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vaniavela's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
Alyce has just lost Aurora. Feeling guilty and remorseful she changes everything she used to be. At the end of the day, if everyone considers her evil and a villain, why not become one for real?
I found the book overall to be well paced. I enjoyed reading how everything has changed over the years since the end of the previous book. I was surprised in that it had better development than Malice; considering that so much changed in the kingdom, I was worried that it would be a rather political book.
I loved the sapphic representation and the character development. I must admit that it was a little tricky to fully empathize with the main characters for some of the plot, as I didn't entirely like their attitudes. Still they were understandable for all the events that were happening.
I really enjoyed the addition of new characters in the Dark Court, as we were allowed to read how Alyce interacted with all of them. Also, it was a nice element to give personalities to each of them, as they made the story move forward as needed.
I especially liked that the relationship between Alyce and Aurora was not perfect. Different things happened as the story went along and they both held on to who the other was before; understandable and real. There was a slow but I would say satisfying development in their relationship so I was pleased with the ending they had.
Overall, I liked the sequel.
CW: war, manipulation, violence, torture, dead bodies, body horror, self-harm for magic, self-mutilation, blood, gore, grief, death, character death, fantasy racism/prejudice, nonconsensual kiss, trauma
I found the book overall to be well paced. I enjoyed reading how everything has changed over the years since the end of the previous book. I was surprised in that it had better development than Malice; considering that so much changed in the kingdom, I was worried that it would be a rather political book.
I loved the sapphic representation and the character development. I must admit that it was a little tricky to fully empathize with the main characters for some of the plot, as I didn't entirely like their attitudes. Still they were understandable for all the events that were happening.
I really enjoyed the addition of new characters in the Dark Court, as we were allowed to read how Alyce interacted with all of them. Also, it was a nice element to give personalities to each of them, as they made the story move forward as needed.
I especially liked that the relationship between Alyce and Aurora was not perfect. Different things happened as the story went along and they both held on to who the other was before; understandable and real. There was a slow but I would say satisfying development in their relationship so I was pleased with the ending they had.
Overall, I liked the sequel.
CW: war, manipulation, violence, torture, dead bodies, body horror, self-harm for magic, self-mutilation, blood, gore, grief, death, character death, fantasy racism/prejudice, nonconsensual kiss, trauma
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Violence, and War
Moderate: Death, Body horror, and Grief
Minor: Death of parent and Blood
livlamentloathe's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Bullying, and Classism
Moderate: Genocide, Grief, Violence, Kidnapping, and Murder
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Abandonment, Torture, and Gaslighting
There is no racism/sexism based on skin or gender. But there is racism based on magical creatures like imps vs. fae, etc.litalia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Violence, Toxic friendship, Blood, Bullying, and Death
Moderate: Torture, Death of parent, and Grief
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
utopiastateofmind's review against another edition
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
My love for Misrule boils down to two things: the romance - and subsequent character development of Alyce - and the development of the themes. I ended up almost reading only for the question of will-they-won't-they. To figure out if Aurora and Alyce could find a way to cover the distance between them. The time, the mistakes, and the actions. How love, in some ways, can make monsters of us. In what we are willing to do, in the feelings it can illicit.
Because love can almost posses us. And the truth that we cannot control love or posses the ones we love is a hard truth to bear. It's one that we all need to learn. So Misrule entranced me by truly testing Aurora and Alyce. To putting even more obstacles in their way, stacked against them, and asking them - is their love enough? Are the feelings they had enough to forge something new? And the thing is, I could see both of their sides. I won't spoil it, but this book will have your heart in pieces.
My love for Misrule boils down to two things: the romance - and subsequent character development of Alyce - and the development of the themes. I ended up almost reading only for the question of will-they-won't-they. To figure out if Aurora and Alyce could find a way to cover the distance between them. The time, the mistakes, and the actions. How love, in some ways, can make monsters of us. In what we are willing to do, in the feelings it can illicit.
Because love can almost posses us. And the truth that we cannot control love or posses the ones we love is a hard truth to bear. It's one that we all need to learn. So Misrule entranced me by truly testing Aurora and Alyce. To putting even more obstacles in their way, stacked against them, and asking them - is their love enough? Are the feelings they had enough to forge something new? And the thing is, I could see both of their sides. I won't spoil it, but this book will have your heart in pieces.
Content Warnings
Minor: Torture
zaqlovesbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
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
First, I would like to say that I was shocked to be invited to the second and last book for this now duology. So thank you for that surprise! Especially since it’s the second and last book. Secondly, unlike the first book there will be spoilers here maybe tons of it. But if can cover it up. I will
I’m pretty excited for Misrule, especially seeing as it’s the last book . I prefer more stand-alone’s than unnecessary books where it doesn’t do anything. The first book was amazing as a debut novel and now as it’s sophomore. I hope this book does it justice as we explore on the story.
So with Misrule , we are dealing with one year after what happened at the end of Malice. No longer named Alyce- Nimara as we know now is trying to break the curse on a Aurora ( where this mostly goes along with the retelling part.) A hundred years later pass or ninety-nine, Aurora is still asleep under the curse. Within all those years it appears Nimara has made the throne her home and welcoming to all. Especially with the apparent war going on.
When Aurora wakes up, she’s definitely not liking it. Cause everything has changed her people gone and the person she loved is definitely now different. Which I really love the realistic reaction to that.
This book is definitely much more darker than first of course with Alyce taking the apparent role as Maleficent in this retelling. It’s definitely interesting to see how Alyce is handling from being treated as trash. To now she has power and rules the land with the Dark Order. But you can also see that she does care, throughout the story ; even with how horribly she was treated.
We get to see how embedded the past prejudice can past down from generation to generation. Especially with Vila’s and how much pain and suffering they went through. Simply for something they can’t control — their existence and the horrible outlook people have of them. Especially with characters like Regan and the story of her ‘sister’ Peony.
But I do have to say it’s nice meeting all the new characters in this book. Especially how they interact with frustrating Alyce. I kind of like how we’re seeing her interact with people who show her compassion compared to the first book.Even as she still questioning what is she doing or why. Cause it’s just like what happened to her kind.
The writing doesn’t stray from the original with its colorful imagery and although it’s more poetic in a sense. I love it it suits the book and the overall world as well. It’s what mostly pulled me in from the first book. Definitely glad it didn’t change.
Drawing near to the end , we definitely get so many twists and turns. From betrayals to never ending lies. To uncovering truths and how history repeats from generation to generation. Honestly as we slowly get to see thing unravel, from friendship’s being tested and bore one’s blooming.Though the ending isn’t probably what most expects it’s still satisfying to know it was ambiguous and yet hopeful. I’m both happy and sad that’s it over. Can’t wait to read of Heather Walter’s works in the furture.
Overall please read the first book before you even think of touching this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Racism and Torture
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