allisonwonderlandreads's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
The second volume of Sleepless starts with a time jump, but it flows from the first part of the story seamlessly. The art is as beautiful as its predecessor's, setting the tone and doing the heavy lifting of world-building. The story's medieval vibes with court intrigue and political backstabbing (sometimes literally) continue. Poppy is as quick-thinking and decisive as ever, looking out for herself when no one else can or will. She and the other characters in the main cast are easy to love. The Princess Rellen remains the only sympathetic portrayal of a character with imperfect skin in a comic or graphic novel that I've come across. She endures mocking for how she looks, but her characterization doesn't include stereotypes like slovenliness or attendant lack of social skill that often appear for characters with less than a perfect, glowing complexion. And last but not least, Cyrenic's loyalty is necessarily turned on its head. Oaths can compel it and honor demand it, but what would Cyrenic choose if the wide world was open to him?
My only complaint is that though we have a nice resolution to the plot, it's rushed. Once Poppy's enemies are revealed, there's a lot of backstory and depth to it that gets glossed over (presumably for the sake of time). This is also true for the romantic plot, a true bummer. A surprise bit of lore pops in, as well, but it doesn't lead anywhere. I'm grateful to have a clear conclusion to Poppy and Cyrenic's story, but the pacing in this second volume didn't do them justice.
My only complaint is that though we have a nice resolution to the plot, it's rushed. Once Poppy's enemies are revealed, there's a lot of backstory and depth to it that gets glossed over (presumably for the sake of time). This is also true for the romantic plot, a true bummer. A surprise bit of lore pops in, as well, but it doesn't lead anywhere. I'm grateful to have a clear conclusion to Poppy and Cyrenic's story, but the pacing in this second volume didn't do them justice.
leleisreading's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-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
4.5
bookswraiths's review against another edition
3.0
Again, this was eh.
The ending to this felt rushed, the story felt underdeveloped, it all felt too abrupt and there was definitely more to be shown but....
Ngl, the romance did not grip me as much as it should have and I wanted it too, neither did the politics and that just feels like poor execution of a pretty interesting premise.
The ending to this felt rushed, the story felt underdeveloped, it all felt too abrupt and there was definitely more to be shown but....
Ngl, the romance did not grip me as much as it should have and I wanted it too, neither did the politics and that just feels like poor execution of a pretty interesting premise.
jena_33's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shelbyharts's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
keydevera's review
3.0
Well that was disappointing. I didn’t expect this graphic novel to wrap up so quickly. It literally has only been 2 volumes. I felt like the storyline, which I initially found very interesting, was rushed and most of the conflict was wrapped up too quickly. A lot of the questions that I was hoping to be answered in this volume (i.e. what was the previous relationship between Edtland and Harbeny, why did Cyrenic pledge his Sleepless vow to Poppy, why can the Mribeshi read the stars, HOW DOES THE STAR-READING WORK) was just swept under the rug and was just never further expounded. Ugh, I’m so annoyed. Also, we never got the explanation as to why the Sleepless even exist???? I’VE BEEN ROBBED.
minniequinnie's review
5.0
I am slightly saddened by the fact that this seems like this adorable arc is over. I love Poppy as a character and would have loved to see much much more of her and Cyrenic.
juani's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0