casthefanby's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Self harm, Torture, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Gore, Violence, and Blood
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Physical abuse
husnaibrahim_'s review against another edition
3.0
I can finally admit to myself that I didn't like this book as much as I had hoped.
The first book ended on a high note, and I had expected the sequel to guide us gently down from that peak, but instead, it felt like an unending rollercoaster. Just rising and falling with no signs of eventually slowing down. And then we were eventually brought to an unsatisfactory stop.
The pacing was all over the place, and the narrative felt cluttered with an onslaught of new characters and an abundance of clans to comprehend all at once, leaving the storyline feeling a bit scattered.
In the first book, I really Serapio and Xiala, both individually and together. But in this one, we barely see them together, or even at all. While I liked Serapio's character, I wished he'd taken a different approach. But it’s understandable that he finds it hard and he can’t help it. And It’s tough, I get it plus she’s eager to find Serapio, but Xiala just didn’t do it for me this time. Similarly, my feelings toward Iktan mirrored this; it’s like they both started positively in the first book, but my sentiments changed as the narrative in this one progressed.
Strangely enough, Naranpa, who irritated me a bit in the first book, turned out to be my favorite character here. Unfortunately, Okoa left me somewhat disappointed. I had hoped for more from hi , but I guess it's understandable that loyalties can be difficult to navigate. Now, I’m mostly rooting for Serapio and Naranpa, whether they rule together or separately. And I find this shift in focus on my part both conflicting and disappointing. And I'm unsure if this outcome is what the author se out to achieve.
Nevertheless, I known I will undoubtedly read the next book in the series. My curiosity about Serapio's reign and the potential return of Naranpa to join forces with him is just too strong to resist.
The first book ended on a high note, and I had expected the sequel to guide us gently down from that peak, but instead, it felt like an unending rollercoaster. Just rising and falling with no signs of eventually slowing down. And then we were eventually brought to an unsatisfactory stop.
The pacing was all over the place, and the narrative felt cluttered with an onslaught of new characters and an abundance of clans to comprehend all at once, leaving the storyline feeling a bit scattered.
In the first book, I really Serapio and Xiala, both individually and together. But in this one, we barely see them together, or even at all. While I liked Serapio's character, I wished he'd taken a different approach. But it’s understandable that he finds it hard and he can’t help it. And It’s tough, I get it plus she’s eager to find Serapio, but Xiala just didn’t do it for me this time. Similarly, my feelings toward Iktan mirrored this; it’s like they both started positively in the first book, but my sentiments changed as the narrative in this one progressed.
Strangely enough, Naranpa, who irritated me a bit in the first book, turned out to be my favorite character here. Unfortunately, Okoa left me somewhat disappointed. I had hoped for more from hi , but I guess it's understandable that loyalties can be difficult to navigate. Now, I’m mostly rooting for Serapio and Naranpa, whether they rule together or separately. And I find this shift in focus on my part both conflicting and disappointing. And I'm unsure if this outcome is what the author se out to achieve.
Nevertheless, I known I will undoubtedly read the next book in the series. My curiosity about Serapio's reign and the potential return of Naranpa to join forces with him is just too strong to resist.
mdelao630's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
ec_holland's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This was just fine. I enjoyed the first book a lot more but this one felt forgettable. I put it down for months at 65% and really wondered for a while if I would finish it.
The pacing was all over the place and too much was introduced in terms of characters and their development that every one felt half formed.
I did love the big reminder that our heroine figure is a disaster bi who is just enough chaotic for our empathy.
But that’s it, the rest felt flat for me as compared to the first in the series.
The pacing was all over the place and too much was introduced in terms of characters and their development that every one felt half formed.
I did love the big reminder that our heroine figure is a disaster bi who is just enough chaotic for our empathy.
But that’s it, the rest felt flat for me as compared to the first in the series.
aejohnson621's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
lauraliz914's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
Just like the first one, I felt this book was a giant lead up to the next one. I continue to love the characters and world-building, but pacing is a major issue in the series so far, and I feel continually let down - every time I think we’re headed for something BIG, the situation fizzles. Things need to happen in an epic fantasy, otherwise it’s not, well, epic. I also think there are way too many characters and too many factions; the world has gotten convoluted and I’m getting both confused and bored. Nonetheless, I really want to know what happens, and I’m holding out hope that book three has more events than traveling.
crowlivia's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
jasjadeserrano's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
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
4.0
firefly99's review against another edition
3.0
I didn’t like this one as much as the first, but I think that’s because it was setting up so much plot-wise. I think it shows that this was written in the first year of the pandemic, there is a sort of desperation to the writing, of trying to find one’s place, a purpose, a reason to keep going when one feels rudderless, pulled along but outside forces. Almost all of the major players have their plans upset by something outside their control, and all they can do is make the best of it. There is grief too, loss of life, loss of support, loss of family both found and otherwise. Not sure the author intended that feeling, but it resonated with me for sure.
gabbyshriner's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0