Reviews

The Heart Forger by Rin Chupeco

tatyanavogt's review

3.0

I hate to say it but I was struggling to care. I think a lot was going on and it wasn't always obvious what I should focus on. Also its hard for me to pinpoint where one book ended and the other one began sooo... I dunno. I think I'll get more out of it on a second read since I understand now whats the point and whats going on. 

readwithlucy's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

corrinaababee's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Tea is so head strong and dives in for the people she loves head first. I’ve loved reading both book #1 and this book. I haven’t been disappointed in the least bit and even though the trials and tribulations have been hard for tea I hope she gets her happy ending, dark side or not. I can’t wait to read book #3

charlmax's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

iner_tia14's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional

• 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

4.25

shandyt's review

4.0

4.0 stars.

Definitely an improvement over the first instalment. The prose reads much smoother, and the plot is significantly tighter. I was worried that the romance subplot would get tiresome, but it was handled better than I'd expected.

There are many worldbuilding and logistical issues that get glossed over for the sake of moving the story along.

Spoiler

How does the Azi invariably appear 3 seconds after it's been summoned? Why do we never get to hear descriptions of what it's like to fly on a three-headed dragon? How big is the Azi? What does it look like? Does it have lizard-like scales, or bony plates? How can Inessa and Alyx just go gallivanting around, like in an anime, without a retinue/security staff losing their minds? Are we meant to take away that Alyx is a bad ruler, considering the squalor in which many of her people live?

I rarely feel cheated that I don't get any of these details while reading, but afterward it will catch up to me, and I'll think, 'Wait a second...'

Spoiler

The most dissatisfying part of the book for me was the villain reveal at the end of the Daenerys Daanoris plot. Ideally, a sharp-eyed reader should be able to, in theory, figure it out for themselves. Hardly anyone ever pays close enough attention to actually solve the mystery, but if it's played well, you should be able to go back and find all the places where the answer was foreshadowed. This reveal did not give me that facepalm-triggering feeling of, 'Oh, of course!' Instead, it was more, 'Hm, okay, if you say so.'

A nitpicky quibble: the series has an ongoing issue with misuse of the addresses Your Highness/Your Majesty. For ruling heads of state, it should be Your Majesty, or Your Imperial Majesty for the Empress Alyx or Emperor Shifang. Your Highness/Your Imperial Highness is reserved for princes and princesses like Kance and Inessa.

kellyfables's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional funny sad tense fast-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

5.0

book_dragon_julia's review

dark tense medium-paced

5.0

I enjoyed this book! There was much more action than the first book and I couldn't put it down. I read it in one go and I am now looking forward to the final book

maddynell635's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

_to_liveanddream_insideabook_'s review against another edition

adventurous sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0