dolaya's review against another edition
3.0
Not bad. Apart from the sadly changed cover design, this book is a well-done continuation to Perfect Ruin.
However, it certainly is not as good.
The first issue is that DeStefano doesn't seem to have as much to go on as she would like. Sure, there are good moments of surprise, and a passable bit of intrigue, but there really isn't the amount of plot tension and solidity that the first book has. Most of the time in the book is spent idle, and that is what a lot of the reviews here seem to complain abut. And while I agree that this book has a severe case of "second-book syndrome", that doesn't mean it's a bad book.
In fact, it's not a bad book at all. It's actually quite good. DeStefano has the gift of being able to write absolutely beautiful prose, absolutely wonderful characters, and excellent relationships. The first book makes you love the characters, and this one is something of a study in their personalities and the issues or demons that they have to deal with every day of their lives. It explores romance, and what it means to love someone, it has it's own bit of romantic uncertainty, conflict among characters, and most of the characteristics of a book whose main focus is not a thriller-type edge-of-your-seat rollercoaster, but developing and following what the characters think and feel.
In that sense, this book is a success. The reader learns so much more about the characters and gets to see a little deeper into their hearts and minds. That's not to say that the plot is non-existent. There's enough of a plot to set up the next book that it seems that number three will be a little more fast-paced. This is a set-up book, it seems: its plot sets up the next installment while flushing out the characters in order to be able to springboard into a next book that looks like it will be a conclusion.
My verdict: Well done. Whoever liked Perfect Ruin is of course going to read this, but if you read the first one and are uncertain, I advise you to read this one. DeStefano's prose and the character development carry the book, and it is enjoyable, if not action packed. Not as good as the first, but very good nonetheless.
However, it certainly is not as good.
The first issue is that DeStefano doesn't seem to have as much to go on as she would like. Sure, there are good moments of surprise, and a passable bit of intrigue, but there really isn't the amount of plot tension and solidity that the first book has. Most of the time in the book is spent idle, and that is what a lot of the reviews here seem to complain abut. And while I agree that this book has a severe case of "second-book syndrome", that doesn't mean it's a bad book.
In fact, it's not a bad book at all. It's actually quite good. DeStefano has the gift of being able to write absolutely beautiful prose, absolutely wonderful characters, and excellent relationships. The first book makes you love the characters, and this one is something of a study in their personalities and the issues or demons that they have to deal with every day of their lives. It explores romance, and what it means to love someone, it has it's own bit of romantic uncertainty, conflict among characters, and most of the characteristics of a book whose main focus is not a thriller-type edge-of-your-seat rollercoaster, but developing and following what the characters think and feel.
In that sense, this book is a success. The reader learns so much more about the characters and gets to see a little deeper into their hearts and minds. That's not to say that the plot is non-existent. There's enough of a plot to set up the next book that it seems that number three will be a little more fast-paced. This is a set-up book, it seems: its plot sets up the next installment while flushing out the characters in order to be able to springboard into a next book that looks like it will be a conclusion.
My verdict: Well done. Whoever liked Perfect Ruin is of course going to read this, but if you read the first one and are uncertain, I advise you to read this one. DeStefano's prose and the character development carry the book, and it is enjoyable, if not action packed. Not as good as the first, but very good nonetheless.
ellen's review against another edition
4.0
This was so sosososososooo good
Lauren destefano I love you
Um so is this like set in the 1920s because that made this 10x cooler and more amazing like
again like with wither and perfect ruin Lauren shows how amazing she is when it comes to world building because the ground is incredible
This was so cool being able to explore the world along with Morgan
I'm a lil sad there wasn't as much basil but that's ok
Also NICE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT
Lauren destefano I love you
Um so is this like set in the 1920s because that made this 10x cooler and more amazing like
again like with wither and perfect ruin Lauren shows how amazing she is when it comes to world building because the ground is incredible
This was so cool being able to explore the world along with Morgan
I'm a lil sad there wasn't as much basil but that's ok
Also NICE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT THIS IS HOW YOU DO IT
juliaslibrary21's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
Tell me why I've grown such a strong attachment to this world and it's characters??? All the characters emotions were so palpable I teared up and cried so many times. The writing is so beautiful and there's like twenty quotes from this book that I want tattooed onto my soul. I can't wait to start the third book rn I hope it breaks my heart some more.
Tell me why I've grown such a strong attachment to this world and it's characters??? All the characters emotions were so palpable I teared up and cried so many times. The writing is so beautiful and there's like twenty quotes from this book that I want tattooed onto my soul. I can't wait to start the third book rn I hope it breaks my heart some more.
sbrads's review against another edition
2.0
It was fine but felt kind of pointless, there wasnt as much world building in this installment which is what really kept the first one interesting, there was little to no character development and no plot
ashyyyk's review against another edition
3.0
Full review HERE
This book has to deal with what I like to call the "Outside the Wall" problem. The first book has us trapped on Internment, with no idea whatsoever what we will find on the ground. No. Idea. Whatsoever. Is it the future? Is it 1872? Is this another planet? When a book sets up the big "What's on the other side of the wall?" reveal, it has to pay off. I'm not fully satisfied with the payoff.
They become holed up in this hotel that's closed for the winter, and almost never leave it. It became clear that this is an alternate reality, because there are 1920's elements, then there are elephants called "elegors," a fictional natural resource that seems to be the source of a war, a Bible-like book simply called "The Text," and jets. It's hard to be omniscient when your first-person narrator is obviously not omniscient. But I still have a million questions. At least a million. There are mermaids in the water, so are there other mythical creatures around? How are they even functioning when their bodies are used to being 35,000 feet in the sky? Etc etc.
I still don't think I fully understand why they trusted Jack Piper. They're baby birds and he's the first thing they see, so suddenly he must be trustworthy, and they really don't question anything about him for the whole book. He's "friends" with the king, somehow. I didn't really get that dynamic or why that mattered, except that it gives Celeste a way to talk to him. Also why would the KING trust this pushy girl from the sky claiming to be a princess, when those on the ground know NOTHING about how Internment operates? More questions.
Celeste probably became my favorite character just by virtue of having the most dimension, though Pen is a close second. They were written very well, and it was interesting to see the "friend triangle" that formed as a result. I liked seeing Morgan struggle with just going along with whatever Pen says and does, simply because they're best friends.
I just wish there was more description. I would have a very hard time describing anything around the hotel. I picture some snow and rocks. There's a cemetery somewhere nearby. Also an amusement park. And a hospital. As stated earlier, I wanted more of the world. Some people feel like paragraphs of description is just fluff, unnecessary to the story. I can't get enough of it. Related to this, was there a map in this book? I don't remember, but there should have been, if not.
This book has to deal with what I like to call the "Outside the Wall" problem. The first book has us trapped on Internment, with no idea whatsoever what we will find on the ground. No. Idea. Whatsoever. Is it the future? Is it 1872? Is this another planet? When a book sets up the big "What's on the other side of the wall?" reveal, it has to pay off. I'm not fully satisfied with the payoff.
They become holed up in this hotel that's closed for the winter, and almost never leave it. It became clear that this is an alternate reality, because there are 1920's elements, then there are elephants called "elegors," a fictional natural resource that seems to be the source of a war, a Bible-like book simply called "The Text," and jets. It's hard to be omniscient when your first-person narrator is obviously not omniscient. But I still have a million questions. At least a million. There are mermaids in the water, so are there other mythical creatures around? How are they even functioning when their bodies are used to being 35,000 feet in the sky? Etc etc.
I still don't think I fully understand why they trusted Jack Piper. They're baby birds and he's the first thing they see, so suddenly he must be trustworthy, and they really don't question anything about him for the whole book. He's "friends" with the king, somehow. I didn't really get that dynamic or why that mattered, except that it gives Celeste a way to talk to him. Also why would the KING trust this pushy girl from the sky claiming to be a princess, when those on the ground know NOTHING about how Internment operates? More questions.
Celeste probably became my favorite character just by virtue of having the most dimension, though Pen is a close second. They were written very well, and it was interesting to see the "friend triangle" that formed as a result. I liked seeing Morgan struggle with just going along with whatever Pen says and does, simply because they're best friends.
I just wish there was more description. I would have a very hard time describing anything around the hotel. I picture some snow and rocks. There's a cemetery somewhere nearby. Also an amusement park. And a hospital. As stated earlier, I wanted more of the world. Some people feel like paragraphs of description is just fluff, unnecessary to the story. I can't get enough of it. Related to this, was there a map in this book? I don't remember, but there should have been, if not.
ari_at_the_bookish_coven's review against another edition
4.0
"We are witnessing something beyond what we've been taught to imagine."
I will gladly admit that this second installment was better than the first book. I really enjoyed reading on with the story of Morgan and her friends, as they try to find their place on the ground. It was really funny reading about their reactions to things we all consider normal, like rain. Living in a floating piece of earth had its privileges after all!
I already picked the last book of the series and I don't like the foreshadowing break of the china couple on the cover..
I will gladly admit that this second installment was better than the first book. I really enjoyed reading on with the story of Morgan and her friends, as they try to find their place on the ground. It was really funny reading about their reactions to things we all consider normal, like rain. Living in a floating piece of earth had its privileges after all!
So, "Burning Kingdoms" picks the story from the end of book one, with our survivors landing safely into the strange world of "the ground". However, they are soon disappointed, when they find out that the people there are no less cruel and oppressive than their own. That world felt relatively close to our modern society with cars and planes, cinemas, hotels and amusement parks, with the exception of royalty. The people from "the floating island" were welcomed on the ground, even though they arrived in the middle of a war. New relationships are formed and we find out more about the now familiar characters of Morgan, Lex, Pen and Celeste. The friendship between Pen and Morgan is one of my favorites on these series and I like the way DeStefano plays the romance card: it's subtle and not annoying. The hinting of a potential love triangle is a bit worrying but I trust it will work itself out in the end.There is no train framing this city. There is no limit. It could well go on forever, to a horizon it would take ten lifetimes to run to.
I already picked the last book of the series and I don't like the foreshadowing break of the china couple on the cover..
pantsreads's review against another edition
3.0
bookdingo's review against another edition
4.0
We all knew the love triangle was going to happen and yet, it still felt out of nowhere. I'm admittedly stoked about the third installment.