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baileyreadsalot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
cobycoyle's review against another edition
4.0
This has been one of the best books of the series so far. The surprise at the ending made me shriek. I was angry with Kalona for intruding on Stark's body and mind like that, but I was able to forgive him, at least a bit, at the end after his pledge.
My heart broke for Dragon since Anastasia's death, and I had a feeling Dragon was going to die in this book after reading through it a bit, and this being confirmed at the end made me wish I was wrong.
Watching Aurox's struggle is intriguing, but I am also still mad that Heath might come back somehow, as I still don't want him messing up Zoey and Stark.
I am also wondering what is going to come about from Shaunee and Erin, especially after Erin's contribution to the ritual circle at the end of an ice cube. I find it unrealistic that you can just drop a best friend like that, so I think PC and Kristin need to make it so they're at least friends again without being "Twins." It was interesting to read things from everyone's different POV's, and the third person perspective makes more sense now that there's so many different POV's to read from.
The dialogue has gotten a lot better (though still not great) and each book feels less child-ish as it goes along.
To the next one!
My heart broke for Dragon since Anastasia's death, and I had a feeling Dragon was going to die in this book after reading through it a bit, and this being confirmed at the end made me wish I was wrong.
Watching Aurox's struggle is intriguing, but I am also still mad that Heath might come back somehow, as I still don't want him messing up Zoey and Stark.
I am also wondering what is going to come about from Shaunee and Erin, especially after Erin's contribution to the ritual circle at the end of an ice cube. I find it unrealistic that you can just drop a best friend like that, so I think PC and Kristin need to make it so they're at least friends again without being "Twins." It was interesting to read things from everyone's different POV's, and the third person perspective makes more sense now that there's so many different POV's to read from.
The dialogue has gotten a lot better (though still not great) and each book feels less child-ish as it goes along.
To the next one!
afterplague's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
There are some interesting concepts in this book, specifically Aurox is quite interesting especially him being imbued with Heath's soul. As a character with internal conflict, he's pretty intriguing, and it's always nice to see Heath again.
Shaylin is also fascinating. I think it's weird that the author's cured her blindness, though.
I think the issue is that the series is SO overloaded and bloated now that interesting concepts aren't enough. Because why is Shaylin here? Everyone in our primary cast already knows that Neferet is EVIL. I understand that Shaylin is basically a short-cut to tell us who is good and who is evil and whether an evil person is turning good or a good person is turning evil, but I think she's totally unnecessary.
Shaylin is also fascinating. I think it's weird that the author's cured her blindness, though.
I think the issue is that the series is SO overloaded and bloated now that interesting concepts aren't enough. Because why is Shaylin here? Everyone in our primary cast already knows that Neferet is EVIL. I understand that Shaylin is basically a short-cut to tell us who is good and who is evil and whether an evil person is turning good or a good person is turning evil, but I think she's totally unnecessary.
arijana333's review against another edition
3.25
Finally the twins are two independent characters! And the whole dragon anastasia sub plot is so nice. Aphrodite is awesome. Heath is cute. The rest sucked, as always.
kiki6k's review against another edition
3.0
The House of Night series suffers from a puzzling disconnect between its maturing plot and its stagnant characters. The authors have crafted a narrative that grows increasingly dark and complex, with grand conflicts and villainous threats.
However, the characters themselves haven't kept pace. They remain mired in teenage dialogue and behavior, despite facing situations that would demand a more mature response. The forced "heart-to-heart" moments between Zoey and Stevie Rae come across as inauthentic and even painful to read.
This disconnect extends to other areas as well. The series relies heavily on stereotypes, with characters like Damien reduced to a one-dimensional caricature. The use of racial stereotypes and out-of-place pop culture references further weakens the narrative.
The pacing is uneven, with long stretches of exposition followed by a rushed climax. While the ending provides some gratification, the overall plot advancement feels minimal.
However, the characters themselves haven't kept pace. They remain mired in teenage dialogue and behavior, despite facing situations that would demand a more mature response. The forced "heart-to-heart" moments between Zoey and Stevie Rae come across as inauthentic and even painful to read.
This disconnect extends to other areas as well. The series relies heavily on stereotypes, with characters like Damien reduced to a one-dimensional caricature. The use of racial stereotypes and out-of-place pop culture references further weakens the narrative.
The pacing is uneven, with long stretches of exposition followed by a rushed climax. While the ending provides some gratification, the overall plot advancement feels minimal.
usnebojemesa's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly, one of the best HoN books. I've knew from the start that there would be 9 books. So the nine came and I waited for 4/5 months to actually start it.
I really don't like the reference for LoTR and HoT, even do it was kinda nice to see them beetween the lines.
I have this thing for not liking one villain through one serial. That's the problem with Neferet, but we have Darkness here and that's just so ducked (lol), because there is this bowl of bad stuff + Nefert/Darkness + a lot of death, and etc.
I am glad, nevertheless, that I was able to read and enjoy this serial, even do I know there would be more books. Ha!
I really don't like the reference for LoTR and HoT, even do it was kinda nice to see them beetween the lines.
I have this thing for not liking one villain through one serial. That's the problem with Neferet, but we have Darkness here and that's just so ducked (lol), because there is this bowl of bad stuff + Nefert/Darkness + a lot of death, and etc.
I am glad, nevertheless, that I was able to read and enjoy this serial, even do I know there would be more books. Ha!
halynah's review against another edition
4.0
Well, I liked it, but there are several drawbacks. First - too much attention to Twins and too little to Stark, for example. Second - not complete ending,I wanted more clarity.
As for pluses, I liked Rephaim and Kalona's line, Aphrodite is charming,as usual, Aurox is an interesting character and I enjoyed all the scenes with his participation.
I hope that the next book will answer all the questions. As for this one, it is a very good installment in the series, but not the best one.
As for pluses, I liked Rephaim and Kalona's line, Aphrodite is charming,as usual, Aurox is an interesting character and I enjoyed all the scenes with his participation.
I hope that the next book will answer all the questions. As for this one, it is a very good installment in the series, but not the best one.
book_dragon_julia's review against another edition
4.0
Took me a while to get through this one as I kept getting distracted but from about half way/three quarters through I couldn't put it down, the pace really picked up. Great book and characters as always. Aurox was interesting and I'm keen to see where that character goes. The authors also did well in making me change my opinion of Raphaim and end up rooting for him.
danniphantomreads's review against another edition
2.0
I really dislike everything about all of this lol but again I’ve come this far and I’ve got to see it through