Scan barcode
penofpossibilities's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This has SUCH an interesting world and magic system + premise! It started off strong as well,, the court intrigue paralleled with the gruesome violence of the firebird. I love that we got right into the action, like *bam* *bam* *bam* the plot seemed to move even quicker than I had anticipated but THEN it dragged almost tediously in the middle and even some of the ending of the book was difficult to get through.
I wanted more information about the saints, they are the most intriguing part of this world to me, and I understand that the author couldnt possibly add everything in the first book, HOWEVER -
there was SO much unnecessary repetition. Showing AND telling, over and over. A thing would happen, and then we'd get almost a whole page of a character thinking about that thing and how it made her feel and it would usually be the same conundrum or turmoil ! Like, yes, I get it!! Stop repeating it !!
And then there was the overuse of the word storm, usually to describe a certain character's eyes. It became sO annoying, I started to wonder how no one picked up on this during the process of editing the novel?? Like??
The writing was truly so beautiful in so many places, gorgeous descriptions of places and things... so how could this exist in the same book? It just disappoints me.
Another slightly disappointing thing was the romance. I was so ready to ship these characters, but their chemistry felt so forced and I just think this author's strong suit isn't in writing romance, and they should've left it out. I really WANTED to feel something, but I just didn't.
There was a twist at the end I wasn't expecting though! I think this sequel could potentially be really interesting still.
I wanted more information about the saints, they are the most intriguing part of this world to me, and I understand that the author couldnt possibly add everything in the first book, HOWEVER -
there was SO much unnecessary repetition. Showing AND telling, over and over. A thing would happen, and then we'd get almost a whole page of a character thinking about that thing and how it made her feel and it would usually be the same conundrum or turmoil ! Like, yes, I get it!! Stop repeating it !!
And then there was the overuse of the word storm, usually to describe a certain character's eyes. It became sO annoying, I started to wonder how no one picked up on this during the process of editing the novel?? Like??
The writing was truly so beautiful in so many places, gorgeous descriptions of places and things... so how could this exist in the same book? It just disappoints me.
Another slightly disappointing thing was the romance. I was so ready to ship these characters, but their chemistry felt so forced and I just think this author's strong suit isn't in writing romance, and they should've left it out. I really WANTED to feel something, but I just didn't.
There was a twist at the end I wasn't expecting though! I think this sequel could potentially be really interesting still.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Self harm, Religious bigotry, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Child abuse, Torture, Animal death, Grief, Animal cruelty, Murder, Kidnapping, and Gaslighting
More...