Reviews

I really enjoy the way these are written - with footnotes that are an aside commentary. The format of this one, two people telling a story with asides, and a final conclusion, was really well done.

I cannot wait to read the next one!

gracedionnne's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional funny mysterious reflective tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

emfiander's review against another edition

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adventurous medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

I did not enjoy this installment as much as the first one. While I think this author has a real talent for coming up with interesting worldbuilding ideas, I struggled with the actual storytelling aspects in this book. I was fine with the focus switching to a different main cast/storyline, but I had a much more difficult time getting invested in this particular plot. While this is partially just because I found the characters and concepts less interesting, which is obviously more of a personal preference than a real critique, I think a major part of the issue was the way the story was told.

Generally, I think although the flaws of this book were similar to the flaws of the first one—major pacing issues and a focus on worldbuilding to the detriment of storytelling, both of which contribute to the ultimate sin of not feeling connected to the stakes (there were several big reveals and twists that were clearly very big deals to the characters, but left little emotional impact on me as a reader. Same with the general plotline of what they were trying to accomplish)—I was able to overlook those flaws in the first book because I was having a lot of fun. I can't really say the same for this one—for the most part. I did start to enjoy it more in the latter half.

Spoiler

Maybe I just don't like Jorat? That was also where Janel's and Qown's stories diverged, which I think was for the better.

Despite all that, I am sufficiently hooked on the series. That ending definitely left me wanting more. The author clearly has a plan, and I'm excited to see how it all plays out.

chrstn's review against another edition

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2.0

2.5 stars.

I should've tabbed the important bits on my first read through. Then I wouldn't even have had to bother rereading this one. Alas, hindsight is 20/20.

I find the main character of this book insufferable. For this reread, I just read the current timeline's chapters and skipped her backstory because 1) nobody cares 2) the current timeline (and future books) recap everything you need to know.

linekgh's review against another edition

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adventurous dark slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

1.0

hobbitsbooksandbeyond's review against another edition

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3.0

3.5 - Ok HEAR ME OUT I still really loved the world and the characters in this one - but not as much as the first one because it was practically a whole new set of characters and I wasn’t a huge fan of the back and forth storytelling as unique as it was. And I know this series is headed for polyamory (or I hope it is Haha) but I really didn’t like that the entire of book one built one relationship and this book barely mentioned it so it could focus on building two other different relationships- I’m really really excited for book 3-5 so I can see that come together, i just really didn’t enjoy the inbetween part of book 2 in all honesty - but I still love Kihrin with all my heart

thelostvoid's review against another edition

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Absolutely going to pick this back up, probably in a couple of weeks, but I want to read other things and my main reason for picking this up so fast was a concern I would forget the events of the first book but there's a very good recap at the start of this so imma wait until I am more interested in following these characters more.

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