lynseyisreading's review against another edition
4.0
The first comment that has to be made about this book is that horrendous cover! It does not reflect the book's content or give any glimpse as to what type of book it is at all. If I were to make an assumption based solely on that, I'd guess it was an historical romance novel. It's just awful!
Luckily, the story inside it is not awful, however. I found this all together a much smoother and easier read than book one. Naturally, that will partly be down to me now understanding all the various species and races and with a fairly good handle on the main character and her abilities, back story and relationships. Although some of her still remains a mystery and she seems to be one of those heroines that is destined to discover new and greater power within herself as each book goes on.
This time she has to attend the Barrani High Court to assist one of the Lords there with her healing ability. This leads to all sorts of fun. She has to face a few tests- magically, intellectually and emotionally. The story arc regarding Severn and Kaylin as children gets re-addressed and looked on in a new light. We didn't really give much consideration in book one as to how Severn felt about what he'd done and it was very interesting to see it from this angle. I am glad the two have found each other again. Now I just wait patiently for them to realise they fancy the pants off each other as adults and fall madly in love. Can that happen soon, please?
It looks like we're going to concentrate on a different race in each book as I've just begun book three and that seems centred on the Tha'alani, and this one was all about the Birrani. As each race is fascinating in its own way, this is fine by me. I wasn't sure I'd ever warm to or understand the cold, reserved Birrani race, but I felt I definitely did make progress with that by the end of the book. This might help me appreciate Lord Nightshade more in the next one, perhaps. Although I'm not sure you'll ever convince me he actually cares for Kaylin as anything other than a prized acquisition. And how did he know to mark her as his within 30 seconds of meeting her anyway? What's that all about?
Well, there's only one way to find out, and that's too keep on reading!
Oh, and I have to praise the narrator of these audiobooks for really bringing them to life for me. I think she might be assisting my enjoyment of them quite a bit. Her name is Kristine Hvam, and she rocks!
4 Stars! ★★★★
Luckily, the story inside it is not awful, however. I found this all together a much smoother and easier read than book one. Naturally, that will partly be down to me now understanding all the various species and races and with a fairly good handle on the main character and her abilities, back story and relationships. Although some of her still remains a mystery and she seems to be one of those heroines that is destined to discover new and greater power within herself as each book goes on.
This time she has to attend the Barrani High Court to assist one of the Lords there with her healing ability. This leads to all sorts of fun. She has to face a few tests- magically, intellectually and emotionally. The story arc regarding Severn and Kaylin as children gets re-addressed and looked on in a new light. We didn't really give much consideration in book one as to how Severn felt about what he'd done and it was very interesting to see it from this angle. I am glad the two have found each other again. Now I just wait patiently for them to realise they fancy the pants off each other as adults and fall madly in love. Can that happen soon, please?
It looks like we're going to concentrate on a different race in each book as I've just begun book three and that seems centred on the Tha'alani, and this one was all about the Birrani. As each race is fascinating in its own way, this is fine by me. I wasn't sure I'd ever warm to or understand the cold, reserved Birrani race, but I felt I definitely did make progress with that by the end of the book. This might help me appreciate Lord Nightshade more in the next one, perhaps. Although I'm not sure you'll ever convince me he actually cares for Kaylin as anything other than a prized acquisition. And how did he know to mark her as his within 30 seconds of meeting her anyway? What's that all about?
Well, there's only one way to find out, and that's too keep on reading!
Oh, and I have to praise the narrator of these audiobooks for really bringing them to life for me. I think she might be assisting my enjoyment of them quite a bit. Her name is Kristine Hvam, and she rocks!
4 Stars! ★★★★
lassarina's review against another edition
5.0
I continue to love Kaylin and the entire world of Elantra. Kaylin is a perfect disaster and I adore the way she addresses problems that creates more of them for her. I love Severin, and Sanabalis, and the ways different people hack the rules of the world to achieve their own goals. I absolutely loved Andellen and the touch of Lord Nightshade throughout this book, though he's only rarely on screen.
I like that this book can stand independently, though it's also clearly part of a larger arc within the chronicles. There are connections to the prior parts of the story, but this is very self-contained, and I think that's a great skill.
I like that this book can stand independently, though it's also clearly part of a larger arc within the chronicles. There are connections to the prior parts of the story, but this is very self-contained, and I think that's a great skill.
b00kdragon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
aknas22's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the story and the characters but there were so many details about the Barrani that were a little hard to follow.
saltysapphic's review against another edition
5.0
I am obsessed with every single person in this book
peppermintbat's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-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? Yes
3.75
waterfairy's review against another edition
1.0
Discontinuing this series.. The quirks are triggering. I also read the latest book's reviews and it seems the MC growth is minimal.
lavendermarch's review against another edition
5.0
Better than the first one. Very, very good. More understandable. Although I'm not sure what the Arcanists are. :/ I will read the next one. 4.3 stars.
Reread May 2nd, 2022
This was a strong sequel and a very good reread. I grew to like Severin a lot more in this book, although I was also happy to see Nightshade at the beginning. He's enigmatic and amuses me (although I certainly don't trust him). The plot of this book was very interesting, as not only did Sagara delve into the world of the Barrani, she also exposed older layers of history and magic within the world of Elantra, which I really enjoyed. I love how Kaylin's power in tied up in language - it's fascinating and very malleable. Within the people of the Barrani, I quite liked all three of the children of the High Lord and his Consort. I mean, I don't necessarily trust them, like with so many characters in this series, but I like and and respect them. They were refreshing and interesting people. I look forward to seeing them again in future books. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this second installment in the Chronicles of Elantra series. It expanded on the world building, developed Kaylin and Severin's characters, and had an interesting plot to boot. 4.5 stars.
Reread May 2nd, 2022
This was a strong sequel and a very good reread. I grew to like Severin a lot more in this book, although I was also happy to see Nightshade at the beginning. He's enigmatic and amuses me (although I certainly don't trust him). The plot of this book was very interesting, as not only did Sagara delve into the world of the Barrani, she also exposed older layers of history and magic within the world of Elantra, which I really enjoyed. I love how Kaylin's power in tied up in language - it's fascinating and very malleable. Within the people of the Barrani, I quite liked all three of the children of the High Lord and his Consort. I mean, I don't necessarily trust them, like with so many characters in this series, but I like and and respect them. They were refreshing and interesting people. I look forward to seeing them again in future books. Overall, I really enjoyed reading this second installment in the Chronicles of Elantra series. It expanded on the world building, developed Kaylin and Severin's characters, and had an interesting plot to boot. 4.5 stars.
wunder's review against another edition
OK, I tried, but I can't do this and it is only page 22. "His eyes were that shade of green that made jewelry superfluous." And there are seven words of dialogue on those two pages. The rest is all description and feelings.
"His smile cooled slightly as his gaze glanced off her cheek."
I'm sure this is great for someone else, but not me.
"His smile cooled slightly as his gaze glanced off her cheek."
I'm sure this is great for someone else, but not me.
shai3d's review against another edition
5.0
I am just becoming more and more impressed by this series. If you like listening to fantasy audible books.