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peppa1972's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mjk1221's review against another edition
3.0
I actually think I like the book more when the romance isn’t front-and-center of the plot. This series is DEFINITELY a romance driven plot and while the ending of this book didn’t exactly surprise me, I find Aldrik’s mood swings don’t help the series at all. I could go with the ending better if they didn’t start spewing hate at each other. I’m pretty sure this is a reaction on my part to book 1 and part of book 2 where Aldrik is hot-and-cold. He’s more up-and-down in this book in terms of letting Vhalla in or not. He also tends to quickly learn his mistakes, which isn’t necessarily bad; however, Aldrik is supposed to be the older person and Vhalla is regularly calling him out on his issues, he spews things he doesn’t mean, they go away in a tiff, then he apologies later on, and things are okay. Rinse and repeat in small ways. I wish maybe the romance was a little less prevalent.
The actual plot with the North and everything wasn’t bad, but...what actually happened this book? We have the beginning that picks up from the cliffhanger and it was relatively interesting. Then it’s mostly everyone plotting and talking for more than half the book easily…Vhalla is able to use some of her skills, but it’s a lot of “the king hates me” and her trying to help. I did like how smart Vhalla was at things, but then the next scene would be her backing down in some ways and I felt like we get this strong Vhalla willing to stand up to the king and then she’d back down a little later. Meh.
I liked the big battle scene. I thought it was neat actually seeing WHAT Vhalla and Aldrik could do with their bond in a battle. One of the best things in the book.
The end was, again, not exactly surprising. Guess we’ll see what happens next and I’m hoping she can learn some things without Aldrik around.
The actual plot with the North and everything wasn’t bad, but...what actually happened this book? We have the beginning that picks up from the cliffhanger and it was relatively interesting. Then it’s mostly everyone plotting and talking for more than half the book easily…Vhalla is able to use some of her skills, but it’s a lot of “the king hates me” and her trying to help. I did like how smart Vhalla was at things, but then the next scene would be her backing down in some ways and I felt like we get this strong Vhalla willing to stand up to the king and then she’d back down a little later. Meh.
I liked the big battle scene. I thought it was neat actually seeing WHAT Vhalla and Aldrik could do with their bond in a battle. One of the best things in the book.
The end was, again, not exactly surprising. Guess we’ll see what happens next and I’m hoping she can learn some things without Aldrik around.
elfduchess's review against another edition
"Aldrik, he had nothing to do with this." Vhalla took a half step in front of Baldair, stopping the older prince's advance.
"A new low, even for you, brother," Aldrik said with disdain. "Getting your whore to protect you."
Vhalla's arms hung limply at her sides, suddenly at a complete loss.
"Don't call her that! You don't mean it." Baldair's defense was touching, but completely ignored by Aldrik.
"Oh? Slut then?" Aldrik grimaced as the word tore itself from his tongue. "Who's next, now that you've had both princes? Going to crawl into bed with my father?"
Usually flipping through a book to convince me to read it works well. At least, it seldom causes me to give up on a book. But when I found this little conversational nugget, I knew I was done. See, I'm funny, I like romances that actually talk to each other without insulting the other, couples that actually respect each other. Ones that actually feel healthy. Yeah. This ain't it. Because it just ain't.
It truly makes me sick that this couple is the endgame, that girls still think Aldrik is a good love interest and that I ever thought these two made a cute couple. (Back in book one, I didn't hate the idea of them being romantically involved, I would have just preferred a friendship instead. But now, I...I just can't with the name-calling and verbal abuse.)
(No, I didn't actually read much more of the book than this conversation and the events leading up to it. (I'm just not going to make a special shelf for this book and I think this is the only way I can write my feelings for it.) If you want to tell me how it all makes perfect sense in context, feel free to do so. But I warn you, I won't believe you because I'm not okay with any person calling their lover a 'whore' or a 'slut' as a derogatory slur. And, I find it quite telling that this is what Aldrik chooses to insult when he gets angry.)
"A new low, even for you, brother," Aldrik said with disdain. "Getting your whore to protect you."
Vhalla's arms hung limply at her sides, suddenly at a complete loss.
"Don't call her that! You don't mean it." Baldair's defense was touching, but completely ignored by Aldrik.
"Oh? Slut then?" Aldrik grimaced as the word tore itself from his tongue. "Who's next, now that you've had both princes? Going to crawl into bed with my father?"
Usually flipping through a book to convince me to read it works well. At least, it seldom causes me to give up on a book. But when I found this little conversational nugget, I knew I was done. See, I'm funny, I like romances that actually talk to each other without insulting the other, couples that actually respect each other. Ones that actually feel healthy. Yeah. This ain't it. Because it just ain't.
It truly makes me sick that this couple is the endgame, that girls still think Aldrik is a good love interest and that I ever thought these two made a cute couple. (Back in book one, I didn't hate the idea of them being romantically involved, I would have just preferred a friendship instead. But now, I...I just can't with the name-calling and verbal abuse.)
(No, I didn't actually read much more of the book than this conversation and the events leading up to it. (I'm just not going to make a special shelf for this book and I think this is the only way I can write my feelings for it.) If you want to tell me how it all makes perfect sense in context, feel free to do so. But I warn you, I won't believe you because I'm not okay with any person calling their lover a 'whore' or a 'slut' as a derogatory slur. And, I find it quite telling that this is what Aldrik chooses to insult when he gets angry.)
messybutkind's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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? No
4.0
laynefaire's review against another edition
5.0
This series keeps getting better with each subsequent book!
Vhalla has helped the Emperor win the war and won her freedom, but not without losing the most important person in her life.
I spent the last two chapters of this book repeatedly having my heart shattered and vehemently mouthing the word “No!” Over and over again.
Starting the next book right now!
Vhalla has helped the Emperor win the war and won her freedom, but not without losing the most important person in her life.
I spent the last two chapters of this book repeatedly having my heart shattered and vehemently mouthing the word “No!” Over and over again.
Starting the next book right now!
darksnow's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
brightside_83's review against another edition
5.0
What a freaking ride... total roller coaster... just when you think all is well and your heart is safe, it literally explodes again... good grief !!! I LOVE THIS SERIES
niya_saliha's review against another edition
4.0
Its 4.5 stars really. I was going to stop this series if this one turned out to be a 3 star read. And for about the first half of it, it was looking that way, but it redeemed itself in the second half.
Those last 3 chapters really cemented it for me. So good. It does not say anything good about the leading pair's romance that I was happy they broke up. But still, I enjoyed that immensely.
She had fed into him, she had ignored his problems and idolized his secret mannerisms that made him shine in her eyes. She’d mentally made him into the man she’d wanted him to be; she hadn’t loved the man he truly was.
FINALLY.
Honestly, I think Daniel is a better match than Aldrick. But that's neither here nor there. I am finally onboard with Vhalla's journey. The ending was amazing.
Those last 3 chapters really cemented it for me. So good. It does not say anything good about the leading pair's romance that I was happy they broke up. But still, I enjoyed that immensely.
She had fed into him, she had ignored his problems and idolized his secret mannerisms that made him shine in her eyes. She’d mentally made him into the man she’d wanted him to be; she hadn’t loved the man he truly was.
FINALLY.
Honestly, I think Daniel is a better match than Aldrick. But that's neither here nor there. I am finally onboard with Vhalla's journey. The ending was amazing.
katha_rinaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
imperials's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? It's complicated
3.75