Reviews

A Cage of Crystal by Tessonja Odette

brii_brii's review against another edition

Go to review page

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. 

mariepm's review

Go to review page

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.

aerialthief's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional sad tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

got_ron's review

Go to review page

adventurous challenging inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

hannahbbolton's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

great character development

Not gonna like mareleau was annnnnoying as all get out at the beginning of this book lol. 10/10 was not a fan of her, but the character development in this story is top notch. Can’t wait for the next book.

emmatarpey's review against another edition

Go to review page

medium-paced

3.75

explore_with_memi's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

shelbyfayy's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark emotional reflective tense fast-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

4.0

Even more fun, exciting sequel to an already good book! This time around, the world feels bigger, the magic feels a little more concrete, and the stakes feel way higher. I was a bit bummed the villain is recycled, but it sort of made sense in the context, so I couldn’t be too mad at it.

I’ll be honest, in the beginning of this one, I was worried. I thought I might have to DNF because my all-time most hated trope, the misunderstanding/miscommunication nonsense, was in full force. Then it was cleared up with good communication—only to come back in another issue. And then be cleared up again. I was about ready to throw the book out the window. Let the characters just talk for gods sake!! But luckily, after the first probably 30%, this horrendous trope never resurfaces. This is most of the reason why this book is 4 stars and not 4.5. Far too much miscommunication shenanigans and I’m simply not here for it. 

Teryn and Cora also spend the vast majority of the book apart. First while Teryn recovers from his injuries after the first book for months, then when he’s trapped inside the crystal. I personally don’t mind separation of main love interests too much, but especially in this book, because it gave me more time to focus on Mareleau and Larylis, and gave raise to a certain horrible conclusion I’ve drawn and hope I’m wrong. I have a gross feeling that the prophecy doesn’t even mean Cora, and that all she’s been through has been for nothing. Please let this just be one of my waaaaay-off conclusions. 

Anyway, it was definitely a fun read. Here’s hoping to a bit more romance-focus in the next one. 

ewagner78's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

I truly was not prepared for this book. I was happy to see more of some of the characters we got to meet in book one. It was well paced and Tessonja managed to wrap up some storylines while creating the opportunity for so many more. I only wish we’d gotten to see more of the Forest People but I hope to see them in book 3!

mlea1d's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious 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? No

4.0