1morepaige's review against another edition
4.0
I liked the first book, and was happy to start this one right away.
I'm so glad I did because this book was even stronger than Bone-Doll's Twin, with fewer (imo) of the slower parts that dragged a bit.
Well plotted, well characterized, not exactly ground-breaking as far as world-building goes, but that's not too much of an issue with me. Especially if you can get me with a good character. I really love Ki and am growing quite fond of Tobin as well, though that is taking longer for me.
I'm so glad I did because this book was even stronger than Bone-Doll's Twin, with fewer (imo) of the slower parts that dragged a bit.
Well plotted, well characterized, not exactly ground-breaking as far as world-building goes, but that's not too much of an issue with me. Especially if you can get me with a good character. I really love Ki and am growing quite fond of Tobin as well, though that is taking longer for me.
geldauran's review against another edition
3.0
Like Alanna, only full of more complicated and twisty gender roles and politics.
lifeisacharade's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
3.0
cnapple's review against another edition
4.0
So I just got done writing my review of book one and how I found the premise interesting, but it never *grabbed me*. Now here I am one day later reviewing book two. Consider me grabbed.
A lot of my quibbles with "Bone Doll" were cleared up in this second, much more polished novel. Overall the pacing was much better than in the first book. There were still a few odd character jumps which I felt tripped up the narrative a bit, particularly in the climax sequence, but overall the progression of the plot arc felt smooth and logical. The progression of the character arcs was similarly improved.
In "Bone Doll" Tobin's identity crisis is disappointingly abbreviated, and I was left wanting *more* of their reactions and inner thoughts. Without getting too spoilery, I'll simply say that the main character gets a huge information bomb regarding their identity dropped on them about 3/4 through the book, and while I was expecting some major emotional ramifications it's left largely unexplored. In "Warrior" we get a much more personal look at how our lead is feeling about the situation and how it affects their view of themself and their relationships with those closest to them. I was slightly disappointed by what seems to be a rather cliche romantic subplot, but I suppose it may prove to provide a decidedly un-cliche examination into gender identity and sexuality. Tobin's character overall is much more well developed in this installment and I finally found myself really relating to them. Some of the secondary companions - Tharin, Lhel, even "brother" - also get a chance to shine and I'm really starting to like some of them.
The only character I really unenthused about is the primary villain who seems rather comically, over-the-top evil to me. It's like Lewelling pondered over what villainous deeds to lay at his door, rape, kidnapping, child-murder, religious genocide, dark magic, and was like F-it! let's include all of them so that the readers will know that this is one bad dude. I tend to like my villains a little more complicated than that, but there are enough layers to the other characters that I can forgive one case of black and white morality.
All in all I did really enjoy this book. The plot was tightly woven and full of tension, the characters were well fleshed out and complex, and most of all it's just really nice to read some epic fantasy that is brimming with well-written, interesting, courageous, and flawed female characters. I'm eager to see where the conclusion will leave us as there's still a lot of mystery to be resolved.
A lot of my quibbles with "Bone Doll" were cleared up in this second, much more polished novel. Overall the pacing was much better than in the first book. There were still a few odd character jumps which I felt tripped up the narrative a bit, particularly in the climax sequence, but overall the progression of the plot arc felt smooth and logical. The progression of the character arcs was similarly improved.
In "Bone Doll" Tobin's identity crisis is disappointingly abbreviated, and I was left wanting *more* of their reactions and inner thoughts. Without getting too spoilery, I'll simply say that the main character gets a huge information bomb regarding their identity dropped on them about 3/4 through the book, and while I was expecting some major emotional ramifications it's left largely unexplored. In "Warrior" we get a much more personal look at how our lead is feeling about the situation and how it affects their view of themself and their relationships with those closest to them. I was slightly disappointed by what seems to be a rather cliche romantic subplot, but I suppose it may prove to provide a decidedly un-cliche examination into gender identity and sexuality. Tobin's character overall is much more well developed in this installment and I finally found myself really relating to them. Some of the secondary companions - Tharin, Lhel, even "brother" - also get a chance to shine and I'm really starting to like some of them.
The only character I really unenthused about is the primary villain who seems rather comically, over-the-top evil to me. It's like Lewelling pondered over what villainous deeds to lay at his door, rape, kidnapping, child-murder, religious genocide, dark magic, and was like F-it! let's include all of them so that the readers will know that this is one bad dude. I tend to like my villains a little more complicated than that, but there are enough layers to the other characters that I can forgive one case of black and white morality.
All in all I did really enjoy this book. The plot was tightly woven and full of tension, the characters were well fleshed out and complex, and most of all it's just really nice to read some epic fantasy that is brimming with well-written, interesting, courageous, and flawed female characters. I'm eager to see where the conclusion will leave us as there's still a lot of mystery to be resolved.
lordseregil's review
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
sovietgnome's review against another edition
4.0
Somehow avoids hitting the mid-series slump most fantasy can't seem to escape. While I could nitpick about a few little things that bothered me, the bottom line is that I really enjoyed this book. The (few) fantasy cliches present are so naturally written, and fit in so well, that they cease to be annoying and give some warm familiarity to the tale. Flewelling deftly mixes character development, politics, action, and some overarching plot resolution to create a very well balanced and enjoyable fantasy novel.
solalari's review against another edition
5.0
Good book. Intricate plot, and hard to put down. Looking forward to the finale in the third book.
best_ending's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. It's much more a "fantasy of manners" than fantasy-ghost-story which the first book was. I really enjoy both genres so this was a treat. The only caveat is that it's not a sequel, it's the second part of this story and it ends abruptly because the tamir triad should have been one big book. I don't mind paying for it in peices since this is almost 600 pages but it's unfair to judge this as a standalone story.
The writing is beautiful and top notch just as the first book was and I happily started on the next book as soon as I finished this. Often second books lack quality in terms of writing and their pacing/set-up & payoff but this book fortunately does not suffer from that.
All around an exemplary addition to the fantasy genre so far. ✨
The writing is beautiful and top notch just as the first book was and I happily started on the next book as soon as I finished this. Often second books lack quality in terms of writing and their pacing/set-up & payoff but this book fortunately does not suffer from that.
All around an exemplary addition to the fantasy genre so far. ✨