wrapmeupinplastic's review against another edition
adventurous
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? No
3.25
amc23's review against another edition
5.0
Def one of the best duologies I've ever had the pleasure of reading
licensetoshelbs's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.25
rebekahentz's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
norcani's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately this was just extremely shallow. The worldbuilding was interesting, as was the concept but it never lived up to it's potential. I don't want to be too harsh on it as I am not the target audience and I don't read YA too often, but I am sad to see all that potential squandered regardless.
(okay I said I don't want to be too harsh but I will complain a bit anyway. This book was probably the perfect example of why "show don't tell" is such a common writing tip. This is something I never even cared about before and I rolled my eyes at this criticism. I get it now! Everyone is making such grandiose statements about their relationships. Not just the romantic relationships either. Amani goes on and on about how Maram and she are like sisters and how Maram would be a great queen but I never felt like either was the case. All Maram does is shift responsibility onto Amani, honestly I thought everyone would be better off if she just stepped off as a Queen. As for being like sisters, there were the seeds of it in the last book but in this they barely interact in this book. Amani just read as having the biggest case of Stockholm syndrome. Maram on her end had a romantic relationship with a woman in this book, which was barely touched upon. I can't believe I am saying this but I almost wish it just wasn't there at all. I was excited for Maram's pov but it is all in flashback, not relevant to the current plot thread. Her love interest shows little personality and has barely any pagetime. I wish she was scrapped and we got Maram's actual thoughts on the real plot more, or else that her love story was actually more relevant somehow. This series originally fell on my radar because someone sold me it as "there is an evil lesbian princess in this one". If you are also interested for this reason just keep in mind it's an extremely minor and imo not well executed plot)
(okay I said I don't want to be too harsh but I will complain a bit anyway. This book was probably the perfect example of why "show don't tell" is such a common writing tip. This is something I never even cared about before and I rolled my eyes at this criticism. I get it now! Everyone is making such grandiose statements about their relationships. Not just the romantic relationships either. Amani goes on and on about how Maram and she are like sisters and how Maram would be a great queen but I never felt like either was the case. All Maram does is shift responsibility onto Amani, honestly I thought everyone would be better off if she just stepped off as a Queen. As for being like sisters, there were the seeds of it in the last book but in this they barely interact in this book. Amani just read as having the biggest case of Stockholm syndrome. Maram on her end had a romantic relationship with a woman in this book, which was barely touched upon. I can't believe I am saying this but I almost wish it just wasn't there at all. I was excited for Maram's pov but it is all in flashback, not relevant to the current plot thread. Her love interest shows little personality and has barely any pagetime. I wish she was scrapped and we got Maram's actual thoughts on the real plot more, or else that her love story was actually more relevant somehow. This series originally fell on my radar because someone sold me it as "there is an evil lesbian princess in this one". If you are also interested for this reason just keep in mind it's an extremely minor and imo not well executed plot)
emiann2023's review against another edition
4.0
Overall this was a great read. There was a happy ending and the book was a fast-paced read. But I felt like everything was too easy, almost everything important wrapped up with a deus ex maxhina.
bopip's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
The setting and writing styles are AMAZING. But, as we commented in the BR, the author describes a lot of the dresses and when importants parts happen, she tends to rush them. I wanted more action towards the end.
But I love the relationships between the characters, and I felt there was less angst on this book than the first one.
The setting and writing styles are AMAZING. But, as we commented in the BR, the author describes a lot of the dresses and when importants parts happen, she tends to rush them. I wanted more action towards the end.
But I love the relationships between the characters, and I felt there was less angst on this book than the first one.
kayu99's review against another edition
4.0
Everything wrapped up a little too simply/neatly, and I thought Amani's faith in Maram was a bit underdeveloped. I also would have liked to see more of the rebels/Arinaas in this book. Still, a solid conclusion to a solid duology.