nicirw's review
adventurous
emotional
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? No
4.75
radella_hardwick's review against another edition
3.75
This book is very patchy in quality as compared to the first one, in my opinion
But the last chapter delighted me and I'm eager to see what book 3 will bring
But the last chapter delighted me and I'm eager to see what book 3 will bring
daisyysobel's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
I was disappointed by this sequel, as I thought the Daughter of the Empire was brilliant. This book raises the stakes in terms of threat but Mara doesn't seem to mature much from the first book.
Personally I found it much harder to root for her as she kept insisting that slaves are property and not humans and it took her literal years to even allow that a slave she apparently is in love with might deserve his freedom. The romance between Kevin and Mara is so drawn out as a major plotline, even though it's totally illogical and doomed and Mara from book 1 would have been too smart to allow it. The way she handled having any bad news for him, and the end of their relationship, was childish and cowardly. If I never read the phrase "barbarian lover" again it will be too soon.
Kevin by the end was downright annoying. It was very off-putting how easily he forgot about his fellow countrymen and slaves, and how little he seemed to care about the conditions they faced for years while he swanned about having baths and feasts. He only really challenged Mara a few times very early on, and then soon stopped providing any really interesting conversations and it became all about them sleeping together.
If their romance had been simply a short part of the book, and the political threats allowed to dominate then I think it would have been an easy 4 stars but there was just way too much Kevin and Mara.
I was disappointed by this sequel, as I thought the Daughter of the Empire was brilliant. This book raises the stakes in terms of threat but Mara doesn't seem to mature much from the first book.
Personally I found it much harder to root for her as she kept insisting that slaves are property and not humans and it took her literal years to even allow that a slave she apparently is in love with might deserve his freedom. The romance between Kevin and Mara is so drawn out as a major plotline, even though it's totally illogical and doomed and Mara from book 1 would have been too smart to allow it. The way she handled having any bad news for him, and the end of their relationship, was childish and cowardly. If I never read the phrase "barbarian lover" again it will be too soon.
Kevin by the end was downright annoying. It was very off-putting how easily he forgot about his fellow countrymen and slaves, and how little he seemed to care about the conditions they faced for years while he swanned about having baths and feasts. He only really challenged Mara a few times very early on, and then soon stopped providing any really interesting conversations and it became all about them sleeping together.
If their romance had been simply a short part of the book, and the political threats allowed to dominate then I think it would have been an easy 4 stars but there was just way too much Kevin and Mara.
charcola's review against another edition
5.0
Mara is a character whose femininity makes her stronger - who can show emotion, can fail, can admit her mistakes and come back stronger. I love this sequel !
marimoose's review against another edition
3.0
I think the Great Game was perhaps the most fascinating and most refreshing change away from the usual westernized fantasy I've read. Granted, it had its kinks and obviously it had its foundations steeped in violent and unrelenting traditions. But it was different, and it was, dare I say, fresh?
So when the Great Game was put to a perilous change by the end of this second book, I was just a little miffed. I'm not sure which annoyed me more: Mara's staunch infatuation with the first exotic stranger to give her a good time (what kind of a name is Kevin?!), or the fact that I didn't see the brilliance of the Great Game being put to play in the vast expanse of this book (not to mention Arakasi being half-ignored!).
That said, I forgive Mara because even amidst the distractions of love and the eventual mistakes she faces upon her challenges, she somehow manages to pull through, and she somehow manages to sway just the right kind of influence to bring her status further up. Also, there's nothing like seeing various characters--old and new--come into play and interact within the confines--and lack thereof--of their Tsurani culture.
I do miss Mara as the Daughter of the Empire, as opposed to being the Servant.
So when the Great Game was put to a perilous change by the end of this second book, I was just a little miffed. I'm not sure which annoyed me more: Mara's staunch infatuation with the first exotic stranger to give her a good time (what kind of a name is Kevin?!), or the fact that I didn't see the brilliance of the Great Game being put to play in the vast expanse of this book (not to mention Arakasi being half-ignored!).
That said, I forgive Mara because even amidst the distractions of love and the eventual mistakes she faces upon her challenges, she somehow manages to pull through, and she somehow manages to sway just the right kind of influence to bring her status further up. Also, there's nothing like seeing various characters--old and new--come into play and interact within the confines--and lack thereof--of their Tsurani culture.
I do miss Mara as the Daughter of the Empire, as opposed to being the Servant.
astrochem's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
heavywater's review against another edition
5.0
Imo, this book ties up the story just fine. I started reading the third book, but after the Minwanabi were vanquished in this book, I no longer find the storyline compelling.
ayla_derammelaere's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
4.5
Spoiler
I really love the way this book is written, even more than part 1. The first book needs to teach us the way of thinking in Tsuranuanni ; in this second book we see how Mara struggles with her old belief system the more she listens to Kevin. She is afraid of angrying the gods and is hesitant sometimes but the longer the talks happen, the more she realizes how brute and rigid her belief is : good and smart men are made useless while cruelty is celebrated. She realizes she no longer wants to live (and definitly not raise a child) in such a violent world, where babies are threatened with death.
I love how you can see her grow, love to read how she finally realizes she loves Kevin and how she wants to have his child as a means to keep a part of him with her.
I think, when comparing the books, part 1 is about the infancy of a ruler/nation : being very strict in following the old rules ; part 2 is about becoming an adolesence : Mara starts questioning the old rules, starts thinking for her own and eventually, starts acting in a complete new way compared to the traditions of her world.
In this second book, the bloody politics of Tsuranuanni becomes clear : the new master of the house Minwanabi has gives an oath to the God of Death that his entire house will focus on the downfall of the house of Mara ; the Acoma will be annihilated or the house of Minwanabi will.
Plots are made, loyalities are bought and Mara is send to the outskirts of the realm to protect the borders of their realm. Desio and Tasaio of the Minwanabi have offered lots of gold and metal to the desert tribes to put more pressure on the borders. Once Mara has arrived with most of her army, Tasaio and part of the Minwanabi army are there as well, convinced they can murder her there.
Against all odds, with the help of Kevin, Mara prevailes.
Back in Tsurznuanni, Desio dies, making Tasaio the head of the Minwanabi. He instantly starts plotting and uses Mara's own spies to her downfall. She barely escapes an attack and her only son, Ajiki, is barely saved from murder, although this costs the life of her surrogate-mother. Realizing she needs more allies and realizing her way of thinking is severly changed under the influence of Kevin, Mara can no longer justify murder and family honour, as the highest honour in life.
The emperor has realized this himself and he wants all prisonners sent back to Midkemia. This means Mara looses Kevin.
The bloody way of politics in Tsuranuanni, where murder is seen as a game as long as no one has any prove, will need to change, now that the emperor has decided to play a more prominent role. As a 'thank you' to Mara for her part in changing this bloody culture, she is given the title of 'Servant of the Empire'.
Spoiler
wispraven's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0