cmackenzie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
julietbridges's review against another edition
4.0
This series is great if you’re in an ACOTAR rut and want something similar. It’s a quick, easy read!
I loved the beautiful descriptions of Emilia’s clothes and the lushness of her rooms, the demonberry wine sounds amazing, and the training montages were entertaining.
I feel like the relationship with Emilia and Wrath isn’t terribly deep, though, and while I enjoy the pining and angst and twisty emotions, it kind of just feels like their horny and lonely more than anything else. Maybe they’re supposed to just be “drawn to each other” for some ulterior motive.
I predicted the twist in this book way back in book 1. And I think some scenes with Fauna must have been cut because she’s supposed to be friends with Emilia but we see her so little that their friendship feels like a plot device.
This book also has one of my biggest pet peeves and that is historical characters (late 18th century I think?) saying things like yeah.
Anyway I realize that this review sounds less than stellar, but I do like the series. It just feels like it’s trying too hard.
I loved the beautiful descriptions of Emilia’s clothes and the lushness of her rooms, the demonberry wine sounds amazing, and the training montages were entertaining.
I feel like the relationship with Emilia and Wrath isn’t terribly deep, though, and while I enjoy the pining and angst and twisty emotions, it kind of just feels like their horny and lonely more than anything else. Maybe they’re supposed to just be “drawn to each other” for some ulterior motive.
I predicted the twist in this book way back in book 1. And I think some scenes with Fauna must have been cut because she’s supposed to be friends with Emilia but we see her so little that their friendship feels like a plot device.
This book also has one of my biggest pet peeves and that is historical characters (late 18th century I think?) saying things like yeah.
Anyway I realize that this review sounds less than stellar, but I do like the series. It just feels like it’s trying too hard.
booksta_adventure's review against another edition
5.0
After a bit of a slog through the first installment, this installment was great from the get go! And now I’m super excited for the final book, and eagerly anticipating it!
jade001's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
ivshadowsbooks's review
5.0
Четох я бавно, но не достатъчно. Ще чакам трета с голямо нетърпение. Обратите бяха повече от интригуващи. Не очаквах някои от тях и определено нямам търпение да разбера какво още е замислила авторката.
"Втората книга от трилогията „Kingdom of the Wicked” се оказа още по-добра от първата. Мистерията полека започна да се разплита. Намерих отговори на много от въпросите си, но възникнаха толкова нови. В главата ми се блъскаха всякакви теории и предположения."
Цялото ревю в блога - https://ivshadowsbooks.wordpress.com/2022/11/15/kingdom-of-the-cursed/
"Втората книга от трилогията „Kingdom of the Wicked” се оказа още по-добра от първата. Мистерията полека започна да се разплита. Намерих отговори на много от въпросите си, но възникнаха толкова нови. В главата ми се блъскаха всякакви теории и предположения."
Цялото ревю в блога - https://ivshadowsbooks.wordpress.com/2022/11/15/kingdom-of-the-cursed/
unhappyabby's review against another edition
4.0
First book was great and somehow this was even better.
shesgotstories's review against another edition
2.0
"Why is it whenever a man throws a tantrum a woman is blamed for his poor behavior?
I wanted to enjoy this book so bad, especially since the first book in the series was so promising and featured a gothic murder mystery with demons and witches. Unfortunately, I was let down.
There was absolutely no plot in this book and I don't know how it has such high reviews when it did a complete 180 on the first book. Emilia's character was promising in the first book, especially when considering how she was going to have to grow into herself and her new witchy identity. In this book, she was annoying, thought she was doing all this scheming and solving the puzzle (news flash, she wasn't), and her entire focus shifted on poorly seducing Wrath while still hating him. I felt like her character did not grow and simply went backward. While she decided to play dress-up and awful seductress (who kept going on about how she would sell her soul to anyone with total disregard for anything), we get a glimpse into the world of the Wicked. While the descriptions sounded cool enough and the fashion odd yet interesting, I just couldn't get into the book and was ready for it to end.
While I'm a sucker for Wrath and his dangerous edge, he kept preaching about his respect for Emilia's choice and consent while simultaneously putting her in questionable situations and it was a little bit off-putting. All of the twists were visible from a mile away and the spice was not as appealing as everyone had acted like it would be.
Overall, the series started out strong with lots of promise, but this book contributed very little to the overall plot and weakened the characters and their impact. I will be reading the third book, but I cannot imagine how it can salvage the mess that is this book.
I wanted to enjoy this book so bad, especially since the first book in the series was so promising and featured a gothic murder mystery with demons and witches. Unfortunately, I was let down.
There was absolutely no plot in this book and I don't know how it has such high reviews when it did a complete 180 on the first book. Emilia's character was promising in the first book, especially when considering how she was going to have to grow into herself and her new witchy identity. In this book, she was annoying, thought she was doing all this scheming and solving the puzzle (news flash, she wasn't), and her entire focus shifted on poorly seducing Wrath while still hating him. I felt like her character did not grow and simply went backward. While she decided to play dress-up and awful seductress (who kept going on about how she would sell her soul to anyone with total disregard for anything), we get a glimpse into the world of the Wicked. While the descriptions sounded cool enough and the fashion odd yet interesting, I just couldn't get into the book and was ready for it to end.
While I'm a sucker for Wrath and his dangerous edge, he kept preaching about his respect for Emilia's choice and consent while simultaneously putting her in questionable situations and it was a little bit off-putting. All of the twists were visible from a mile away and the spice was not as appealing as everyone had acted like it would be.
Overall, the series started out strong with lots of promise, but this book contributed very little to the overall plot and weakened the characters and their impact. I will be reading the third book, but I cannot imagine how it can salvage the mess that is this book.