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marshsano's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
Personally, I find the second book far outperforms the first book. The stage has been set, and we’re finally given a chance to watch these characters breathe in the world that has been created around them. Jude is an excellent protagonist, balancing her kind nature with her deeply cautious attitude. I spent a lot of time angry at her decisions before immediately backtracking because in the sense of her character, she’s totally valid. Holly Black has done a great job at making these characters stand on their own.
This book also did a much better job as genuinely throwing me through a loop with outlandish betrayals and interesting schemes. I genuinely never knew what direction it was going in with each turn of the page.
My only wish is that I wish that Cardan’s journey had been portrayed more. There’s a scene in the end pages of the book where we are meant to believe he’s gone on this incredible self discovery journey, and while I think the bread crumbs were laid, I find his actual arc lacking. I love Cardan though, and he’s a fun character. I just wish we could’ve seen these developmental moments the book tries to make us believe happened.
This book also did a much better job as genuinely throwing me through a loop with outlandish betrayals and interesting schemes. I genuinely never knew what direction it was going in with each turn of the page.
My only wish is that I wish that Cardan’s journey had been portrayed more. There’s a scene in the end pages of the book where we are meant to believe he’s gone on this incredible self discovery journey, and while I think the bread crumbs were laid, I find his actual arc lacking. I love Cardan though, and he’s a fun character. I just wish we could’ve seen these developmental moments the book tries to make us believe happened.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Torture, Violence, and Vomit
beckyyreadss's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
4.0
My reading goal two years ago was to discover more authors. Holly Black is adored on Booktok and I wanted to read her first series which I did and thoroughly enjoyed and was so excited for the first book and obviously wanted to carry on with it.
This book follows Jude who we met in the previous book. She is trying to keep her brother safe after the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to the Faerie. To do so, she has bound the wicked king, Cardan, to her, and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished. When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world.
I understand the hype around this book, I enjoyed it, the storyline was strong, and the fantasy world was built up as the storyline moved along. It was a bit predictable, and I sort of guessed what was going to happen, besides the ending. However, I loved the mystery aspect and how Jude was like I'm going to do this but then actually did and proved everyone wrong and keep everyone safe especially her brother. I still love the tension between Cardan and Jude and was hoping that it would still grow even more. I still love Roiben and Kaye and I love their appearance.
I know it’s a young adult book, but God I wanted to punch these kids, the fae weren’t scary they were just immature. Again, I knew they were kids, but this is why kids shouldn’t have power at all. Also, Jude’s dad is still a massive prick and I hope it has a very painful ending. I think that’s one of the main issues I had. I always want to connect with the characters in a way and yet all these characters aren’t probably going to grow on me. Cardan being all wishy-washy was driving me nuts as well.
I would love for someone, for once, to be on Jude’s side and for the two-faced and betrayal to stop. It's driving me nuts.
I am hoping that the final book is going to fix all these issues and that someone will stick up for Jude as much as she sticks up for herself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, Torture, and Kidnapping
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, and War
bunnivie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? Yes
4.25
i loved judecardan in this
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Sexual content, and Torture
Minor: Vomit, Death of parent, and War
emamazee's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Murder
dreadspawn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content and Vomit
snakebyte180's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence and Alcohol
Minor: Torture, Blood, Vomit, and Kidnapping
abb_ey_normal's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Sexual assault, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Alcohol, and War
ek2011's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
kt3636's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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
4.0
This book is a vast improvement from the first, and it keeps the reader engaged throughout with multiple twists. Choices, actions, consequences and betrayals feel a lot more impactful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Violence, Murder, and Alcohol
Minor: Toxic relationship
esterslibrary's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Gaslighting, and War