathryn Purdie's writing, while fantastic in the first book, has gotten even better. I adore her writing style so much.
I really liked Sonya's growth as a character in this book. As she learned to use her Auraseer powers, I didn't always like her choices, some even shocked me into anger, but seeing her learn from her experiences and try to become better made her so likable.
All of the twists and surprises were so well placed and made the book that much more fun to read. And while I had guessed at the surprise reveal at the end, the way it played out was so well done!
One of my favorite things about this series is that it's showing what happens after the revolution. So many books lead up to the revolution, and then as soon as it happens it ends and we are left wondering what happens next? A government is not just overthrown in one day, leaving everything fine and dandy. I love that Kathryn Purdie has chosen to let us see how things are being handled after the revolution - the tension between the upper and lower classes, the different people vying for leadership, the turmoil across not just their own country, but others who are hoping to take advantage of the precarious situation. It is so fascinating.
And now, I wait for the third and final book to be released...
I really liked Sonya's growth as a character in this book. As she learned to use her Auraseer powers, I didn't always like her choices, some even shocked me into anger, but seeing her learn from her experiences and try to become better made her so likable.
All of the twists and surprises were so well placed and made the book that much more fun to read. And while I had guessed at the surprise reveal at the end, the way it played out was so well done!
One of my favorite things about this series is that it's showing what happens after the revolution. So many books lead up to the revolution, and then as soon as it happens it ends and we are left wondering what happens next? A government is not just overthrown in one day, leaving everything fine and dandy. I love that Kathryn Purdie has chosen to let us see how things are being handled after the revolution - the tension between the upper and lower classes, the different people vying for leadership, the turmoil across not just their own country, but others who are hoping to take advantage of the precarious situation. It is so fascinating.
And now, I wait for the third and final book to be released...
cozykrysti's review against another edition
5.0
I'm a huge fan of BURNING GLASS. I adored the plot, the romance, and the incredible dynamic between Sonya, Anton, and Valko. But for me, CRYSTAL BLADE was even better. Kathryn Purdie has taken all the brilliant elements from the first book and really elevated them in this second installment in the series.
The plot throughout the story is riveting. Every single chapter includes at least one jaw-dropping moment that left me hopelessly addicted to the story. I could not put it down. The tension and stakes only increase as the story progresses, and I was in knots by the time it reached its epic conclusion.
I adore the three main characters of this series. Despite her knack for landing herself in sticky situations, Sonya exhibits such tremendous mental strength and has such love for her people and country. Anton is oh-so-swoony, yet the relationship between him and Sonya is still so complicated and fraught with romantic tension. And I absolutely adore the dynamic that Kathryn has created between Sonya and Valko. It is unique, intense, and absolutely intriguing. I cannot wait to find out what happens between the three of them in the final book in this stunning series.
There are also some surprise characters from BURNING GLASS who made an appearance in CRYSTAL BLADE and proved to be so much more than what I originally thought them to be in book one.
The ending of this book is extraordinary. The entire plot built up perfectly to this mind-blowing conclusion that left me on the edge of my seat and so anxious to read the next book.
The plot throughout the story is riveting. Every single chapter includes at least one jaw-dropping moment that left me hopelessly addicted to the story. I could not put it down. The tension and stakes only increase as the story progresses, and I was in knots by the time it reached its epic conclusion.
I adore the three main characters of this series. Despite her knack for landing herself in sticky situations, Sonya exhibits such tremendous mental strength and has such love for her people and country. Anton is oh-so-swoony, yet the relationship between him and Sonya is still so complicated and fraught with romantic tension. And I absolutely adore the dynamic that Kathryn has created between Sonya and Valko. It is unique, intense, and absolutely intriguing. I cannot wait to find out what happens between the three of them in the final book in this stunning series.
There are also some surprise characters from BURNING GLASS who made an appearance in CRYSTAL BLADE and proved to be so much more than what I originally thought them to be in book one.
The ending of this book is extraordinary. The entire plot built up perfectly to this mind-blowing conclusion that left me on the edge of my seat and so anxious to read the next book.
theredheadreader1's review against another edition
4.0
i struggled with this one slightly more than the first one but overall still really enjoyed it!
abbyprolman's review against another edition
4.0
A. Good. Time. What a ride. Never a dull moment politics great twists and turns. So intriguing definitely recommend.