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A review by dolaya
Burning Kingdoms by Lauren DeStefano
3.0
Not bad. Apart from the sadly changed cover design, this book is a well-done continuation to Perfect Ruin.
However, it certainly is not as good.
The first issue is that DeStefano doesn't seem to have as much to go on as she would like. Sure, there are good moments of surprise, and a passable bit of intrigue, but there really isn't the amount of plot tension and solidity that the first book has. Most of the time in the book is spent idle, and that is what a lot of the reviews here seem to complain abut. And while I agree that this book has a severe case of "second-book syndrome", that doesn't mean it's a bad book.
In fact, it's not a bad book at all. It's actually quite good. DeStefano has the gift of being able to write absolutely beautiful prose, absolutely wonderful characters, and excellent relationships. The first book makes you love the characters, and this one is something of a study in their personalities and the issues or demons that they have to deal with every day of their lives. It explores romance, and what it means to love someone, it has it's own bit of romantic uncertainty, conflict among characters, and most of the characteristics of a book whose main focus is not a thriller-type edge-of-your-seat rollercoaster, but developing and following what the characters think and feel.
In that sense, this book is a success. The reader learns so much more about the characters and gets to see a little deeper into their hearts and minds. That's not to say that the plot is non-existent. There's enough of a plot to set up the next book that it seems that number three will be a little more fast-paced. This is a set-up book, it seems: its plot sets up the next installment while flushing out the characters in order to be able to springboard into a next book that looks like it will be a conclusion.
My verdict: Well done. Whoever liked Perfect Ruin is of course going to read this, but if you read the first one and are uncertain, I advise you to read this one. DeStefano's prose and the character development carry the book, and it is enjoyable, if not action packed. Not as good as the first, but very good nonetheless.
However, it certainly is not as good.
The first issue is that DeStefano doesn't seem to have as much to go on as she would like. Sure, there are good moments of surprise, and a passable bit of intrigue, but there really isn't the amount of plot tension and solidity that the first book has. Most of the time in the book is spent idle, and that is what a lot of the reviews here seem to complain abut. And while I agree that this book has a severe case of "second-book syndrome", that doesn't mean it's a bad book.
In fact, it's not a bad book at all. It's actually quite good. DeStefano has the gift of being able to write absolutely beautiful prose, absolutely wonderful characters, and excellent relationships. The first book makes you love the characters, and this one is something of a study in their personalities and the issues or demons that they have to deal with every day of their lives. It explores romance, and what it means to love someone, it has it's own bit of romantic uncertainty, conflict among characters, and most of the characteristics of a book whose main focus is not a thriller-type edge-of-your-seat rollercoaster, but developing and following what the characters think and feel.
In that sense, this book is a success. The reader learns so much more about the characters and gets to see a little deeper into their hearts and minds. That's not to say that the plot is non-existent. There's enough of a plot to set up the next book that it seems that number three will be a little more fast-paced. This is a set-up book, it seems: its plot sets up the next installment while flushing out the characters in order to be able to springboard into a next book that looks like it will be a conclusion.
My verdict: Well done. Whoever liked Perfect Ruin is of course going to read this, but if you read the first one and are uncertain, I advise you to read this one. DeStefano's prose and the character development carry the book, and it is enjoyable, if not action packed. Not as good as the first, but very good nonetheless.