lindaunconventionalbookworms's review against another edition
5.0
I can't believe how excellent this whole series is! Especially because it's been written over more than a decade - and still, the overall plot, the character development, the suspense, the romance - it's all extremely well done.
All of the characters - even those I might not have liked at the beginning of the series - have grown into much more, and I love how what already started out as an intricate political and emotional tale has grown even more intricate and emotional with each book.
All of the characters - even those I might not have liked at the beginning of the series - have grown into much more, and I love how what already started out as an intricate political and emotional tale has grown even more intricate and emotional with each book.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
3.0
Shards of Hope
3.5 Stars
Despite the rather lackluster romance between Zaira and Aden, the developments in the ongoing story arc makes this a worthwhile addition to the series.
Unfortunately, Zaira and Aden are quite bland both as individuals and as a couple. While Aden's surprise ability is very intriguing, the manner in which it is revealed and then explained reduces its impact on the reader. Likewise, Zaira's constant self-deprecation and possessive attitude toward Aden is not romantic in the least. In fact, her obsessions with him is downright creepy, and undermines what little chemistry does exist between them.
Thankfully, the actual plot revolving around a mysterious cabal bent on destroying the Arrows is very compelling and there are some very intriguing twists. The inclusion of characters from the previous books is also a highlight and the hints at things to come are far more appealing that Aden and Zaira.
On a final note, this book is far too long with unnecessarily repetitive internal musings, repetitious descriptions of character traits and recurring plot points. Singh has definitely written better, and hopefully the next book, Allegiance of Honor, will demonstrate this.
3.5 Stars
Despite the rather lackluster romance between Zaira and Aden, the developments in the ongoing story arc makes this a worthwhile addition to the series.
Unfortunately, Zaira and Aden are quite bland both as individuals and as a couple. While Aden's surprise ability is very intriguing, the manner in which it is revealed and then explained reduces its impact on the reader. Likewise, Zaira's constant self-deprecation and possessive attitude toward Aden is not romantic in the least. In fact, her obsessions with him is downright creepy, and undermines what little chemistry does exist between them.
Thankfully, the actual plot revolving around a mysterious cabal bent on destroying the Arrows is very compelling and there are some very intriguing twists. The inclusion of characters from the previous books is also a highlight and the hints at things to come are far more appealing that Aden and Zaira.
On a final note, this book is far too long with unnecessarily repetitive internal musings, repetitious descriptions of character traits and recurring plot points. Singh has definitely written better, and hopefully the next book, Allegiance of Honor, will demonstrate this.
snarkymotherreader's review against another edition
4.0
What can I say about Shards of Hope–Nalini Singh is unstoppable. Fourteen books into her Psy/Changeling series and she still manages to keep the action heart-pounding and the relationships fresh. One of my main issues with series that last this long is that it seems as though the author has a Mad Libs set aside for each new book and he/she simply adds a new name or place to the scenario. “Hero B walks into Place A and falls in love with Predicable Character 5.” It’s tiresome. I don’t feel that way with Singh’s series, though. We’ve seen relationships with alpha males and females before, sure, but never like this. The severity of Zaira’s possessiveness over Aden is new and exciting.
I will admit, though, that the shadowy figures are getting a bit played out, but I’m not sure there’s a way around it. You don’t necessarily want the Big Bad to walk down the street with a sign around his/her neck that reads SUPER VILLAIN: BEWARE! You also don’t want to repeat the same method of keeping said villain secret in every single book. The sections where unidentified characters are hatching their clandestine plans was fun for a while, but they seem to have outlived their welcome–for me, at least.
Overall, I’d give Shards of Hope 4 stars. It kept me engaged and introduced me to some fun characters I hope to see in the future – including that climbing wall we see a glimpse of when Zaira and Aden are mending. The possibilities for that thing are endless.
I will admit, though, that the shadowy figures are getting a bit played out, but I’m not sure there’s a way around it. You don’t necessarily want the Big Bad to walk down the street with a sign around his/her neck that reads SUPER VILLAIN: BEWARE! You also don’t want to repeat the same method of keeping said villain secret in every single book. The sections where unidentified characters are hatching their clandestine plans was fun for a while, but they seem to have outlived their welcome–for me, at least.
Overall, I’d give Shards of Hope 4 stars. It kept me engaged and introduced me to some fun characters I hope to see in the future – including that climbing wall we see a glimpse of when Zaira and Aden are mending. The possibilities for that thing are endless.
rbradley923's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Sexual content, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Violence, and Torture
Moderate: Blood, Suicide, Confinement, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Murder, Gore, and Drug abuse
Minor: Rape and Abandonment
mapsend's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
pinkmedea's review against another edition
3.0
The first half, when Aden and Zaira were trying to escape from their captors, was far more interesting to me than the progression of their relationship and the storyline about Aden trying to restructure the lives of the Arrows to make them more “normal” (basically like a changeling pack). Even if the science of the surgery wasn’t that sound, the suspense of how they were going to survive kept me turning the pages. After that, the book became a drag to get through. I also wasn’t too sold on Zaira’s characterization. She was described as having this uncontrollable rage and possessiveness inside her all throughout the book, and it made her feel very one-dimensional to me. I basically skipped the parts about the development of their relationship. Still an okay read, much better than books 7 and 8, but not one of the best.
lucy_qhuay's review against another edition
5.0
And Aden's time finally came. Loved it!
I gotta say that his and Zaira's journey was as difficult as I had predicted. Even more so.
I knew just by the way Aden took care of Vasic and refused to let him give up entirely on life that he wasn't Silent and when Nalini told us Zaira was it for him, I just knew he would have to fight like hell for his chance at love and happiness.
And fight he did. For the Squad, for him, for Zaira, for them both. The hardest battle, though, was against Zaira herself.
He had to make her see that he wouldn't ever let her go and that he believed she was strong enough to fight the 'madness' within in order to be with him.
Zaira was one of the most tortured heroines I've ever read about. She had a horrible childhood, being caged and tortured to the point of breaking by her psychopathic parents and, as such, she had to learn how to protect herself the best she could.
In a sense, she became one with the darkness and it became a living, breathing entity inside her, making her a little mad. That's why she sometimes fell into bloodthirsty rages, especially when those she loved were threatened.
Curiously, I saw her kinda as a female version of Kaleb. He too had to face the same darkness in his childhood, and it eventually became a part of him that he will never lose.
Those two will never be like Aden and Sahara. They will always need someone to guide them, to be a moral compass, to teach them how to be a little more human. That doesn't mean they don't have morals or that they are psychopaths. It just means emotions and morals don't come easily to them.
I really thought Aden and Zaira made sense in a beautiful way. They were two pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, making a whole together.
I loved Aden from the moment I got to know him. His love for Vasic was what got me first, but then I saw he cares for every single member of the Arrow Squad, no exceptions, and I was a goner.
I also love his dedication, strength, courage and intelligence, but above all, I love his big heart.
He truly is a person who makes the world better and like Zaira said, I just know he is meant to lead the world into a new dawn. It's his destiny.
That's why I'm so happy he has Zaira and vice versa. He's her anchor, giving her love and stability when everything seems to be falling apart and she's his pillar, the one always there for him, putting him first, making him stronger.
Well done, Nalini! Can't wait to see what you have in store for us in the future! :D
(P.S. These two are definitely in the podium with Sascha & Lucas and Vasic & Ivy. I guess it's time to admit I'm partial to Psy, particularly Arrows. ;P )
enchantedtomeetcute's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
4.25
capsandclauses's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5