Reviews

CW: SA

MINOR SPOILERS

Um, so I really liked the first book.

And then in this one, Alec is date raped and Seregil just laughs it off. Which I then looked into and found out it is never reconciled, dealt with or discussed. And Seregil continues to joke over it.

And he and Alec are meant to be a couple later on? Nah. I'm out.

Pretty pissed because I'd bought the first five books of this series as I really enjoyed the first one. But knowing that particular, crappy detail, I won't be continuing. That's just super shitty.

Wtf Flewelling?

emcrem's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious reflective tense medium-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

caitann's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious sad 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? Yes

5.0

Okay I am absolutely obsessed! Sword and sorcery perfection! Highly recommended by Robin Hobb! Classic fantasy written in the 90s featuring a wholesome, heart-achingly lovely properly gay relationship full of yearning and sweetness! A world rich in danger and dark magic! Ahhhh!

Also the setting of Rhiminee, from Wheel Street to the Cockerel to Oreska House out to Watermead, etc, makes me feel so at home and immersing in it grants the same cozy and comforting vibes as any great tavern scene featuring a blazing hearth, hot bowl of stew, and mug of brandy on a rainy night shared with characters I love so deeply. This book is that feeling. So quintessentially fantasy. Perfection. ❤️

Also, that ending - all the romantasy I could ever need 🥹

barbarakaterina's review against another edition

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3.0

One of my pet peeves is when supposed experts act like green boys and idiots, and unfortunately in this instalment the super spies miss so many obvious warning signs it's painful. The rape that's not even acknowledged didn't help either...

josh_vanrys's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional mysterious fast-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? Yes

5.0

draconic's review against another edition

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4.0

Edit 6/5/23: After a month's reflection, the good parts have solidified in my mind while the parts I struggled with seem more minor. To reflect this, I'm boosting my rating up. There's a lot in here I'm fond of, even with the unevenness.

-

I'm going to have to reflect on this one a bit and see where I land in a few months. There are parts I adored (some nice and creepy imagery, the main duo's dynamic, some of the side characters, just how fun the magic was) and parts that simply did nothing for me (everything with the troops/battles, the unevenness with how seriously I feel we're supposed to take mental struggles and morally grey actions in the world). Will update this review once I've organized my thoughts better.

I am invested in the main duo now and open to following their future adventures, so if nothing else, I'm excited by how much more is to come.

elm's review against another edition

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5.0

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: [SCREAMS INTO HANDS]

I LOVED THIS x2!!!!!! All of the problems that I had with the first book were fixed!! I'm so happy!! the plot was tighter, the characters/ world were more established, which meant that I spent less time wondering who people were or where in the world they were, and the pacing was so much faster. Also!! the pining in this book left me for dead... I am dead right now! bless!!!

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