nishkaxm's review against another edition
5.0
absolutely enthralling!!! don’t have enough south asian-based high fantasy novels and i loved the hindi and urdu words interspersed in the story and the details that really remind me of home <3 plus realistic emotions and a thrilling storyline!!!!
cassnypette's review
2.0
2.75/5⭐️
Superficial, felt hollow. Big events occur and yet, the way it’s written feels like nothing special is happening.
A shame because the idea is good, but the execution lacking depth.
Superficial, felt hollow. Big events occur and yet, the way it’s written feels like nothing special is happening.
A shame because the idea is good, but the execution lacking depth.
arathy8's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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? No
3.75
misanthropic_bibliophile's review against another edition
So I originally unhauled the first book cuz I thought it was just okay and not my fave but then I got the duology set from a used bookstore to try to give it another shot but I dunno if it’s the audiobook narration which I’m also listening to or if it’s the writing itself but I’m just not into the story and kind of annoyed by the general vibe and cheesiness. Which is sad because there’s so much I want to love since the world is so cool but alas ☹️ I don’t have the energy to push through.
vgiordano's review
2.0
This just felt like such lazy writing, which is such a huge shame because I enjoyed the first one. A force to get through this one though sadly :(
torobear84's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
sophie_smthidk's review against another edition
3.75
I liked it! I didnt connect with the characters for some reason but the plot i think was okay and overall it was a pretty fun read
hanascythe's review
4.0
I wish the author had given us more insight into the characters after everything they have been through trying to get the rightful heir in the throne.
But I loved it! I related to Cavas way more than Gul… is that a bad thing haha.
I look forward to the future works of the author.
But I loved it! I related to Cavas way more than Gul… is that a bad thing haha.
I look forward to the future works of the author.
ashton_reads_'s review
4.0
*This review has NO spoilers, except for what is included in the summary I copied from Goodreads.*
This sequel had the character and story arcs the first book needed, but I’m still not sure it reached its potential.
Goodreads synopsis
With King Lohar dead and a usurper queen in power, Gul and Cavas face a new tyrannical government that is bent on killing them both. Their roles in King Lohar's death have not gone unnoticed, and the new queen is out for blood. What she doesn't know is that Gul and Cavas have a connection that runs deeper than romance, and together, they just might have the strength and magic to end her for good.
Then a grave mistake ends with Cavas taken prisoner by the government. Gul must train an army of warriors alone. With alliances shifting and the thirst for vengeance growing, the fate of Ambar seems ever more uncertain. It will take every ounce of strength, love, and sacrifice for Gul and Cavas to reach their final goal―and build a more just world than they've ever known.
So in my review of the first book, Hunted by the Sky (you can read my review here), I thought I had pinpointed the issue I had with the book: I thought I didn’t quite click with the book because the plot didn’t reach its potential, because the plot didn’t go anywhere. And while I still think that’s true, Rising Like a Storm made me realize the root of the issue runs deeper, with the characters.
This book has all the mythology, rebellion, romance, and action of the first book but multiplied. The stakes are even higher as the main characters finally must reconcile their differences and embrace their deepening relationship in order to harness the magical connection they share and save their kingdom from its new tyrant. This sequel has all the elements it needs to rise to the top of the young adult fantasy charts, yet it couldn’t quite overcome the duology’s rocky start.
As I said, I realized the problem is the characters. I want to like them. SO bad. There are so many reasons to like them, and I can tell Bhathena tried to make the two main characters, Gul and Cavas, three-dimensional by making them kind of selfish… but I don’t think that works when there is no character development for the entire first book. And as a result, there is no actual development in the romance, hence why I thought there was no development in the plot – the romance is practically the foundation of the entire plot, especially for Rising Like a Storm, so it didn’t matter that this sequel was marginally better executed than its predecessor because the foundation wasn’t there.
So while I was hoping this sequel would redeem the duology, I just couldn’t get past the lack of true development in the first book that made everything in the sequel ring false. I think if you want an energetic and interesting fantasy duology to binge and these plot points sound interesting, give it a try! But my relationship with this duology is… very complicated, and I think there are better-executed fantasy books and series to try out instead
This sequel had the character and story arcs the first book needed, but I’m still not sure it reached its potential.
Goodreads synopsis
With King Lohar dead and a usurper queen in power, Gul and Cavas face a new tyrannical government that is bent on killing them both. Their roles in King Lohar's death have not gone unnoticed, and the new queen is out for blood. What she doesn't know is that Gul and Cavas have a connection that runs deeper than romance, and together, they just might have the strength and magic to end her for good.
Then a grave mistake ends with Cavas taken prisoner by the government. Gul must train an army of warriors alone. With alliances shifting and the thirst for vengeance growing, the fate of Ambar seems ever more uncertain. It will take every ounce of strength, love, and sacrifice for Gul and Cavas to reach their final goal―and build a more just world than they've ever known.
So in my review of the first book, Hunted by the Sky (you can read my review here), I thought I had pinpointed the issue I had with the book: I thought I didn’t quite click with the book because the plot didn’t reach its potential, because the plot didn’t go anywhere. And while I still think that’s true, Rising Like a Storm made me realize the root of the issue runs deeper, with the characters.
This book has all the mythology, rebellion, romance, and action of the first book but multiplied. The stakes are even higher as the main characters finally must reconcile their differences and embrace their deepening relationship in order to harness the magical connection they share and save their kingdom from its new tyrant. This sequel has all the elements it needs to rise to the top of the young adult fantasy charts, yet it couldn’t quite overcome the duology’s rocky start.
As I said, I realized the problem is the characters. I want to like them. SO bad. There are so many reasons to like them, and I can tell Bhathena tried to make the two main characters, Gul and Cavas, three-dimensional by making them kind of selfish… but I don’t think that works when there is no character development for the entire first book. And as a result, there is no actual development in the romance, hence why I thought there was no development in the plot – the romance is practically the foundation of the entire plot, especially for Rising Like a Storm, so it didn’t matter that this sequel was marginally better executed than its predecessor because the foundation wasn’t there.
So while I was hoping this sequel would redeem the duology, I just couldn’t get past the lack of true development in the first book that made everything in the sequel ring false. I think if you want an energetic and interesting fantasy duology to binge and these plot points sound interesting, give it a try! But my relationship with this duology is… very complicated, and I think there are better-executed fantasy books and series to try out instead
kote_'s review
4.0
I really loved the first one and liked this one. I think it developed their characters a lot more, and I will say this was a bit darker with the amount of deaths involved. I’m glad that there is only two for this story since I felt a third would’ve dragged it on, but it was a great conclusion.
I highly recommend reading this directly after the 1st- I feel if you don’t you might forget who all the characters are and the context of everything.
I highly recommend reading this directly after the 1st- I feel if you don’t you might forget who all the characters are and the context of everything.