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vail484mro's review against another edition
3.0
This is a review of the entire series (though the 3 stars only apply to Our Dark Duet).
If you don't have time to read the whole review, just read this: IF YOU WANT A SERIES TO READ, GO READ THE SHADES OF MAGIC TRILOGY (also by VE Schwab). AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY READ THE SHADES OF MAGIC TRILOGY (in which I applaud you for your taste) THEN DON'T READ THIS ONE BECAUSE YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED.
If you consider "this character developed and this one didn't" as a spoiler, then don't read the rest of this review. I don't consider it one- I consider it a valid reason to read or not read a book- so I'm not covering it up.
Here's what I liked about the series:
The premise is SUPER interesting. Like, oh-my-gosh, this is so cool, and the world is really interesting and the monsters are too (especially August's kind).
August is SUCH a good character!!! He develops a lot and is really complex and just so straight-up badass too. 10/10 would die for August. Ugh I just love him.
Here's what I DIDN'T like about the series:
While the premise is cool, it's not well developed. There are a lot of plot holes (like how no world-building rules apply to August and Kate??? for reasons unexplained???) and generally the book seems a bit unfinished.
While August is *chef's kiss*, Kate is just your average I-hate-everybody YA female protagonist, and it's not a good look. She DOES change, but not in a way that makes you interested in her, and not in a way that's particularly important. She starts angry at everything and she ends angry at everything (might I just mention, the whole thing going on with her in book 2 makes this problem SO much worse than it had to be. It keeps her in this state of unrelatable anger).
People are saying it's creepy... it's not...? The characters are never TRULY afraid of the monsters- or at least it doesn't seem that way- and as a result, the reader isn't.
I didn't really care about the main conflict between the monsters and the humans because we never see the conflict from the point of view of those who are really affected by it. August and Kate both come from positions of privilege because they are the children of the two leaders of the city, so they never experience the true atrocity of what is going on- and therefore, I simply could not bring myself to care. The common folk who are most affected by what is going on are never given a voice, so I was never emotionally attached to their cause. Personally, I need to have an insider view of the fear, and although there are scenes where the main characters are hunted, I never felt like they were in danger because of that aforementioned privilege.
I don't consider myself a very harsh grader in terms of what I read, but I really was disappointed by this series- which, I'll admit, is partially because I read the Shades of Magic trilogy and consider it to be top 3 best series I've ever read, so yes, my expectations were high.
On the bright side, it was at least entertaining!! So yeah, might as well read it, I guess.
Overall, I would add this series to your to-read list if you aren't bothered by a one-dimensional angry blonde lead character, but I wouldn't buy it to keep on your shelf. On the other hand... GO READ THE SHADES OF MAGIC TRILOGYYYYYY
If you don't have time to read the whole review, just read this: IF YOU WANT A SERIES TO READ, GO READ THE SHADES OF MAGIC TRILOGY (also by VE Schwab). AND IF YOU'VE ALREADY READ THE SHADES OF MAGIC TRILOGY (in which I applaud you for your taste) THEN DON'T READ THIS ONE BECAUSE YOU WILL BE DISAPPOINTED.
If you consider "this character developed and this one didn't" as a spoiler, then don't read the rest of this review. I don't consider it one- I consider it a valid reason to read or not read a book- so I'm not covering it up.
Here's what I liked about the series:
The premise is SUPER interesting. Like, oh-my-gosh, this is so cool, and the world is really interesting and the monsters are too (especially August's kind).
August is SUCH a good character!!! He develops a lot and is really complex and just so straight-up badass too. 10/10 would die for August. Ugh I just love him.
Here's what I DIDN'T like about the series:
While the premise is cool, it's not well developed. There are a lot of plot holes (like how no world-building rules apply to August and Kate??? for reasons unexplained???) and generally the book seems a bit unfinished.
While August is *chef's kiss*, Kate is just your average I-hate-everybody YA female protagonist, and it's not a good look. She DOES change, but not in a way that makes you interested in her, and not in a way that's particularly important. She starts angry at everything and she ends angry at everything (might I just mention, the whole thing going on with her in book 2 makes this problem SO much worse than it had to be. It keeps her in this state of unrelatable anger).
People are saying it's creepy... it's not...? The characters are never TRULY afraid of the monsters- or at least it doesn't seem that way- and as a result, the reader isn't.
I didn't really care about the main conflict between the monsters and the humans because we never see the conflict from the point of view of those who are really affected by it. August and Kate both come from positions of privilege because they are the children of the two leaders of the city, so they never experience the true atrocity of what is going on- and therefore, I simply could not bring myself to care. The common folk who are most affected by what is going on are never given a voice, so I was never emotionally attached to their cause. Personally, I need to have an insider view of the fear, and although there are scenes where the main characters are hunted, I never felt like they were in danger because of that aforementioned privilege.
I don't consider myself a very harsh grader in terms of what I read, but I really was disappointed by this series- which, I'll admit, is partially because I read the Shades of Magic trilogy and consider it to be top 3 best series I've ever read, so yes, my expectations were high.
On the bright side, it was at least entertaining!! So yeah, might as well read it, I guess.
Overall, I would add this series to your to-read list if you aren't bothered by a one-dimensional angry blonde lead character, but I wouldn't buy it to keep on your shelf. On the other hand... GO READ THE SHADES OF MAGIC TRILOGYYYYYY
hangngt_'s review against another edition
4.0
I finished this book around 11:11.
Now I’m just here sobbing.
To be honest, I thought this book was going to be 3 stars (like the last, although This Savage Song I gave it a 3.5 stars). It was very slow and not much happen. Like I am invested in the characters but I don’t feel connected with them if it make sense.
But the characters really grew on me. Not so much. Until toward the end. Kate is amazing! In the first book, I really didn’t like her. I know she’s supposed to be an unlikeable character but the character development is so amazing. She really turn into a different person but still says true to herself. Same as August. But I’m really glad that he turn back to his normal kind self.
Can we also talk about Ilsa even without her voice she is able to be kick but and strong. She helps so much and she is so sweet, so kind. I adore her. She’s amazing. It tore me apart when she die.
Now.... the ending.... water works. The ending kills me. But somehow it really match with the story. The meaning inside this novel is also very meaningful.
The first half is very slow, a 3 stars. But the second half was definitely amazing and maybe a 5 stars. I was going to gave this a 5 stars rating but the beginning (like 400 pages of this book) was just too slow.
Now I’m just here sobbing.
To be honest, I thought this book was going to be 3 stars (like the last, although This Savage Song I gave it a 3.5 stars). It was very slow and not much happen. Like I am invested in the characters but I don’t feel connected with them if it make sense.
But the characters really grew on me. Not so much. Until toward the end. Kate is amazing! In the first book, I really didn’t like her. I know she’s supposed to be an unlikeable character but the character development is so amazing. She really turn into a different person but still says true to herself. Same as August. But I’m really glad that he turn back to his normal kind self.
Can we also talk about Ilsa even without her voice she is able to be kick but and strong. She helps so much and she is so sweet, so kind. I adore her. She’s amazing. It tore me apart when she die.
Now.... the ending.... water works. The ending kills me. But somehow it really match with the story. The meaning inside this novel is also very meaningful.
The first half is very slow, a 3 stars. But the second half was definitely amazing and maybe a 5 stars. I was going to gave this a 5 stars rating but the beginning (like 400 pages of this book) was just too slow.
mozbolt's review against another edition
4.0
This one was a little slow the first halfish, but the next 2/3rds were crazy. I can't even with that ending though... how do I live my life? I'm so conflicted with all these emotions about these characters and i just love how Victoria Schwab writes in a way that sends a greater message. I almost wish there were a third book, but at the same time, this is a fitting conclusion.
shaebug's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
rivrwalkr's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
5.0
Beautiful and tragic. This book broke my heart a million different ways.
laurenelopez's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-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? Yes
3.5
emya06's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Why V.E. Schwab?! Why?
So usually I would have given this book also a 4/5 but because Kate apperently had to die literally on the last page I deducted a whole star because what the fuck. I just genuinely don't get for what she had to die. (Mean take but she should have killed Colin instead) Otherwise I liked the book, but am in general a bit dissapointed because I thought I would like this series more, but there just were a few things missing for me to really love it. (Explanation of what the Phenomenon was, further information about what they are doing now, the whole ending was just too short for me, the whole thing with the kissing and reaping (would have loved a bit more romance in general), Riley and the Wardens,...) So yeah would say it's worth a read (if you ignore the ending) but I will not be rereading it.
So usually I would have given this book also a 4/5 but because Kate apperently had to die literally on the last page I deducted a whole star because what the fuck. I just genuinely don't get for what she had to die. (Mean take but she should have killed Colin instead) Otherwise I liked the book, but am in general a bit dissapointed because I thought I would like this series more, but there just were a few things missing for me to really love it. (Explanation of what the Phenomenon was, further information about what they are doing now, the whole ending was just too short for me, the whole thing with the kissing and reaping (would have loved a bit more romance in general), Riley and the Wardens,...) So yeah would say it's worth a read (if you ignore the ending) but I will not be rereading it.