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bex_knighthunterbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This makes me want to read more epic fantasy trilogies - I really did feel so emotionally involved by the end of this and cried at multiple points. I think the second half was stronger than the first, but I think that is mainly because it being a few months since I read the first two books I was struggling to remember the situation and I don't think the time jump helped this. I didn't enjoy Phalue's perspective for this section as it was a bit grumbly and felt needlessly in opposition to Lin's, and Jovis being separate from the others again in quite a frustrating predicament. However, the second half was very satisfying when we got the final reveals and the high-stakes action where I felt really invested. I actually loved the very end-end, even though I'm sure it wasn't what some fans were hoping for. This volume contained some court politics and the discussions on difficulty of ruling, and a lot of action (mostly chases and fights), but with emotional weight to decisions definitely given space to be explored. The action itself did get a little repetitive in this volume, but not enough for me to get bored. It also felt like we got some really interesting and satisfying character development from Ranami and Nisong. Overall, I'd say this was a brilliant conclusion to a really enjoyable series, with great worldbuilding and a propulsive story.
awesomeeallyson's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I have a love/hate relationship with this series overall, but particularly this book. I had high hopes for the ending to this trilogy. The first book was so good and the second, while not as good, was still enjoyable. But man, this book just didn't do it for me. Overall the book is fine, but the character dynamics felt really unbalanced, which isn't great for a story that relies on character interactions.
The plot, for the most part, moves pretty quickly. Jovis' storyline was my favorite, because his internal struggle was a captivating plot point. Even Romani had a really interesting dilemma to deal with. Lin though...she just doesn't learn. Her POV in particular was really repetitive. She was defeated in battle 3 times in a row for the EXACT SAME REASON. Then at the end of the book she turns around and uses the same technique on Dione even though he pulled it on her at the beginning! Generally, her storyline for the first half of the book doesn't go anywhere or lead to anything. Which makes a whole section of the book feel like a waste of time.
So, basically, I liked all the characters except the main one, which made the book a little hard to enjoy. I wish Andrea Stewart had put more work into Lin. She doesn't even have to be likable - as R.F. Kuang proves in The Poppy War - she should just be smarter than a 5th grader if she's going to try to run a country.
The plot, for the most part, moves pretty quickly. Jovis' storyline was my favorite, because his internal struggle was a captivating plot point. Even Romani had a really interesting dilemma to deal with. Lin though...she just doesn't learn. Her POV in particular was really repetitive. She was defeated in battle 3 times in a row for the EXACT SAME REASON. Then at the end of the book she turns around and uses the same technique on Dione even though he pulled it on her at the beginning! Generally, her storyline for the first half of the book doesn't go anywhere or lead to anything. Which makes a whole section of the book feel like a waste of time.
So, basically, I liked all the characters except the main one, which made the book a little hard to enjoy. I wish Andrea Stewart had put more work into Lin. She doesn't even have to be likable - as R.F. Kuang proves in The Poppy War - she should just be smarter than a 5th grader if she's going to try to run a country.
eggcatsreads's review against another edition
2.0
I can readily admit this series wasn't for me. The first book didn't captive me, the talking animal companions made me want to rip my teeth out, and the over use of povs made any flow impossible. But the second book gave me SOME hope. Some. For it being less of a pain to read.
However, I think this book was more painful than the first.
This book could have been about 200 pages shorter if we didn't rinse and repeat the same actions at every junction OR if we didn't introduce a side plot that went nowhere and made the book end feeling unfinished. The ending legitimately made it feel like it was setting up for a fourth book, which isn't ideal when dealing with a TRILOGY. The whole side plot of hunting for the swords could have been cut without losing anything in this book. Even the other characters are like "the empire is falling apart, and you're doing THIS instead????" And there's not even any justification for it!! Pointless.
Also the romance between Lin and Jovis, as I've stated before, isn't there. It's uncomfortable. They have no chemistry or anything. Jovis had more chemistry with the lady from the Ioph Karn (spelling? I barely got through this book even as an audiobook) than Lin. Their entire "romance" is told, not shown or felt, and damaged the overall book. Also Lin had more chemistry with the construct of the emperor in the first book. Them I could believe. Honestly what should have happened is Lin either tried or succeeded in bringing him back and that's the cause of the internal struggle of "am I my own person and/or a true emperor and should I even BE an emperor?" or whatever.
Also, the internal monologue of the characters could have been edited a bit better? Why is Jovis focusing on the embarrassment of the apparent romance between him and Lin, or thinking shit that doesn't even matter, while trying to Avoid Directions Making Him Murder People. What? And the same with Lin like you're the emperor you have bigger issues here than your failed barely-there no chemistry romance. Like lives are at stake here what are you even doing.
The entire beginning of this book is the same thing happening over and over. Lin gets into fight with whatever enemy is there. Lin tries to convince them to her side. Lin, an idiot, thinks she's successful. The enemy, obviously, using this as a distraction to get what they want. Lin loses something important and feels foolish for trusting so easily. And then repeat like 5x or so to extend runtime.
The plot twists of the islands and the witstone and the ossalen were interesting, but not enough to save the rest of the book. The ending just...happens? Sand/Nisong decides to turn good out of nowhere and that's what saves the day? The ending is setting up for Lin doing stuff at the end along with her own internal moral ambiguity of how she feels about the counsel vs her own power as emperor.
ALSO WHAT WAS WITH THE MAGIC WATER. THAT'S NEVER EXPLAINED. WHY DOES SHARK FREAK OUT ABOUT IT AND WHY DOES IT TAKE MEMORIES??? A little less "oh yay the romance that doesn't exist isn't dead" and a little more plot please. Something for me to hold on to.
I had this book as an audiobook and it STILL took me about 2 weeks to read. Which, considering my normal rate of reading/audiobook combination, is an ETERNITY.
However, I think this book was more painful than the first.
This book could have been about 200 pages shorter if we didn't rinse and repeat the same actions at every junction OR if we didn't introduce a side plot that went nowhere and made the book end feeling unfinished. The ending legitimately made it feel like it was setting up for a fourth book, which isn't ideal when dealing with a TRILOGY. The whole side plot of hunting for the swords could have been cut without losing anything in this book. Even the other characters are like "the empire is falling apart, and you're doing THIS instead????" And there's not even any justification for it!! Pointless.
Also the romance between Lin and Jovis, as I've stated before, isn't there. It's uncomfortable. They have no chemistry or anything. Jovis had more chemistry with the lady from the Ioph Karn (spelling? I barely got through this book even as an audiobook) than Lin. Their entire "romance" is told, not shown or felt, and damaged the overall book. Also Lin had more chemistry with the construct of the emperor in the first book. Them I could believe. Honestly what should have happened is Lin either tried or succeeded in bringing him back and that's the cause of the internal struggle of "am I my own person and/or a true emperor and should I even BE an emperor?" or whatever.
Also, the internal monologue of the characters could have been edited a bit better? Why is Jovis focusing on the embarrassment of the apparent romance between him and Lin, or thinking shit that doesn't even matter, while trying to Avoid Directions Making Him Murder People. What? And the same with Lin like you're the emperor you have bigger issues here than your failed barely-there no chemistry romance. Like lives are at stake here what are you even doing.
The entire beginning of this book is the same thing happening over and over. Lin gets into fight with whatever enemy is there. Lin tries to convince them to her side. Lin, an idiot, thinks she's successful. The enemy, obviously, using this as a distraction to get what they want. Lin loses something important and feels foolish for trusting so easily. And then repeat like 5x or so to extend runtime.
The plot twists of the islands and the witstone and the ossalen were interesting, but not enough to save the rest of the book. The ending just...happens? Sand/Nisong decides to turn good out of nowhere and that's what saves the day? The ending is setting up for Lin doing stuff at the end along with her own internal moral ambiguity of how she feels about the counsel vs her own power as emperor.
ALSO WHAT WAS WITH THE MAGIC WATER. THAT'S NEVER EXPLAINED. WHY DOES SHARK FREAK OUT ABOUT IT AND WHY DOES IT TAKE MEMORIES??? A little less "oh yay the romance that doesn't exist isn't dead" and a little more plot please. Something for me to hold on to.
I had this book as an audiobook and it STILL took me about 2 weeks to read. Which, considering my normal rate of reading/audiobook combination, is an ETERNITY.
inthehills's review against another edition
3.5
3.5, mixed feelings about this one. Some aspects didn't quite work for me
chloec_m's review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
allmadreadingren's review
adventurous
challenging
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? Yes
4.0
lzf1234's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I’m so sad this series is finished
loucs's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-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
3.25
princessnata's review
4.0
The ending of the book was very strong and emotional but this is still my lowest ranked book out of the triology. That’s not to say it’s bad, I think it’s a solid 4 stars, but I enjoyed it a little less compared to the other two.
The first book in the series is the best overall. There was so much more mystery and charm and shocking revelations that carried so much momentum for it.
The second book I almost rated a 4 but the final battle was so epic and there were some great reveals that bumped it to another half star for me.
For this final book I didn’t find the villain as compelling except for his “If I’m going down you’re coming with me! Attitude”like sinking Rya and then trying to sink Imperial was INSANE but very entertaining
Jovis goes THROUGH it , Andrea Stewart really put him through the wringer and I felt like he just could not catch a break. Especiallylosing all his damn memories!!! Are you kidding brb crying 😭😭😭
I felt like Dione’s contribution to this book was a little anticlimactic. I wish he put up more of a fight.
However, LOVED the true reveal of why the islands were sinking. Loved the reveal of how the memory machine worked. Loved Mephi and Jovis bond surviving it all. Loved Jovis banter as always especially with Philine.
Loved Nisong/Sands character arc - CRIED that shebonded with Lozhi and that poor Lozhi got a happy ending
Loved Lin’s character arcabdicating her fucking throne !! GREAT conclusion for her
Really enjoyed Romani’s POV this time around. I didn’t care for her as much in the previous books.
Overall I really loved this series and honestly didn’t want it to end ❤️
The first book in the series is the best overall. There was so much more mystery and charm and shocking revelations that carried so much momentum for it.
The second book I almost rated a 4 but the final battle was so epic and there were some great reveals that bumped it to another half star for me.
For this final book I didn’t find the villain as compelling except for his “If I’m going down you’re coming with me! Attitude”
Jovis goes THROUGH it , Andrea Stewart really put him through the wringer and I felt like he just could not catch a break. Especially
I felt like Dione’s contribution to this book was a little anticlimactic. I wish he put up more of a fight.
However, LOVED the true reveal of why the islands were sinking. Loved the reveal of how the memory machine worked. Loved Mephi and Jovis bond surviving it all. Loved Jovis banter as always especially with Philine.
Loved Nisong/Sands character arc - CRIED that she
Loved Lin’s character arc
Really enjoyed Romani’s POV this time around. I didn’t care for her as much in the previous books.
Overall I really loved this series and honestly didn’t want it to end ❤️