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leona's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Yet again, I know that someone will have summed up my thoughts much better than I possibly can but hopefully this will be concise and well articulated.
Quick disclaimer (sort of) that I read the previous 2 books like a year ago, so the plot, characters etc. weren't exactly fresh in my head, which I think did slightly impact my enjoyment but also I don't think this was a massive problem for me. Also there will most likely be spoilers, (I promise I will try to keep them tagged!!!) and will definitely be spoilers for previous books.
I thought for the majority of the book that I would rate this 2 stars, because for me 'it was ok' but I do think I did enjoy it for the most part so I thought this was a bit harsh. But I really was undecided because I just had so many problems with this book.
Firstly:
The first half was so dry.
It had literally no plot or substance at all, other than a bit of smutty, cliche, yet arguably quite enjoyable romance. I did get through it quickly still but it just annoyed me. I feel like Kemmerer just regretted some of the decisions she made in book 2, especially regarding Rhen and his very questionable actions and just tried to reverse it by reverting him back to book 1 Rhen. He became the character I wanted form book 2 but never got. And yes, I'm still annoyed about book 2 because I loved Rhen so much in book 1 and then he was just agh. But then I still feel like I can understand his actions to some extent, the amount of trauma he was put through by Lilith, it's no wonder why he is terrified of magic. However, Grey was his best friend and confidant and he should have trusted him. Anyway moving on because that is my book 2 complaints not book 3.
The beginning, is annoying, leading to a predictable ending, and just frustrating. Everyone is just flitting around and not really doing a lot and now Rhen has an actual soul and is no longer a heartless monster like we were meant to believe in book 2.
The characters were another annoyance. I loved Rhen. But then I felt like I couldn't like Rhen in book 2 / 3 because of his actions. I don't mind Harper because she actually gets things done, but she is also very reckless and quite petty which was also annoying. Harper and Rhen argue a lot, which is one of my MAIN problems. Apart from a few others, the miscommunication trope is probably my least favourite trope. It drives me absolutely crazy. Anyway, Harper is okay. I also think her disability is presented okay. Grey is also okay but he doesn't have a huge amount of personality other than 'look at my muscles and can't I really fight and protect peeps dude.' And Lia Mara, gosh I never really liked her because she took time from the other characters in book 2, but her dithering and whining really irked me. I do think that she developed a small amount when she started to assert her authority a bit near the end, and I did somewhat enjoy her romance with Grey. I also did somewhat sympathise with her but mostly she was extremely irritating. Also Lia Mara's pregnancy? Well that came out of nowhere and will surely lead to some sort of sequel. I do think it was a somewhat bold move however, because too many fantasy characters seem to do 'stuff' continuously unprotected and there aren't any consequences?
For the rest of the book my problem was mainly its predictability, the dithering of all of the characters I have already mentioned, my lack of caring for any side characters and cringy / cliche romance. Like literally the phrase, 'He makes a low sound in his throat, ' was repeated twice and I'm sick of reading about his jawbone or the fire in your belly or whatever else gets repeated way too often. That reminds me of another thing, the amount of times I get told that Harper comes from Washington DC / Disi. 1: I DONT CARE. 2. YOUVE TOLD ME 50 TIMES ALREADY. Also this may be controversial but I don't think some of the place naming fit with me. eg: Emberfall, Disi, were kind of cringy to me. This is definitely nitpicking and you can feel free to ignore me. I also don't like the name Lilith, but I think this naming choice was actually quite carefully considered, as it supposedly means 'ghost' or 'night monster' which is, well, fitting.
I was also just annoyed that Lilith is even still here. Like STOP RESURRECTING VILLAINS. I MEAN IT. I also don't think Kemmerer really expanded the magic system to its full potential and I think that there could have been more backstory to Lilith (or maybe there was but I just can't remember)
Eek. I probably have more criticisms but I can't remember them right now. Even thought literarily I think this should be 2 stars 'it was ok' I enjoyed it too much AGAINST MY WILL and WAS FORCED BY MY BRAIN to rate it 3 stars.
Quick disclaimer (sort of) that I read the previous 2 books like a year ago, so the plot, characters etc. weren't exactly fresh in my head, which I think did slightly impact my enjoyment but also I don't think this was a massive problem for me. Also there will most likely be spoilers, (I promise I will try to keep them tagged!!!) and will definitely be spoilers for previous books.
I thought for the majority of the book that I would rate this 2 stars, because for me 'it was ok' but I do think I did enjoy it for the most part so I thought this was a bit harsh. But I really was undecided because I just had so many problems with this book.
Firstly:
The first half was so dry.
It had literally no plot or substance at all, other than a bit of smutty, cliche, yet arguably quite enjoyable romance. I did get through it quickly still but it just annoyed me. I feel like Kemmerer just regretted some of the decisions she made in book 2, especially regarding Rhen and his very questionable actions and just tried to reverse it by reverting him back to book 1 Rhen. He became the character I wanted form book 2 but never got. And yes, I'm still annoyed about book 2 because I loved Rhen so much in book 1 and then he was just agh. But then I still feel like I can understand his actions to some extent, the amount of trauma he was put through by Lilith, it's no wonder why he is terrified of magic. However, Grey was his best friend and confidant and he should have trusted him. Anyway moving on because that is my book 2 complaints not book 3.
The beginning, is annoying, leading to a predictable ending, and just frustrating. Everyone is just flitting around and not really doing a lot and now Rhen has an actual soul and is no longer a heartless monster like we were meant to believe in book 2.
The characters were another annoyance. I loved Rhen. But then I felt like I couldn't like Rhen in book 2 / 3 because of his actions. I don't mind Harper because she actually gets things done, but she is also very reckless and quite petty which was also annoying. Harper and Rhen argue a lot, which is one of my MAIN problems. Apart from a few others, the miscommunication trope is probably my least favourite trope. It drives me absolutely crazy. Anyway, Harper is okay. I also think her disability is presented okay. Grey is also okay but he doesn't have a huge amount of personality other than 'look at my muscles and can't I really fight and protect peeps dude.' And Lia Mara, gosh I never really liked her because she took time from the other characters in book 2, but her dithering and whining really irked me. I do think that she developed a small amount when she started to assert her authority a bit near the end, and I did somewhat enjoy her romance with Grey. I also did somewhat sympathise with her but mostly she was extremely irritating.
For the rest of the book my problem was mainly its predictability, the dithering of all of the characters I have already mentioned, my lack of caring for any side characters and cringy / cliche romance. Like literally the phrase, 'He makes a low sound in his throat, ' was repeated twice and I'm sick of reading about his jawbone or the fire in your belly or whatever else gets repeated way too often. That reminds me of another thing, the amount of times I get told that Harper comes from Washington DC / Disi. 1: I DONT CARE. 2. YOUVE TOLD ME 50 TIMES ALREADY. Also this may be controversial but I don't think some of the place naming fit with me. eg: Emberfall, Disi, were kind of cringy to me. This is definitely nitpicking and you can feel free to ignore me. I also don't like the name Lilith, but I think this naming choice was actually quite carefully considered, as it supposedly means 'ghost' or 'night monster' which is, well, fitting.
I was also just annoyed that Lilith is even still here. Like STOP RESURRECTING VILLAINS. I MEAN IT. I also don't think Kemmerer really expanded the magic system to its full potential and I think that there could have been more backstory to Lilith (or maybe there was but I just can't remember)
Eek. I probably have more criticisms but I can't remember them right now. Even thought literarily I think this should be 2 stars 'it was ok' I enjoyed it too much AGAINST MY WILL and WAS FORCED BY MY BRAIN to rate it 3 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Emotional abuse, Torture, Blood, and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Vomit, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and War
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