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wolfism's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
5.0
Wow, look at that. If the third book doesn’t mess it all up, I’ll have a favorite trilogy. I’m not saying it’s peak literature, it just specifically appeals to me. Very much so. Lots of tropes I love. Like, I’m not sure it would make sense to recommend this to my friends.
I love being on this adventure, it has a perfect mix of light-heartedness and darkness without being hopeless. I find the characters intriguing if not all likable, and I find them nuanced. None of the POV characters were a chore to follow. Even if I don't like them all, it wasn't boring and definitely worthwhile. I guess it always helps when the chapters are on the shorter side. There were teeny tiny bits that I could have done without, but in the grand scheme of things, they are inconsequential and merely nit-picky (like I still don't care for the term "thought-cage" lol). Clearly, none of it ruined my overall experience. I'm very much looking forward to The Fury of the Gods.
I love being on this adventure, it has a perfect mix of light-heartedness and darkness without being hopeless. I find the characters intriguing if not all likable, and I find them nuanced. None of the POV characters were a chore to follow. Even if I don't like them all, it wasn't boring and definitely worthwhile. I guess it always helps when the chapters are on the shorter side. There were teeny tiny bits that I could have done without, but in the grand scheme of things, they are inconsequential and merely nit-picky (like I still don't care for the term "thought-cage" lol). Clearly, none of it ruined my overall experience. I'm very much looking forward to The Fury of the Gods.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Slavery, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Trafficking, Kidnapping, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Grief
sinaprst's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-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
If I do not find Orka alive and well in the third book I will riot! That is a promise!
recommended reading ambience: https://youtu.be/yTgNmVOIifI?si=8LOiTm2aVuT_d8TR
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Torture, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Slavery
Minor: Rape and Sexual content
i_write_on_occasion's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I enjoyed this much more than the first one. Although it still somewhat struggles with the issue of there being many characters with little differentiation, it's not as bad as it was in the first one
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, and Violence
Moderate: Sexual content, Slavery, and Torture
Minor: Domestic abuse and Sexual assault
xta_07's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A stunning sequel for an incredible series.
I LOVE this series so far, it has it all: Incredible fight scenes, a weaving of an intricate plot, and heartfelt relationships. I was really glad to get a few more perspectives this time. Especially from the "villains" of this story. That was truly interesting and entertaining. One of the reasons why I liked those perspectives so much was that you get to see the "hero's" in a light that is not so flattering. Especially with Elvar, but I do hope that she comes to the realization that it's not someones ancestry or the blood that flows through somebody's veins that makes up their character, but it's the decisions that they make.
This makes me hungry to read more John Gwynne!
I LOVE this series so far, it has it all: Incredible fight scenes, a weaving of an intricate plot, and heartfelt relationships. I was really glad to get a few more perspectives this time. Especially from the "villains" of this story. That was truly interesting and entertaining. One of the reasons why I liked those perspectives so much was that you get to see the "hero's" in a light that is not so flattering. Especially with Elvar, but I do hope that she comes to the realization that it's not someones ancestry or the blood that flows through somebody's veins that makes up their character, but it's the decisions that they make.
This makes me hungry to read more John Gwynne!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Gore and Slavery
Minor: Sexual content
lenakathryn's review
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Torture, Violence, Trafficking, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual content and War
josiah17's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Reread 10/12/24
Not quite 5 stars worthy on a second read (partially affected by my own slump, poor reading environment, and also depends on how Fury of the Gods is), but it's still a great book and good sequel. The ending is so explosive and heart-racing. And reading that cliffhanger again...😭. The setup for the final book is so crazy and I'm so hyped to read it. It's almost here!
------
Original review:
5 ⭐
This book took everything great about the first book, and somehow improved it to make an even more captivating story.
The plot for all our POV characters were entirely engaging, the action felt potentially slightly more vivid, and the scale of the story is expanding in an epic fashion. I loved everything about this book, and I cannot wait for the final book. I also can't wait to hopefully read the rest of Gwynne's works next year. He's already an all-time favorite author. Great stuff.
Not quite 5 stars worthy on a second read (partially affected by my own slump, poor reading environment, and also depends on how Fury of the Gods is), but it's still a great book and good sequel. The ending is so explosive and heart-racing. And reading that cliffhanger again...😭. The setup for the final book is so crazy and I'm so hyped to read it. It's almost here!
------
Original review:
5 ⭐
This book took everything great about the first book, and somehow improved it to make an even more captivating story.
The plot for all our POV characters were entirely engaging, the action felt potentially slightly more vivid, and the scale of the story is expanding in an epic fashion. I loved everything about this book, and I cannot wait for the final book. I also can't wait to hopefully read the rest of Gwynne's works next year. He's already an all-time favorite author. Great stuff.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Torture
Minor: Sexual content
pvbobrien's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Cursing, Slavery, Torture, Vomit, Kidnapping, Murder, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Body horror, Domestic abuse, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Excrement, Grief, and Death of parent
readchelsearead's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore
Moderate: Sexual content
adancewithbooks's review
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway. Because I was a little late I also bought a finished copy and read that along
Last year The Shadow of the Gods was one of my favorite reads and I'm fairly certain that The Hunger of the Gods will be at the top of my list for this year as well. It is a banger.
We move on fairly directly after the previous book with Elvar who has to deal with the aftermath of the rise of Lik-Rifa. The killing of her chief has left an immense gap in the band of mercenararies the Battle-Grim while the oath they gave to Ursa on finding her son might kill her. Orka in the mean time has met the Bloodsworn though as long as she does not have her son, she cannot find peace in any reuniting. Se has to journey on to find Breca. Varg in the mean time is finally finding his true place amongst the Bloodsworn.
Like I said above, it is a banger. Resurrecting Gods, chaining Gods to one self, Gods that have been in hiding popping in. It is not just the hunger of Lik-Rifa the title refers to though hers is the most obvious. And there are so many factions moving through each other and so many people wanting revenge that it is quite an intricate plot.
When it comes to our three main characters I think that Varg gets the least amount of growth in this installment. I think that is because the Bloodsworn are still more to the side of the whole epic battle in comparison to Orka and Elvar. He still is allowed to get somewhat comfortable and bind himself to the Bloodsworn, something you really see him doing. Orka and Elvar have a lot more god crap to deal with. Orka might me completely focused on getting her son back but we all know she has her heart in the right place. Elvar is idealistic in a way, despite the kind of father she had. Young, and the Battle-Grim are inspired by that. You can see it in the way they follow her.
We also follow two more characters this book. Bjorn, the traitor of the Battle-Grim and Elvars former lover, is our look into the following of Lik-Rifa. We get a better idea of why Bjorn did what he did in book 1. I'm not all of a sudden super sympathetic towards him but it does draw him away from just Bjorn the traitor. And then there is Gudvarr, the nephew to Jarl Sigrun and killer of the brother of Lif (the boy who travels with Orka). He gives us an insight into one of the big cities that has a link to Lik-Rifa. I hate Gudvarr but it was good to see some of the political scheming going on.
But most of all I loved the interactions between characters. Orka and Lif. Orka and the Bloodsworn. Orka and Elvar. Orka, Spert and Vesli. Elvar and her Battle-Grim. The Battle-Grim and Bloodsworn. The Bloodsworn and Battle-Grim with just their own. The jesting. The feelings. The learning. A lot of books can fall and stand with its characters and the relationships that are created, and I feel like this book continues doing that outstandingly.
Last year The Shadow of the Gods was one of my favorite reads and I'm fairly certain that The Hunger of the Gods will be at the top of my list for this year as well. It is a banger.
We move on fairly directly after the previous book with Elvar who has to deal with the aftermath of the rise of Lik-Rifa. The killing of her chief has left an immense gap in the band of mercenararies the Battle-Grim while the oath they gave to Ursa on finding her son might kill her. Orka in the mean time has met the Bloodsworn though as long as she does not have her son, she cannot find peace in any reuniting. Se has to journey on to find Breca. Varg in the mean time is finally finding his true place amongst the Bloodsworn.
Like I said above, it is a banger. Resurrecting Gods, chaining Gods to one self, Gods that have been in hiding popping in. It is not just the hunger of Lik-Rifa the title refers to though hers is the most obvious. And there are so many factions moving through each other and so many people wanting revenge that it is quite an intricate plot.
When it comes to our three main characters I think that Varg gets the least amount of growth in this installment. I think that is because the Bloodsworn are still more to the side of the whole epic battle in comparison to Orka and Elvar. He still is allowed to get somewhat comfortable and bind himself to the Bloodsworn, something you really see him doing. Orka and Elvar have a lot more god crap to deal with. Orka might me completely focused on getting her son back but we all know she has her heart in the right place. Elvar is idealistic in a way, despite the kind of father she had. Young, and the Battle-Grim are inspired by that. You can see it in the way they follow her.
We also follow two more characters this book. Bjorn, the traitor of the Battle-Grim and Elvars former lover, is our look into the following of Lik-Rifa. We get a better idea of why Bjorn did what he did in book 1. I'm not all of a sudden super sympathetic towards him but it does draw him away from just Bjorn the traitor. And then there is Gudvarr, the nephew to Jarl Sigrun and killer of the brother of Lif (the boy who travels with Orka). He gives us an insight into one of the big cities that has a link to Lik-Rifa. I hate Gudvarr but it was good to see some of the political scheming going on.
But most of all I loved the interactions between characters. Orka and Lif. Orka and the Bloodsworn. Orka and Elvar. Orka, Spert and Vesli. Elvar and her Battle-Grim. The Battle-Grim and Bloodsworn. The Bloodsworn and Battle-Grim with just their own. The jesting. The feelings. The learning. A lot of books can fall and stand with its characters and the relationships that are created, and I feel like this book continues doing that outstandingly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Slavery, and Torture
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, and Sexual content
darkefyres's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Grief, Death of parent, and War
Minor: Confinement and Sexual content