the_sassy_bookworm's review against another edition
2.0
⭐⭐
I just couldn't get into this one. I kept putting it down in favor of other books. I haven't read the first book, so maybe that was the issue, and that is on me, not the book.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
I just couldn't get into this one. I kept putting it down in favor of other books. I haven't read the first book, so maybe that was the issue, and that is on me, not the book.
**ARC Via NetGalley**
jackiepreston's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, Murder, Violence, Animal death, Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: War and Sexual content
jbmarie's review
2.0
Listening through Audible... I was so excited for this book! I just finished the first book (again!) when I happened to check in on the progress of this one and found it would finally be out in mere days!! Sadly, though... Disappointing thus far... I'm up to Chapter 8, and while the writing is well done (as expected), I have found a major flaw.
SPOILERS!
Nora is a petulant brat. In the few short chapters we spend catching up on her life since returning home, we find that she's talking to her ex who she let's degrade her accomplishments and degrade her personal experiences (where is the Nora who managed the ice demon?). And then thought casually debasing herself by sleeping with him was a good idea all because he got a hard on for her while he clearly thought she'd just had a traumatic experience (enough to need to fictionalize them as a coping mechanism).
Then, she finally gets back to the other world (after another traumatizing experience) and immediately sleeps with Aruendiel. Personally, I'm a huge fan of the slow burn (which is why I wanted there to be continued tension in this book). But to throw them together so quickly... It felt rushed. But whatever. They're desperate for each other and can't hold back their attraction any longer! Fine.... But what a waste.
And by far, the most disappointing part, she has a wild night of passion with the man she admired for over a year and longed for the entire month she was away... enough to risk her safety and the loss of her family for.... Only to complain that he has a limp and that his head bobbles a bit?!? What... she never noticed the limp before?? And compare him to her ex! Oh jeez.
I got as far as her whining about giving up her useless English Lit degree in exchange for *magic* and *the love of her life who challenges her in both good and bad ways to be both smart and self-possessed, not to mention would die for her (or did he rush off to kill Alyssa alone for someone else??)*.
Ugh... I will update this if I can stand her long enough to continue. Perhaps in chapter 17 she'll grow up (something I would have thought was accomplished by suffering through myriad events of book 1... Go figure) or who knows... it could be spell? But would that explain her behavior in her world?
SPOILERS!
Nora is a petulant brat. In the few short chapters we spend catching up on her life since returning home, we find that she's talking to her ex who she let's degrade her accomplishments and degrade her personal experiences (where is the Nora who managed the ice demon?). And then thought casually debasing herself by sleeping with him was a good idea all because he got a hard on for her while he clearly thought she'd just had a traumatic experience (enough to need to fictionalize them as a coping mechanism).
Then, she finally gets back to the other world (after another traumatizing experience) and immediately sleeps with Aruendiel. Personally, I'm a huge fan of the slow burn (which is why I wanted there to be continued tension in this book). But to throw them together so quickly... It felt rushed. But whatever. They're desperate for each other and can't hold back their attraction any longer! Fine.... But what a waste.
And by far, the most disappointing part, she has a wild night of passion with the man she admired for over a year and longed for the entire month she was away... enough to risk her safety and the loss of her family for.... Only to complain that he has a limp and that his head bobbles a bit?!? What... she never noticed the limp before?? And compare him to her ex! Oh jeez.
I got as far as her whining about giving up her useless English Lit degree in exchange for *magic* and *the love of her life who challenges her in both good and bad ways to be both smart and self-possessed, not to mention would die for her (or did he rush off to kill Alyssa alone for someone else??)*.
Ugh... I will update this if I can stand her long enough to continue. Perhaps in chapter 17 she'll grow up (something I would have thought was accomplished by suffering through myriad events of book 1... Go figure) or who knows... it could be spell? But would that explain her behavior in her world?
moody_gobling's review against another edition
3.0
This book took me on a roller coaster of emotions. Upon reflections, there are a few things I appreciate in Barker's writing: the fact that she doesn't shy away from violence, her approach to romance, and an overriding pragmatism. The matter-of-fact tone that is Nora's lens sets the pace for the book. As sequels go, this one held up, and wasn't disappointing. If there is another book, I'll happily read it.
elizafiedler's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sapeiffer's review against another edition
adventurous
relaxing
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? No
3.5
titusfortner's review
3.0
This book was a let-down. I was so excited for it, and it was missing a lot of the charm I found in the first book. The fight seemed arbitrary, the two Big Bads from book one were... Is she a goddess? Is she not a goddess? What does Aruendiel know about all of it and why and how? It felt contrived, our protagonist seems to lack any agency that she possessed in the first book. I really wanted to like this and was so frustrated. Can't bring myself to give it 2 stars, though, so rounding up to 3.