a_reading_xennial's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
It was a great middle book in the trilogy. It had a lot of politics so be ready for that. I love being in this world. I'm excited to continue this series.
applesodaperson's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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
4.5
Ahhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!! This series is certifiably a masterpiece. The world building is amazing and having a big cast of compelling characters is done so well. I can’t wait to read the third one.
Listened to on Audible for the family book club.
Spoiler
Also, I spent the whole book expecting a happy ending. Honestly this was kind of silly of me because this is the second book in a trilogy, which indicates that the ending probably won’t be good for the characters, and that they will be up against an even worse threat in the third book.Listened to on Audible for the family book club.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and War
msanta21's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
4.0
esieho's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
mermaidreef's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Word vomit time
-I hate to say it but these characters are kind of boring? Sanderson's way of writing is very reflective and is usually composed of the POV character's personal musings, with the plot details forming the backdrop. I got very easily bored with all of them and didn't feel like there was anything really INTERESTING going on with them or anything to make me perk up and really pay attention to them
-the mormonism coming off this book was POWERFUL. the way these two got married and all they did was kiss??? I know they're youngish like 18 and 21 but still. Brandon is also apparently allergic to writing good relationship development which I feel also gives Mormon. Where's the yearning where's the gradual increase in intimacy why are we swearing our souls to people after having hung out w them for a few weeks. And like these characters are out here getting married but if they were held at gunpoint I don't think either one would be able to give five solid reasons why they love each other
-this book also is dense and SLOW with LOTS of politics, lots of different actors in the overall plot. The first 450 pages???????? Wildly mid. Which is too long for things to get good
-that being said, did the last 150 pages bang, slap, fuck even??????? Yes. Yes very much. I will most likely read the next one
-the other thing that's done right is the presence of an overarching philosophical theme woven throughout the trilogy, aka religion. What is the purpose of a religion, what does it do for a people, let's interrogate religious fundamentalism, let's do some critical thinking abt religion etc etc. And the end of this book in particular ties in SO perfectly to that theme
-my final gripe is that Sanderson's prose, while utilitarian and effective, is clunky and awkward at times. The result is that even in high action scenes I have to stop and reread in parts so I can really visualize what's going on, which interrupts the flow of the book. It also gets old sometimes reading highly technical descriptions of allomancy
-I hate to say it but these characters are kind of boring? Sanderson's way of writing is very reflective and is usually composed of the POV character's personal musings, with the plot details forming the backdrop. I got very easily bored with all of them and didn't feel like there was anything really INTERESTING going on with them or anything to make me perk up and really pay attention to them
-the mormonism coming off this book was POWERFUL. the way these two got married and all they did was kiss??? I know they're youngish like 18 and 21 but still. Brandon is also apparently allergic to writing good relationship development which I feel also gives Mormon. Where's the yearning where's the gradual increase in intimacy why are we swearing our souls to people after having hung out w them for a few weeks. And like these characters are out here getting married but if they were held at gunpoint I don't think either one would be able to give five solid reasons why they love each other
-this book also is dense and SLOW with LOTS of politics, lots of different actors in the overall plot. The first 450 pages???????? Wildly mid. Which is too long for things to get good
-that being said, did the last 150 pages bang, slap, fuck even??????? Yes. Yes very much. I will most likely read the next one
-the other thing that's done right is the presence of an overarching philosophical theme woven throughout the trilogy, aka religion. What is the purpose of a religion, what does it do for a people, let's interrogate religious fundamentalism, let's do some critical thinking abt religion etc etc. And the end of this book in particular ties in SO perfectly to that theme
-my final gripe is that Sanderson's prose, while utilitarian and effective, is clunky and awkward at times. The result is that even in high action scenes I have to stop and reread in parts so I can really visualize what's going on, which interrupts the flow of the book. It also gets old sometimes reading highly technical descriptions of allomancy
kirsteny's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-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
4.25
ahale95's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The Edward-Jacob-esque subplot was terrible. Anytime the book would get even remotely cool or interesting it would be ruined by the cringe romance subplot. I don't hate romance subplots, it's just that this one is incredibly poorly written. However, like the previous book in the series, the ending was fantastic.
joshuabushen's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, a slow start but a truly explosive and satisfying conclusion. Couldn't put it down for a 150 pages. 4.8/5