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fromjuliereads's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-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
I really liked this sequel! The first book is definitely my favourite so far. The party was split for way too long for my liking. But I really like the characters and that we got additional POVs. And the story itself is well done! There were a couple twists I didn't see coming. And one twist that felt a little too obvious. I'm looking forward to the finale!
Also there was a reference - Easter egg really - for fans of New Girl and it made me so happy! I heard there is one in the last book too so I'm excited to find it too!
Also there was a reference - Easter egg really - for fans of New Girl and it made me so happy! I heard there is one in the last book too so I'm excited to find it too!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexual content
kaelynbyers's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
When Declan is taken by rival ship to retrieve an enchanted dagger, the crew of the Siren's Song follows behind in hopes to save their friend from the deadly siren that hold the dagger. But beneath the physical challenge of getting their friend back, the crew also deals with betrayal and love, navigating the unknown to try and repair relationships that they thought they had lost.
---------------------------------------------------------
I have a lot of really wonderful things to say about this book, so I will say as many of them as I can.
1. This world is so well written.
Each and every new element that you are introduced to flows seamlessly into the elements that you were already familiar with. I have yet to find an aspect of this world that has caused me to stop and question the intentions of the author. Rasanen has such an amazing grasp on what she created and that is refreshing when it comes to the fantasy genre.
2. The characters fit together like a puzzle.
Book one seemed like some of the characters didn't fit as well as I wanted them to, but book two did nothing but smooth out those rough edges and now I am obsessed with how well the characters were written. They complement each other so well, and as the books progress you continue to reveal a new depth to the characters that makes them such an addicting team, amazing chemistry between all of the characters, and their personalities work so well together.
3. The slow burn in this book is UNDESCRIBABLE.
I don't know how Rasanen does it, but this slow burn is both infuriating and tolerable. I have read slow burns where I have been tempted to throw by book across the room and quit reading because of the tension that I can no longer handle. But with this book, I find the slow burn to be done in a way that has found a balance. It is slow, don't get me wrong, and it is torture at times, but I can tell that the burn is going to be worth the wait.
4. The distance between Aoife and Declan is well written.
I have seen people complaining about the fact that the two main characters, and the two who are dealing with their feelings for each other, are separated for a majority of the book. With Declan and Aoife falling out at the end of book one and Declan quickly being taken in book two, this does leave them alone for most of this book, but I think the space was necessary. For either of them to rush back to each other and ignore the concerns they both have would have been really hard to deal with. But in being apart for the whole book, you got to see both of them processing their part in the hurts they both experienced, the actions they plan on taking when it comes to being reunited, and then we do get to see that reunion, as chaotic and short as it is. The characters needed the space to come to their own conclusions concerning their relationship and in giving them that space Rasanen set herself up very well for book three!!
---------------------------------------------------------
I have a lot of really wonderful things to say about this book, so I will say as many of them as I can.
1. This world is so well written.
Each and every new element that you are introduced to flows seamlessly into the elements that you were already familiar with. I have yet to find an aspect of this world that has caused me to stop and question the intentions of the author. Rasanen has such an amazing grasp on what she created and that is refreshing when it comes to the fantasy genre.
2. The characters fit together like a puzzle.
Book one seemed like some of the characters didn't fit as well as I wanted them to, but book two did nothing but smooth out those rough edges and now I am obsessed with how well the characters were written. They complement each other so well, and as the books progress you continue to reveal a new depth to the characters that makes them such an addicting team, amazing chemistry between all of the characters, and their personalities work so well together.
3. The slow burn in this book is UNDESCRIBABLE.
I don't know how Rasanen does it, but this slow burn is both infuriating and tolerable. I have read slow burns where I have been tempted to throw by book across the room and quit reading because of the tension that I can no longer handle. But with this book, I find the slow burn to be done in a way that has found a balance. It is slow, don't get me wrong, and it is torture at times, but I can tell that the burn is going to be worth the wait.
4. The distance between Aoife and Declan is well written.
I have seen people complaining about the fact that the two main characters, and the two who are dealing with their feelings for each other, are separated for a majority of the book. With Declan and Aoife falling out at the end of book one and Declan quickly being taken in book two, this does leave them alone for most of this book, but I think the space was necessary. For either of them to rush back to each other and ignore the concerns they both have would have been really hard to deal with. But in being apart for the whole book, you got to see both of them processing their part in the hurts they both experienced, the actions they plan on taking when it comes to being reunited, and then we do get to see that reunion, as chaotic and short as it is. The characters needed the space to come to their own conclusions concerning their relationship and in giving them that space Rasanen set herself up very well for book three!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Violence, and Grief
booksalacarte's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? No
4.5
From These Dark Depths- 4.5⭐️ 3🌶️ (off page scene)
A desperate pirate crew. An abducted captain. Can they save him before he faces the bloodthirsty sirens or will other dangers of the sea claim them first?
The crew of the Siren's Song race to catch up with the ruthless pirate who has captured their captain. But a sudden storm forces them to choose a perilous route. Desperate to save their captain and retrieve the enchanted dagger, the crew argues over how to survive the waters and what lies beneath.
Declan finds himself in the hands of a cruel and ambitious pirate with no desire to listen to reason or the truth. With no chance to escape, he must buy his crew time to reach him before he falls victim to his captor's deadly scheme.
In a world of myths and mystery, a captain's life hangs in the balance. But it will take more than skill and magic to save him. Can a crew come together to free their captain-or will their stubborn hearts sacrifice him instead?
Black Sails meets Throne of Glass in this captivating second installment of the Aisling Sea trilogy with higher stakes, new dangers, and more swoon-worthy romance that is sure to create fans of insta-love. Perfect for readers who don't mind steam on the page, but prefer it not be on every page.
——————
✨My Opinion✨
It just got better! No sophomore slump for this series! Gradual spice increase! Vanessa Rasanen is doing this series right!
The added POVs of Tommy and Maura were a bonus for this book! Tommy is such a sweet cinnamon roll that is so relatable in how he struggles with feeling inadequate in his new role. Being thrust into acting captain when your best friend is in danger brings it’s own issues and forces some really great character growth.
Maura is an interesting POV mainly because she is going to help us readers see the human/fae conflict play out. And the group dynamics shift so nicely! I can’t wait to see where their story goes in book 3!
It did feel a little like POV ping pong with characters rehashing exact moments other POV’s already focused on. But I didn’t mind too much.
The introduction of the Fae and a look into what the rest of the kingdom is facing has been interesting and leading into a deeper conflict that I didn’t expect. To have a close to home issue and a bigger issue at large is going to be interesting to see wrapped up in the next book.
The surprise character that shows up and just steals your heart! I had to give myself a moment to process their presence and what this means and how things might go. It was wild!
I’m so excited for the release of With These Last Breaths, even if the name is giving me heart palpitations with what it’s possibly implying…
A desperate pirate crew. An abducted captain. Can they save him before he faces the bloodthirsty sirens or will other dangers of the sea claim them first?
The crew of the Siren's Song race to catch up with the ruthless pirate who has captured their captain. But a sudden storm forces them to choose a perilous route. Desperate to save their captain and retrieve the enchanted dagger, the crew argues over how to survive the waters and what lies beneath.
Declan finds himself in the hands of a cruel and ambitious pirate with no desire to listen to reason or the truth. With no chance to escape, he must buy his crew time to reach him before he falls victim to his captor's deadly scheme.
In a world of myths and mystery, a captain's life hangs in the balance. But it will take more than skill and magic to save him. Can a crew come together to free their captain-or will their stubborn hearts sacrifice him instead?
Black Sails meets Throne of Glass in this captivating second installment of the Aisling Sea trilogy with higher stakes, new dangers, and more swoon-worthy romance that is sure to create fans of insta-love. Perfect for readers who don't mind steam on the page, but prefer it not be on every page.
——————
✨My Opinion✨
It just got better! No sophomore slump for this series! Gradual spice increase! Vanessa Rasanen is doing this series right!
The added POVs of Tommy and Maura were a bonus for this book! Tommy is such a sweet cinnamon roll that is so relatable in how he struggles with feeling inadequate in his new role. Being thrust into acting captain when your best friend is in danger brings it’s own issues and forces some really great character growth.
Maura is an interesting POV mainly because she is going to help us readers see the human/fae conflict play out. And the group dynamics shift so nicely! I can’t wait to see where their story goes in book 3!
It did feel a little like POV ping pong with characters rehashing exact moments other POV’s already focused on. But I didn’t mind too much.
The introduction of the Fae and a look into what the rest of the kingdom is facing has been interesting and leading into a deeper conflict that I didn’t expect. To have a close to home issue and a bigger issue at large is going to be interesting to see wrapped up in the next book.
The surprise character that shows up and just steals your heart! I had to give myself a moment to process their presence and what this means and how things might go. It was wild!
I’m so excited for the release of With These Last Breaths, even if the name is giving me heart palpitations with what it’s possibly implying…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Gore, Physical abuse, Violence, Kidnapping, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Blood, Grief, and Gaslighting
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, and Cannibalism