moon134340child's review against another edition
5.0
This book right here is proof that you dont need a thousand books to create a great world, with characters you care, cute ships, and characters doing there job.
Even tho the ending might led to another one (i hope it doesnt cuz i like that u can think of your own outcome) one book was enough to have sobbing while drinking my morning coffee.
ONE BOOK IS ALL IT TAKES TO RUIN MY STABILITY
Even tho the ending might led to another one (i hope it doesnt cuz i like that u can think of your own outcome) one book was enough to have sobbing while drinking my morning coffee.
ONE BOOK IS ALL IT TAKES TO RUIN MY STABILITY
misterintensity's review against another edition
4.0
Four teens are condemned to death for treason after trying to learn the council’s secret. They escape and learn the secret only to receive a proposition to kill the Chancellor. The question is whether the Chancellor and the council the biggest threat to the city of Eldra. This is one fun book. You have a group of four interesting but flawed heroes: Cassa, Evander, Alys, and Newt trying to stop the infallible prophecies Eldra's council use to cement their ironclad rule on its citizens. The question is whether our fates predetermined our lives or do we have a choice in the direction of our lives. Soria keeps things interesting by constantly upping the stakes by having the characters constantly question their actions. There's a fifth teen in this group, Cassa who did not get caught with the rest of the group and the reasons why provides some tension within the group. Each chapter alternates between the point of view of each of these teens. Soria fills in the backstory with between chapter interludes which explains why and how certain things happened before and during the course of the events of the book. Even the antagonists have motives that are more complex than is apparent. While our heroes are rebelling against the council they are questioning their own abilities and the cause they are fighting for. There is even a romance that develop between two of the characters which develops organically, mainly due to characters knowing each other for several years prior to the story. At the heart of this adventure is the bond between these individuals which is tested at several points during the story. This an enjoyable fantasy adventure recommended for those who enjoy fantasy heist books like the the Six of Crows series.
kayu99's review against another edition
4.0
Solid characters, but I would have liked a little more worldbuilding and backstory. What were some of the infallible prophecies? What were the seers like? Why did they start dying out? What was Solan like when he was young? I also would have liked to have seen more of Cassa and Vesper's friendship before her "betrayal" of Cassa.
This book's biggest strength is the balance between all the character POVs: all of them were enjoyable, and none of them dragged. I especially enjoyed the more interlude-like ones: "The Night Vesper Met Cassa" and "What Cassa Forgot." I also liked how Destiny Soria committed to Cassa's death--no surprise resurrection. Alys and Vesper teaming up made a good ending, as did Newt and Evander pairing up.
Vesper and Newt were my favorite characters, and I liked the portrayal of how Alys fought through her panic attacks.
This book's biggest strength is the balance between all the character POVs: all of them were enjoyable, and none of them dragged. I especially enjoyed the more interlude-like ones: "The Night Vesper Met Cassa" and "What Cassa Forgot." I also liked how Destiny Soria committed to Cassa's death--no surprise resurrection. Alys and Vesper teaming up made a good ending, as did Newt and Evander pairing up.
Vesper and Newt were my favorite characters, and I liked the portrayal of how Alys fought through her panic attacks.
burstnwithbooks's review against another edition
5.0
O-kay, I'm obsessed with this. I definitely got YA Nevernight vibes from this... mixed with what I imagine Six of Crows is (I haven't read that one yet). I completely loved all of the characters, the world, and the plot was super entertaining. I love the misfit friend group and the "rebels on the run from the law" trope, and this book just completely worked for me. I flew through this read and I absolutely cannot wait to pick up more from this author. Highly recommend.
lemann's review against another edition
adventurous
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
3.75
alt_air's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
raohyrule's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I think where this book fell short has everything to do with it being a standalone. I think if this was even a 2 book series it would have been a big improvement but because too much was crammed into the one book everything really felt told and not shown which is such an obnoxious critique, I know, but.
I felt like the characterization of everyone was rushed and off and I didn’t understand the friendship dynamics. One second everyone hated Cassa and the next everyone loved her and their mood swings about her barely ever matched up to whatever it was she was doing.
Plus things would just happen and I’d be like oh ok I guess this is happening now but I wouldn’t see a clear thread of actions that led up to each scene. Everything that happened just felt super isolated like various scenes were tied together only because that was the way the chapters were organized.
That being said, I did enjoy the story for what it was and especially enjoyed the first 100 pages, though it definitely started to fall off from there.
I really appreciate the ace rep in here, since it isn’t discussed for more than one or two paragraphs it’s cool that it was included at all (especially that it was labeled outright) and not cut for time or something because it isn’t overtly relevant to the plot or whatever.
I think where this book fell short has everything to do with it being a standalone. I think if this was even a 2 book series it would have been a big improvement but because too much was crammed into the one book everything really felt told and not shown which is such an obnoxious critique, I know, but.
I felt like the characterization of everyone was rushed and off and I didn’t understand the friendship dynamics. One second everyone hated Cassa and the next everyone loved her and their mood swings about her barely ever matched up to whatever it was she was doing.
Plus things would just happen and I’d be like oh ok I guess this is happening now but I wouldn’t see a clear thread of actions that led up to each scene. Everything that happened just felt super isolated like various scenes were tied together only because that was the way the chapters were organized.
That being said, I did enjoy the story for what it was and especially enjoyed the first 100 pages, though it definitely started to fall off from there.
I really appreciate the ace rep in here, since it isn’t discussed for more than one or two paragraphs it’s cool that it was included at all (especially that it was labeled outright) and not cut for time or something because it isn’t overtly relevant to the plot or whatever.
scent_of_the_rain's review against another edition
4.0
This is a 2nd book by Destiny Soria that I read in again it was quite enjoyable, maybe even more than the first ( Iron Cast).
The story take place during only few days which works very well as it’s split up between a least 5 characters often telling what was happening in different places at the same time. If the story would cover more time it would be more difficult in my opinion.
All the characters were well written but the author didn’t go in depth with their personalities, they have them but they are not as develop as I may have liked, but again since the story was about only few days that wasn’t a major set back.
The relationships, romantic or otherwise were also very well done and believable.
The story itself, pretty interesting and I had fun learning all the details.
However if you don’t want to be spoiled don’t look the names of the chapters in advance as you will know who is not gonna make it this way.
Overall I believe this to be a solid read and will definitely check up the authors next book.
The story take place during only few days which works very well as it’s split up between a least 5 characters often telling what was happening in different places at the same time. If the story would cover more time it would be more difficult in my opinion.
All the characters were well written but the author didn’t go in depth with their personalities, they have them but they are not as develop as I may have liked, but again since the story was about only few days that wasn’t a major set back.
The relationships, romantic or otherwise were also very well done and believable.
The story itself, pretty interesting and I had fun learning all the details.
However if you don’t want to be spoiled don’t look the names of the chapters in advance as you will know who is not gonna make it this way.
Overall I believe this to be a solid read and will definitely check up the authors next book.
bru_reads's review against another edition
1.0
1.0 stars - Read for the Acereadathon book choice for May/june. This took me so long to get through and it really didn't work for me.
The characters felt shallow and the diverse cast was lost in what felt like a meaningless story, the plot made little sense, starting by an uncomprehensible suicide mission that only happened because Cassa wanted to (she was such an annoying character, why would anyone follow someone like her?!) and ending without any explanation as to what they were going to do to take down the council, even if they did manage to get any proof of what was happening under the Citadel as their initial plan intended. The villain was also so underwhelming I could cry. All powerful, evil for the sake of evilness without real goals, past or anything that made him even slightly interesting.
Every relationship felt shallow and underdeveloped - no, I don't get invested after a super short chapter of 'how X met Y' when during the rest of the book the characters barely interact unless it's to a) the siblings play truth or lie b) Cassa being an obnoxious pig-headed leader who never takes responsibility or considers other people's opinion c) everyone disliking Cassa's plans/attitude but following along anyway even after all the consequences d) references to years of fierce friendship and loyalty that are never seen on page in a perfect example of why you should show, not tell
Also, Alys asexuality/aromantism annoyed the hell out of me. It felt like a simple "tick" on the diversity list as a simple reminder here and there that she's queer too. As an aro-ace person myself, my identity does affect me more than simply thinking about it once in a while and shrug it off as not important when something makes me realize that I do feel things differently than the majority of people, especially when I feel that difference when I'm with people I love. Doesn't mean that I wanted her to be angsty about it - I've dealt with that angst myself for years now, thank you very much - but her identity should influence her response about things. Heck, even a fun moment of banter between Alys and Evander about his crush or a conversation around his breakup could've been good opportunities where her own sexuality could shine through without having to be a 'something is wrong with me' thing.
The writing was good at times but generally it was just meh, probably because the plot itself didn't help, and although the author tried to make the entire story feel urgent and quick paced, I just felt bored and near DNFing it almost all the way through.
The characters felt shallow and the diverse cast was lost in what felt like a meaningless story, the plot made little sense, starting by an uncomprehensible suicide mission that only happened because Cassa wanted to (she was such an annoying character, why would anyone follow someone like her?!) and ending without any explanation as to what they were going to do to take down the council, even if they did manage to get any proof of what was happening under the Citadel as their initial plan intended. The villain was also so underwhelming I could cry. All powerful, evil for the sake of evilness without real goals, past or anything that made him even slightly interesting.
Every relationship felt shallow and underdeveloped - no, I don't get invested after a super short chapter of 'how X met Y' when during the rest of the book the characters barely interact unless it's to a) the siblings play truth or lie b) Cassa being an obnoxious pig-headed leader who never takes responsibility or considers other people's opinion c) everyone disliking Cassa's plans/attitude but following along anyway even after all the consequences d) references to years of fierce friendship and loyalty that are never seen on page in a perfect example of why you should show, not tell
Also, Alys asexuality/aromantism annoyed the hell out of me. It felt like a simple "tick" on the diversity list as a simple reminder here and there that she's queer too. As an aro-ace person myself, my identity does affect me more than simply thinking about it once in a while and shrug it off as not important when something makes me realize that I do feel things differently than the majority of people, especially when I feel that difference when I'm with people I love. Doesn't mean that I wanted her to be angsty about it - I've dealt with that angst myself for years now, thank you very much - but her identity should influence her response about things. Heck, even a fun moment of banter between Alys and Evander about his crush or a conversation around his breakup could've been good opportunities where her own sexuality could shine through without having to be a 'something is wrong with me' thing.
The writing was good at times but generally it was just meh, probably because the plot itself didn't help, and although the author tried to make the entire story feel urgent and quick paced, I just felt bored and near DNFing it almost all the way through.
womanon's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this book! At times though, the plotlines were a bit hazy for me, and I lost focus. The plot didn't contain the suspense I was hoping for, but I really enjoyed reading about the characters and their development.