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savage_book_review's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I have conflicting thoughts on this book having now read it as its own entity rather than as part of the tandem read. One one hand, it feels like a side-quest or spin off, rather than part of the main narrative arc, and while I don't really get the general hate for Chaol, having him as the main character and away from the rest of the group doesn't help lift the storyline. However, at the same time this is the first book in the series where I've felt that inexplicable draw to just keep reading/listening, even when it's going to make me late/keep me up/stop me from doing more important things. And not just because I wanted to get through it so I could start Kingdom of Ash. I was just more invested than I was expecting!
I like the final pairings that result from this story, but then all of the pairings up to now have felt 'right', and they've mostly fallen apart! There's a lot of serial monogamy going on, and while it doesn't sit quite right with me just how quickly the various feelings seem to come and go, I can appreciate that it's a good illustration of the characters' growth. That being said, the writing of the developing relationships here is a bit clunky in places; the change in Yrene's feelings especially feels really uneven. Considering how good SJM is at writing the enemies-to-lovers trope, this one really falls short of the mark.
I also love that, even with Aelin sidelined, little tidbits if her story so far start to pay dividends here. The reader gets to be in the know while characters remain in the dark (to an extent), and some of the payoffs that result are beautifully done.
But. This read through is also the first time I've found myself getting annoyed with one of SJM's writing 'tics'... I can laugh about the vulgar gestures and the watery bowels, but the amount of times she measures moments in heartbeats really started to get to me. I probably don't pick up on this as much when physically reading the books (and I don't recall it ever bothering me in previous reads), but the phrasing, coupled with the narrators almost identical inflections every single time this came up really makes the sheer volume of usage stand out.
Quick question regarding the narrator and Yrene's voice... am I going mad, or has she dropped the accent she used for Yrene is Assassin's Blade? Seems very unlike her to change the voice of a character half way through...
I am able-bodied, and cannot imagine being in Chaol's situation. Indeed, I suspect I'd be as desperate for a cure as he is. But I appreciate that the 'disabled person hating themselves because they can't walk' storyline has been used elsewhere in the past, and has been criticised for belittling the people and emotions behind these scenarios. Obviously in this case the fantasy setting makes a cure more readily available, and Chaol's emotions are part of the problem, but I just keep wondering if his character arc (and 'redemption' for want of a better word) would have been better served by his having to adapt and grow despite his disability? But then would it fit the world the character lives in? I just don't know.
Overall, this book is definitely better read in tandem with 'Empire of Storms', but nevertheless is still engaging and stands on its own merits. It certainly is not the best book in the series, but is a nice little breather before the emotional rollercoaster of KoA.
I like the final pairings that result from this story, but then all of the pairings up to now have felt 'right', and they've mostly fallen apart! There's a lot of serial monogamy going on, and while it doesn't sit quite right with me just how quickly the various feelings seem to come and go, I can appreciate that it's a good illustration of the characters' growth. That being said, the writing of the developing relationships here is a bit clunky in places; the change in Yrene's feelings especially feels really uneven. Considering how good SJM is at writing the enemies-to-lovers trope, this one really falls short of the mark.
I also love that, even with Aelin sidelined, little tidbits if her story so far start to pay dividends here. The reader gets to be in the know while characters remain in the dark (to an extent), and some of the payoffs that result are beautifully done.
But. This read through is also the first time I've found myself getting annoyed with one of SJM's writing 'tics'... I can laugh about the vulgar gestures and the watery bowels, but the amount of times she measures moments in heartbeats really started to get to me. I probably don't pick up on this as much when physically reading the books (and I don't recall it ever bothering me in previous reads), but the phrasing, coupled with the narrators almost identical inflections every single time this came up really makes the sheer volume of usage stand out.
Quick question regarding the narrator and Yrene's voice... am I going mad, or has she dropped the accent she used for Yrene is Assassin's Blade? Seems very unlike her to change the voice of a character half way through...
I am able-bodied, and cannot imagine being in Chaol's situation. Indeed, I suspect I'd be as desperate for a cure as he is. But I appreciate that the 'disabled person hating themselves because they can't walk' storyline has been used elsewhere in the past, and has been criticised for belittling the people and emotions behind these scenarios. Obviously in this case the fantasy setting makes a cure more readily available, and Chaol's emotions are part of the problem, but I just keep wondering if his character arc (and 'redemption' for want of a better word) would have been better served by his having to adapt and grow despite his disability? But then would it fit the world the character lives in? I just don't know.
Overall, this book is definitely better read in tandem with 'Empire of Storms', but nevertheless is still engaging and stands on its own merits. It certainly is not the best book in the series, but is a nice little breather before the emotional rollercoaster of KoA.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Animal death, Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
merrow's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
An almost relaxing turn in the midst of this series, but still maintaining the mystery and global stakes. The book feels generally hopeful and introduces a new part of the world well, and is only let down by the characters’ very occasional childish behaviour.
Yrene is a very engaging character, and Chaol and Nesryn both grow to find their places in the series. Very interesting revelations and the setting contrasts very well with the northern continent.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Ableism, Animal death, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, War, and Injury/Injury detail
anguawolf's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Chronic illness, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Kidnapping, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Infidelity, Slavery, Pregnancy, and War
aurorarose87's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism and Violence
Minor: Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, Kidnapping, and Murder
ashleynp24's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
mysterious
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
This is by far one of my favorite books in the series. I was skeptical because I haven’t been a Chaol fan and even after, he’s still not my favorite. But, I loved getting to meet so many new characters I did enjoy.
Big surprise Chaol treated Nesryn like crap, but her relationship with Sartaq and her storyline was really great and a fun read.
I liked Yrene’s character a lot too, and her story intertwining with the others after her encounter with Aelin so many books ago.
I felt everything was wrapped up really nicely heading into the final book.
Big surprise Chaol treated Nesryn like crap, but her relationship with Sartaq and her storyline was really great and a fun read.
I liked Yrene’s character a lot too, and her story intertwining with the others after her encounter with Aelin so many books ago.
I felt everything was wrapped up really nicely heading into the final book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Torture, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, and War
erafact's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Did a Tandem read which i highly recommend because "tower of dawn" is alittle slow the first 3/4's of the book. so this might contain content from "Empire of Storms" or "tower of dawn". Long time with angst and sassy-ness. Semi pointless plot until halfway through.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Death, Violence, and Murder
Minor: Bullying, Sexual content, Blood, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, and War
Man is left paralyzed, and story contains the mental and physical healing from that injury. Daughter commits suicidechuckielittle's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Violence, Grief, Alcohol, and War
Minor: Child death, Infertility, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicide, Blood, Vomit, and Kidnapping
painausten314's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Grief, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Ableism, Sexual content, and Kidnapping
_alyssar_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Blood, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, Sexual content, Vomit, Medical content, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Murder, and Alcohol
mariareviews's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-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? Yes
3.0
CHECK TW BEFORE READING THIS BOOK
FINALLY!
After a month of procrastinating this book, I’ve finally finished. To be honest, of 600 and a bit more pages only the last 100 were memorable. I like how Chaol and Nesryn’s stories get developed at the same pace and how neither are diminished to their gender. I also really enjoyed the development of the love interests and how they actually add to the story and aren’t boring side characters whose only function is to kiss our protagonists.
It’s cute, not good not bad.
A simple meh.
I hope it gets better.
FINALLY!
After a month of procrastinating this book, I’ve finally finished. To be honest, of 600 and a bit more pages only the last 100 were memorable. I like how Chaol and Nesryn’s stories get developed at the same pace and how neither are diminished to their gender. I also really enjoyed the development of the love interests and how they actually add to the story and aren’t boring side characters whose only function is to kiss our protagonists.
It’s cute, not good not bad.
A simple meh.
I hope it gets better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, and Grief