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A review by novellearts
House of Bane and Blood by Alexis L. Menard
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book needed some further editing done. There were some grammatical and structural errors throughout the book that I found but it was otherwise, pretty well written.
I enjoyed the first book much more than the second. I'm not really sure what went wrong in this one, but it felt lacking to me. It took me quite a while to finish due to not really being super interested in the story. Some aspects of the story felt forgotten.I didn't get the discussion between Milla and Nico about Milla's time spent as a prisoner that I was hoping for. It almost felt like it was swept under the rug and dismissed. I didn't think this book showed a realistic depiction of the trauma and healing that she inevitably would've had to go through after being held prisoner and being tortured. Unless she is just incredibly resilient, I suppose.
I also felt let down by Camilla's use (or lack of use) of her powers. Camilla was set up to be a powerhouse of a character with really intriguing abilities, but we didn't get to see much display of them except when she was forced to use them as a prisoner. Once she was freed, she (for the most part) went back to avoiding her powers and how she learned to use them.
The story was repetitive for me as well. The conflicts seemed flat and overused. I felt as though I kept reading the same conflict interactions throughout the whole book and ultimately they all had the same resolutions. The ending also seemed rushed.We find out that Camilla's mother is still alive and looking to be found by Camilla and then the book simply ends! It felt as though there should've been at least 1 more book in this series.
I'm upset because I really wanted to like this! Book 1 was better rounded, overall more enticing and enjoyable.
I enjoyed the first book much more than the second. I'm not really sure what went wrong in this one, but it felt lacking to me. It took me quite a while to finish due to not really being super interested in the story. Some aspects of the story felt forgotten.
I also felt let down by Camilla's use (or lack of use) of her powers. Camilla was set up to be a powerhouse of a character with really intriguing abilities, but we didn't get to see much display of them except when she was forced to use them as a prisoner. Once she was freed, she (for the most part) went back to avoiding her powers and how she learned to use them.
The story was repetitive for me as well. The conflicts seemed flat and overused. I felt as though I kept reading the same conflict interactions throughout the whole book and ultimately they all had the same resolutions. The ending also seemed rushed.
I'm upset because I really wanted to like this! Book 1 was better rounded, overall more enticing and enjoyable.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, and Murder