krozwat's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
macymcbeth's review against another edition
4.0
My biggest issue with this book is the editing. Some of the words were way overused and there were a couple of phrases that were used once and then 5 pages later, they were used again. The repetition felt a little lazy and I wish that it could've been cleaned up a little.
I'll admit it's been a while since I read From Blood and Ash & Co., so I was a little confused when she brought up some of the world-specific practices. Also, there are a ton of new characters introduced at one time and I probably should've written myself a cheat sheet to keep up with them.
With that out of the way, the characters are solid and complex; their inner motives are unique and realistic. JLA is very good about her world building and it is very rich and detailed and a delight to learn the culture of this world.
The pacing of this book is very good and has a nice arc. This is a not a book that you can flippantly read or skim every now and then because the details are important. I love the details. There are lot of ties to From Blood and Ash without ruining that separate story or making it a pre-requisite read for A Shadow in the Ember. Just a lot of parallels and foreshadowing. There are probably a lot of clues and hints I missed.
It kills me how it ends: in a sharp cliff-hanger. And I don't know why I was surprised by it this time, when she does it with most of her books (and I was both surprised and frustrated because I must know what happens, I have zero patience with these things). Should I have waited until there was a second book to read this one? Probably. Will I ever learn? Odds say no.
I'll admit it's been a while since I read From Blood and Ash & Co., so I was a little confused when she brought up some of the world-specific practices. Also, there are a ton of new characters introduced at one time and I probably should've written myself a cheat sheet to keep up with them.
With that out of the way, the characters are solid and complex; their inner motives are unique and realistic. JLA is very good about her world building and it is very rich and detailed and a delight to learn the culture of this world.
The pacing of this book is very good and has a nice arc. This is a not a book that you can flippantly read or skim every now and then because the details are important. I love the details. There are lot of ties to From Blood and Ash without ruining that separate story or making it a pre-requisite read for A Shadow in the Ember. Just a lot of parallels and foreshadowing. There are probably a lot of clues and hints I missed.
It kills me how it ends: in a sharp cliff-hanger. And I don't know why I was surprised by it this time, when she does it with most of her books (and I was both surprised and frustrated because I must know what happens, I have zero patience with these things). Should I have waited until there was a second book to read this one? Probably. Will I ever learn? Odds say no.
kenziemitchell9's review against another edition
5.0
(4.5 stars) did not expect to love this book as much as i did! similar to fbaa but had new twists & turns that were fun & interesting!
mels_karsh's review against another edition
1.0
It’s rare for me to DNF, but I got like 40 pages in and really don’t see anything new here from Armentrout. I read the from blood and ash series, even with its sharp decline in quality throughout, but everything about Sera so far is the exact same as Poppy. down to dead parents, secret tutors, and mommy issues. I just don’t see this getting better and I can’t convince myself to read another incredibly long book from her to possibly be even less impressed than I was with the last one I read. No hate on anyone who enjoys them, it’s just not for me.
harleylynn17's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
tense
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
5.0
themooncodex's review against another edition
3.0
08-01: I'm so confused...............
11-01: So I've had some time to think about this book but I truly think I need to reread the whole thing before really understanding this book.
The story happens before Blood and Ash but of course there are a lot of revelations of how the world works that we know from B&A and for some reason my brain couldn't reconcile that we are dealing in the past before Poppy, etc.
There's a lot to understand and comprehend and I truly felt this was a really heavy book so yes definitely need to reread before even recommending this to others.
Also I have some questions so if you've read this one, let me know!
11-01: So I've had some time to think about this book but I truly think I need to reread the whole thing before really understanding this book.
The story happens before Blood and Ash but of course there are a lot of revelations of how the world works that we know from B&A and for some reason my brain couldn't reconcile that we are dealing in the past before Poppy, etc.
There's a lot to understand and comprehend and I truly felt this was a really heavy book so yes definitely need to reread before even recommending this to others.
Also I have some questions so if you've read this one, let me know!
flightythenerd's review against another edition
4.75
When I finished this book, I was at first bummed because I didn’t want to wait for another book. Then I discovered the sequel had been released not even 3 weeks prior, grabbed my boyfriend and keys, and ran to the book store. Sera is a fascinating heroine with a rich history emotionally and I love following her journey. Nyktos is a very intriguing immortal, and I love reading how these two met and what their story is.
urmelodys's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
hay14's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0