Scan barcode
jelkebooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
3.0
originally read in 2016 - original rating 5/5 stars
REREAD 2024
Ugh, this was such a let down to me. I remember absolutely loving this book when I first read it, but this time around I get why so many fans consider this their least favourite. This book was just such a bore. I do have to say it has potential though. There's so many interesting things in this book. The whole dream/graywaren stuff is so unique, and so interesting. I truly loved learning more about that. Also, what's going on with Adam in this book, incredibly interesting as well (even though he's an ass in this book).
However, my biggest issue was just that everything was spread out too much. The beginning of this book was fun, seeing the crew together, and sitting in this new "normal". Then they start splitting off, start doing their own stuff, and it all just started to drag. In the last quarter or so of this book things finally come together. However, this just felt a bit rushed. There are some major reveals, things that can't be explained properly enough because we're moving on to the next thing. Especially, there are 2 big ones that also play into each other. I feel like one of those things could have happened a bit earlier in the book, to keep the middle part of the book feeling like such a slog and to leave us more room to know what it means. I feel like that just would have improved this book so much for me.
I know this review is a bit vague but I find it so hard to discuss my feelings on this book without any spoilers, especially because so much of it doesn't happen until pretty far in. However, despite my complaints I didn't hate this book. Group dynamics are still great, we're starting to get into Blue & Gansey territory in this book and they are absolutely adorable together, and like I mentioned before the concepts executed in this book were incredibly interesting. The ending of this book also has me incredibly hyped to read the next book.
REREAD 2024
Ugh, this was such a let down to me. I remember absolutely loving this book when I first read it, but this time around I get why so many fans consider this their least favourite. This book was just such a bore. I do have to say it has potential though. There's so many interesting things in this book. The whole dream/graywaren stuff is so unique, and so interesting. I truly loved learning more about that. Also, what's going on with Adam in this book, incredibly interesting as well (even though he's an ass in this book).
However, my biggest issue was just that everything was spread out too much. The beginning of this book was fun, seeing the crew together, and sitting in this new "normal". Then they start splitting off, start doing their own stuff, and it all just started to drag. In the last quarter or so of this book things finally come together. However, this just felt a bit rushed. There are some major reveals, things that can't be explained properly enough because we're moving on to the next thing. Especially, there are 2 big ones that also play into each other. I feel like one of those things could have happened a bit earlier in the book, to keep the middle part of the book feeling like such a slog and to leave us more room to know what it means. I feel like that just would have improved this book so much for me.
I know this review is a bit vague but I find it so hard to discuss my feelings on this book without any spoilers, especially because so much of it doesn't happen until pretty far in. However, despite my complaints I didn't hate this book. Group dynamics are still great, we're starting to get into Blue & Gansey territory in this book and they are absolutely adorable together, and like I mentioned before the concepts executed in this book were incredibly interesting. The ending of this book also has me incredibly hyped to read the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse and Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia and Suicide attempt
uselesspirateraven's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
relaxing
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, and Death of parent
Minor: Ableism and Emotional abuse
joonjxne's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Homophobia, and Murder
Moderate: Cursing, Gun violence, Suicide, and Car accident
melodyseestrees's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Body shaming, Child abuse, Cursing, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder
bookwormcat's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Kidnapping, Car accident, and Death of parent
mariskyjy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug use, Blood, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Homophobia, Violence, Kidnapping, Grief, Alcohol, and Classism
krows_ink's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
First and foremost: I hate when past books in a series are re-explained to me. It slows things down in a bad way and takes me out of the story. So... points off for that. Also, I care about Ronan but I wouldn't say that I like him. He's mean and reckless and frankly crude at times. I cut him some slack because of the whole (book 1 spoiler) seeing your dad's dead body thing , but still. Finally, I couldn't stand Adam in this. The way things ended in the first book really disappointed me and the fact that they were never addressed in this book felt like I was cheated. Honestly, I would have liked to truly understand what was going on with Adam sooner than we did. Same with some more compelling components of Adam's character.
This book kept me going because I adore Gansey and Blue's relationship. As always I am a sucker for fated tragedy and Gansey and Blue are my favorite characters. Also: I never thought that I would be the Noah fan that I am, but here we are. Noah is a great character, especially in this book.
Possible Spoiler Territory:
I HATED Kavinksey. I felt like not only was he annoying, but his character was flat. There was also NO explanation of the magic system regarding dreams. Maggie really asks you to just accept a lot. Also: how do you get a literal dream woman pregnant? Horrifying thank you. OH ALSO: Ronan being gay/ queer? Very very minimal and not prominent in this book which isn't really a bad thing, but I wouldn't tag this book as LGBTQ. Just my personal opinion. Maybe when it becomes a more central thing in the book? Like it doesn't have to be his whole character but I'd like it to be more known I guess.
Those are all my thoughts upon finishing the book. I definitely did not love it as much as book 1, but I care too much about the cast to not read the rest. Also: shout out to Persephone just as a character. She's weird and I like her for that.
This book kept me going because I adore Gansey and Blue's relationship. As always I am a sucker for fated tragedy and Gansey and Blue are my favorite characters. Also: I never thought that I would be the Noah fan that I am, but here we are. Noah is a great character, especially in this book.
Possible Spoiler Territory:
Those are all my thoughts upon finishing the book. I definitely did not love it as much as book 1, but I care too much about the cast to not read the rest. Also: shout out to Persephone just as a character. She's weird and I like her for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Drug use, and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia
chelseazhao's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
4.0
So far I'm really impressed that the Chelsea who read these books about 10 years ago has the same opinion as I do rereading them now.
I liked this book, just not as much as the first. I think that part of that is because it feels like a whole different tone and plot than the first book. Almost like a detour from what the main overarching plot is. I do think that this book is needed for information and especially Ronan's character development.
I think that you can also see Maggie's love of cars. I personally, didn't care for the Kavinsky parts, but I'm so ready to continue in the series!
I liked this book, just not as much as the first. I think that part of that is because it feels like a whole different tone and plot than the first book. Almost like a detour from what the main overarching plot is. I do think that this book is needed for information and especially Ronan's character development.
I think that you can also see Maggie's love of cars. I personally, didn't care for the Kavinsky parts, but I'm so ready to continue in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, Violence, and Alcohol
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Death
emil_h's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse and Homophobia
An antagonist makes homophobic comments at a few different points in the story. Adam, a main character, processes the trauma of his abusive family that he has now left behind.ladythana's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug use, Violence, Car accident, Death of parent, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Homophobia and Classism
Minor: Fire/Fire injury