maleesha's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
This world is intricate and interesting. I like the diversity of it as well but this story is a bit of a downgrade when it comes to the main character. I loved Tara. But Caleb spends so much time so indecisive that it got annoying. Though I do feel like he redeemed himself in the end when he took a firm stance and realized that neither side is good in the long run and things have to change. My other critique is that I need a world map. I have so much trouble trying to picture this world in my head. Also I didn't love the romance that seemed to spark out of nowhere. This book did not need a romance. I've picked up book 3 because I still really like this series but I hope it's better than this one.
michael_gallipo's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lsvicente537's review against another edition
2.0
I really liked the first book in this series but i found this one disappointing
annie_lulu's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jordandotcom's review against another edition
3.0
idek how but both caleb AND mal were very boring to me
coslyn's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Oh, I wanted to like this one so bad :( Mal and Caleb's relationship definitely is a huge proponent of it, but there are other little things thrown in there too. Still, the characters are great and the world building is excellent and I just wanted this to be better.
mulletgod's review against another edition
4.0
this one got a little slow in the middle but i really enjoyed this peak into the universe.
zozoisgolden's review against another edition
4.0
Can I just say I loved the King in Red & Teo?
After Three Parts Dead, I wondered how the personality of the Deathless Kings would be but he was such an interesting character! I'd love to have another part where we delve into his rise as a Craftman and his role in the God Wars.
All the sacrifice and Tzimet was sometimes hard to keep up with and I'm still confused about how exactly a Concern works But Caleb is an interesting guy even though sometimes he felt dumb as bricks. Like a cross between himbo and emo lol.
After Three Parts Dead, I wondered how the personality of the Deathless Kings would be but he was such an interesting character! I'd love to have another part where we delve into his rise as a Craftman and his role in the God Wars.
Spoiler
Everything else rocked too. Sometimes the worldbuilding felt a little too complicated.All the sacrifice and Tzimet was sometimes hard to keep up with and I'm still confused about how exactly a Concern works
mrsbluejay's review against another edition
5.0
So far I liked this part of the Craft Sequence best.
To me it seems like Two Serpents Rise is a love declaration to the real world, in particular the parts of it created by humans, despite all their nastiness and problems.
I enjoy reading Gladstone's characters, even if I don't like them. None of the main characters in this book (Caleb, Mal, Temoc and the King in Red) are in any way likeable to me, and I don't think they are meant to be. They're all at least very grey, if not outright evil in my opinion. I haven't found it possible to empathize with any of the above mentioned characters for more than a few pages at a time and I think it's safe to say that there's excellent storytelling behind this.
For me, this is a story about failure. In German, there's a proverb 'vom Regen in die Traufe' (literally 'from the rain into the eaves', meaning 'from the frying pan into the fire') that really fits the bill here. Even though the ending seemed to foreshadow a positive development, for me it's hard to believe that's really what's going to happen at this point.
To me it seems like Two Serpents Rise is a love declaration to the real world, in particular the parts of it created by humans, despite all their nastiness and problems.
I enjoy reading Gladstone's characters, even if I don't like them. None of the main characters in this book (Caleb, Mal, Temoc and the King in Red) are in any way likeable to me, and I don't think they are meant to be. They're all at least very grey, if not outright evil in my opinion. I haven't found it possible to empathize with any of the above mentioned characters for more than a few pages at a time and I think it's safe to say that there's excellent storytelling behind this.
For me, this is a story about failure. In German, there's a proverb 'vom Regen in die Traufe' (literally 'from the rain into the eaves', meaning 'from the frying pan into the fire') that really fits the bill here. Even though the ending seemed to foreshadow a positive development, for me it's hard to believe that's really what's going to happen at this point.
neens_m's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Death