alyram4's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 stars
I personally loved [b:The Beautiful|42265183|The Beautiful (The Beautiful, #1)|Renée Ahdieh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1547578763l/42265183._SY75_.jpg|65881999], so I was so excited for this book to come out. After reading it, I just have a few complaints.
1) Too many POVs. - Some POVs didn't add very much to the plot, and I felt like skipping over them most of the time.
2) Slow. - The first book was a slow-burn as well, but this one was just dragging. The first book's pacing didn't bother me at all, but this one really grinded my gears. I noticed that I didn't get into it until well over a third of the way in.
3) Exposition Dumps. - Renee is clearly trying to expand her world and branching out to other supernatural creatures, but the way it was done was just boring to me. It stops the entire book whenever it happens, and one of the huge reveals almost seemed to come out of nowhere to me.
The complaints I had were quite negative, but I still ended up liking this book. As mentioned earlier, it took me a while to really get a feel for it. I want to say that it took about half the book for me to become invested. I am still looking forward to the sequel, but I won't be as hyped for it as I was this one.
I personally loved [b:The Beautiful|42265183|The Beautiful (The Beautiful, #1)|Renée Ahdieh|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1547578763l/42265183._SY75_.jpg|65881999], so I was so excited for this book to come out. After reading it, I just have a few complaints.
1) Too many POVs. - Some POVs didn't add very much to the plot, and I felt like skipping over them most of the time.
2) Slow. - The first book was a slow-burn as well, but this one was just dragging. The first book's pacing didn't bother me at all, but this one really grinded my gears. I noticed that I didn't get into it until well over a third of the way in.
3) Exposition Dumps. - Renee is clearly trying to expand her world and branching out to other supernatural creatures, but the way it was done was just boring to me. It stops the entire book whenever it happens, and one of the huge reveals almost seemed to come out of nowhere to me.
The complaints I had were quite negative, but I still ended up liking this book. As mentioned earlier, it took me a while to really get a feel for it. I want to say that it took about half the book for me to become invested. I am still looking forward to the sequel, but I won't be as hyped for it as I was this one.
emiann2023's review against another edition
4.0
There was a LOT going on in this book. And while it was nice to get some answers to questions I had from the first book, I felt like there were a lot of tropes in this book that were a little too on the nose.
rosemercury04's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
4.0
I love the lush atmosphere of this series! I really feel like I'm right there with the characters in New Orleans, watching everything, deep in the underworld, seeing all the wonderful sights and colors and tasting it all. I think we could almost go without the paranormal element. New Orleans alone feels like the only thing we need.
By the way, I thought this was supposed to be a duology, but this book ended with a whole lot of loose ends. More to us! Way to go, Ahdieh!
ahyggelibrary's review against another edition
4.0
Very atmospheric! I have always found it compelling when Vampires grabble with morality and religion like how Odette does in the Damned and Mathew in ADOW. I had to get used to the changing povs, but once I was in the mood for it, Sebastian and Celine's story was pretty interesting.
_butfirstbooks's review against another edition
4.0
A bewitching sequel to the first that is the complete opposite of the first. While The Beautiful was a a deliciously dark murder mystery set in the 1800s of New Orleans, The Damned took that world and expanded it to be something much more.
Welcome to the world of supernatural beings of werewolves, vampires, fae, dwarves and more. This is where you will see the Originals and Vampire Diaries like world with “turf wars” and a play at power.
The romance was spot on and the plot was tightly woven through the many multiple POVs. More death, more betrayal, more plot twists, more stakes that lead to bargains and promises made.
I couldn’t finish this book fast enough.
Welcome to the world of supernatural beings of werewolves, vampires, fae, dwarves and more. This is where you will see the Originals and Vampire Diaries like world with “turf wars” and a play at power.
The romance was spot on and the plot was tightly woven through the many multiple POVs. More death, more betrayal, more plot twists, more stakes that lead to bargains and promises made.
I couldn’t finish this book fast enough.
thesempiternalreader's review against another edition
4.0
Pretty enjoyable but the overall vibe was very different from the first book. This one felt like a more typical fantasy whereas the first book reminded me of The Originals. And also, Celine got very few scenes that her character felt bland in this one. Sébastien was very whiny and I felt that there was no main purpose in this book.
skconaghan's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
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
3.5
An improvement on the first instalment, gaining ground with slightly matured characters and an increasingly complex plot.
Part 2 in a 4-part story that pulls together all aspects of fantasy and the darkest corners of fairytales, with honourable vampires, vengeful werewolves, aloof and mischievous faeries, and even a few daft goblins and thickheaded dwarves.
We cross between worlds, uncover hidden truths, and face inner-darknesses. All very interesting. And of course, there’s a love-triangle lingering on the fringes, albeit a weakly established one. There’s never any doubt who will win out.
Several of the secondary characters (Arjun & Pippa) show promising intrigue for the next portions of the story…
Though not a remarkable standout, it’s one for the genre that treads the middle line for quality. Entertaining overall, with bouts of predictability and satisfaction in the romance and fantasy departments, and fortunately easy to read at a fast pace to the finish.