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bamfling's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Suicide, Violence, and Blood
dragonwriter's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
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
3.5
After defying Sophia and waking Princess Charlotte, Camellia, Amber, and Remy are on the run to avoid her wrath. Sophia is quick to take advantage of their departure, declare her mother and sister dead, and schedule her coronation in seven days, effectively securing the throne. The Belles and Remy meet up with Edel in the Spice Isles and try to plan how to put the still-living Charlotte on the throne. While they plot and plan, they learn new things about the Belles, including new abilities and new allies, but Edel suspects that Amber has been corrupted by her time in Sophia’s court. As the coronation gets closer, Sophia closes in, picking off Camellia’s allies one by one, while making stricter and harsher beauty laws. Desperate to save her sisters and her home, Camellia makes a reckless gamble and moves to face off with the mad Queen of Orleans.
Sophia made an excellent villain, and the narrator did a wonderful job of portraying her cruel simpering. Camellia really suffers in this book, losing her sisters one by one until she’s all alone and only has to rely on herself, but I like how she faces Sophia alone at the end. The little dragons were an adorable addition to the group, and I loved them! But Edel annoyed the crap out of me! I was more or less happy when she was captured and I didn’t have to put up with her anymore. Amber’s further betrayal seemed a little strange to me, but her ambition was always strong and powerful, so it does play to her character. And I KNEW that August would get a redemption, though I’m glad Camellia didn’t fully forgive him and had her happy ending with Remy. Overall, I enjoyed this book, but since book 3 is about Edel, I’m skipping it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Emotional abuse, and Suicide
Minor: Slavery
ashleereadsbooks692's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Suicide, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder
allisonwonderlandreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
"Resistance comes in many forms and alliances take many shapes. Sometimes it'e all fire and storms, cutting off the heads of important people. Other times, it's slow, a crack forming in glass, inching forward sliver by sliver, spreading out across the entire surface."
This is a story of resistance-- of sometimes simmering, sometimes seething anger. After the events of The Belles left things in disarray, The Everlasting Rose picks up with an action-packed, on-the-run type situation. We get to explore more of the map as our outlaws crisscross the islands, trying to keep to the shadows, save the Belles, and save the kingdom from its evil queen. Plus, we get teacup dragons, which is an amazing idea in every way.
Dhonielle Clayton is a rockstar of figurative language, and her descriptions were just as tantalizing and immersive as in the first book. The message about the harm of society's beauty standards is also just as strong. In a departure from the first book, It was good to see Camille rise from victim to morally grey vengeance-seeker, even when her grittier role came to stress me out. At least she was no one's pawn.
My lingering concerns are thus: there was a second instalove plot here, and I've got to draw the line somewhere (preferably before the first, but oh, well). Also, the plot ends on a kind of traumatized note. I don't think I know how to process where things landed until I see it play out in a sequel. The story was wrapped up almost abruptly after the final showdown, and after a slew of reveals, losses, and furious acts of violence, I needed to reflect a bit more with the characters on what it all means. I hope that is forthcoming in future books.
This is a story of resistance-- of sometimes simmering, sometimes seething anger. After the events of The Belles left things in disarray, The Everlasting Rose picks up with an action-packed, on-the-run type situation. We get to explore more of the map as our outlaws crisscross the islands, trying to keep to the shadows, save the Belles, and save the kingdom from its evil queen. Plus, we get teacup dragons, which is an amazing idea in every way.
Dhonielle Clayton is a rockstar of figurative language, and her descriptions were just as tantalizing and immersive as in the first book. The message about the harm of society's beauty standards is also just as strong. In a departure from the first book, It was good to see Camille rise from victim to morally grey vengeance-seeker, even when her grittier role came to stress me out. At least she was no one's pawn.
My lingering concerns are thus: there was a second instalove plot here, and I've got to draw the line somewhere (preferably before the first, but oh, well). Also, the plot ends on a kind of traumatized note. I don't think I know how to process where things landed until I see it play out in a sequel. The story was wrapped up almost abruptly after the final showdown, and after a slew of reveals, losses, and furious acts of violence, I needed to reflect a bit more with the characters on what it all means. I hope that is forthcoming in future books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming and Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Suicide, Torture, and Murder
saroshnandwani's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Body shaming, Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Kidnapping
jashanac's review against another edition
4.0
Re-read this and I'm going to leave the 4 star rating. This series (so far -- haven't read the third one just yet) isn't one of my all-time faves that I want to scream from the rooftops... but I REALLY enjoy it. I love Dhonielle Clayton's authorial voice and use of language. Especially in this world... it's so decadent. The world, and her turns of phrase.
This is also such a unique fantasy world. Beautiful and bright on the surface but deeply disturbed and rotten when you look closer.
I just don't LOVE the characters. I don't dislike them. I just don't feel notably engrossed with them. And in this book the plot was a bit meandering, I felt. A bit of "middle book syndrome", I suppose.
This is also such a unique fantasy world. Beautiful and bright on the surface but deeply disturbed and rotten when you look closer.
I just don't LOVE the characters. I don't dislike them. I just don't feel notably engrossed with them. And in this book the plot was a bit meandering, I felt. A bit of "middle book syndrome", I suppose.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Confinement, Torture, and Kidnapping