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johanna_b's review against another edition
4.0
It's almost scary how much this book was made for me. There were dragons and pirates and gladiators and a whole load of other stuff that I love but never thought would work together in the same book. However, I was proven wrong. The plot was structured similarly to the first one in that the whole book is basically leading up to an event that lasts only a page or two but this time I didn't mind that as I knew what to expect and really enjoyed all the action leading up to it.
One thing I've found that I really appreciate about this series is that the author, who's a man, does a great job of portraying the females in his books, especially Amber. In the past I've read some books where the female characters written by men are just so cringe. But that wasn't the case here and it helped to make the character dynamics so genuine. I haven't found the time to pick up a lot of sequels lately but I'm really glad I was able to read this one and as soon as I finished reading it I reserved the third book from the library! I'm so glad I discovered this series and can't wait for the finale! Happy Reading :)
One thing I've found that I really appreciate about this series is that the author, who's a man, does a great job of portraying the females in his books, especially Amber. In the past I've read some books where the female characters written by men are just so cringe. But that wasn't the case here and it helped to make the character dynamics so genuine. I haven't found the time to pick up a lot of sequels lately but I'm really glad I was able to read this one and as soon as I finished reading it I reserved the third book from the library! I'm so glad I discovered this series and can't wait for the finale! Happy Reading :)
booksandlemonsquash's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book from the publisher via Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
This book is such honest good fun, and we continue on with both the action and adventure we saw in book one. It branches out away from the competition a little, but find another instead!
Sadly I didn’t think that was different enough, but that is often the case with these sorts of trilogies. Look at the hunger games, the extinction trials, the nyxia trilogy. It repeats a similar format to vary the impact on the reader while staying with the overall plot.
In this case it works well but not brilliantly. I did love the gladiatorial element, and getting an insight into other residents of the planet. The adventure was perhaps a little too straight forward from a story telling perspective, it all seemed clear if things were going to go well or poorly for the most part. It is however still fast paced and fun; so you don’t have much time to notice! :)
I’m definitely interested in what Cade and co get up to next, so will be picking up book three as soon as it’s out! 3.5 stars.
This book is such honest good fun, and we continue on with both the action and adventure we saw in book one. It branches out away from the competition a little, but find another instead!
Sadly I didn’t think that was different enough, but that is often the case with these sorts of trilogies. Look at the hunger games, the extinction trials, the nyxia trilogy. It repeats a similar format to vary the impact on the reader while staying with the overall plot.
In this case it works well but not brilliantly. I did love the gladiatorial element, and getting an insight into other residents of the planet. The adventure was perhaps a little too straight forward from a story telling perspective, it all seemed clear if things were going to go well or poorly for the most part. It is however still fast paced and fun; so you don’t have much time to notice! :)
I’m definitely interested in what Cade and co get up to next, so will be picking up book three as soon as it’s out! 3.5 stars.
jj_29's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
emiann2023's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly this was an interesting book, but I feel like it lacked the sucker punch of the first book. And these books are incredibly short. While that is nice for a quick read, I feel like so much more could be flushed out and developed. Cade and Amber. Quintus. Tsuru.
char931's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
t_jenkins's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.5
kba76's review against another edition
4.0
Talk about leaving you hanging! A frustrating (yet fitting) end to a cracking story.
Picking up not long after the events of Book One, Cade learns that he is to act as the representative in a much bigger battle. It’s a threat he is ill-equipped to deal with, so the priority for the group at the start is to find armour.
Unfortunately, while searching for what they need the group are taken by slavers. Cade has to barter for his freedom - resulting in them being forced to participate in the emperor’s gladiatorial games.
What follows is fraught with danger, but wholly believable. Seen from Cade’s perspective we are made to witness a number of awful battles as he strives to complete the tasks put in front of him to secure what he needs to have a chance of success. We get a lot of awful scenes, but Cade’s honest reactions to these mean we never see them as anything other than a very necessary step towards what he needs to do to get home (or be in with a chance to).
There’s hints of romance, which you could see coming a mile off. There’s deepening bonds of friendship and there’s a clear sense that these characters we come to care about are mere pawns in a much bigger game.
I am so grateful to NetGalley for granting me access to this in exchange for my thoughts. Now I need to dig a little and see what the plans for part three are...I have questions that I’m really hoping will be answered!
Picking up not long after the events of Book One, Cade learns that he is to act as the representative in a much bigger battle. It’s a threat he is ill-equipped to deal with, so the priority for the group at the start is to find armour.
Unfortunately, while searching for what they need the group are taken by slavers. Cade has to barter for his freedom - resulting in them being forced to participate in the emperor’s gladiatorial games.
What follows is fraught with danger, but wholly believable. Seen from Cade’s perspective we are made to witness a number of awful battles as he strives to complete the tasks put in front of him to secure what he needs to have a chance of success. We get a lot of awful scenes, but Cade’s honest reactions to these mean we never see them as anything other than a very necessary step towards what he needs to do to get home (or be in with a chance to).
There’s hints of romance, which you could see coming a mile off. There’s deepening bonds of friendship and there’s a clear sense that these characters we come to care about are mere pawns in a much bigger game.
I am so grateful to NetGalley for granting me access to this in exchange for my thoughts. Now I need to dig a little and see what the plans for part three are...I have questions that I’m really hoping will be answered!
auora1484's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
littletiramisu's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Confinement, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Genocide, and Physical abuse