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A review by riniya
Vale of Dreams by Alex Rivers, C.N. Crawford
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
I spent the last few days thinking hard about what I was going to write in this review. This book was honestly just so well done that I couldn’t find the words that adequately represents the beauty that is this sequel.
I absolutely demolished this book. If I could have I would have read it in a day but alas, life got in the way. I have to give credit where credit is due because the development of this book was better fleshed out than in the first. Not to say book one was bad, but this sequel gave us depth in so many more ways and I was hooked!
The world building has been expanded. No longer are we stuck in the “modern world” but now we are in the heart of the fey realm. In the castle to be specific, and this unique location gives us access to not only the politics of the world, but also a greater insight into how the fey think and feel. The fey realm is as diverse as our world and being able to see the differences of the people based solely on where they live was so well written!
Nia, our FMC, had her character development torn apart and slowly rebuilt (in a good way) Without spoiling anything, it was refreshing to watch her be knocked down a few pegs and thrown into a situation she wasn’t prepared for. We got to se her quick time thinking and rationalizations, even if in some cases she was just fooling herself (wink wink).
A character in book one who was more of an imposing force than an on page person had the spotlight put firmly on him in the sequel and ohhhhhhh did he deserve it. I loved seeing the glimpses behind the mask that he wears, hinting at a depth of character that I can not wait to see in book three.
This books pacing was so well written. It gives action sequences that pull at heart strings and will have you holding your breaths. It slows down and gives more tender moments that have you falling in love even without realizing it. Just when you start feeling the inclination of needing a pace/scene change, the authors provide!
Also, I love that the authors provided a recap at the beginning of the book that is separate to the story. You pick up right where book one leaves off and you have the option to skip this recap if desired. No unnecessary recaps from the characters POV that always never made sense to me.
Such an amazing book and series. That CLIFFHANGER though was insane and I need book three …. A year ago.
I absolutely demolished this book. If I could have I would have read it in a day but alas, life got in the way. I have to give credit where credit is due because the development of this book was better fleshed out than in the first. Not to say book one was bad, but this sequel gave us depth in so many more ways and I was hooked!
The world building has been expanded. No longer are we stuck in the “modern world” but now we are in the heart of the fey realm. In the castle to be specific, and this unique location gives us access to not only the politics of the world, but also a greater insight into how the fey think and feel. The fey realm is as diverse as our world and being able to see the differences of the people based solely on where they live was so well written!
Nia, our FMC, had her character development torn apart and slowly rebuilt (in a good way) Without spoiling anything, it was refreshing to watch her be knocked down a few pegs and thrown into a situation she wasn’t prepared for. We got to se her quick time thinking and rationalizations, even if in some cases she was just fooling herself (wink wink).
A character in book one who was more of an imposing force than an on page person had the spotlight put firmly on him in the sequel and ohhhhhhh did he deserve it. I loved seeing the glimpses behind the mask that he wears, hinting at a depth of character that I can not wait to see in book three.
This books pacing was so well written. It gives action sequences that pull at heart strings and will have you holding your breaths. It slows down and gives more tender moments that have you falling in love even without realizing it. Just when you start feeling the inclination of needing a pace/scene change, the authors provide!
Also, I love that the authors provided a recap at the beginning of the book that is separate to the story. You pick up right where book one leaves off and you have the option to skip this recap if desired. No unnecessary recaps from the characters POV that always never made sense to me.
Such an amazing book and series. That CLIFFHANGER though was insane and I need book three …. A year ago.