gmarieb3's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of my favorite set of books. It follows the story of Flesh and Spirit, where we meet Valen. This book, while frustrating in it's single-viewpoint telling is a good conclusion to the problems set up in the frist novel. Generally I thought that the plot development and pace was beautifully set up. You are not left with much time to mull things over, but with what is happening, you don't need it. It is hard to write much without letting you know all the details of the plot, but let me say these books are very much worth the read.
xeni's review against another edition
3.0
Well, I've finished the book. This one was much faster paced than the first one. There was more hope and light in here too. However, there's still so much pain, anger, suffering, death, destruction, and ruin that a "happy" epilogue cannot make up for.
This Duet is quite bleak, very grim, takes pleasure in the worst of humanity and tries to blanace that, though I believe it falls far short.
I aspects I liked included the quiet life at the monastery, the nature-based magic of the Dane, and how hope and love does see everyone through. But everything else I hated and had to push myself to read through.
This Duet is quite bleak, very grim, takes pleasure in the worst of humanity and tries to blanace that, though I believe it falls far short.
I aspects I liked included the quiet life at the monastery, the nature-based magic of the Dane, and how hope and love does see everyone through. But everything else I hated and had to push myself to read through.
acardattack's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
It picks up right after the first book, if they were one book it would read the same, and that is fine. Pacing is slightly better, but first half was still slow at times
A lot of characters, by the end I ended up getting a few of them mixed up, but there are a lot of twists and turns along the way so I kind of attribute it to that.
This isnt a duet I would ever revisit, nor call it one of my favorites, but it isnt bad, I finished them, I enjoyed my time and can say I read them. I think if these were paced a little better it would rank a little higher for me.
A lot of characters, by the end I ended up getting a few of them mixed up, but there are a lot of twists and turns along the way so I kind of attribute it to that.
This isnt a duet I would ever revisit, nor call it one of my favorites, but it isnt bad, I finished them, I enjoyed my time and can say I read them. I think if these were paced a little better it would rank a little higher for me.
pageshifter's review against another edition
3.0
I liked main character and several secondary characters were also interesting - even though writing style made it a bit hard to relate to them sometimes.
The world and atmosphere were so much more appealing in this book than in the first installment. Everything felt so much more alive.
Story was interesting and there were some thrilling moments as well. Pacing was a bit slow, especially during the first 50 % of the book.
This really was worth reading but also a bit demanding book to read.
The world and atmosphere were so much more appealing in this book than in the first installment. Everything felt so much more alive.
Story was interesting and there were some thrilling moments as well. Pacing was a bit slow, especially during the first 50 % of the book.
This really was worth reading but also a bit demanding book to read.
ndxmedina's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
napalm's review
adventurous
dark
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
beccagomezfarrell's review against another edition
4.0
A stellar sequel to Flesh and Blood, this book has great imagery and is full of characters with varying shades of gray and dark magics to be averted. Just as twisty as the first, but more satisfying though there are several loose ends.
wynwicket's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Dark and violent, yet very beautiful in parts. Medieval warfare and sorcery with an environmentalist touch. Excalibur meets Fern Gully?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Violence
thebookcoyote's review against another edition
5.0
This book was incredible. While I found the first book a bit slow, in retrospect it was exactly what it needed to be in order to make this book what it is. You needed the background, the development of Valen's character, and the slow building of the politics and mythology in order for this book to work. Berg is a genius at creating characters. Valen really comes to life, and I love him for his flaws as much as for his strengths, for his mistakes as much as for his successes. He's such a real character that it's so easy to relate to him, so easy to sympathize with, and it makes the books so much more personal and poignant because of it. The writing is beautiful, and her descriptions are enough to make you feel Valen's claustophobia, or actually feel his wonder at seeing the Danae in your own heart. Just a beautiful, beautiful book. Wow. Bravo.