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cressida's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.5
This book was written in a slightly different style to the first in the series, and I think that may out off some readers. Based on reviews, this seems to be the case. However, Joy has really come into her own as an author and is developing her preferred style with a strong voice. She gives us multiple POV characters here, and while some have similarities they are each distinct enough from one another that you won’t forget if you put it down halfway through a chapter.
My personal opinion thinks that we had a POV character that was unnecessary, but they were not given much time on the page anyway so it does not detract much. It would have been fun to see more of another character, but it was not strictly needed. Perhaps the POV cast is meant to hit at a third instalment? I haven’t looked. The contrast and similarities between the sisters allowed you to really see them foil one another and understand and that helped tremendously with connection and investment in the outcome.
Some of the twists were a little difficult to swallow, because they came across as forced for plot reasons, but they did add to the story well and add a layer of intrigue to the book.
Action, well done emotional beats, and only a few things that I don’t think were needed but can see the merit in. A solid read.
My personal opinion thinks that we had a POV character that was unnecessary, but they were not given much time on the page anyway so it does not detract much. It would have been fun to see more of another character, but it was not strictly needed. Perhaps the POV cast is meant to hit at a third instalment? I haven’t looked. The contrast and similarities between the sisters allowed you to really see them foil one another and understand and that helped tremendously with connection and investment in the outcome.
Some of the twists were a little difficult to swallow, because they came across as forced for plot reasons, but they did add to the story well and add a layer of intrigue to the book.
Action, well done emotional beats, and only a few things that I don’t think were needed but can see the merit in. A solid read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Emotional abuse
clairew97's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-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? Yes
2.5
The ending of the book was extremely rushed in my opinion. It could have done with being a lot more fleshed out or having a lot of things at the beginning cut.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gore, Slavery, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
emily_mh's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
This book felt like two different books in one. The first half was paced as a slower fantasy might be, which I was totally on board with. It felt like the narrative was gradually building to a logical conclusion. However, in order for the second half to match the first, this book would have had to have been a lot longer. It was not, and the second half suffered. It was merely a series of cameos, skipping the reader through the events leading to the underwhelming and predictable conclusion. POVs that were previously established were completely neglected, so we never got a full picture of character development for Aketo, Baccha, or Isadore. There was no sense of urgency or significance to any of the character's actions. Conflicts which the whole duology had been building towards were resolved quickly and easily. This series just had so much potential, and for me, it really wasn't fulfilled.
Also, the romance gets weirder in this book.It is revealed that Aketo and Eva share a half-brother. Aketo KNEW about this half-brother before going after Eva. While they're obviously not blood related, this just adds another weird dynamic on top of Aketo probably being, like, 20.
The one thing that saved this book was its first half. Despite the fact that nothing much happened, I was enjoying reading it.
Also, the romance gets weirder in this book.
The one thing that saved this book was its first half. Despite the fact that nothing much happened, I was enjoying reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Racism, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Death of parent, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child abuse, Cursing, Gore, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Alcohol
teri_b's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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
5.0
I am glad that the second book in this duology is already available and my library had even the audiobook.
The narrator does another fantastic job in bringing the story alive.
This second book is more about the dynamics of the relationship the two sisters have with each other and the dilemma they have to find a solution for, pitched against each other with only one allowed to survive and claim the throne as queen.
I loved the dare and hope expressed in this story and the refusal to be limited to what others tell you you are allowed to become. And then there is this slow burn romance. Loved it as it is respectful in every step of the way.
Highly recommend.
The narrator does another fantastic job in bringing the story alive.
This second book is more about the dynamics of the relationship the two sisters have with each other and the dilemma they have to find a solution for, pitched against each other with only one allowed to survive and claim the throne as queen.
I loved the dare and hope expressed in this story and the refusal to be limited to what others tell you you are allowed to become. And then there is this slow burn romance. Loved it as it is respectful in every step of the way.
Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, and War
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Racism, Grief, and Death of parent
olivialandryxo's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I really enjoyed A River of Royal Blood, and was excited to see the rest of Eva and Isa’s story. Unfortunately, I didn’t find A Queen of Gilded Horns nearly as exciting. While I liked seeing various relationships develop, especially Eva and Isa’s, and Eva and Aketo’s, the book was dreadfully slow. There was very little action in the first 250 pages, and at that point, only 105 pages from the end, I wasn’t sure if there was enough book left to properly wrap everything up. Although all loose ends were technically tied when I closed the book, I felt unsatisfied. The last couple of chapters were rather anticlimactic, and the epilogue sadly quite vague. Good, but vague. I liked the way it ended, but I wish there was more.
Also, I can’t be sure, maybe I’m reading too much into this, but… I think that Baccha and Falun are a couple in the epilogue?? Or are on the brink of becoming one?? If that’s the case, I’m completely on board. I absolutely ship it.
Representation
Representation
- Black protagonist and side characters
- gay side character
- queer side character (woman interested in men and women)
- Black queer side character (man interested in multiple genders)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
Minor: Confinement, Racism, and Xenophobia
Self harm is tagged because it’s used for blood magic. Blood is largely but not entirely tagged for the same reason. The abuse occurred prior to the story (by the protagonist’s mother), as did the parent death (the protagonist’s father).