gregkontaxis's review
4.0
It's hard for me to write a review on this book. First of all, I need to warn the readers about one of the main characters of this story. Richter is a hateful character. He is a rapist and necrophiliac who I hated while I was reading the story. So, if you think that this would be too much for you, maybe this book isn't for you.
Besides the above, I liked Seline's story. She is a character that suffered a lot but we see her to try as much as she can to protect her loved ones. We also see her to explore motherhood and besides all the physical and emotional pain she has been through she is really lovable in some moments. Also, her PoV is complex and she is by far my favorite character in this book and in the series so far.
I also liked the pace of the book, the world building of its rough world and the epic battles. We also see many fights that include werewolves and I really enjoyed these scenes. Koussis's writing is smooth and I loved the prose in this tale. Also, the complexity of the characters was overall very good. Furthermore, the last chapters of the book were a total chaos that I really enjoyed!
I decided to cut one star because Richter was a really disturbed character for my taste. I love grimdark fantasy, but some thoughts and actions of him were too much for me. Having said that, I overall enjoyed the tale and I will definitely continue the series.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Besides the above, I liked Seline's story. She is a character that suffered a lot but we see her to try as much as she can to protect her loved ones. We also see her to explore motherhood and besides all the physical and emotional pain she has been through she is really lovable in some moments. Also, her PoV is complex and she is by far my favorite character in this book and in the series so far.
I also liked the pace of the book, the world building of its rough world and the epic battles. We also see many fights that include werewolves and I really enjoyed these scenes. Koussis's writing is smooth and I loved the prose in this tale. Also, the complexity of the characters was overall very good. Furthermore, the last chapters of the book were a total chaos that I really enjoyed!
I decided to cut one star because Richter was a really disturbed character for my taste. I love grimdark fantasy, but some thoughts and actions of him were too much for me. Having said that, I overall enjoyed the tale and I will definitely continue the series.
Thank you to the author for providing me with an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
bubblewombat's review
adventurous
dark
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
5.0
There are so few things these days that make me blink rapidly (because the extra blinks will surely confirm if I read what I think I read, makes perfect sense, I know) and go "what the hell" when reading, but rest assured, this book has several of those moments inside.
So yes, IT WAS DARK. Based on the first book I was expecting it, but then I opened this one and was like "oh...oH, OKAY", it does get darker my friends, it really does.
If you've read the first book, then you know that a character who I shall not name is no longer with us (they are in spirit!!), and in their stead we got...Richter.
And by the looks of things, aka the blurb for book three, he won't be leaving any time soon.
NOW, I have decided that I hate him, pretty much from that first moment he appeared on page, because how can you not??? I'd throw him into Tartarus myself, I swear.
And maybe he'd climb out of there, being the cockroach that he is, but it would take him a while AT LEAST.
By the end of the book he does one (1) good deed, but that's not enough to redeem him in my eyes. Do I care that he also suffered? No. Well, yes, but no. He could've been a decent shifter but nooooo, he decided to be the worst wolf that ever howled instead.
You know who he reminds me of? BERO FROM THE GREEN BONE SAGA!!! Except Bero is a saint by comparison.
Meanwhile Selene, she starts off pregnant and running a city full of wolves. Go Selene!!! She's basically their leader, they come to her for advice and all that good stuff. But, in this series good things rarely last.
She's struggling with being a mother, and specifically providing milk for her baby. This was a good angle to explore I think, but I'm also biased because my mother had the same problem when she gave birth to me (she did have milk though, but only a small amount that wasn't enough to feed me).
Then we have Kyrah who's back, back again, Kyrah's back, tell a friend (I had to, no I'm not sorry). And actually, whether she's back or you're seeing her for the first time depends on if you've read the prequel or not. If you haven't then you should go do that, because Kyrah's awesome (or should I say PAWsome).
She's definitely my fav, unbeatable at this point. WHAT CAN I SAY, I LOVE MY WOMEN TALL AND STRONG WITH A TASTE FOR BLOOD. MWAH.
Oh, last time I mentioned Slavic names right, so this time there was Radomir & Casimir and I also got a huge kick out of the Emperor being named Franz Josef (not Slavic, just funny). You know EXACTLY who I imagined.
Ok now let's talk about that ending...WHY WOULD YOU STOP THERE??? THAT'S SO CRUEL??? DO YOU THINK I HAVE ENOUGH TISSUES??? BECAUSE I DON'T.
Mr Koussis is NOT afraid to kill off his characters is all I'll say. I would tell you who, but if I suffered then so must you. I don't make the rules.
I am really looking forward to the absolute bloodbath that is yet to come. I hope all the gods pay AND that Richter goes down with them.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
So yes, IT WAS DARK. Based on the first book I was expecting it, but then I opened this one and was like "oh...oH, OKAY", it does get darker my friends, it really does.
If you've read the first book, then you know that a character who I shall not name is no longer with us (they are in spirit!!), and in their stead we got...Richter.
And by the looks of things, aka the blurb for book three, he won't be leaving any time soon.
NOW, I have decided that I hate him, pretty much from that first moment he appeared on page, because how can you not??? I'd throw him into Tartarus myself, I swear.
And maybe he'd climb out of there, being the cockroach that he is, but it would take him a while AT LEAST.
By the end of the book he does one (1) good deed, but that's not enough to redeem him in my eyes. Do I care that he also suffered? No. Well, yes, but no. He could've been a decent shifter but nooooo, he decided to be the worst wolf that ever howled instead.
You know who he reminds me of? BERO FROM THE GREEN BONE SAGA!!! Except Bero is a saint by comparison.
Meanwhile Selene, she starts off pregnant and running a city full of wolves. Go Selene!!! She's basically their leader, they come to her for advice and all that good stuff. But, in this series good things rarely last.
She's struggling with being a mother, and specifically providing milk for her baby. This was a good angle to explore I think, but I'm also biased because my mother had the same problem when she gave birth to me (she did have milk though, but only a small amount that wasn't enough to feed me).
Then we have Kyrah who's back, back again, Kyrah's back, tell a friend (I had to, no I'm not sorry). And actually, whether she's back or you're seeing her for the first time depends on if you've read the prequel or not. If you haven't then you should go do that, because Kyrah's awesome (or should I say PAWsome).
She's definitely my fav, unbeatable at this point. WHAT CAN I SAY, I LOVE MY WOMEN TALL AND STRONG WITH A TASTE FOR BLOOD. MWAH.
Oh, last time I mentioned Slavic names right, so this time there was Radomir & Casimir and I also got a huge kick out of the Emperor being named Franz Josef (not Slavic, just funny). You know EXACTLY who I imagined.
Ok now let's talk about that ending...WHY WOULD YOU STOP THERE??? THAT'S SO CRUEL??? DO YOU THINK I HAVE ENOUGH TISSUES??? BECAUSE I DON'T.
Mr Koussis is NOT afraid to kill off his characters is all I'll say. I would tell you who, but if I suffered then so must you. I don't make the rules.
I am really looking forward to the absolute bloodbath that is yet to come. I hope all the gods pay AND that Richter goes down with them.
*Thank you to the author for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review*
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