jisnthome's review against another edition
3.0
Just in case you needed more disintegrating horses. There’s also war!
blcharly15's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
4.0
Bloodsworn // by Scott Reintgen
When I first saw this cover on NetGalley, I knew I had to read the book. I mean, I didn't really have a choice of course. I was THRILLED when my request was approved and promptly used it to buy the first book of the series, which has a cover that is just as amazing. I can't wait to eventually have both of these on my shelves.
I already said it in my review for Ashlords but I have really struggled with YA books this year so while I was very excited about reading this series, I was also a little nervous as well that maybe my expectation were a bit too high going in. Thankfully that was not true at all. I thoroughly enjoyed reading both books and having them available back-to-back was a great plus. Neither one is extremely long, which made for a few fun low-stress days. While I generally like sweeping epics with highly detailed descriptions, it was also a nice breath of air to not have that in this series. Just like book 1, Bloodsworn was packed full with action. There was enough description to easily be able to picture the worlds above and below, but not enough to slow you down and keep you in one spot for too long. Most of the chapters are relatively short, which has you feeling like you're moving at a crisp pace as well. This is not to say that anything feels rushed but rather that this is a book that has constant movement and never leaves you yearning for more action.
While there was not a whole lot more that we learned about the magical system, we did get to see a few more applications of it that were really fun. It did surprise me that sometimes the opposing side was surprised and unprepared for certain attacks as you would think that after having phoenix horses for multiple generations, their utilization would be more studied and prepared for. But overall, the battles were still interesting and fun. While sometimes situations seemed a bit too easy to get through, once you think about it more deeply, it does work well with the history of the populations to work out the way it does.
The multiple point of views continued the same way as in book 1 and I thoroughly enjoyed the cleverness of the author in this later on. While I struggled a bit with the 2nd person POV in book 1, it really ended up growing on me and I did not have any issues at all with it this time. I loved being able to see the war from each characters' view, especially once things got a little more heated and delicate. Several times did I find myself doubting what I was reading because I couldn't fathom the characters acting a certain way but eventually, everything came together perfectly. I am impressed at how well Reintgen played the characters off each other and kept me guessing throughout again and again.
While I personally would have loved to find out much more about this world and especially the phoenix horses, this series is a solid 4 star read for me. I find this a fun read for adults and also very appropriate for YA readers as it has some great themes that can encourage great conversations. I'm not a huge fan of perfect endings and love that this one leaves room for imagination and growth for its characters. Since this is a duology and we won't hear how the characters fare beyond the ending, it does show that things don't always have to be perfect down to the last little detail to be better than before.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
When I first saw this cover on NetGalley, I knew I had to read the book. I mean, I didn't really have a choice of course. I was THRILLED when my request was approved and promptly used it to buy the first book of the series, which has a cover that is just as amazing. I can't wait to eventually have both of these on my shelves.
I already said it in my review for Ashlords but I have really struggled with YA books this year so while I was very excited about reading this series, I was also a little nervous as well that maybe my expectation were a bit too high going in. Thankfully that was not true at all. I thoroughly enjoyed reading both books and having them available back-to-back was a great plus. Neither one is extremely long, which made for a few fun low-stress days. While I generally like sweeping epics with highly detailed descriptions, it was also a nice breath of air to not have that in this series. Just like book 1, Bloodsworn was packed full with action. There was enough description to easily be able to picture the worlds above and below, but not enough to slow you down and keep you in one spot for too long. Most of the chapters are relatively short, which has you feeling like you're moving at a crisp pace as well. This is not to say that anything feels rushed but rather that this is a book that has constant movement and never leaves you yearning for more action.
While there was not a whole lot more that we learned about the magical system, we did get to see a few more applications of it that were really fun. It did surprise me that sometimes the opposing side was surprised and unprepared for certain attacks as you would think that after having phoenix horses for multiple generations, their utilization would be more studied and prepared for. But overall, the battles were still interesting and fun. While sometimes situations seemed a bit too easy to get through, once you think about it more deeply, it does work well with the history of the populations to work out the way it does.
The multiple point of views continued the same way as in book 1 and I thoroughly enjoyed the cleverness of the author in this later on. While I struggled a bit with the 2nd person POV in book 1, it really ended up growing on me and I did not have any issues at all with it this time. I loved being able to see the war from each characters' view, especially once things got a little more heated and delicate. Several times did I find myself doubting what I was reading because I couldn't fathom the characters acting a certain way but eventually, everything came together perfectly. I am impressed at how well Reintgen played the characters off each other and kept me guessing throughout again and again.
While I personally would have loved to find out much more about this world and especially the phoenix horses, this series is a solid 4 star read for me. I find this a fun read for adults and also very appropriate for YA readers as it has some great themes that can encourage great conversations. I'm not a huge fan of perfect endings and love that this one leaves room for imagination and growth for its characters. Since this is a duology and we won't hear how the characters fare beyond the ending, it does show that things don't always have to be perfect down to the last little detail to be better than before.
Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
ember12's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
This book was very good but it didn’t hold my attention like the first book until the very end. If it had, I would of given it five stars. It has you wanting it to not end, but sadly, it has to. Have a wonderful day!
readingwithemmett's review against another edition
5.0
I’ve had this book for a few months now, but every time I went to pick it up, I knew that I wouldn’t be in the right mindset to read it. Finally, I felt ready to read it, and I’m so glad I waited. This book was good. I felt like everything came together and I feel satisfied with the ending.
I actually grew to love Pippa more in this book than the first one. About halfway through the book, I came to enjoy reading her perspective from third person, which I didn’t like in the first book. Adrian's character grew so much in this book and enjoyed his character more in this one as well. I think the author did a great job developing Pippa and Adrian’s relationship. I don’t feel like Imelda wasn't as much of a main character in this one, but I still enjoyed her perspective and it gave a great insight once all the characters came together.
While I did love this book and thought the ending was good, I would still love to see a spin-off. Maybe something from the characters’ children in the future. It doesn’t have to be a war or anything that they fight, but maybe an adventure they go on.
I received this book for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review>
I actually grew to love Pippa more in this book than the first one. About halfway through the book, I came to enjoy reading her perspective from third person, which I didn’t like in the first book. Adrian's character grew so much in this book and enjoyed his character more in this one as well. I think the author did a great job developing Pippa and Adrian’s relationship. I don’t feel like Imelda wasn't as much of a main character in this one, but I still enjoyed her perspective and it gave a great insight once all the characters came together.
While I did love this book and thought the ending was good, I would still love to see a spin-off. Maybe something from the characters’ children in the future. It doesn’t have to be a war or anything that they fight, but maybe an adventure they go on.
I received this book for free via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review>
melissasfandomworld's review against another edition
4.0
4,5 stars!
---
Wow, this was such a super fast paced, entertaining and above all: a refreshing/renewing read that surprised me in the best way possible!
The basics of the world, the writing, the characters and story-line is just as awesome as it all was in Ashlords, but the author managed to bring us a renewing 2nd installment, and taking things up to the next level, which was a magnificent surprise! All that I fell in love with in Ashlords was present, but then there's a great amount of 'newness' added to the mix story-wise that I truly wasn't expecting to get (don't want to spoil so I'll remain superficial here haha) and I couldn't get enough of it! I'm a bit sad it's just a duology and that it's all over now...
I seldom come across a follow up book that is able to surprise me in such a good way. This book was mostly everything I was hoping for to get beforehand; action, more in depth development, being able to see more of this fictional world and good/strong/solid character development. If you've loved Ashlords, you're in for a treat with Bloodsworn! Be ready to be amazed and above all: Enjoyyyyy, because this epic journey is over before you know it seeing it's super fast paced!
I buddy-read Ashlords last year with my friend Marylon, and we decided to buddy-read Bloodsworn as well which made this experience all the more fun! It's great to talk about the book in between reading-shifts and discuss together about what's all happening!
---
"We danced the moon into coming out, the stars into shining. We danced to welcome a whole new world into existence. It is a song that no one can take from us now."
Wow, this was such a super fast paced, entertaining and above all: a refreshing/renewing read that surprised me in the best way possible!
The basics of the world, the writing, the characters and story-line is just as awesome as it all was in Ashlords, but the author managed to bring us a renewing 2nd installment, and taking things up to the next level, which was a magnificent surprise! All that I fell in love with in Ashlords was present, but then there's a great amount of 'newness' added to the mix story-wise that I truly wasn't expecting to get (don't want to spoil so I'll remain superficial here haha) and I couldn't get enough of it! I'm a bit sad it's just a duology and that it's all over now...
I seldom come across a follow up book that is able to surprise me in such a good way. This book was mostly everything I was hoping for to get beforehand; action, more in depth development, being able to see more of this fictional world and good/strong/solid character development. If you've loved Ashlords, you're in for a treat with Bloodsworn! Be ready to be amazed and above all: Enjoyyyyy, because this epic journey is over before you know it seeing it's super fast paced!
I buddy-read Ashlords last year with my friend Marylon, and we decided to buddy-read Bloodsworn as well which made this experience all the more fun! It's great to talk about the book in between reading-shifts and discuss together about what's all happening!
rvelra's review against another edition
3.75
It was great, truly. But i feel there wasn't enough of a cost to the things they achieved. It was just to easy, with practically no cost or losses. That kinda ruined it for me. But other than that and the writing style, it was lovely.
monkeysbecausewhynot's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
4.25
jessifreakincareads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0