additionaddiction's review against another edition
3.0
The sequel to [b:That Which Should Not Be|11876043|That Which Should Not Be|Brett J. Talley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309323608l/11876043._SX50_.jpg|16833928]. This book followed (a much older) Carter Weston, his friend Henry Armitage, and Carter's (now adult) daughter Rachel.
While I generally still liked the IDEA of this book as well as the general plot, I didn't enjoy it as much as the original. While both books were sort of a series of smaller stories rolled up into a larger narrative, the first book seemed to pull it off while the second struggled. The different tales in [b:He Who Walks in Shadow|25329621|He Who Walks in Shadow|Brett J. Talley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1428614058l/25329621._SY75_.jpg|45064849], while describing related events, felt disjointed from a character-perspective and didn't have the same gravity as they did in the first book.
While [b:That Which Should Not Be|11876043|That Which Should Not Be|Brett J. Talley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309323608l/11876043._SX50_.jpg|16833928] was told (mostly) from the point-of-view of Carter, this book alternated between the journals/diaries of Carter, Rachel, Henry, and occasional a few others. Though I was fine with this writing style, it didn't feel like there was enough delineation between the "voices" of the main characters. I would often forget whose point-of-view I was being presented with, as there wasn't much difference in how each character spoke/thought/wrote.
This was my biggest disappointment with the book; the lack of separation between characters. Since I was already familiar with Carter and Henry from the first book, they didn't suffer from this blurriness too much. Unfortunately Rachel and later Margot, who were the only two female characters, just felt very generic and forgettable. I really wanted to like them much more than I did but I felt like they weren't well-written or well-realized.
It seems like there could be a third book in the series that would set Rachel as the main character. If so, I hope that she's developed better, with both more individuality and less "damsel"ing.
While I generally still liked the IDEA of this book as well as the general plot, I didn't enjoy it as much as the original. While both books were sort of a series of smaller stories rolled up into a larger narrative, the first book seemed to pull it off while the second struggled. The different tales in [b:He Who Walks in Shadow|25329621|He Who Walks in Shadow|Brett J. Talley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1428614058l/25329621._SY75_.jpg|45064849], while describing related events, felt disjointed from a character-perspective and didn't have the same gravity as they did in the first book.
While [b:That Which Should Not Be|11876043|That Which Should Not Be|Brett J. Talley|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1309323608l/11876043._SX50_.jpg|16833928] was told (mostly) from the point-of-view of Carter, this book alternated between the journals/diaries of Carter, Rachel, Henry, and occasional a few others. Though I was fine with this writing style, it didn't feel like there was enough delineation between the "voices" of the main characters. I would often forget whose point-of-view I was being presented with, as there wasn't much difference in how each character spoke/thought/wrote.
This was my biggest disappointment with the book; the lack of separation between characters. Since I was already familiar with Carter and Henry from the first book, they didn't suffer from this blurriness too much. Unfortunately Rachel and later Margot, who were the only two female characters, just felt very generic and forgettable. I really wanted to like them much more than I did but I felt like they weren't well-written or well-realized.
It seems like there could be a third book in the series that would set Rachel as the main character. If so, I hope that she's developed better, with both more individuality and less "damsel"ing.
archieoswin's review against another edition
4.0
An excellent novel with history and adventure! Though this is not my preferred genre of reading, having received this book from a GR giveaway, I am very satisfied with this book and its story! The style for which this book is written was actually quite pleasant, I'm not familiar with the journal entry/newsprint entry way of reading but it was actually much preferred in contrast to just arbitrarily flip flopping POVs. The lore and mythology in this had me entertained and hoping for graphics throughout, maybe of Carter and Henry's exploits, but nonetheless it was very lovely!
A thing I found inconsistent and also unnecessary was Rachel's romance in the book, I did like the jealousy exhibited by Margot and the small drama it afforded but it's kinda devaluing, especially with only the two female characters and neither of them getting on because of a man. All the characters felt sincere but again the women in this could have been better than just sacrificial plot devices.
A thing I found inconsistent and also unnecessary was Rachel's romance in the book, I did like the jealousy exhibited by Margot and the small drama it afforded but it's kinda devaluing, especially with only the two female characters and neither of them getting on because of a man. All the characters felt sincere but again the women in this could have been better than just sacrificial plot devices.
bloodinthesigil's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fantastic continuation of the last book! With characters that are so easy to care for and a story that keeps you driven to see the end. I hope to read more!
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