lauren_readsbooks2302's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Spoilers below.
I mean…this isn’t turning out to be the greatest series I’ve ever read but fuck me it’s addictive.
I don’t like Oli. I can’t stand her character, actually. She’s your typical special snowflake, more powerful than everyone else around her, girls all hate her for no reason or because of who she’s bonded to and obviously her bonded are the best looking, most powerful there are. All of her friends think she’s utterly amazing and selfless and doesn’t deserve the shit she gets. Also - she lets the guys walk all over her. Can’t be bothered calling them out for their shit half the time. What the fuck is that about?
And of course she’s the only one able to calm Norths nightmares, because one of the most fearsome creatures to ever exist is just a misunderstood pup that needs belly scratches. Right.
Onto how I felt about the guys in this one:
North - a little better, now that we’ve seen a warmer side to him, and I use warmer generously. I can see him being someone I’ll come to like. I always enjoy the grumpy/sunshine couples and I feel there’s the optional for Oli and North to end up being exactly that.
Gabe - no real feelings about him. He’s just always there, isn’t he?
Atlas - I cannot fucking stand. He’s such a dick. He’s too fucking emotional and irrational. He thinks he’s got some bigger claim over Oli and what she does and who speaks to her. I literally cannot stand any interaction either of them have.
Gryph - I’m leaning more on the better side of indifference with Gryphon. I love a man in uniform so he instantly caught my attention but he’s like Gabe - just coasting somewhere off to the side right now.
Nox - I can already tell Nox is going to end up being the most protective of Oli. His character is predictable. The jaded asshole who’s so angry and hates everyone but can conjure up shadow puppies that love Oli. Hm, okay then. No real development from him in this book, but at least he’s stopped bringing more women who hate Oli to dinner. A wins a win I guess.
The world building here is still painfully vague. Still no idea what the purpose of the council is. No idea where the resistance has come from or what their end goal is in all of this. No idea how gifted and ungifted co-exist together because so far we’ve only met gifted people. It’s fine to have a little bit of mystery in your book but to end book two and still have no idea why everything is happening is tiresome. It wouldn’t be as bad if we were fed little bits and crumbs through dialogue but all the characters talk about is their fucking bonds.
Need I mention how cringe worthy it is that they constantly call each other bond, or bonded? The constant use of it is gross. You never use someone’s name that much when you’re speaking to them so why force this word down our throats?
Obviously, because this book is pure crack, I’ll be jumping right into book 3.
I mean…this isn’t turning out to be the greatest series I’ve ever read but fuck me it’s addictive.
I don’t like Oli. I can’t stand her character, actually. She’s your typical special snowflake, more powerful than everyone else around her, girls all hate her for no reason or because of who she’s bonded to and obviously her bonded are the best looking, most powerful there are. All of her friends think she’s utterly amazing and selfless and doesn’t deserve the shit she gets. Also - she lets the guys walk all over her. Can’t be bothered calling them out for their shit half the time. What the fuck is that about?
And of course she’s the only one able to calm Norths nightmares, because one of the most fearsome creatures to ever exist is just a misunderstood pup that needs belly scratches. Right.
Onto how I felt about the guys in this one:
North - a little better, now that we’ve seen a warmer side to him, and I use warmer generously. I can see him being someone I’ll come to like. I always enjoy the grumpy/sunshine couples and I feel there’s the optional for Oli and North to end up being exactly that.
Gabe - no real feelings about him. He’s just always there, isn’t he?
Atlas - I cannot fucking stand. He’s such a dick. He’s too fucking emotional and irrational. He thinks he’s got some bigger claim over Oli and what she does and who speaks to her. I literally cannot stand any interaction either of them have.
Gryph - I’m leaning more on the better side of indifference with Gryphon. I love a man in uniform so he instantly caught my attention but he’s like Gabe - just coasting somewhere off to the side right now.
Nox - I can already tell Nox is going to end up being the most protective of Oli. His character is predictable. The jaded asshole who’s so angry and hates everyone but can conjure up shadow puppies that love Oli. Hm, okay then. No real development from him in this book, but at least he’s stopped bringing more women who hate Oli to dinner. A wins a win I guess.
The world building here is still painfully vague. Still no idea what the purpose of the council is. No idea where the resistance has come from or what their end goal is in all of this. No idea how gifted and ungifted co-exist together because so far we’ve only met gifted people. It’s fine to have a little bit of mystery in your book but to end book two and still have no idea why everything is happening is tiresome. It wouldn’t be as bad if we were fed little bits and crumbs through dialogue but all the characters talk about is their fucking bonds.
Need I mention how cringe worthy it is that they constantly call each other bond, or bonded? The constant use of it is gross. You never use someone’s name that much when you’re speaking to them so why force this word down our throats?
Obviously, because this book is pure crack, I’ll be jumping right into book 3.
nikkitewes's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
shelbie13's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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? No
5.0
joalsglasses's review against another edition
dark
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? Yes
3.75
Much better than the first book!
katelynsny02's review
5.0
I thought the cliffhanger ending of book 1 was crazy, well book 2 just did it again! Running to download the rest of the series right now because I cannot put it down.
Oli and the Bonds are back at it again. Trying to navigate their complicated relationship, avoiding the resistance, protecting their friends and avoid bonding AT ALL COST. Spoiler alert: Oli fails miserably when she comes face to face with jealous caused by Gryphon. But let’s be real, who wouldn’t fail at not bonding with Gryphon Shore. Since Oli rediscovered her powers, she has had a hard time keeping them in control, ESPECIALLY when it comes to her Bonds. Oli continues to navigate this crazy world while being an independent badass with a savior complex.
Oli and the Bonds are back at it again. Trying to navigate their complicated relationship, avoiding the resistance, protecting their friends and avoid bonding AT ALL COST. Spoiler alert: Oli fails miserably when she comes face to face with jealous caused by Gryphon. But let’s be real, who wouldn’t fail at not bonding with Gryphon Shore. Since Oli rediscovered her powers, she has had a hard time keeping them in control, ESPECIALLY when it comes to her Bonds. Oli continues to navigate this crazy world while being an independent badass with a savior complex.
readingtabz's review
4.0
This is book 2 in this amazing series. I am loving everything about this series so far. Everything from the world building to the character building and the struggles between the characters. I have enjoyed watching Oli grow not only in her friendships but with her bonds as well. And even though I understand why her bonds are upset with her I also understand that she is trying to keep them safe.
Outside of that I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. So off to read the next book in this series.
Outside of that I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. So off to read the next book in this series.
myersashley62's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
4.0