admirablytae's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
jem_read6's review
3.0
A nice little prologue but both of them feel weirdly paced as well as rushed. Queen's song was so off hand that everything happened and suddenly she is marrying the Crown Prince and having a son. I know we are supposed to be led that they really loved eachother and this might just have been the voice actor because I listened to the audiobook but it didn't sound convincing it sounded like she settled. Also Farley's story did the same. All the coded text made it highly confusing and didn't really set up the romance between her and shade well. The only part I kinda liked in this novella binde up was there was a character with my name. A silver of house Jacos who of course is dead........ yay.
cet828's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.75
dannycakez8808's review
4.0
This was a great read for background information on some of the characters we have met in books 1&2. It left me wanting to know more of Coriane and despising Elara more than ever. I feel more connected to Farley. We have a better understanding of her crews operation and her connection with Shade. I can't wait to jump into book 3.
caprosun_23's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
bookedbyruqs's review
4.0
Awesome backstory to some of the characters from Red Queen and how they met and came to be who they were. I loved how we got to see a silver's perspective in the story, Queen Song. I really enjoyed it and loved seeing how she became queen. l liked her romance with Tiberias. It was young, innocent love but obviously that changed when he became king. Elara was a bitch as always and it was sad seeing Queen Coriane losing her mind as time went on. Her miscarriages were also so sad and very impactful to read. It was so heartwarming to see what she wants her son cal to be one day as king. I really hope he does become a good king. After reading red queen I can definitely see some of the core values Coraline has as with Mare.
Steel scars was MADDDD. I actually love Farley. That girl is so badass. I loved how we got to see and learn her backstory and a more in-depth view of the scarlet guard. It was awesome to see those involved in it, the hierarchy within the scarlet guard, their operations, their coded messages between each other. It was done really well. I loved Shade's character!!!! And his ability!!! And I totally ship him with Farley!!! What a duoooooo!!!
Overall this novella is amazing. It gives us an incredible backstory of characters within Red queen and more. It delves readers deeper into this world and it is amazingggggggg.
Steel scars was MADDDD. I actually love Farley. That girl is so badass. I loved how we got to see and learn her backstory and a more in-depth view of the scarlet guard. It was awesome to see those involved in it, the hierarchy within the scarlet guard, their operations, their coded messages between each other. It was done really well. I loved Shade's character!!!! And his ability!!! And I totally ship him with Farley!!! What a duoooooo!!!
Overall this novella is amazing. It gives us an incredible backstory of characters within Red queen and more. It delves readers deeper into this world and it is amazingggggggg.
neo_giannis's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Long story short. After ready Glass Sword, I wanted to know more about Cal's mother, Coriane and especially Elara. The novella, Cruel Crown takes play before the series a focuses on two stories, Queen's Song and Steel Scars.
I first part of the novella, Queen's Song is about Coriane growing up. I focus on her struggles with not being about to fully express or be herself. It's very sad and heartbreaking what she went through in this short story. I was super invested and I wished there was more to it. We get to see young Julian and Sara as well as how Coriane meets Tiberias who becomes King. The twisted minds of the royal Slive court and Elara's mind games on Coriane. And we got to see Coriane with baby Cal which was super cute but sad to know that she would pass afterwards. Overall it was very good but I wish there was more to it.
Enjoyment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The next short story is Steel Scars and......it was boring...nothing was happening....I dropped it 20% the way through. It focuses on Farley but to lead the Scarlet Guard rebellion the Colonel assigned her the first mission by herself to do it. She meets Shade Barrow and the other forgettable smuggler characters along the way. Honestly, there is nothing good about Steel Scars, they're just in the development of an uprising and that's all they talk about. This short story could have been only 50 pages while Queens Song could have been double its length. It's a shame I dropped it as I wanted to know more about Farley and Shade but....it was such as waste of time and disappointment.
Enjoyment: ⭐️
I first part of the novella, Queen's Song is about Coriane growing up. I focus on her struggles with not being about to fully express or be herself. It's very sad and heartbreaking what she went through in this short story. I was super invested and I wished there was more to it. We get to see young Julian and Sara as well as how Coriane meets Tiberias who becomes King. The twisted minds of the royal Slive court and Elara's mind games on Coriane. And we got to see Coriane with baby Cal which was super cute but sad to know that she would pass afterwards. Overall it was very good but I wish there was more to it.
Enjoyment: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The next short story is Steel Scars and......it was boring...nothing was happening....I dropped it 20% the way through. It focuses on Farley but to lead the Scarlet Guard rebellion the Colonel assigned her the first mission by herself to do it. She meets Shade Barrow and the other forgettable smuggler characters along the way. Honestly, there is nothing good about Steel Scars, they're just in the development of an uprising and that's all they talk about. This short story could have been only 50 pages while Queens Song could have been double its length. It's a shame I dropped it as I wanted to know more about Farley and Shade but....it was such as waste of time and disappointment.
Enjoyment: ⭐️
aaraia's review
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
5.0