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paigebars's review against another edition
4.0
How many times is the author going to separate Ash and Piper? It's happened at least twice per book and now a cliffhanger separation?
Noooo
Noooo
blurrypetals's review against another edition
5.0
This fun train isn't stopping, no fuckin' way dude.
This book was a lot breezier than the last two, still not as good as the first book, but better than book two for sure. It seems like Annette Marie embraced the weirder parts of the subject matter and it made the fun factor somehow get better than it already was.
I was a bit worried that reading these as quickly as I have been might make my initial lack of favor for Ash grow into bitterness, but I'm very, very happy to report that this book only served to endear me more to him. I still prefer Lyre, mostly because I just prefer the cuter, more snarky dudes in these things, but I'm more than okay with his and Piper's super cute flirty, mostly-platonic relationship, too.
There isn't a whole lot else to say other than I really love these books and I'm still really enjoying myself. The early birthday present keeps on giving, even as it takes my Audible credits. Onward!
This book was a lot breezier than the last two, still not as good as the first book, but better than book two for sure. It seems like Annette Marie embraced the weirder parts of the subject matter and it made the fun factor somehow get better than it already was.
I was a bit worried that reading these as quickly as I have been might make my initial lack of favor for Ash grow into bitterness, but I'm very, very happy to report that this book only served to endear me more to him. I still prefer Lyre, mostly because I just prefer the cuter, more snarky dudes in these things, but I'm more than okay with his and Piper's super cute flirty, mostly-platonic relationship, too.
There isn't a whole lot else to say other than I really love these books and I'm still really enjoying myself. The early birthday present keeps on giving, even as it takes my Audible credits. Onward!
sabrena's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-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? Yes
5.0
magikspells's review against another edition
4.0
Overall pretty fun adventure. I'm excited to see what happens next with Piper.
jessdone's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great addition to the Steel & Stone series but it peaks, giving us some of the best moments of the series, but also starts the down hill descent of the books.
Ash and Lyre are back to help Piper with her newest mess, and for a brief moment we enjoy a reunion where we expect to see the same dynamic and companionship shown in the first two books. But things have altered since then. Something never fully explored is wrong with Ash. Is he permanently damaged from his torture, has the use of the Sahar compromised him forever, has the distance from Piper undone him, is there some other magical explanation? We don't know, we never know and later books take what was set up to be a main theme and never explore it.
We also get a closer look at Lyre, and it's neither satisfying or insightful. He's no longer the fun reasonable-ish counter part, but morphs into a more angsty character who somehow manages to feel both under and over utilized in this book.
Piper herself is losing ground in her personal growth structure. That strong determined heroine who knew herself and knew what she wanted is fading--disappearing before the reader's eyes. I missed her tenacity and I didn't appreciate the budding doubt that sets up her retraveling the same story arch I just read.
Seiya as a character is unwelcome on every level. What she "brings" to the story isn't good. The whole book she feels like an out of place addition with nothing really to do but continue to manufacture unnecessary annoying conflict. I would have preferred more interactions with Mysis and a deeper evaluation with whatever is wrong with Ash instead of this weak third story element.
For all the weaknesses the book still has moments of glory. I enjoyed the quest for Piper to gain magic and I see how her "leveling up" is the next part of her story arc. I liked how her family issues are portrayed and I enjoyed her interactions with the Sahar and the overworked daemons. It just looks to me like the writer lost focus on what should be driving the plot and added a lot of unnecessary and unwelcome elements that really hurt the last two books.
Ash and Lyre are back to help Piper with her newest mess, and for a brief moment we enjoy a reunion where we expect to see the same dynamic and companionship shown in the first two books. But things have altered since then. Something never fully explored is wrong with Ash. Is he permanently damaged from his torture, has the use of the Sahar compromised him forever, has the distance from Piper undone him, is there some other magical explanation? We don't know, we never know and later books take what was set up to be a main theme and never explore it.
We also get a closer look at Lyre, and it's neither satisfying or insightful. He's no longer the fun reasonable-ish counter part, but morphs into a more angsty character who somehow manages to feel both under and over utilized in this book.
Piper herself is losing ground in her personal growth structure. That strong determined heroine who knew herself and knew what she wanted is fading--disappearing before the reader's eyes. I missed her tenacity and I didn't appreciate the budding doubt that sets up her retraveling the same story arch I just read.
Seiya as a character is unwelcome on every level. What she "brings" to the story isn't good. The whole book she feels like an out of place addition with nothing really to do but continue to manufacture unnecessary annoying conflict. I would have preferred more interactions with Mysis and a deeper evaluation with whatever is wrong with Ash instead of this weak third story element.
For all the weaknesses the book still has moments of glory. I enjoyed the quest for Piper to gain magic and I see how her "leveling up" is the next part of her story arc. I liked how her family issues are portrayed and I enjoyed her interactions with the Sahar and the overworked daemons. It just looks to me like the writer lost focus on what should be driving the plot and added a lot of unnecessary and unwelcome elements that really hurt the last two books.
rlstrayer1's review against another edition
5.0
5 stars
Yeah so I had about 80 mini strokes with this one.
I can't believe I haven't read these books before now. THEY ARE SO GOOD DBSHEIDJDNSHEKFNSNDKD
-------------
must
stay
awake
must
keep
reading
Yeah so I had about 80 mini strokes with this one.
I can't believe I haven't read these books before now. THEY ARE SO GOOD DBSHEIDJDNSHEKFNSNDKD
-------------
must
stay
awake
must
keep
reading
annettesbookbanter's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Things are getting interesting now!
This series has taken a little while to reel me in but this book definitely stepped it up a notch. I listened to the audiobook and the narrater is the same as the previous ones and does a good job. The book is quite fast-paced with a fair amount of action. There was further world building, as you get to learn more about the over-world this time and there is some further character development however it is still mainly focused on the FMC. Her growth has been good though. In the first book I found her a bit irritating but I am liking her more and more as the series goes on. My favourite characters are still Lyre and Ash.
The magic system is quite cool and you get to learn even more about it in this book with some further secrets uncovered which were really interesting and I particularly enjoyed one of the twists. There is a little more romance in this book and I am enjoying the dynamics between Ash and Piper. The fact that there are so many different kinds of deamons in this world is quite cool as well. This storyline focuses a lot on Piper's magic and heritage, but also still incorporates the ongoing conflicts with Gaians and the over-world deamon prince.
If you are looking for a good urban fantasy with deamons and a bit of a dystopian vibe then give this one a go.
This series has taken a little while to reel me in but this book definitely stepped it up a notch. I listened to the audiobook and the narrater is the same as the previous ones and does a good job. The book is quite fast-paced with a fair amount of action. There was further world building, as you get to learn more about the over-world this time and there is some further character development however it is still mainly focused on the FMC. Her growth has been good though. In the first book I found her a bit irritating but I am liking her more and more as the series goes on. My favourite characters are still Lyre and Ash.
The magic system is quite cool and you get to learn even more about it in this book with some further secrets uncovered which were really interesting and I particularly enjoyed one of the twists. There is a little more romance in this book and I am enjoying the dynamics between Ash and Piper. The fact that there are so many different kinds of deamons in this world is quite cool as well. This storyline focuses a lot on Piper's magic and heritage, but also still incorporates the ongoing conflicts with Gaians and the over-world deamon prince.
If you are looking for a good urban fantasy with deamons and a bit of a dystopian vibe then give this one a go.
alikatson's review against another edition
4.0
This was my favorite so far. Though...