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carol_3927's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was beyond amazing. I loved the first entry into this book kept me engaged the whole time, and this one is no different. The way the author is able to convey the character’s emotions onto these pages was excellent. The ending made me cry to be honest. I won’t add any spoilers, but please read this series if you love intense fantasy stories with romance sprinkled in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Body horror and Blood
Minor: Sexual content
cerilouisereads's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and War
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? No
4.0
4 ⭐ CW: violence, cannibalism, death, descriptions of corpses
The Ever Cruel Kingdom by Rin Chupeco is the second and final book in the Never-Tilting World duology. This was a great second book! So many second books of a duology tend to be disappointing or more flat than the first book, but this one was just as exciting and engaging as the first.
We pick up after the events of last book with Haidee and Odessa teaming up with Arjun's clan as all the desert clans get together to figure out how to survive in this new world. The Galla that were after Odessa are coming back in full force, but she still refuses the 7th Gall's gift. Not only do they have the demons to contend with, they now have to deal with their mother's fighting instead of working together.
We get some wonderful growth from both Haidee and Odessa, together and apart. We also get to learn more about Latona and Asteria's relationship before The Breaking and why the Breaking happened. We get themes on how a little compassion goes a long way, as is evident in the Twins' treatment of the Saiga clan. We also get themes on environmentalism, stewardship, and conservation.
I loved the dynamic between Arjun and Lan in this book. They both realize they are in love with fools of goddesses. Both of their vibes are "don't do the thing," and then The twins do the thing as Arjun and Lan run after them. Noelle was a secret aroace badass in this book and I wanted so much more from her. As with the last book, Chupeco includes talk therapy as a treatment for PTSD and has many discussions around mental health. I love the inclusion of this and other disabilities throughout the book.
I just love Rin's writing so much. Their world-building is so good. I only wish there was another book!
The Ever Cruel Kingdom by Rin Chupeco is the second and final book in the Never-Tilting World duology. This was a great second book! So many second books of a duology tend to be disappointing or more flat than the first book, but this one was just as exciting and engaging as the first.
We pick up after the events of last book with Haidee and Odessa teaming up with Arjun's clan as all the desert clans get together to figure out how to survive in this new world. The Galla that were after Odessa are coming back in full force, but she still refuses the 7th Gall's gift. Not only do they have the demons to contend with, they now have to deal with their mother's fighting instead of working together.
We get some wonderful growth from both Haidee and Odessa, together and apart. We also get to learn more about Latona and Asteria's relationship before The Breaking and why the Breaking happened. We get themes on how a little compassion goes a long way, as is evident in the Twins' treatment of the Saiga clan. We also get themes on environmentalism, stewardship, and conservation.
I loved the dynamic between Arjun and Lan in this book. They both realize they are in love with fools of goddesses. Both of their vibes are "don't do the thing," and then The twins do the thing as Arjun and Lan run after them. Noelle was a secret aroace badass in this book and I wanted so much more from her. As with the last book, Chupeco includes talk therapy as a treatment for PTSD and has many discussions around mental health. I love the inclusion of this and other disabilities throughout the book.
I just love Rin's writing so much. Their world-building is so good. I only wish there was another book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Cannibalism
alicelalicon's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
melaniereadsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I liked this one quite a lot but didn't love it. I didn't think it was as good as the first one in the series. There were some parts I really enjoyed (the world building is still absolutely stellar), but I wasn't a huge fan of what went on with some of the characters. I also felt the ending wrapped things up a little too neatly, which is one of my pet peeves with books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death of parent
Moderate: Gore, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content and Cannibalism
foreverinastory's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
This ending. I am just... I cried when it ended. Rin always nails endings. Bittersweet in the best way possible. I have too many feels.
The Ever Cruel Kingdom picks up right where the previous book leaves off. Haidee, Odessa and company are transported to outside the Golden City with the portal in Brighthenge. The twins expect to see the world righted now that it's turning again, but things seem even more dire. The creatures from the abyss will keep coming until the sacrifice is completed. The twins will have to descend to the underworld to find the answers.
This was wild. I loved the addition of Lisette and seeing more of the tribes that live outside the Golden City. I loved seeing Haidee and Odessa work together and getting a chance to deepen their sibling bond. I loved how they constantly finished each others sentences and could enhance the other's magic. I just freaking love these two SO DAMN MUCH.
The mythology that we see in the first book is really delved into with this installment. We see what the twin goddesses are meant to do and what happened to the first twins. Overall, this duology is amazing and I CANNOT recommend it enough.
Rep: Chronically ill sapphic MC, Asian coded sapphic (lesbian coded) MC suffering from PTSD, disabled POC MC that is missing one of his hands. Main side character introduced is bisexual. I believe most the characters are POC but I'm not 100% certain.
CWs: Violence, blood, animal death, cannibalism, death, death of parent, gaslighting, emotional abuse, grief, sexual content, mental illness (PTSD), murder.
The Ever Cruel Kingdom picks up right where the previous book leaves off. Haidee, Odessa and company are transported to outside the Golden City with the portal in Brighthenge. The twins expect to see the world righted now that it's turning again, but things seem even more dire. The creatures from the abyss will keep coming until the sacrifice is completed. The twins will have to descend to the underworld to find the answers.
This was wild. I loved the addition of Lisette and seeing more of the tribes that live outside the Golden City. I loved seeing Haidee and Odessa work together and getting a chance to deepen their sibling bond. I loved how they constantly finished each others sentences and could enhance the other's magic. I just freaking love these two SO DAMN MUCH.
The mythology that we see in the first book is really delved into with this installment. We see what the twin goddesses are meant to do and what happened to the first twins. Overall, this duology is amazing and I CANNOT recommend it enough.
Rep: Chronically ill sapphic MC, Asian coded sapphic (lesbian coded) MC suffering from PTSD, disabled POC MC that is missing one of his hands. Main side character introduced is bisexual. I believe most the characters are POC but I'm not 100% certain.
CWs: Violence, blood, animal death, cannibalism, death, death of parent, gaslighting, emotional abuse, grief, sexual content, mental illness (PTSD), murder.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Animal death, Emotional abuse, Cannibalism, Death of parent, and Murder
imireviewsbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
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? N/A
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Violence, and Grief
olivialandryxo's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The Never Tilting World was one of my favorite books of 2020, and The Ever Cruel Kingdom will definitely end up on my 2021 favorites list. This duology is undeniably one of my absolute favorites. Chupeco’s writing is lovely, and their ability to craft intricate worlds, complex characters and emotional relationships is incredible. There isn’t a single thing about this book I disliked. Haidee, Odessa, Lan, and Arjun are brilliant. The romances are brilliant. The plot is brilliant. Yes,
there’s a theme here: everything is just brilliant, and that’s not an exaggeration. I also really like the story’s emphasis on family, grief, and forgiveness. Chupeco fit so much into these pages and did so brilliantly. No, I won’t stop using that word. It’s accurate. I’m not sure what else to say. The last few chapters had me terrified, but everything worked out in the end. It was perfect, and I mean it. My heart was so happy reading the epilogue. I’m so happy that I read these books. I’m rambling, but whatever. I’ll be recommending these books for years to come. I absolutely love them!!
Representation
there’s a theme here: everything is just brilliant, and that’s not an exaggeration. I also really like the story’s emphasis on family, grief, and forgiveness. Chupeco fit so much into these pages and did so brilliantly. No, I won’t stop using that word. It’s accurate. I’m not sure what else to say. The last few chapters had me terrified, but everything worked out in the end. It was perfect, and I mean it. My heart was so happy reading the epilogue. I’m so happy that I read these books. I’m rambling, but whatever. I’ll be recommending these books for years to come. I absolutely love them!!
Representation
- full cast of characters of color
chronically ill lesbian protagonist
amputee protagonist
bisexual protagonist with PTSD
sapphic relationship
queer side characters (includes bi and aro ace rep)
side characters of color
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Cannibalism
fromjuliereads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I adored this book! I struggled with Odessa's character and POV at certain points but in the end I loved her just as much as at the very beginning. I was VERY STRESSED through some parts of this book but goodness. It ended so well! It really had a good ending compared to some other fantasy duologies I have read. Honestly the duology together is definitely 5 stars for me. I seriously loved these books!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gore, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, and Grief