kayreereads's review against another edition
5.0
Wow!
I absolutely love this series! The storyline is deep, the characters are enchanting, and I wish it would never end. I'm excited to see what the next book has in store!
I absolutely love this series! The storyline is deep, the characters are enchanting, and I wish it would never end. I'm excited to see what the next book has in store!
hailee_watson7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
thinde's review against another edition
3.0
Despite the high quality of the writing, I'm losing interest. I think the author's focus on realistic complexity and human motivations has served to undermine the plot's driving force. It is not helped that the central human enemy remains faceless... just a name behind the scenes.
I like the fog of unknowns that surrounds the protagonist. I am also enjoying the variety found in the magic system, and how those aspects play out at an individual level. I'll probably return to this series after a little break.
I like the fog of unknowns that surrounds the protagonist. I am also enjoying the variety found in the magic system, and how those aspects play out at an individual level. I'll probably return to this series after a little break.
rachel_abby_reads's review against another edition
3.0
3 1/2 stars. I didn't like this one quite as well as the first, but I liked it enough to go to the next.
Owen Kiskaddon learns that things don't always go as we would wish.
My favorite quote: If your leader demands your loyalty, give them your integrity. If a leader demands your integrity, give them your loyalty.
Owen Kiskaddon learns that things don't always go as we would wish.
My favorite quote: If your leader demands your loyalty, give them your integrity. If a leader demands your integrity, give them your loyalty.
jennderqueer's review against another edition
4.0
Young Owen had a rough time in this book and I was sorry it ended the way it did. But there was really no help for it. Now I look forward to the next installment.
emmap2023's review against another edition
3.0
This book continues the stories of both Owen and Evie and picks up in their later teenage years. Owen has managed to secure his place firmly with King Severn as one of his trusted adviser's and this book follows his first battle and the introduction to his diplomatic career within the setting of the world.
His introduction and later friendship with the new Kings Poisoner, introduces him to someone with an undeveloped or identified Fountain blessed skill which is very clever and utilised to its best advantage.
It does somewhat have the curse of a second book in a trilogy in that the first half of the book after the battle is slow and drawn out, partially in description which drew me away to faster paced books for a while. However, the second half drew me straight back in based again around the events of Richard III and the two boys in the tower it draws on these events to put a spin on the plot and introduces Eyric a usurper to the King with a valid claim on the thrown as he was thought to have been dead.
This instigates a change in direction for Owen and the identification of his destiny to protect the future king. A story set to continue in The Kings Traitor.
It appears on Amazon that there may now be a fourth book in this series so it will no longer be a trilogy.
His introduction and later friendship with the new Kings Poisoner, introduces him to someone with an undeveloped or identified Fountain blessed skill which is very clever and utilised to its best advantage.
It does somewhat have the curse of a second book in a trilogy in that the first half of the book after the battle is slow and drawn out, partially in description which drew me away to faster paced books for a while. However, the second half drew me straight back in based again around the events of Richard III and the two boys in the tower it draws on these events to put a spin on the plot and introduces Eyric a usurper to the King with a valid claim on the thrown as he was thought to have been dead.
This instigates a change in direction for Owen and the identification of his destiny to protect the future king. A story set to continue in The Kings Traitor.
It appears on Amazon that there may now be a fourth book in this series so it will no longer be a trilogy.
coolhand773's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
booksandpops4000's review against another edition
4.0
I really did love this read. I loved how to this book built on the world but also expanded the magic system in this read. I also really loved how owen grew in this book. I became so emotionally invested in both own and evie realtionship. I also loved the new characters that we meet and how the world was built. It was super fun read with a nice balance between the war elements that i don't always love and the politices that I adored. The end of this book was such a hard read for ship but I am really excited for book 3.
wanderlustlover's review against another edition
4.0
Spring 2018, audiobook:
I follow the Goodreads deals of the day and finally could not pass it up when I saw that all six books in this series were on sale for one day at $1.99 a piece. I snatched up the whole set, praying I wasn't making a terrible mistake, and, thankfully, I definitely was not. I'm going to end up reviewing the trilogies as wholes as I've just been moving through them so quickly.
Book One - I loved baby Owen, and the prisoner, and the slow reveal on this being a King Arthur tale. I love the quotes between the sections, and how long it takes to meet the person speaking in all of them. I love the tiny playmates and how much they both get along, don't, and inspire who each other will become.
Book Two - A leap, but an understandable one at least. The straining-to-be love story we knew was coming has arrived, but I am confused because we are now steadfastly loyal to the king after undoing his ruses last time. I did love the reveal of all of Owen's actual powers. I thought the ending, and Evie's conversation about why she had to go was incredibly contrived compared to any of her earlier scenes.
Book - ...especially when Evie's first scene in this book is everything the other one wasn't. Which was a large problem I had in this book. Evie seemed very much not Evie anymore. Which I say while deeply loving The Lady of the Fountain (/Lake), and Owen's second love story. The reveal of the board, and the will or won't it happen takedown of the king winding gyre story is so intense.
I follow the Goodreads deals of the day and finally could not pass it up when I saw that all six books in this series were on sale for one day at $1.99 a piece. I snatched up the whole set, praying I wasn't making a terrible mistake, and, thankfully, I definitely was not. I'm going to end up reviewing the trilogies as wholes as I've just been moving through them so quickly.
Book One - I loved baby Owen, and the prisoner, and the slow reveal on this being a King Arthur tale. I love the quotes between the sections, and how long it takes to meet the person speaking in all of them. I love the tiny playmates and how much they both get along, don't, and inspire who each other will become.
Book Two - A leap, but an understandable one at least. The straining-to-be love story we knew was coming has arrived, but I am confused because we are now steadfastly loyal to the king after undoing his ruses last time. I did love the reveal of all of Owen's actual powers. I thought the ending, and Evie's conversation about why she had to go was incredibly contrived compared to any of her earlier scenes.
Book - ...especially when Evie's first scene in this book is everything the other one wasn't. Which was a large problem I had in this book. Evie seemed very much not Evie anymore. Which I say while deeply loving The Lady of the Fountain (/Lake), and Owen's second love story. The reveal of the board, and the will or won't it happen takedown of the king winding gyre story is so intense.
conifrancese's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
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? No
3.75