Scan barcode
elvaira_ludina's review against another edition
4.0
One of my resolutions for 2022 is writing more book reviews, but now that I've finished Heart of Flames I just feel like ranting about how much I loathe Val. I love the toxic family trope, it enhances the drama, but god can she die now? A painful, lonely death? Please
whendles's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
4.0
This was good. However, I didn’t love it as much as the first book.
ashleytayytayy's review against another edition
3.0
I don't want to wait until July...some of the character choices in this sequel stressed me out. There were several times when I wanted to punch them in the face...but seeing the relationships grow and change throughout this book was amazing. I cannot wait to read the finale and see how everything comes together. .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
But if Kade or Tristan die I will most likely riot...
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
But if Kade or Tristan die I will most likely riot...
mimi_joe_lit's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5
super top ce 2nd tome !
Rapidement voici quelques éléments qui devraient vous donner envie de lire la saga et plus particulièrement ce 2nd tome :
super top ce 2nd tome !
Rapidement voici quelques éléments qui devraient vous donner envie de lire la saga et plus particulièrement ce 2nd tome :
theaudioauditor's review against another edition
Not sure why, but the charm and intrigue for these characters and story are just not there. I'm not feeling any of the romantic tension, and I keep forgetting who Elliot is. Combined with basically zero plot, this just isn't keeping my interest. Might pick up again in the future, but done for now.
echoesofwinter's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
Second Book Syndrome™️
This was.. a mess. I'm so sorry. Why do the characters repeat themselves a million times over as if we did hear them feel this way about This Thing the last chapter we had with them?
The book probably could've been halved, just by keeping that stuff out.
Sev saved this book. Sev and Kade especially.
This was.. a mess. I'm so sorry. Why do the characters repeat themselves a million times over as if we did hear them feel this way about This Thing the last chapter we had with them?
The book probably could've been halved, just by keeping that stuff out.
Sev saved this book. Sev and Kade especially.
ws_bookclub's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you Netgalley for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest opinion. This will be available on February 11th, 2020.
I was angry when I finished this book. I would have slammed it shut if I hadn’t been reading an ebook version. I’m going to try to explain why, but first let me remind you all that the things I dislike about a book might be the very things that you love. As Levar Burton says, “You don’t have to take my word for it.” So, deep breath: I’m about to dive in.
This book suffered horribly from Sequel Syndrome. You know, when the first book in a series is incredible, but the second book just falls flat. It’s possible for this series to regain its footing in the next installment, but this one was just bad.
First of all, all the characters acted in ways that made no sense for who they were. Commander Cassian, who showed determination, stoicism, and intelligence in Crown of Feathers, made the most ill-conceived and stupid move possible in this book. It made zero sense both from a characteristic standpoint, and a story standpoint. And he wasn’t the only one who acted contrary to how he was written in the first book.
Tristan and Veronyka entered into the dreaded angst-ridden relationship. I was so bummed about this! It could have added a really interesting facet to the interactions of the Phoenix Riders. Unfortunately, it just became annoying.
What bothered me more than even that, though, was Veronyka’s 180-degree turn. In Crown of Feathers, she was fierce, determined, and had a strong moral compass. She worked so hard to become a Phoenix Rider in the hope of joining a patrol. In this book, she was wishy-washy, threw all her hard work away for no reason, and dragged Tristan down with her. She basically snapped her fingers and he came running, leaving all his fellow Riders in the lurch.
Another odd choice that was made was how things were revealed. Often, Val’s internal dialogue would explain something to the reader, only to have it explained again at length to another character a chapter or two later. I understand that characters need to be given information in some way, but why explain it twice? Just reveal it to the reader as it’s revealed to the character. The amount of reiteration in this book was a bit much.
Okay, moving on to the things I did like.
Sparrow and Elliot were fantastic. Neither of them was in the book much, but they shone in every scene they were in. I love Sparrow in general. She’s such a wild-child, but wise beyond her years. In some ways, she reminds me of Luna Lovegood. I also liked Elliot’s desire to redeem himself after the events in book one.
I liked that the other Phoenix Riders were as annoyed by Tristan and Veronyka’s shenanigans as I was. I felt so bad for them in this book. They were completely messed over by Tristan’s lack of maturity.
I loved the phoenixes, of course. I’ve read a lot of fantasy lately that is bereft of fantastical beings, so I love seeing them making at least a bit of a return. I also liked that each of them had their own personalities.
Nicki Pau Preto knows how to turn a phrase. She’s a talented author, but I feel that she got in her own way with this book. I’m not giving up on the series. Rather, I’m hoping that the next book will return to the strengths that made me love Crown of Feathers.
I was angry when I finished this book. I would have slammed it shut if I hadn’t been reading an ebook version. I’m going to try to explain why, but first let me remind you all that the things I dislike about a book might be the very things that you love. As Levar Burton says, “You don’t have to take my word for it.” So, deep breath: I’m about to dive in.
This book suffered horribly from Sequel Syndrome. You know, when the first book in a series is incredible, but the second book just falls flat. It’s possible for this series to regain its footing in the next installment, but this one was just bad.
First of all, all the characters acted in ways that made no sense for who they were. Commander Cassian, who showed determination, stoicism, and intelligence in Crown of Feathers, made the most ill-conceived and stupid move possible in this book. It made zero sense both from a characteristic standpoint, and a story standpoint. And he wasn’t the only one who acted contrary to how he was written in the first book.
Tristan and Veronyka entered into the dreaded angst-ridden relationship. I was so bummed about this! It could have added a really interesting facet to the interactions of the Phoenix Riders. Unfortunately, it just became annoying.
What bothered me more than even that, though, was Veronyka’s 180-degree turn. In Crown of Feathers, she was fierce, determined, and had a strong moral compass. She worked so hard to become a Phoenix Rider in the hope of joining a patrol. In this book, she was wishy-washy, threw all her hard work away for no reason, and dragged Tristan down with her. She basically snapped her fingers and he came running, leaving all his fellow Riders in the lurch.
Another odd choice that was made was how things were revealed. Often, Val’s internal dialogue would explain something to the reader, only to have it explained again at length to another character a chapter or two later. I understand that characters need to be given information in some way, but why explain it twice? Just reveal it to the reader as it’s revealed to the character. The amount of reiteration in this book was a bit much.
Okay, moving on to the things I did like.
Sparrow and Elliot were fantastic. Neither of them was in the book much, but they shone in every scene they were in. I love Sparrow in general. She’s such a wild-child, but wise beyond her years. In some ways, she reminds me of Luna Lovegood. I also liked Elliot’s desire to redeem himself after the events in book one.
I liked that the other Phoenix Riders were as annoyed by Tristan and Veronyka’s shenanigans as I was. I felt so bad for them in this book. They were completely messed over by Tristan’s lack of maturity.
I loved the phoenixes, of course. I’ve read a lot of fantasy lately that is bereft of fantastical beings, so I love seeing them making at least a bit of a return. I also liked that each of them had their own personalities.
Nicki Pau Preto knows how to turn a phrase. She’s a talented author, but I feel that she got in her own way with this book. I’m not giving up on the series. Rather, I’m hoping that the next book will return to the strengths that made me love Crown of Feathers.