aseel_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I was really enjoying this book for the first 60% especially all the character interactions but then things started being a bit unbelievable, in particular, several of the character relationships, and then I started skimming sections because I couldn't care. I liked the plot though and will continue with the last book
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Blood, War, Hate crime, Death of parent, Gun violence, Injury/injury detail, Domestic abuse, Violence, Torture, Physical abuse, Genocide, Grief, Colonisation, and Child abuse
aspoonfuloflanguage's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Tyler freaking Jones. He’s what drew me into book 1, immediately became my favourite character, and here we are at book 2 and he’s still. My. Favourite. He’s a caring badass with the weight of the world on his shoulders and while that’s one of the causes of his internal struggles, he doesn’t let that stop him from making tough calls and protecting those that need to be protected. His growth was incredible and I’m excited to see how his trajectory continues in book 3.
Kaliis. He’s so kind and caring and RESPECTFUL and emotionally wise. He’s also afraid. But his growth in spite of all that’s trying to hold him back? It’s like watching metal be forged and refined in the fire. It’s beautiful. The end of the book broke my heart for him. I felt his pain, his intentions, the rift between who he truly is and what he was made to be. And the way it all came about? He’s a good man with a good heart and it breaks mine to see what he’s going through.
Auri!! I didn’t know what to make of her during the first book. I liked her, I understood her emotions. At the same time there was just *something* that felt… one dimensional that made me not like her? Well not anymore. There’s still so much more I want to learn about her, but this was a beautiful way to begin bridging that gap. The ending of this book abso-freaking-lutely crushed me and I’ll admit I didn’t quite understand her reaction but at the same time I did. Oh how it hurt though.
I feel like I shouldn’t go on about the other characters because if I do this review will get really long, but we get to see loads of growth in the other characters as well, especially Zila. She opens up in huge ways and it really drew me in. I love her personality, I love how clever she is, I love how brave she is, and I love how her chapter POVs reflect that. Same with Finian. Seeing him really start to open up to the squad was so heartwarming, and his journey was such a beautiful thing to watch.
Also also also!!! Newtons law was satisfied!! I’m satisfied! Thank!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Death, and Violence
Minor: Sexual content
mypatronusisajedi's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Murder, War, Genocide, Gore, Gun violence, Injury/injury detail, Death, Torture, and Violence
smasson13's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
tense
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
4.5
As a second novel, it held the pace and twists of the first. I did find the story to lag a little around the 300 page mark, but definitely left on a strong ending.
The character development in book two was not as fleshed out as book one.
Overall, a great read.
The character development in book two was not as fleshed out as book one.
Overall, a great read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Violence
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gun violence, and Torture
Minor: Confinement and Genocide
fishfinngers's review against another edition
adventurous
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Body horror, Blood, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/injury detail, Kidnapping, Medical content, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Violence, and War
smiley_ari's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Injury/injury detail, Torture, Violence, and War
Minor: Genocide
dadimabookernow's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
4.5
Wow. Okay so this review will contain spoilers mainly cause I have now one to rant to.
I did however find it abit predictable with the StarSlayer being one of the previous trigger but what a good plot twist of him being kals father. Speaking of Kal he was kind of a background character I feel kind of just going with what ever Aurora said or did. It really bugged me though how when majority of the squad found out who Kals father was how they basically cast him out. He joined the Academy to try atone for his father's sins and show how much he isn't like his father but instead his squad /friends banished him for something and someone he can't/ couldn't control because he was a CHILD last time he even was in contact with his father!
But that ending of the book was like wow. I am definitely excited for the next one to come out in November.
Spoiler
Going into this book I didn't really have any high hopes. I only read it to find out how they were going to defeat the Ra'haam but was happily shocked when the authors didn't hold back the punches with this book. After Cats death I think it really gave the characters a chance to grow. Showing us more about their backgrounds before they joined the Academy and how they deal with the grief of their lost squad mate and their past lives. This can heavily be seen by Aurora and Tyler.I did however find it abit predictable with the StarSlayer being one of the previous trigger but what a good plot twist of him being kals father. Speaking of Kal he was kind of a background character I feel kind of just going with what ever Aurora said or did. It really bugged me though how when majority of the squad found out who Kals father was how they basically cast him out. He joined the Academy to try atone for his father's sins and show how much he isn't like his father but instead his squad /friends banished him for something and someone he can't/ couldn't control because he was a CHILD last time he even was in contact with his father!
But that ending of the book was like wow. I am definitely excited for the next one to come out in November.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence and Violence
Minor: Abandonment, Death of parent, Death, Genocide, Grief, and War
izzy_reads's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture
Moderate: Violence
More...