smitch29's review against another edition
2.0
1.8
So, I kind of hated this story. I listened to it, just the for the record, rather than reading it. I largely hated the characters. Am I supposed to cheer on anyone in this book? If I am, the only character I like is Alvin, then maybe Roan. Cassandra is a mess. She is selfish, rash, mean, and did I mention selfish? She has true moments of kindness, but they are rarely altruistic, happening only when it soothes her emotions. If she's worried about another person and has the time to focus on that worry, she will help them. However, she will burn the world down if it suits her, just to accomplish some goal. She is supposed to be college-educated and trained by the FBI, yet she seems more like a 12 year old, making promises without really thinking through the consequences and making big decisions without having/recognizing an end goal. She's not dumb, but her actions do not match her background. She continually tries to wade into Fae affairs with little to no caution, despite it basically be an alien culture/world. Shockingly, she blunders at every turn, then she lashes out in all her failures, usually at the one who is/was helping her. I'll give a little leeway considering most of her actions in this book are under significant duress, as she is trying to save a kidnapped friend.
The writing was terrible though, because I couldn't for the life of me care that Scarlett was kidnapped. Scarlett railroaded Cassandra at almost every moment of every conversation they had in this book. Scarlett was arrogant, bigoted, and obnoxiously rude to Cassandra. As a reader, I certainly wasn't excited for her to be rescued and become a bigger part of the story.
After listening to the first book, I thought the series and the concepts had potential, but this story is where I leave the series. I actually am still intrigued by how Cassandra fits into the Fae world and why Roan finds her crucial to overthrowing the King. However, I have a suspicion that it will take too many more books to reach a finale, and I don't trust that I will enjoy the ride enough.
So, I kind of hated this story. I listened to it, just the for the record, rather than reading it. I largely hated the characters. Am I supposed to cheer on anyone in this book? If I am, the only character I like is Alvin, then maybe Roan. Cassandra is a mess. She is selfish, rash, mean, and did I mention selfish? She has true moments of kindness, but they are rarely altruistic, happening only when it soothes her emotions. If she's worried about another person and has the time to focus on that worry, she will help them. However, she will burn the world down if it suits her, just to accomplish some goal. She is supposed to be college-educated and trained by the FBI, yet she seems more like a 12 year old, making promises without really thinking through the consequences and making big decisions without having/recognizing an end goal. She's not dumb, but her actions do not match her background. She continually tries to wade into Fae affairs with little to no caution, despite it basically be an alien culture/world. Shockingly, she blunders at every turn, then she lashes out in all her failures, usually at the one who is/was helping her. I'll give a little leeway considering most of her actions in this book are under significant duress, as she is trying to save a kidnapped friend.
The writing was terrible though, because I couldn't for the life of me care that Scarlett was kidnapped. Scarlett railroaded Cassandra at almost every moment of every conversation they had in this book. Scarlett was arrogant, bigoted, and obnoxiously rude to Cassandra. As a reader, I certainly wasn't excited for her to be rescued and become a bigger part of the story.
After listening to the first book, I thought the series and the concepts had potential, but this story is where I leave the series. I actually am still intrigued by how Cassandra fits into the Fae world and why Roan finds her crucial to overthrowing the King. However, I have a suspicion that it will take too many more books to reach a finale, and I don't trust that I will enjoy the ride enough.
iggyebab's review against another edition
3.0
Still damned entertaining. Adding in a secret part of the CIA that deals with Fae and also employs Scarlett, Cass's best friend. Some of the story was a little choppy and why was Gabriel so pissy all the sudden. It wasn't as good as the first book but I am still enjoying the fast pace and the mixing of the fae and law enforcement and nursery rhymes. Yes it's a little odd but it's also really entertaining.
knoelle_'s review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I guess I can’t say that I disliked the book because I kept reading just to find out what happened at the end but I will not continue this series. The only character in this series that I can tolerate is Gabriel. Cassandra is supposed to be a FBI psychologist profiler and there’s no supporting details for that. She’s rash and makes decisions that are solely based on emotion and doesn’t think anything through. I can’t stand Roan, at all. He’s an asshole and he just uses Cassandra without even trying to be nice to her. I hated how Elrine was “nice ish” to Cassandra at first but then switches up again and starts treating her with prejudice like the rest of the fae towards pixies.
crissimarie's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
There's something about this series that is kind of addicting. I randomly decided to read the first one after reading the description rather than the dozens of other books on my TBR and I liked it. Was it my favorite? No, but I still had a good time reading it and I think this one was on the same level as the first one. It definitely wouldn't compare to some of my favorite books but there's something about it that makes me want to keep reading. This one was a bit different from the first one because rather than following a police case, Cass' best friend was kidnapped and she definitely becomes reckless and desperate in her attempt to rescue her friend Scarlett. The story is decently paced but I do think it lacks a bit in some of the character development. I feel like Roan is meant to be a love interest for Cass but it's barely there in the book and then there's Gabriel. He seems like he is a genuinely good guy but I'm not sure what role he is supposed to fill for Cass. Is he supposed to be another potential love interest or a friend figure or a big brother figure. I can't quite figure it out. I think this one leans a little more into the fantasy element of the series and goes more into Cass' fae background. Overall, I enjoyed it for the most part and I think I'm going to continue this series through to the end.
shannjae's review against another edition
4.0
Great twists and turns
Great twists and turns, excited to see where the series will continue!
I can feel she's about to kick butt
Great twists and turns, excited to see where the series will continue!
I can feel she's about to kick butt
awexis's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly, I don't care anymore about the romance side. But I live for the world building. This is so fascinating. But I would have to say, if the romance part of this ends up like in the Norse series, omg. It would annoy the heck out of me.
josethi's review against another edition
4.0
That is a solid read and I am so happy to be continuing with the series after all those years... This book felt way more consistent throughout. Not to mention entertainig. I was also happy Cassandra used some of her profiling skills.
Onto the book #3
Onto the book #3