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xlpurple18's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Despite the controversy over this book, it was so well done and well written. The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars is because if you’re expecting Sid and Nirrim to have a lot of quality time together, that is not what you’re going to get, and it’s really disappointing. I read to the end because I had no idea how everything would’ve been tied together, but I’ll admit I was hoping to see more of Sid and Nirrim. believe the last couple of chapters where Sid saves Nirrim and Nirrim surrenders her ruthless cause would have made a great third book. It would have been amazing and much better to get a third book exploring where Norris goes from here, and how her and Sid’s love evolves and grows, then been given insight to Nirrim’s psychological recovery after all of the damage she caused. That said, it was tied together beautifully, although it felt rushed and felt like we didn’t get the rich end of the story. Marie Rutkoski did a beautiful job of depicting Nirrim’s ruthless self while not overloading her POV, and giving us more time with Sid, whose character development in this book is phenomenal as she navigates the complicated relationship of parent and child, and of her relationship with herself. Both kinds of love, love between parent and child and love of self, are so hard to put into words, but Marie Rutkoski did it beautifully, in a way that we all see ourselves in somehow. It’s difficult to write such a complicated, multi-layered narrative, but she did that beautifully. Despite the book feeling like it was rushed at the end—and we could have used more of Sid and Nirrim’s growing and loving relationship, and Nirrim’s recovery—it was still written beautifully.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Mental illness
sandy_21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Blood, Gaslighting, and War
Minor: Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, and Death of parent
bo0's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Gun violence, Violence, and Blood
hue's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
My heart is swelling!
I must admit I was afraid at first to find out the sequel was written in first person rather than third like the Midnight Lie, but I was pleasantly surprised. The dwelve into both Sid and Nirrim's thoughts and turmoils—as well as the storytelling of the God of Lies—was absolutely marvelous. Sure, sometimes it felt as if there was no "true" plot to follow, but I did not mind one bit about it. The characters and their stories, the threads that weave their lives—it was rich and fantastical, full of grief and love and desperation. I cannot find the words to describe it any better. I could stay in this world for all of entirety!
I must admit I was afraid at first to find out the sequel was written in first person rather than third like the Midnight Lie, but I was pleasantly surprised. The dwelve into both Sid and Nirrim's thoughts and turmoils—as well as the storytelling of the God of Lies—was absolutely marvelous. Sure, sometimes it felt as if there was no "true" plot to follow, but I did not mind one bit about it. The characters and their stories, the threads that weave their lives—it was rich and fantastical, full of grief and love and desperation. I cannot find the words to describe it any better. I could stay in this world for all of entirety!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and War
laurawil's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Blood
strawberrytheauthor's review
I did not care about the characters anymore and honestly I didn’t care to see how the story got resolved. Also I have now learned there was a trilogy before this called the Winners Trilogy I think.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Genocide, Gore, Homophobia, Violence, Blood, Murder, Lesbophobia, Fire/Fire injury, War, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
mahitdzmare's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kinda underwhelming compared to the midnight lie. I didn’t really care Sid’s plot with her kingdom especially with how it’s connected to the author’s other books, which I haven’t read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, Blood, and Murder
claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, and War
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gore, Gun violence, Sexual content, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Classism
caidyn's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.5
Wow, this was an explosive conclusion to this series. It's very different from the first book, something that took me a bit to adjust to. Multiple perspectives and a very different, more violent, tone. But am excellent read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Sexism
cagneynicole18's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
okay here we go...
the first 2/3 or the book dragged to me which was deviating because I loved the first book, but finishing the book was worth it. I do wish that she made the ending much longer and kept writing. I do feel like the author got tired of the book at some point and rushed the rest. I loved finding out Nirrim's origin that was incredible to me. Honestly, I wish we got three books instead of two I'm sad it's over.
the first 2/3 or the book dragged to me which was deviating because I loved the first book, but finishing the book was worth it. I do wish that she made the ending much longer and kept writing. I do feel like the author got tired of the book at some point and rushed the rest. I loved finding out Nirrim's origin that was incredible to me. Honestly, I wish we got three books instead of two I'm sad it's over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Homophobia, Lesbophobia, and War