lashcra2's review
4.0
Unfortunately, I did not love this book as much as the first. I was not as interested in Wil's journey as I was before. I really love Lauren DeStefano's writing so I will continue to read her books. However, this one just didn't hit the mark for me.
Some of Wil's actions seem to go against the character she had built up for us. I had predicted a lot of the outcomes, which isn't to say it wasn't a good story, just generic I suppose. What I did like more about this book opposed to the first one was how much more she focused on the family dynamic. That was my major complaint for the first book and here it completely makes up for the lack in the previous. There was a healty balance between her relationship with Loom and her relationship with her family. I really enjoyed seeing more of her interactions with her family and learning more of their history.
Some of Wil's actions seem to go against the character she had built up for us. I had predicted a lot of the outcomes, which isn't to say it wasn't a good story, just generic I suppose. What I did like more about this book opposed to the first one was how much more she focused on the family dynamic. That was my major complaint for the first book and here it completely makes up for the lack in the previous. There was a healty balance between her relationship with Loom and her relationship with her family. I really enjoyed seeing more of her interactions with her family and learning more of their history.
brii_brii's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kaylaarnold's review against another edition
2.0
1.5*
chose 1.5 because I'm stuck between a 1 and 2 star rating.
extremely disappointed with this story. The Glass Spare was a 5 star book and I was skeptical that the second installment would also be a 5 star but this was a huge disappointment. About 25% I realized something was lacking in this book and it wasn't going to get better. The more I read this the lower my rating got. I couldn't bring myself to give this 1-star b/c there were some really good writing, quotes, and plot points. The romance was the center of the book which was complete cheese and cliche. Everything else major to the plot was rushed and lacked explanation. There were lots of things mentioned that just didn't make sense and left me confused. If this were the first book of a series I would have DNF'd early on, but I had to keep reading because the first book was literally my favorite of 2018. I was sick of Wil and Loom's relationship and Wil thinking everything was her fault. I understand the feeling of guilt and placing blame on yourself instead of on others, but in this book it was just excessive. This review could go on forever and I could give more detail but I'm honestly exhausted from reading this book. I'm not saying others should not read The Cursed Sea, but I thought this was a huge let down from The Glass Spare.
chose 1.5 because I'm stuck between a 1 and 2 star rating.
extremely disappointed with this story. The Glass Spare was a 5 star book and I was skeptical that the second installment would also be a 5 star but this was a huge disappointment. About 25% I realized something was lacking in this book and it wasn't going to get better. The more I read this the lower my rating got. I couldn't bring myself to give this 1-star b/c there were some really good writing, quotes, and plot points. The romance was the center of the book which was complete cheese and cliche. Everything else major to the plot was rushed and lacked explanation. There were lots of things mentioned that just didn't make sense and left me confused. If this were the first book of a series I would have DNF'd early on, but I had to keep reading because the first book was literally my favorite of 2018. I was sick of Wil and Loom's relationship and Wil thinking everything was her fault. I understand the feeling of guilt and placing blame on yourself instead of on others, but in this book it was just excessive. This review could go on forever and I could give more detail but I'm honestly exhausted from reading this book. I'm not saying others should not read The Cursed Sea, but I thought this was a huge let down from The Glass Spare.
satnightnovels's review
3.0
I was a little disappointed. The first one was amazing so I had really had hopes for this. It wasn't was good and it felt a little hard to get through.
jennhillmeow's review against another edition
3.0
"She wondered if love by its nature was always uncharted. It was certain, but not simple. Giving, but not selfless. A fluttering mast on a ship that often capsized."
This was a fun duology with all sorts of characters and each one with their own struggle.
" 'I was taught to speak and write a dozen languages,' he said. 'But there isn't a word for what you mean to me.' "
This was a fun duology with all sorts of characters and each one with their own struggle.
" 'I was taught to speak and write a dozen languages,' he said. 'But there isn't a word for what you mean to me.' "
tiffani_reads's review against another edition
3.0
As I predicted after finishing the last book, the good guys win, the bad guys lose, and everyone lives happily ever after.
meganamaral's review
4.0
THIS. WAS. SO. GOOD.
I am not sure what happened, because the second book is usually not as good as the first one, but this book blew me out of the water. We got more of a plot as well as more answers and direction so the main characters could actually go out and do something about this war and their curses. Plus, the ending was unexpected, but felt satisfying and better than any idea I thought before reading this.
I enjoyed how the author pulled a 180 for Espel and Mar, and how they became major characters. I didn't expect the change of heart from them and thought that because they were such a huge obstacle in the first book, it would be the same in book 2, PLUS having to deal with the curse from North Arrod. Instead, we see characters from the South, joining Will on her quest back home (the second time), and them looking into her cursed life at home.
It was dark and complicated and we finally got the history of where her curse originated. We also got to see Gerdie step up and be a protective older brother as well as a more romantic Loom.
But as much as I loved all the steamy scenes between Loom and Wil, which made me want to give this 5 stars, I felt that Loom was very in the background of everything. Yes, he had his moments, but he seemed more like an emotional support human for Wil, going through her family drama. Which ultimately didn't surprise me of how this book ended. Espel coming from the dark side over to light was a HUGE plot motivator, where it makes me wonder if this wasn't the original story when writing . Don't get me wrong, it was amazing seeing her and Loom rekindle their relationship and Mar was a HUGE help when it came to all their plans, but at the same time, it surprised me how much more of a main character she was in this book behind Will.
Either way, the ending was intense, even if it all just kind of came into place, but we do get a simple happily ever after for our characters, which actually made a lot of sense with their relationship and curses. Plus, they also got to live out their dreams, even if they weren't what they initially thought they would be.
I am not sure what happened, because the second book is usually not as good as the first one, but this book blew me out of the water. We got more of a plot as well as more answers and direction so the main characters could actually go out and do something about this war and their curses. Plus, the ending was unexpected, but felt satisfying and better than any idea I thought before reading this.
I enjoyed how the author pulled a 180 for Espel and Mar, and how they became major characters. I didn't expect the change of heart from them and thought that because they were such a huge obstacle in the first book, it would be the same in book 2, PLUS having to deal with the curse from North Arrod. Instead, we see characters from the South, joining Will on her quest back home (the second time), and them looking into her cursed life at home.
It was dark and complicated and we finally got the history of where her curse originated. We also got to see Gerdie step up and be a protective older brother as well as a more romantic Loom.
But as much as I loved all the steamy scenes between Loom and Wil, which made me want to give this 5 stars, I felt that Loom was very in the background of everything. Yes, he had his moments, but he seemed more like an emotional support human for Wil, going through her family drama. Which ultimately didn't surprise me of how this book ended. Espel coming from the dark side over to light was a HUGE plot motivator, where it makes me wonder if this wasn't the original story when writing . Don't get me wrong, it was amazing seeing her and Loom rekindle their relationship and Mar was a HUGE help when it came to all their plans, but at the same time, it surprised me how much more of a main character she was in this book behind Will.
Either way, the ending was intense, even if it all just kind of came into place, but we do get a simple happily ever after for our characters, which actually made a lot of sense with their relationship and curses. Plus, they also got to live out their dreams, even if they weren't what they initially thought they would be.
auora1484's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.0
akshika's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0