dreareads_'s review
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
3.75
4 ⭐️ because I love the characters and parts of this world are amazing.
3.5⭐️ because this book is full of plot holes and is clearly confused about the political message it is trying to send.
I’ll try to keep my thoughts brief but we’ll see.
The good:
1) Ranami and Phalue shine in this story. We see how strong and vulnerable are in different ways. They’re also the only characters that have some sense of a clear political perspective (and even then it is muddled)
2) PROTECT MEPHI AND THRANA AT ALL COSTS
3) The magic continues to be engaging, and the political maneuvering (despite it being extremely frustrating) was interesting.
4) Jovis and Lin are great
The Bad: SPOILERS
1) Confusing politics: this story began as an anti imperialistic in book one to now being like “Emperors are good because Lin is good”. This is further highlighted by the making of the shardless few (the fully anti imperial group) as self centered and extremists (even though we never SEE them being extreme). I wanted to scream the entire time.
2) Plot holes galore! No explanation for the memory drinking. Lin being Alanga even though she wasn’t born?? I do not understand. Ranami becoming so jaded she didn’t trust a fellow orphan came out of left field. Phalue’s dad having spies and collaborating with the shardless few?? What!? Why???
3) Regan was such a dumb addition whose turn was absolutely obvious and did nothing to add to the story.
4)GIO BEING AN ALANGA AND ALSO HAVING A SELFISH AGENDA MAKES NO SENSE AND IM ANGRY.
5) Nisong was an interesting character who’s turn made sense but was also rushed.
Honestly probably a 3 but I could never do that to Mephi 💕
3.5⭐️ because this book is full of plot holes and is clearly confused about the political message it is trying to send.
I’ll try to keep my thoughts brief but we’ll see.
The good:
1) Ranami and Phalue shine in this story. We see how strong and vulnerable are in different ways. They’re also the only characters that have some sense of a clear political perspective (and even then it is muddled)
Spoiler
I want them to build their wonderful family with Ayesh2) PROTECT MEPHI AND THRANA AT ALL COSTS
Spoiler
and poor Lozhi too3) The magic continues to be engaging, and the political maneuvering (despite it being extremely frustrating) was interesting.
4) Jovis and Lin are great
The Bad: SPOILERS
1) Confusing politics: this story began as an anti imperialistic in book one to now being like “Emperors are good because Lin is good”. This is further highlighted by the making of the shardless few (the fully anti imperial group) as self centered and extremists (even though we never SEE them being extreme). I wanted to scream the entire time.
2) Plot holes galore! No explanation for the memory drinking. Lin being Alanga even though she wasn’t born?? I do not understand. Ranami becoming so jaded she didn’t trust a fellow orphan came out of left field. Phalue’s dad having spies and collaborating with the shardless few?? What!? Why???
3) Regan was such a dumb addition whose turn was absolutely obvious and did nothing to add to the story.
4)GIO BEING AN ALANGA AND ALSO HAVING A SELFISH AGENDA MAKES NO SENSE AND IM ANGRY.
5) Nisong was an interesting character who’s turn made sense but was also rushed.
Honestly probably a 3 but I could never do that to Mephi 💕
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, War, Animal cruelty, Genocide, Murder, Torture, Cursing, Child death, Colonisation, Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Violence
allisonwonderlandreads's review
adventurous
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? It's complicated
4.0
I love sinking into a sequel, my investment already high and connections with the world and characters well-established. In my opinion, a great sequel rewards you for that investment by taking you deeper and showing you more. This sequel more than delivers on that promise. I am satisfied that I came to understand more about Lin, Jovis, Phalue, Ranami, and Sand, as well as some crucial side characters. Their motivations and goals are clarified for readers and for themselves. Sometimes they clash. They struggle. Their revelations raise new questions and create new problems. Relationships grow and shift.
One thing I especially admire about this book is the true morally grey situations. The characters try to make the best decisions for not only themselves but the world at large and sometimes disagree or directly argue about the best path. In some cases, a character's personal blind spots are clearly at work; in others, it's a horrible choice with alarming ramifications either way. The journey is so well-executed with all perspectives on view for the reader whether you ultimately support them or not. Lin is a particular standout for me as she navigates her father's legacy and unforeseen responsibilities, but I don't say that to diminish my deep affection for all the character POVs in the book.
I lingered at the end, drawing out my read because I feared the end, the inevitable wait for the trilogy's finale. This coping mechanism is reserved for the strongest fantasy series on my shelf-- the ones I struggle to let go of.
PS Jovis' mom is a treasure
PPS Long live the ossalen
Thanks to Orbit for my copy to read and review!
One thing I especially admire about this book is the true morally grey situations. The characters try to make the best decisions for not only themselves but the world at large and sometimes disagree or directly argue about the best path. In some cases, a character's personal blind spots are clearly at work; in others, it's a horrible choice with alarming ramifications either way. The journey is so well-executed with all perspectives on view for the reader whether you ultimately support them or not. Lin is a particular standout for me as she navigates her father's legacy and unforeseen responsibilities, but I don't say that to diminish my deep affection for all the character POVs in the book.
I lingered at the end, drawing out my read because I feared the end, the inevitable wait for the trilogy's finale. This coping mechanism is reserved for the strongest fantasy series on my shelf-- the ones I struggle to let go of.
PS Jovis' mom is a treasure
PPS Long live the ossalen
Thanks to Orbit for my copy to read and review!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, and War
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Grief, and Murder
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