The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
kassidyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Blood, and Murder
thelittlestmermaid's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
* Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the ARC! *Â
For starters, I'm very disappointed that the cover doesn't match the same style of the first book? Make it match please I want them to match on my shelf 🫠Â
Anyway, this book picks up right where the first book left off. It has all the fun political intrigue and unique magic from the first book with a *touch* of sadness as the characters deal with the grief of losing Sophie.Â
This book adds a new POV to the mix Sophronia's maid, Violie. I was nervous about this because Sophie was my favorite character in the first book and worried that a new character wouldn't be as fun to read about, but I was pleasantly surprised. Violie is a tough cookie and makes sure she keeps her promises, no matter how dangerous it gets for her.Â
Daphne and Beatriz remain mostly the same as they were in the first book, which is good. They definitely develop as the book goes on and discover new goals they want to achieve. The two of them never felt stuck in one spot for too long or boring to read about. I enjoyed their perspectives quite a bit.Â
In comparison to the first book this one did seem a little slower paced, but I didn't mind that. It delves more into Beatriz learning about her newly discovered magic and Daphne building relationships with the people around her, despite her best efforts not to.Â
Now if only the third book were already out so I could read it. I hate having to wait. I loved this book very much and highly *highly* recommend this series to any fans of fantasy stories with badass female main characters.Â
5 stars.
Â
For starters, I'm very disappointed that the cover doesn't match the same style of the first book? Make it match please I want them to match on my shelf 🫠Â
Anyway, this book picks up right where the first book left off. It has all the fun political intrigue and unique magic from the first book with a *touch* of sadness as the characters deal with the grief of losing Sophie.Â
This book adds a new POV to the mix Sophronia's maid, Violie. I was nervous about this because Sophie was my favorite character in the first book and worried that a new character wouldn't be as fun to read about, but I was pleasantly surprised. Violie is a tough cookie and makes sure she keeps her promises, no matter how dangerous it gets for her.Â
Daphne and Beatriz remain mostly the same as they were in the first book, which is good. They definitely develop as the book goes on and discover new goals they want to achieve. The two of them never felt stuck in one spot for too long or boring to read about. I enjoyed their perspectives quite a bit.Â
In comparison to the first book this one did seem a little slower paced, but I didn't mind that. It delves more into Beatriz learning about her newly discovered magic and Daphne building relationships with the people around her, despite her best efforts not to.Â
Now if only the third book were already out so I could read it. I hate having to wait. I loved this book very much and highly *highly* recommend this series to any fans of fantasy stories with badass female main characters.Â
5 stars.
Â
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Violence, War, and Emotional abuse
natashaleighton_'s review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The highly anticipated sequel to Laura Sebastian’s Castles In Their Bones ups the stakes and the delicious, slow burn political intrigue that fans of Tricia Levenseller’s The Shadows Between Us or Alexandra Rowland’s A Taste of Gold and Iron don’t want to miss!Â
I just want to preface this by saying, given how things transpired at the end of Castles In Their Bones, I can’t go into too much detail about Stardust In Their Veins’ premise without revealing spoilers for book one, so this is my attempt at explaining the plot (and sharing a review) WITHOUT giving away any spoilers.Â
It follows on from the aftermath of event which started with triplet princesses ; Sophronia, Beatriz and Daphne sent off to marry into three kingdoms—and by seduction, deception and espionage,!weaken them enough to allow their power hungry mother (the Empress of Bessemia) to sweep in and take control of the entire continent.
Suffice to say, those plans did not always go so smoothly, and book two opens with each Princess attempting to navigate the repercussions of those plans. But with assassins around every corner and warnings of betrayal (and an ominous new prophecy written in the stars) , the Princesses can’t trust anyone—perhaps not even each other. But, If they've learned anything, it's that their mother’s game is constantly changing. The only question now is, can they tip the scales in their favour, before deadlier foes decide their fates …
If you’ve followed my reviews for a while then you may remember how much enjoyed Castles In Their Bones last year which I completely devoured—and very nearly rioted over, after THAT spectacular cliff hanger of an ending! So when the opportunity to read the sequel arose I couldn’t help but leapt at the chance. And despite some initial reservations (second book syndrome has burned me far too many times not to have any) I’m glad to report that it definitely managed to live up to my (admittedly quite high) expectations—and even made me love a character or two that I previously REALLY disliked.Â
The writing is (unsurprisingly) just as exquisite as it’s predecessor with world building that was just as expansive and even more nuanced—giving us more insight not only into the Kingdoms of Friv and Cellaria, but Bessemia as well which definitely made for an intriguingly enjoyable read.Â
It was definitely a more character driven narrative and I loved the depth and emotions that we see from our protagonists—I was especially impressed with the feeling of intimacy we get in a lot of Daphne and Beatriz’s monologue style scenes and the emotional development we see them both undertake. Particularly Daphne, who was probably my least favourite of the sisters in the first book (my fave being Sophronia.) But, I felt she really came into her own here as we see her finally begin to piece together events and begin to question the validity of her mother’s actions. As the most dutiful Princess (and the most loyal to the Empress) this makes for quite an intense emotional journey for Daphne, and one that really helped endear her to me.Â
The pace is more of a slow burn as there is more political intrigue and scheming as opposed to direct conflict but I felt that really gave us time to process all the new characters, POVs or (in Beatriz’s case) new magical abilities we didn’t fully explore in the previous book. The romance, likewise, took a bit of a back seat to the fraught relationship between Daphne and Beatriz and the tentative sisterly bond that has formed between them.Â
Overall, this was a great second instalment to this female driven and espionage filled series, and really sets the stage for what is sure be be an explosive book three—which I desperately need a copy of ASAP!Â
Also, thanks to Hodderscape and Netgalley for the e-arc.
I just want to preface this by saying, given how things transpired at the end of Castles In Their Bones, I can’t go into too much detail about Stardust In Their Veins’ premise without revealing spoilers for book one, so this is my attempt at explaining the plot (and sharing a review) WITHOUT giving away any spoilers.Â
It follows on from the aftermath of event which started with triplet princesses ; Sophronia, Beatriz and Daphne sent off to marry into three kingdoms—and by seduction, deception and espionage,!weaken them enough to allow their power hungry mother (the Empress of Bessemia) to sweep in and take control of the entire continent.
Suffice to say, those plans did not always go so smoothly, and book two opens with each Princess attempting to navigate the repercussions of those plans. But with assassins around every corner and warnings of betrayal (and an ominous new prophecy written in the stars) , the Princesses can’t trust anyone—perhaps not even each other. But, If they've learned anything, it's that their mother’s game is constantly changing. The only question now is, can they tip the scales in their favour, before deadlier foes decide their fates …
If you’ve followed my reviews for a while then you may remember how much enjoyed Castles In Their Bones last year which I completely devoured—and very nearly rioted over, after THAT spectacular cliff hanger of an ending! So when the opportunity to read the sequel arose I couldn’t help but leapt at the chance. And despite some initial reservations (second book syndrome has burned me far too many times not to have any) I’m glad to report that it definitely managed to live up to my (admittedly quite high) expectations—and even made me love a character or two that I previously REALLY disliked.Â
The writing is (unsurprisingly) just as exquisite as it’s predecessor with world building that was just as expansive and even more nuanced—giving us more insight not only into the Kingdoms of Friv and Cellaria, but Bessemia as well which definitely made for an intriguingly enjoyable read.Â
It was definitely a more character driven narrative and I loved the depth and emotions that we see from our protagonists—I was especially impressed with the feeling of intimacy we get in a lot of Daphne and Beatriz’s monologue style scenes and the emotional development we see them both undertake. Particularly Daphne, who was probably my least favourite of the sisters in the first book (my fave being Sophronia.) But, I felt she really came into her own here as we see her finally begin to piece together events and begin to question the validity of her mother’s actions. As the most dutiful Princess (and the most loyal to the Empress) this makes for quite an intense emotional journey for Daphne, and one that really helped endear her to me.Â
The pace is more of a slow burn as there is more political intrigue and scheming as opposed to direct conflict but I felt that really gave us time to process all the new characters, POVs or (in Beatriz’s case) new magical abilities we didn’t fully explore in the previous book. The romance, likewise, took a bit of a back seat to the fraught relationship between Daphne and Beatriz and the tentative sisterly bond that has formed between them.Â
Overall, this was a great second instalment to this female driven and espionage filled series, and really sets the stage for what is sure be be an explosive book three—which I desperately need a copy of ASAP!Â
Also, thanks to Hodderscape and Netgalley for the e-arc.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Violence, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Murder and Emotional abuse
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