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vengefuldime's review against another edition
5.0
The second book is portrayed through a mix of old and new ensemble, with a variety of motivations that are still shifting and hard to pin down. As with the first book, I found myself immersed in the world, and appreciated the facets of society that I got to see. Personally, I wish I had known about the incest before I read this. There is enough mystery that keeps intrigue present while the plot the plot is able to click more into place, but there is still a lot able to be accomplished within the book. It is easy to be attached to the characters, especially with their interesting dynamics. I felt like some plans were a too powerful here, but I still enjoyed the book greatly.
pedanther's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
tense
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
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Torture, Genocide, and War
Moderate: Gore, Medical content, Self harm, Child death, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Incest, Murder, Cursing, Grief, Gun violence, Sexual content, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Body horror, Colonisation, Infidelity, Rape, Alcohol, and Drug use
maggie6832's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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
3.75
I didn’t like this book quite as much as the first one, though the ending was very good. My main issue was that we didn’t get Cherie’s/Jedao’s POV for most of the book, which I understand the rationale behind and think it paid off very nicely, but was still frustrating at times to read.
My other main issues were the whole incest bit with Mikodez and Istradez, which felt unnecessary, though I did end up liking Mikodez more than I expected, and Istradez’s sacrifice was rough. I also wasn’t a huge fan of Brezan for most of the book, though again liked him by the end. I enjoyed Khiurev and the slow build of the plot and reveal, and especially the small hints that Cheris was there, and the servitors!! I liked the plot and the fact that Cheris’s work was all to find a way to make the exotic effects voluntary, the commentary on how awful the system is and how many people want to change it but can’t believe in anything better.
bmlowry8's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-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
3.5
antij's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ghosty773's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
crimsoncor's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful middle volume in this trilogy. Builds convincingly off where the first left off, while introducing new plot elements and flashing back to show the world's history.
staticmemories's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
evieburrows's review against another edition
4.0
still don't really understand what's going on but still enjoying it too
erinsbookshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0