laura_keoski's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This second book in the series was steeped in a long period of grief and uncertainty for the main characters, and unfortunately I read it at a time when I didn’t have a lot of bandwidth for those emotions. I didn’t devour it the way I did the first book, but still think it’s an excellent story and look forward to the next book!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, War, and Violence
Moderate: Religious bigotry and Kidnapping
bbsbooks's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The second instalment of Kate Mosse's Burning Chambers series is exciting, informative and utterly heartbreaking.
I was excited to read this after enjoying the first book and had high hopes. I loved the sense of adventure conveyed through the main character, Minou, in the first book and was ready for more.
This story starts 10 years after the first and it felt more mature, as if we were growing older with the characters. It was a bit slow to start as it reintroduced us to the characters along with some new faces and gave us information from the first book which I sometimes found unnecessary but may be helpful if you haven't read the whole series.
We follow the characters through the next 20 years and see them go from French nobility to a working class family in Amsterdam. Mosse accurately portrays a family who's lives are greatly affected by war. Death and loss seems to follow them but their love keeps them strong.
Some parts of this book seemed to drag, especially the first part of their time in Amsterdam. However, the last 100 pages were thrilling and reminded me more of the first book. Some people may argue there were too many coincidences towards the end but I didn't mind this.
Overall, Mosse has turned this era of French history into an interesting and compelling series and created characters you will root for and cry over. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical drama and adventure and I look forward to the third instalment.
I was excited to read this after enjoying the first book and had high hopes. I loved the sense of adventure conveyed through the main character, Minou, in the first book and was ready for more.
This story starts 10 years after the first and it felt more mature, as if we were growing older with the characters. It was a bit slow to start as it reintroduced us to the characters along with some new faces and gave us information from the first book which I sometimes found unnecessary but may be helpful if you haven't read the whole series.
We follow the characters through the next 20 years and see them go from French nobility to a working class family in Amsterdam. Mosse accurately portrays a family who's lives are greatly affected by war. Death and loss seems to follow them but their love keeps them strong.
Some parts of this book seemed to drag, especially the first part of their time in Amsterdam. However, the last 100 pages were thrilling and reminded me more of the first book. Some people may argue there were too many coincidences towards the end but I didn't mind this.
Overall, Mosse has turned this era of French history into an interesting and compelling series and created characters you will root for and cry over. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys historical drama and adventure and I look forward to the third instalment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
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