fancifulpages's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
vanesst's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, and Rape
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, Slavery, Animal cruelty, Confinement, and Death
Minor: Suicide and Adult/minor relationship
raceaa's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
natanata's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
minak's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
madwomaninanattic's review against another edition
5.0
4.5. I really enjoyed Muse, maybe even more so than Strange. I think that Laini was reaching a little bit with some of the plot line especially when it came to the whole heart of the citadel, I still can’t imagine the layout of it and the way it opens up as a portal, while the rest was well set out and timed. I was on the edge of my seat for most of it and the way that each character has their own perspective and arc. However, the new intertwining story line became confusing after a while. Nevertheless, Kora and Nova really broke my heart. I think the way their story came together was interesting and not what I expected at all but I guess it made sense in the end about who was who and why it led the conclusion it did.
The issue I had mainly was the fact that the whole concept of the empire and the world continuums was introduced kind of suddenly during world building (and I don’t recall it being mentioned in the previous book). I understood most of it fine like the Seraphs breaking through the overlapping portals to discover different world or that the Empire of Zeru was failing and Skathis decided to take it down before declaring himself and god and residing in one place so he could create havoc and create babies to sell. But somehow after reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone series I still don’t fully grasp the world continuums and how all the worlds fit together. I seemed to struggle a lot with this (and I’ll admit I struggle a lot in other books too). The book does well to explain what happens to the babies but not where they all went. I think now that they have the ledger with all the sold children, if there is a third book maybe it’ll discuss more about who and where they were sold to.
Sometimes I felt like nothing much was happening except people explaining in more depth what happened to them or in Weeps history. I don’t understand the purpose the printed scripts in the back and front of the book but I guess it was a fun activity.
The character development in Thyon was my favourite although minor and to finally understand Minya more now is so wholesome.
I liked the reference to the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, even though it was only a small mention. Like at the end...what does that mean?? I NEED TO KNOW.
The end made me tear up because it was so sweet. A Godspawn and human mix breed family living in an eagle. Love it. Also, Erik-Fane and Azareen my god my heart melted for them and I honestly am so intrigued to see whether Lazlo and Sarai can find a Godspawn who can make a body for her
The issue I had mainly was the fact that the whole concept of the empire and the world continuums was introduced kind of suddenly during world building (and I don’t recall it being mentioned in the previous book). I understood most of it fine like the Seraphs breaking through the overlapping portals to discover different world or that the Empire of Zeru was failing and Skathis decided to take it down before declaring himself and god and residing in one place so he could create havoc and create babies to sell. But somehow after reading Daughter of Smoke and Bone series I still don’t fully grasp the world continuums and how all the worlds fit together. I seemed to struggle a lot with this (and I’ll admit I struggle a lot in other books too). The book does well to explain what happens to the babies but not where they all went. I think now that they have the ledger with all the sold children, if there is a third book maybe it’ll discuss more about who and where they were sold to.
Sometimes I felt like nothing much was happening except people explaining in more depth what happened to them or in Weeps history. I don’t understand the purpose the printed scripts in the back and front of the book but I guess it was a fun activity.
The character development in Thyon was my favourite although minor and to finally understand Minya more now is so wholesome.
I liked the reference to the Daughter of Smoke and Bone series, even though it was only a small mention. Like at the end...what does that mean?? I NEED TO KNOW.
The end made me tear up because it was so sweet. A Godspawn and human mix breed family living in an eagle. Love it. Also, Erik-Fane and Azareen my god my heart melted for them and I honestly am so intrigued to see whether Lazlo and Sarai can find a Godspawn who can make a body for her
estelletrn's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
dlberglund's review against another edition
4.0
I loved Strange the Dreamer so much that I felt it in my body, and was sure I would know the shape and feel of this sequel in the same way. But Muse took so many unexpected turns that kept me a little off balance. I still really really liked it, but I'm still mulling about the storytelling choices, and whether they should have gone where they did.
Muse picks up exactly where Strange left off (at To Be Continued) and we follow the grief and fear of some of our main characters. Some chapters introduce us to two characters, sisters, who we know must weave into our story somewhere...but where? The pieces start to come together, but our two lovebird main characters are still busy kissing each other's navels.... it's a little much.
I love the magic. I love our quirky, flawed, noble characters. I love the city and its mythology. I loved seeing pieces of the bigger universe. I do think there were more things that I had to overlook in this book, including much repetition (to catch people up who might have skipped or forgotten Strange), and a little too much looooooooooove in the first half.
And will there be more stories of our amazing crew? I would read more.
Muse picks up exactly where Strange left off (at To Be Continued) and we follow the grief and fear of some of our main characters. Some chapters introduce us to two characters, sisters, who we know must weave into our story somewhere...but where? The pieces start to come together, but our two lovebird main characters are still busy kissing each other's navels.... it's a little much.
I love the magic. I love our quirky, flawed, noble characters. I love the city and its mythology. I loved seeing pieces of the bigger universe. I do think there were more things that I had to overlook in this book, including much repetition (to catch people up who might have skipped or forgotten Strange), and a little too much looooooooooove in the first half.
And will there be more stories of our amazing crew? I would read more.
pageofpentacles's review against another edition
5.0
not really spoiler free. you have been warned.
Five Godstars!
Listen, if Daughter of Smoke & Bone devastated me, this duology destroyed me. Seriously, I thought it would be the death of me, and I mean that in the most positive way possible.
Laini Taylor just has this talent for relating the characters to the reader in the most non-human ways possible. When they are anything but our perception of normal, she will give them such raw emotions and such heartbreaking stories of their past that you would wish nothing other than to hug them and hold them in that hug until they heal.
Only, they don't heal with hugs. They are fighters, warriors, rebels against all and any norms. They will find their strengths while bleeding, they will search for love in the middle of pain, and try anything but to completely destroy their enemies.
The thing I especially liked is how everyone seemed to be morally gray, yet you could still draw a clear line between the good and the bad. The half-gods of citadel have been exposed to poverty, hunger, tyranny of their oldest, and therefore do not always have a clear moral compass, but they are willing to try with Sarai as the leader. Out of all of the gods, I liked Sparrow the most, probably because I relate to her the most. She's a healer and an empath, life is spiraling through and to her, but all she would ever wish to know is if she can be of more use to her family.
Also, I'll have to admit, out of all the male characters that readers have been simping over, I would probably snatch me a Feral instead of Lazlo or Tyon (not that I would have a chance with either of them lol), but Feral's curiosity and thirst for knowledge captivated me, especially his excitement when Sarai told him there's a place filled with only books.
Although, I don't really understand his relationship with Ruby; it seems rather flat and I believed it would fall apart as soon as she lays eyes on another handsome guy. Instead, we got to see him who's coming to terms with the fact that he's going to have rivals? I mean, Ruby is cheeky and daring, but their chemistry is very so-so to me. I would've liked it if he had seen the kindness of Sparrow, but she lost interest because he gave in to her half-sister so fast. Good for her! Even if she's the kindest and the purest, she still won't settle for less and knows her worth!
The story of two sisters... Man, every single page with their names and the cruel destinies they were put into really made me that much sadder. I don't know if Mrs Taylor is an only child, but she's depicted a sister bond in a way only one other book I read this year managed to. Having a sister myself, I yet again found it that much easier to relate and root for them... Or not. Blood Family trope, if executed well, always has me thinking if I would do the same, had my sibling been in a similar situation. Kora and Nova are there to break your heart, alongside everyone wh0's every wronged them, those who decided to first separate them from their mother, and then from one another.
Another thing to note is a spectacular job Taylor did to set her book in the same universe, and I mean that quite literally. There are so many Easter Eggs about the world from Daughter of Smoke & Bone, the legend of the seraphs who pushed away the eaters of the universe is the same in both worlds, and they are effectively all working on keeping the entrances to their worlds safe from a new attack. Really makes me anticipate her next works, and the worlds she will let us get to know while mentioning the importance of them all working together.
Just when I thought the situation with Sarai being a ghost was sad, Sarai told Lazlo... What if, among all those worlds, there is one where, someone, for any reason, creates new bodies for the souls that need one? You see what I mean? Karou and her resurrection! That way, she not only left us with our imagination to finish that storyline, but also gave us hope that this is not her final form, and that one day, whichever day that may be, she would be whole again, maybe even stronger than before.
Taylor ruined fantasy for me. Seriously, I am now obligated to not read any fantasy authors, simply because they will never compare, or rather I will never ever stop comparing them to a Goddess made to tell stories of other gods, half-creatures and beautiful monsters!
Five Godstars!
Listen, if Daughter of Smoke & Bone devastated me, this duology destroyed me. Seriously, I thought it would be the death of me, and I mean that in the most positive way possible.
Laini Taylor just has this talent for relating the characters to the reader in the most non-human ways possible. When they are anything but our perception of normal, she will give them such raw emotions and such heartbreaking stories of their past that you would wish nothing other than to hug them and hold them in that hug until they heal.
Only, they don't heal with hugs. They are fighters, warriors, rebels against all and any norms. They will find their strengths while bleeding, they will search for love in the middle of pain, and try anything but to completely destroy their enemies.
The thing I especially liked is how everyone seemed to be morally gray, yet you could still draw a clear line between the good and the bad. The half-gods of citadel have been exposed to poverty, hunger, tyranny of their oldest, and therefore do not always have a clear moral compass, but they are willing to try with Sarai as the leader. Out of all of the gods, I liked Sparrow the most, probably because I relate to her the most. She's a healer and an empath, life is spiraling through and to her, but all she would ever wish to know is if she can be of more use to her family.
Also, I'll have to admit, out of all the male characters that readers have been simping over, I would probably snatch me a Feral instead of Lazlo or Tyon (not that I would have a chance with either of them lol), but Feral's curiosity and thirst for knowledge captivated me, especially his excitement when Sarai told him there's a place filled with only books.
Although, I don't really understand his relationship with Ruby; it seems rather flat and I believed it would fall apart as soon as she lays eyes on another handsome guy. Instead, we got to see him who's coming to terms with the fact that he's going to have rivals? I mean, Ruby is cheeky and daring, but their chemistry is very so-so to me. I would've liked it if he had seen the kindness of Sparrow, but she lost interest because he gave in to her half-sister so fast. Good for her! Even if she's the kindest and the purest, she still won't settle for less and knows her worth!
The story of two sisters... Man, every single page with their names and the cruel destinies they were put into really made me that much sadder. I don't know if Mrs Taylor is an only child, but she's depicted a sister bond in a way only one other book I read this year managed to. Having a sister myself, I yet again found it that much easier to relate and root for them... Or not. Blood Family trope, if executed well, always has me thinking if I would do the same, had my sibling been in a similar situation. Kora and Nova are there to break your heart, alongside everyone wh0's every wronged them, those who decided to first separate them from their mother, and then from one another.
Another thing to note is a spectacular job Taylor did to set her book in the same universe, and I mean that quite literally. There are so many Easter Eggs about the world from Daughter of Smoke & Bone, the legend of the seraphs who pushed away the eaters of the universe is the same in both worlds, and they are effectively all working on keeping the entrances to their worlds safe from a new attack. Really makes me anticipate her next works, and the worlds she will let us get to know while mentioning the importance of them all working together.
Just when I thought the situation with Sarai being a ghost was sad, Sarai told Lazlo... What if, among all those worlds, there is one where, someone, for any reason, creates new bodies for the souls that need one? You see what I mean? Karou and her resurrection! That way, she not only left us with our imagination to finish that storyline, but also gave us hope that this is not her final form, and that one day, whichever day that may be, she would be whole again, maybe even stronger than before.
Taylor ruined fantasy for me. Seriously, I am now obligated to not read any fantasy authors, simply because they will never compare, or rather I will never ever stop comparing them to a Goddess made to tell stories of other gods, half-creatures and beautiful monsters!
laneybel's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
4.25