maleesha's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
This remains a very gripping story. I will admit that I missed Rat, Cari, and Spar at first. But I quickly got over it. The new povs were pretty cool. The last 200 pages got everything rolling and it didn't stop until the end.
luanagomes's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.75
melluvsbooks's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
wordsofclover's review
adventurous
dark
tense
slow-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? It's complicated
3.75
silkemaria's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
nadinee24's review
4.0
3.5 Stars
The Shadow Saint picks up a few months after the events of The Gutter Prayer as the city of Guerdon gets back on track.
The Shadow Saint opens up the world where The Gutter Prayer did not while introducing two new characters that take centre stage. Where The Gutter Prayer focused almost solely on the city of Guerdon, The Shadow Saint introduces many different countries with their own cultures and beliefs. Despite this incredible world building, it feels shoehorned in, as there’s little to no set up for it in the previous novel.
With the introduction of new characters, I was disappointed that the cast of characters from the previous novel were not the focal point in the sequel. I was especially disappointed about Cari’s lack of screen time. What happened to her at the end of The Gutter Prayer and where and what she’s doing in The Shadow Saint was incredibly interesting. Every time we got to spend a little time with her, it was never enough making the next chapter a slog to read.
The Shadow Saint features a lot more politics. These moments are interesting and slow in the best ways. Readers get to simmer in the political machinations of the city. However, these moments are seen through the eyes of Eladora who is far from my favourite character.
As previously mentioned, The Shadow Saint expands on the world building exponentially by introducing dragons and kraken. Unfortunately, it feels out of place. I won’t say more because of spoilers.
Finally, The Shadow Saint almost feels like a rethread of the previous novel: something happens to the city, they overcome it; the city goes back to rebuilding itself. In terms of plot movement, we’re almost at the same place as at the end of The Gutter Prayer.
Will I be reading the third novel? Right now, I’m not sure. I really like the concept of this world, but The Shadow Saint brought the story in a completely different direction that I didn’t always appreciate while reading.
The Shadow Saint picks up a few months after the events of The Gutter Prayer as the city of Guerdon gets back on track.
The Shadow Saint opens up the world where The Gutter Prayer did not while introducing two new characters that take centre stage. Where The Gutter Prayer focused almost solely on the city of Guerdon, The Shadow Saint introduces many different countries with their own cultures and beliefs. Despite this incredible world building, it feels shoehorned in, as there’s little to no set up for it in the previous novel.
With the introduction of new characters, I was disappointed that the cast of characters from the previous novel were not the focal point in the sequel. I was especially disappointed about Cari’s lack of screen time. What happened to her at the end of The Gutter Prayer and where and what she’s doing in The Shadow Saint was incredibly interesting. Every time we got to spend a little time with her, it was never enough making the next chapter a slog to read.
The Shadow Saint features a lot more politics. These moments are interesting and slow in the best ways. Readers get to simmer in the political machinations of the city. However, these moments are seen through the eyes of Eladora who is far from my favourite character.
As previously mentioned, The Shadow Saint expands on the world building exponentially by introducing dragons and kraken. Unfortunately, it feels out of place. I won’t say more because of spoilers.
Finally, The Shadow Saint almost feels like a rethread of the previous novel: something happens to the city, they overcome it; the city goes back to rebuilding itself. In terms of plot movement, we’re almost at the same place as at the end of The Gutter Prayer.
Will I be reading the third novel? Right now, I’m not sure. I really like the concept of this world, but The Shadow Saint brought the story in a completely different direction that I didn’t always appreciate while reading.
bottle67's review
5.0
An excellent follow up to book 1. The strength of the Gutter Prayer, the setting and world building returns and is enhanced by some new POVs. The new POV's expand the understanding of the world outside Guerdon.