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kivt's review against another edition
3.0
Decent! Nice follow-up to Daughter of Mystery, it expanded the world & mythology a bit while building new characters & expanding old. It had some major pacing problems, however, and the ending is uncharacteristically sloppy.
skycrane's review against another edition
5.0
I literally could not put this book down. I started it as soon as I finished the first one and read straight through till the end. My only complaint about Daughter of Mystery was that there wasn't enough of it, that it'd be nice to see more scenes developing some of the side characters. So I was delighted when The Mystic Marriage delivered on that.
There's a particular scene in this book, which is just lovely. Very dramatic and powerful: "This is my heart: it is what you see. I don’t know if it will come through the fire. But it’s yours, if you will have it." In general, I like how The Mystic Marriage has a different view of love, or tackles a different kind of love, than the first book. In Daughter of Mystery the love between Barbara and Margerit is miraculous. They were connected before their births, and divine providence saw them reunited as young women. In this book, love is something the characters work at, a project built slowly layer after layer, with setbacks and false starts that can only be overcome through patience and effort. I appreciate how the author ties the romance into the larger themes of the story.
There's a particular scene in this book, which is just lovely. Very dramatic and powerful: "This is my heart: it is what you see. I don’t know if it will come through the fire. But it’s yours, if you will have it." In general, I like how The Mystic Marriage has a different view of love, or tackles a different kind of love, than the first book. In Daughter of Mystery the love between Barbara and Margerit is miraculous. They were connected before their births, and divine providence saw them reunited as young women. In this book, love is something the characters work at, a project built slowly layer after layer, with setbacks and false starts that can only be overcome through patience and effort. I appreciate how the author ties the romance into the larger themes of the story.
eletricjb's review against another edition
4.0
This series is like if A Song of Ice and Fire were good. And gay. Actually gay. Please write as many words as frickin' GRR Martin, Ms. Jones.
druv's review against another edition
5.0
Like the first book, this book follows a set of protagonists whose point of view we get to follow. This book expands the cast and from the eyes of others we get to see other sides and weaknesses of the characters of the first book. Antuniet, the main character, was ill-served by events in the first installment, and her struggles gives a welcome perspective on the social structure in Alpennia.
Much like the first book, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the characters are all very likeable despite their flaws and its a pleasure (though sometimes a heartwrenching pleasure) to follow their adventures. Also like the first book, I found the side characters somewhat underdeveloped. Through the point-of-view structure we go deep on several of the characters, but it feels like it would be helpful if more of the characters whose points of view we don't get would wear their hearts on their sleeves a bit more. The princesses you got a good insight to, but the others felt a bit soulless at times. Which is a pity, because there are some I'd really like to see more animated, such as Anna.
Looking forward to future sequels!
Much like the first book, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, the characters are all very likeable despite their flaws and its a pleasure (though sometimes a heartwrenching pleasure) to follow their adventures. Also like the first book, I found the side characters somewhat underdeveloped. Through the point-of-view structure we go deep on several of the characters, but it feels like it would be helpful if more of the characters whose points of view we don't get would wear their hearts on their sleeves a bit more. The princesses you got a good insight to, but the others felt a bit soulless at times. Which is a pity, because there are some I'd really like to see more animated, such as Anna.
Looking forward to future sequels!
storytimed's review against another edition
5.0
Didn't really buy Jeanne and Antuniet together that much, but the alchemy and ANNA who is a cutie pie and Jeanne's Lesbian Picnic makes me round up from 4.5 to a 5.
activehearts's review against another edition
4.0
Super satisfying follow-up to Daughter of Mystery. The plot unfolds slowly, but I love the characters and how their relationships progress. If you're into scholars, scientists, some court intrigue and f/f romance, do read Heather Rose Jone's Alpennia books. I'm happily awaiting for the next installment.
kaa's review against another edition
5.0
Another really lovely book. I adore the focus in this series on chosen and created family. The romance was again slow-paced and sweet, with great attention given to developing the characters and relationship. I think the author does a really good job of writing characters with distinct personalities, world-views, and values in a way that makes me emotionally invested in all of them (although I admit I was a less than thrilled with the way that Jeanne's previous flirtations were addressed). I really like the balance of romance and mystery/action in these books. The world-building is gorgeously detailed, and I think the way magic and religion have been combined is fascinating.
hildea's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.0
hfnuala's review
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.75
I didn't enjoy it as much as the first book but it was fun.