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arteziya's review against another edition
4.0
Solid 4/5 stars. Jacka can do action and politics better than he can character study. This book concentrates more on mage politics and is better for it.
Alex Verus reluctantly decided to join the Keepers as an auxiliary, which was motivated by his encounter with his old master in the previous book. Being a trouble magnet, and already tangled in both Dark and Light intrigues, Verus quickly finds himself right in the middle of a mystery, and under fire from various power factions.
I liked both action, intrigue and yes, even politics in this installment. Benedict Jacka had become more confident writer over the years, he (or his editor) know both his weak and strong points, and this novel is based on later. For once, the intrigue wasn't as obvious as in previous books, and politics were fleshed out more, and thus became more interesting.
I would've liked the author spending more time on Caldera, fleshing her out (no pun intended) more, and maybe developing deeper friendship with Verus. Also I kind of miss Deleo and Cinder, stereotypical as they were, I liked them as frienemies for Verus.
Here's hoping that the quality of the next novel won't take a nosedive, and we will see the plot foundations laid in this book developed further.
Alex Verus reluctantly decided to join the Keepers as an auxiliary, which was motivated by his encounter with his old master in the previous book. Being a trouble magnet, and already tangled in both Dark and Light intrigues, Verus quickly finds himself right in the middle of a mystery, and under fire from various power factions.
I liked both action, intrigue and yes, even politics in this installment. Benedict Jacka had become more confident writer over the years, he (or his editor) know both his weak and strong points, and this novel is based on later. For once, the intrigue wasn't as obvious as in previous books, and politics were fleshed out more, and thus became more interesting.
I would've liked the author spending more time on Caldera, fleshing her out (no pun intended) more, and maybe developing deeper friendship with Verus. Also I kind of miss Deleo and Cinder, stereotypical as they were, I liked them as frienemies for Verus.
Here's hoping that the quality of the next novel won't take a nosedive, and we will see the plot foundations laid in this book developed further.
sherl0ck_h0lmes's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
It was not as good as the others, I was not thrilled and as hooked as I was the last time. But it was not bad and I hope the next one will be better.
noamberg's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
dianaisnotmyrealname's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
domidupuis's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
wickedgrumpy's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Mid overall. Starts exploring more of the council and political intrigue of the mage society as a whole which is kinda boring.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Fatphobia, Gore, Gun violence, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
tya11's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
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
4.0
zieglera's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
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? No
4.0