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chanlo1994's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
5.0
Again, the prose in this book is stunning. So much lovely poetry and creative writing. Rachel Gillig is a beautiful writer.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Child death, Infidelity, and Vomit
isabelleroyall's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Gore, Self harm, Sexism, Torture, and Vomit
Minor: Cursing, Infidelity, Grief, and Death of parent
atheina_vismark's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I wasn't ready. My emotions, I don't know what to do with them anymore.
If I were One-Dark-Window book coded (Which I freaking am now) I would have asked for a Maiden Card to recover from this heartbreak, but there is no Maiden Card in the real world, just painful memories, the painful realization that I have finished this duology, that I will never have to chance to read these books for the first time.
Elspeth, Ravyn, Nightmare, Jespry, Elm, Ione, even sweet and dear Emory and Tilly. You have all crept into my heart, wishing that I too was a woman hailing from the secluded kingdom of Blunder, that when reading about your gestures all I imagined was me being there, aiding you to your great gestures.
There were no devastating twists in this book, but that mattered not. Maybe its because of Gillig's writing, maybe because of what was happening while she waged war inside her own mind - all I know was that this book tore my heart out of my chest, caged it inside ashen trees and then set it free, free like a songbird that Blunder had long lost its melody about.
I spent the last 40 pages crying, crying, trying to cling to the last pages as the ending came to an end.
Goodbye Blunder, goodbye Elspeth and Ravyn, goodbye Elm and Ione.
Goodbye,Taxus
Be wary, be clever, be good.
5⭐️ 1🌶️
If I were One-Dark-Window book coded (Which I freaking am now) I would have asked for a Maiden Card to recover from this heartbreak, but there is no Maiden Card in the real world, just painful memories, the painful realization that I have finished this duology, that I will never have to chance to read these books for the first time.
Elspeth, Ravyn, Nightmare, Jespry, Elm, Ione, even sweet and dear Emory and Tilly. You have all crept into my heart, wishing that I too was a woman hailing from the secluded kingdom of Blunder, that when reading about your gestures all I imagined was me being there, aiding you to your great gestures.
There were no devastating twists in this book, but that mattered not. Maybe its because of Gillig's writing, maybe because of what was happening while she waged war inside her own mind - all I know was that this book tore my heart out of my chest, caged it inside ashen trees and then set it free, free like a songbird that Blunder had long lost its melody about.
I spent the last 40 pages crying, crying, trying to cling to the last pages as the ending came to an end.
Goodbye Blunder, goodbye Elspeth and Ravyn, goodbye Elm and Ione.
Goodbye,
Be wary, be clever, be good.
5⭐️ 1🌶️
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Infidelity, Blood, and Murder
amanda_reads13's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
fast-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
4.5
Elspeth's mind is now completely taken over by Nightmare. We follow the group as the continue to search for the Twin Adler card.
I enjoyed this one a bit more than the first. First off, I am so glad that it switched to multiple POVs. It added so much more to the story and character development. Also, I really liked that there was a lot more world building and history of the magic throughout the book. For those who found the first book slow, the pace was a lot faster in this one.
I am so glad we got Nightmare's POV. That was exactly what I was looking for. In the first book, I found it was lacking information about his story and motivation. In book two, we got all that and so much more. We learn about the creation of the cards, his family, and the truth of what happened to him.He was betrayed by his captain, Brutus Rowan. Brutus murdered his entire family and took the crown for himself. He is definitely the most interesting character for me. We see how the magic completely twisted his priorities.
In this book, we also get Rayvn and Elm's POVs. We get to see the development of Elm and Ione's relationship. They are so cute together.I thought it was a smart choice to make Elm king over Rayvn. Though still within the Rowan line, he was so unlike any king before him.
Adding Ravyn's POV added a lot of emotion to the story. We see his story reflecting that ofThe Shepherd King. Yet while Nightmare is willing to sacrifice anything for magic, even his sister, Rayvn is only willing to sacrifice himself. Though I did see this coming, we find out that Rayvn is a descendent of the Shepherd King. The King's eldest son escaped Brutus' slaughter and went on to change his last name to Yew.
I love how they ended up using Hauth's blood to unite the deck. Justice.
Tropes: found family
I enjoyed this one a bit more than the first. First off, I am so glad that it switched to multiple POVs. It added so much more to the story and character development. Also, I really liked that there was a lot more world building and history of the magic throughout the book. For those who found the first book slow, the pace was a lot faster in this one.
I am so glad we got Nightmare's POV. That was exactly what I was looking for. In the first book, I found it was lacking information about his story and motivation. In book two, we got all that and so much more. We learn about the creation of the cards, his family, and the truth of what happened to him.
In this book, we also get Rayvn and Elm's POVs. We get to see the development of Elm and Ione's relationship. They are so cute together.
Adding Ravyn's POV added a lot of emotion to the story. We see his story reflecting that of
Tropes: found family
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Misogyny, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Moderate: Infidelity
maregred's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Death, Infidelity, Sexual content, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Physical abuse
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