Scan barcode
A review by queer_bookwyrm
Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim
adventurous
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? No
3.5
3.5⭐ CW: violence, death
Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim is book 2 of the Blood of Stars duology. I've been having a really hard time with sequels in duologies lately. It's not that I don't like them, it's more that they don't grab me in the same way as the first book did. I can't even really put my finger on why.
We catch up with Maia after the events in book one. Maia struggles with her transition into becoming a demon along with using the powers of Amana's dresses. It definitely felt like Maia is surrounded by enemies: the emperor, who is cold and cruel and lets his pride take priority; lady Sarnai, who is resentful at being sold to the emperor for peace; the Shansen, a warlord trying to wrest the throne and the country from the current emperor who also has a demon on his side; the demon that cursed her; and the demon she is becoming.
Most of the book is Maia fighting the changes within her. An internal battle of dark demon magic versus the light of Amana's magic. Maia finds herself trying to hang on to the pieces of herself as they fade away the more she succumbs to the demon magic. I do wish we had gotten more from Lady Sarnai, because she is a fascinating character. A warrior princess, whom Maia believes is the only one who can bring peace. Unlike book one, this book did focus more on violence and fighting rather than on the tailoring and clothing, although some of that was still present.
For some reason, I just didn't feel as invested in the characters, and I thought the ending was a little too Deus Ex Machina for my taste. I did enjoy this author's writing, so I will probably read her other books as well. At least I finished another series!
Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim is book 2 of the Blood of Stars duology. I've been having a really hard time with sequels in duologies lately. It's not that I don't like them, it's more that they don't grab me in the same way as the first book did. I can't even really put my finger on why.
We catch up with Maia after the events in book one. Maia struggles with her transition into becoming a demon along with using the powers of Amana's dresses. It definitely felt like Maia is surrounded by enemies: the emperor, who is cold and cruel and lets his pride take priority; lady Sarnai, who is resentful at being sold to the emperor for peace; the Shansen, a warlord trying to wrest the throne and the country from the current emperor who also has a demon on his side; the demon that cursed her; and the demon she is becoming.
Most of the book is Maia fighting the changes within her. An internal battle of dark demon magic versus the light of Amana's magic. Maia finds herself trying to hang on to the pieces of herself as they fade away the more she succumbs to the demon magic. I do wish we had gotten more from Lady Sarnai, because she is a fascinating character. A warrior princess, whom Maia believes is the only one who can bring peace. Unlike book one, this book did focus more on violence and fighting rather than on the tailoring and clothing, although some of that was still present.
For some reason, I just didn't feel as invested in the characters, and I thought the ending was a little too Deus Ex Machina for my taste. I did enjoy this author's writing, so I will probably read her other books as well. At least I finished another series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence