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youvebeenfloored's review against another edition
3.0
man I hate morkai. i just want cora and teryn to be happy
divya_reader's review against another edition
5.0
This was such an entertaining and thrilling ride! The story starts off where the previous book left off and moves at a great pace. The book sees Cora face some realities and make some new allies. Prince Teryn's role was nicely done as we get a glimpse into the past history of the evil Duke Morkai and who he really was. A thoroughly entertaining fantasy story filled with magic and magical creatures! I received a free copy of the book and this is my voluntary and honest review.
ash2434's review
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
kreela's review against another edition
5.0
“Your brother will be allowed to resume his place as King of Khero, but his council, staff, and military will be selected by me. All positions will be filled by men from Selay”
Held as a hostage, Cora finally discovered what the King of Selay had decided: Dimetrius’s reputation was in shambles, and king Verdian decided to have a puppet regime rather than outright conquering the other kingdom. Well, ain’t that special.
But Teryn’s, Cora’s, Larylis’s, and Mareleau’s fates were twisted in an emotional, plot twisted meeting that left Larylis a slave to his fate, Mareleau’s reputation shattered, and Cora and Teryn in roles they didn’t expect.
What we forgot from book 1 is that Morkai, the evil sorceror, left his tools of the trade behind. Those tools were not benign. Cora was carrying his jewel, yet she could never remember to dispell it. The library was barred like Pandora’s box, and opening it caused an outpooring of blood and tears. I don’t think I will ever look at tears the same.
The king of Selay’s men and Cora’s brother met behind closed doors, excluding the women, but Cora didn’t let that deter her. Her desperate desire to destroy the entire collection of sorcery led to long days of work, while Mereleau discovered that one night of passion had consequences. There is a prophecy about a mother and daughter…. But also about a woman who had the blood of witches, elves, and faeryn. Which woman was fortold?
Morkai was dead, but necromancy has a way of reviving the dead. And Teryn unfortunately, became Morkai’s new project.
The characters:
=============
Continuing from book 1, “Throne of Shadows,” each person became more detailed and interesting. I wanted to push Mareleau several times to start taking control of her own fate! I admired Larylis for his reluctant leadership. Cora was the person I wanted to be when I grew up (LOL). Teryn remained the moral hero.
It’s a fantasy, but a fantasy using knowledge of historic elements. The prose is rich with detail on the scenery. If you like a tighter prose focused on the action, this is not for you. The writing reminds me of Patricia McKillip’s novels or Kay L. Moody’s writing, but with a slow buildup of doom and gloom before the finale.
The Romance:
=================
“Teryn opened and closed his hands, his fingers desperate to reach for hers.” Very victorian in approach.
"Their hearts met. Their bodies tangled" Oh. How beautifully not described!
Held as a hostage, Cora finally discovered what the King of Selay had decided: Dimetrius’s reputation was in shambles, and king Verdian decided to have a puppet regime rather than outright conquering the other kingdom. Well, ain’t that special.
But Teryn’s, Cora’s, Larylis’s, and Mareleau’s fates were twisted in an emotional, plot twisted meeting that left Larylis a slave to his fate, Mareleau’s reputation shattered, and Cora and Teryn in roles they didn’t expect.
What we forgot from book 1 is that Morkai, the evil sorceror, left his tools of the trade behind. Those tools were not benign. Cora was carrying his jewel, yet she could never remember to dispell it. The library was barred like Pandora’s box, and opening it caused an outpooring of blood and tears. I don’t think I will ever look at tears the same.
The king of Selay’s men and Cora’s brother met behind closed doors, excluding the women, but Cora didn’t let that deter her. Her desperate desire to destroy the entire collection of sorcery led to long days of work, while Mereleau discovered that one night of passion had consequences. There is a prophecy about a mother and daughter…. But also about a woman who had the blood of witches, elves, and faeryn. Which woman was fortold?
Morkai was dead, but necromancy has a way of reviving the dead. And Teryn unfortunately, became Morkai’s new project.
The characters:
=============
Continuing from book 1, “Throne of Shadows,” each person became more detailed and interesting. I wanted to push Mareleau several times to start taking control of her own fate! I admired Larylis for his reluctant leadership. Cora was the person I wanted to be when I grew up (LOL). Teryn remained the moral hero.
It’s a fantasy, but a fantasy using knowledge of historic elements. The prose is rich with detail on the scenery. If you like a tighter prose focused on the action, this is not for you. The writing reminds me of Patricia McKillip’s novels or Kay L. Moody’s writing, but with a slow buildup of doom and gloom before the finale.
The Romance:
=================
“Teryn opened and closed his hands, his fingers desperate to reach for hers.” Very victorian in approach.
"Their hearts met. Their bodies tangled" Oh. How beautifully not described!
booksidhe's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
bookedmybook's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
haileyreadsalot's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
slow-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? No
5.0
brii_brii's review against another edition
2.0
I really had a hard time getting into this book. I loved book 1. It was full of action, political intrigue, and unicorns! Different rulers from different kingdoms, amazing. This one? Ugh.
I don't want to marry him, I want to marry his brother! I'm a princess, but not a *typical* princess, I don't want to have a ladies' maid! This book is all so petty and boring. I patiently waited for it to get to the thick of it, but I got so soooo tired of talks of marriage and pretend pregnancies. It all seemed so menial and boring and useless compared to everything we were up against in the first book.
I don't want to marry him, I want to marry his brother! I'm a princess, but not a *typical* princess, I don't want to have a ladies' maid! This book is all so petty and boring. I patiently waited for it to get to the thick of it, but I got so soooo tired of talks of marriage and pretend pregnancies. It all seemed so menial and boring and useless compared to everything we were up against in the first book.
mariepm's review
4.5
I have had a pretty mediocre month so this was a welcome experience. And the half star comes purely from my relief of getting out of that slump!
At first, I was apprehensive about the new POV because I wasn’t a fan of the character, but I did see the value of having her POV throughout the story.
I find the story to be very engaging and mostly, it makes sense. There are no irritations with the characters and there is good progression for both the characters and the story.
The romance is turning out to be the heart-wrenching kind and I hope it will be of the epic kind as well.
Probably won’t wait long before I start the last book.
At first, I was apprehensive about the new POV because I wasn’t a fan of the character, but I did see the value of having her POV throughout the story.
I find the story to be very engaging and mostly, it makes sense. There are no irritations with the characters and there is good progression for both the characters and the story.
The romance is turning out to be the heart-wrenching kind and I hope it will be of the epic kind as well.
Probably won’t wait long before I start the last book.