mackle13's review
3.0
3.5
This was a pretty good prequel to the first two Strangely Beautiful stories, though I definitely recommend reading it as a prequel because I think it might be hard to follow if you're not already familiar with the world and, also, because it's rather spoilery if you read it in chronological order.
It does develop the story a bit more, and it was interesting to see Percy as the goddess and the steps she took to prepare for the war. It was also cool to see more of Beatrice and Ibrahim, and to get a better grasp on why Beatrice was always so short with Percy - but I also didn't feel like it really developed them all that much.
The better parts were with Percy, I felt - at least until the middle when the Percy parts felt repetitive and belabored, and the parts of the former Cairo Guard actually became more interesting.
I felt for them, and the weird circumstances of their charge.
A nice addition to the story, kinda sweet and interesting in parts, but not one I would say is a "must read".
This was a pretty good prequel to the first two Strangely Beautiful stories, though I definitely recommend reading it as a prequel because I think it might be hard to follow if you're not already familiar with the world and, also, because it's rather spoilery if you read it in chronological order.
It does develop the story a bit more, and it was interesting to see Percy as the goddess and the steps she took to prepare for the war. It was also cool to see more of Beatrice and Ibrahim, and to get a better grasp on why Beatrice was always so short with Percy - but I also didn't feel like it really developed them all that much.
The better parts were with Percy, I felt - at least until the middle when the Percy parts felt repetitive and belabored, and the parts of the former Cairo Guard actually became more interesting.
I felt for them, and the weird circumstances of their charge.
A nice addition to the story, kinda sweet and interesting in parts, but not one I would say is a "must read".
vallevia's review
3.0
The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker - 5 Stars
The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker - 3.5 Stars
I'm giving this a 2.5. I really wanted to like the book more and it pains me to give such a low rating considering how much I loved the first book of the series. I just didn't see the point. It does not bring anything fresh or important to the main story and I found it just. so. repetitive. Sooo much time and so many pages are spent describing the same thing over and over with the Goddess and the Whisper World, and hardly any attention is placed on the the new cast of characters. Honestly, I think this book should have been a novella. The only thing I was really interested in finding out more about was Beatrice and Ibrahim's relationship, and the background story with the Cairo Guard. But even then, the characters from Beatrice's Guard group were basically the same as the Guard from books 1 and 2 (Beatrice = Rebecca, Ibrahim = Alexi, George = Elijah, Belle = Josephine, Verena = Percy, Ahmed = Michael). Sure, the relationships are somewhat different, but the characters are just copied templates from the previous cast. Not to mention that Beatrice and Ibrahim's relationship just does not make any sense and has no logical progression. I also had quite some issues with the Goddess and 14/15 year old Alexi's relationship...
All this to say, I am disappointed. I'm missing some of the slow-burn style romance from the first novel, and I honestly just wanted something new to happen. I'm looking forward to the final book of the series but I am keeping my expectations lower now.
The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker - 3.5 Stars
I'm giving this a 2.5. I really wanted to like the book more and it pains me to give such a low rating considering how much I loved the first book of the series. I just didn't see the point. It does not bring anything fresh or important to the main story and I found it just. so. repetitive. Sooo much time and so many pages are spent describing the same thing over and over with the Goddess and the Whisper World, and hardly any attention is placed on the the new cast of characters. Honestly, I think this book should have been a novella. The only thing I was really interested in finding out more about was Beatrice and Ibrahim's relationship, and the background story with the Cairo Guard. But even then, the characters from Beatrice's Guard group were basically the same as the Guard from books 1 and 2 (Beatrice = Rebecca, Ibrahim = Alexi, George = Elijah, Belle = Josephine, Verena = Percy, Ahmed = Michael). Sure, the relationships are somewhat different, but the characters are just copied templates from the previous cast. Not to mention that Beatrice and Ibrahim's relationship just does not make any sense and has no logical progression. I also had quite some issues with the Goddess and 14/15 year old Alexi's relationship...
All this to say, I am disappointed. I'm missing some of the slow-burn style romance from the first novel, and I honestly just wanted something new to happen. I'm looking forward to the final book of the series but I am keeping my expectations lower now.
rosetyper9's review
5.0
Ms. Hieber has done it again. This book is just as wonderful as the other two books this series, although this is sort of a prequel to the other books. You get to find out so many things in this book, so many questions are finally answered, and I know I am going to have to go back and re-read these books just so I can jump back into the world with this fresh new knowledge. Ok, I am going to try and keep the gushing to a minimum but you all know how I get about books I love.
First off this book is not wholey focused on The Guard we already know, this book lets us meet The Guard centered around Ibrahim and Beatrice (from the last book) which is super neat because we get to see a whole new world and whole new interation of The Guard, as well as learn to love these characters even more than we already do. We also get fun facts and learn new things about our old friends from London as well.
There are so many things answered and brought to light in this book, there is no way you can go without reading it if you are a fan of the series. I want to tell you all everything but then you wouldn't need to read it. Just expect some of your burning questions answered. This book also has a totally different flavor then the other book, which is fitting, in my mind. Definitely read it. Just go get it and read it, you won't regret it.
First off this book is not wholey focused on The Guard we already know, this book lets us meet The Guard centered around Ibrahim and Beatrice (from the last book) which is super neat because we get to see a whole new world and whole new interation of The Guard, as well as learn to love these characters even more than we already do. We also get fun facts and learn new things about our old friends from London as well.
There are so many things answered and brought to light in this book, there is no way you can go without reading it if you are a fan of the series. I want to tell you all everything but then you wouldn't need to read it. Just expect some of your burning questions answered. This book also has a totally different flavor then the other book, which is fitting, in my mind. Definitely read it. Just go get it and read it, you won't regret it.
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