tanjagnz's review against another edition
5.0
I honestly have no idea where to start reviewing this one.
It's everything I loved about Book 1 with none of things that annoyed me. I loved the way the characters developed, the way the politics played out, and the new elements of the world that Ms Chakraborty introduced to it.
Basically, I'm now seriously resenting the fact that I have other books I need to read before I can get on to Empire of Gold.
I might come back and add a bit more specific detail to this review once I've had a chance to process it, but for the meantime, I'll just say that I loved this instalment and am really looking forward to the next one!
It's everything I loved about Book 1 with none of things that annoyed me. I loved the way the characters developed, the way the politics played out, and the new elements of the world that Ms Chakraborty introduced to it.
Basically, I'm now seriously resenting the fact that I have other books I need to read before I can get on to Empire of Gold.
I might come back and add a bit more specific detail to this review once I've had a chance to process it, but for the meantime, I'll just say that I loved this instalment and am really looking forward to the next one!
hannahmarkezich's review against another edition
5.0
A phenomenal sequel! The world got a lot bigger and the stakes got a lot higher. It was so intense.
janeywaneyb's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
jenn_geeks_out's review against another edition
5.0
The plot of the previous book was complex and intricately woven, and it had been a while since I read the first one, so I was a bit worried to jump in without rereading the first one. Thanks to the good people at recaptains.co.uk who recap previous books in a series, I ended up being good to go and was able to jump right into this one again.
I love that the plot is complicated. No one character stands out as wholly in the right or wholly in the wrong. Good and evil are largely absent in the one-dimensional Disney way. Instead, the reader is presented with tribal loyalties, superstition, tradition, and cold pragmatism. In that sense, this book about mythological beings seems all too real; their political intrigues could be the story of any nation. While reading it, it was difficult to decide whom to root for and was ever-changing. See for example: this book made me like Muntadhir. Mundtadhir!
This book also deserves five stars because it doesn't suffer the same fate as many middle books in the trilogy. Many times, middle books seem like they don't have any narrative arc or resolution of their own: they just exist to set up the payoff in the final installment. Kingdom of Copper doesn't suffer from that syndrome.
I love that the plot is complicated. No one character stands out as wholly in the right or wholly in the wrong. Good and evil are largely absent in the one-dimensional Disney way. Instead, the reader is presented with tribal loyalties, superstition, tradition, and cold pragmatism. In that sense, this book about mythological beings seems all too real; their political intrigues could be the story of any nation. While reading it, it was difficult to decide whom to root for and was ever-changing. See for example: this book made me like Muntadhir. Mundtadhir!
This book also deserves five stars because it doesn't suffer the same fate as many middle books in the trilogy. Many times, middle books seem like they don't have any narrative arc or resolution of their own: they just exist to set up the payoff in the final installment. Kingdom of Copper doesn't suffer from that syndrome.
bluecolouredlou's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
eforsberg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
4.75
yourpersonallibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't think it was possible, but this book was even better than the first. The first book was amazing at introducing us to a world of magic and intrigue. Of history and war and sacrifice. But this book takes that introduction and sends you right to the depths.
I think what makes a good book is one that pulls you in and makes you feel a part of the world. But what makes a great book is one that also teaches you about yourself and society as a whole. And that's what this book did. It captivated me with its rich vibrant world, but then it made me face some hard truths about past, about sacrifice, about what it means to be oppressed and what it means to move forward. Every character was multidimensional. And I think the hardest thing was that even the darkest characters made you sympathize with them.
Even if this book was set in a fantasy world, it's struggles resonate with modern day so clearly. Chakraborty really made a masterpiece, and I am terrified to read the last book.
I think what makes a good book is one that pulls you in and makes you feel a part of the world. But what makes a great book is one that also teaches you about yourself and society as a whole. And that's what this book did. It captivated me with its rich vibrant world, but then it made me face some hard truths about past, about sacrifice, about what it means to be oppressed and what it means to move forward. Every character was multidimensional. And I think the hardest thing was that even the darkest characters made you sympathize with them.
Even if this book was set in a fantasy world, it's struggles resonate with modern day so clearly. Chakraborty really made a masterpiece, and I am terrified to read the last book.
tessa13's review against another edition
5.0
This book ripped out my heart over and over again. If I thought Nahri & Ali’s world was broken after the first book, this book leaves it in shambles. Political plots from every angle, manipulations, violence and stubborn pursuit of hope among the death and destruction. Evil shows itself as some beloved characters pursue darker and darker paths. The character development is simply phenomenal, gone are the tropes of the drunk prince, the loyal second son, spoiled princess, surprisingly powerful girl, and the rough warrior with a dark past and a heart of gold. In their place are broken people making mistakes as they struggle to survive, protect each other and their kingdom. Some find redemption, some might lose it forever. Muntadhir is the character type I always love to hate, but for every moment I wanted to slap him, there was another I wanted to hug him for. Dozens of scenes I had to read again and again because the sarcasm and tenderness were simply delightful.
cb1984's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Really loved this. The setting of Daevabad is so vivid, and the characters are very well drawn - lots of flaws, lots of different motivations which create the conflict between the characters. Can't wait to read the final book in the trilogy.
eiginte's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-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? No
4.5
Nahri ♥ (and Jamshid!!)