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onefineelephant's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
8/10. This book/series really continues to surprise me. It is one of those rare books where at no point am I sure where the plot is going (in a good way) but I am so enthralled the whole time. For reasons other than the book, I was having a hard time getting through the book but every time I opened it and actually started reading, I never wanted to stop. I am gonna be honest, I missed Harper and Rhen but I loved seeing things from Grey's POV. I also wasn't sure how I would feel about Lia Mara, but I ended up enjoying her perspective as well. I somewhat predicted/hoped for what ended up happening at the end of the book with Grey and Lia Mara about Karis Luran (no spoilers) but the very ending with Rhen almost blindsided me fr (again, no spoilers). I am very interested to see what in the world is going to happen in the next book because I genuinely have no idea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Kidnapping, Murder, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Alcohol, Gore, Suicide attempt, and Violence
Minor: Vomit and Animal cruelty
prashiie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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
2.0
"Do not let your kindness make you vulnerable.”
This story is mainly told through Grey and Lia Mara’s point of view. Lia Mara is a new addition to the story and she is the first-born daughter of Karis Luran, but definitely not ruthless like her mother. I am very glad that there was no dreaded love triangle.
I hate how Rhen’s character is completely butchered in this book. It’s like they really needed a hero-turned-villain to add some sensation and what would be more controversial than picking Rhen. It makes no sense, especially because he does his best to be a better person and to care for his kingdom and the people around him. He might have been a little entitled before, but the curse really softened him up. Even Grey could see this! So what happened to the Grey who would lay down his life for Rhen? He might not be bound by an oath anymore, but that doesn’t erase the many seasons during the curse where they only had each other. I don't understand the motivation behind some of the choices these characters make and how so many people could give up on Rhen. He deserves better!
Rhen mentions in the past that people don’t trust him enough to make good decisions. AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT GREY DOES! If only he told Rhen the truth as soon as he found out. Grey decides to stay away from Ironrose instead, as if that would solve all problems. Rhen is scarred for life by magic and now there’s this magesmith around who is actually the true heir?! Of course Rhen has to go to lengths to protect his kingdom from another magesmith of whom he knows nothing about.
And the ending… are you serious?!Lilith was never dead?! No wonder Rhen took drastic measures.
I‘ve wondered many times if I could have enjoyed this story if the plot took a different direction and I think that was indeed a possibility. What if–hear me out–Lilith indeed escapes and Grey didn’t know the truth, stays at Ironrose and searches for this true heir alongside Rhen. After he finds out it’s him that they’re looking for, Rhen gets the chance to see the good side of magic, they go on a quest to unlock Grey’s true potential and then he takes down Lilith in an epic magical battle. Basically, any plot where Rhen is not vilified is acceptable!
This story is mainly told through Grey and Lia Mara’s point of view. Lia Mara is a new addition to the story and she is the first-born daughter of Karis Luran, but definitely not ruthless like her mother. I am very glad that there was no dreaded love triangle.
I hate how Rhen’s character is completely butchered in this book. It’s like they really needed a hero-turned-villain to add some sensation and what would be more controversial than picking Rhen. It makes no sense, especially because he does his best to be a better person and to care for his kingdom and the people around him. He might have been a little entitled before, but the curse really softened him up. Even Grey could see this! So what happened to the Grey who would lay down his life for Rhen? He might not be bound by an oath anymore, but that doesn’t erase the many seasons during the curse where they only had each other. I don't understand the motivation behind some of the choices these characters make and how so many people could give up on Rhen. He deserves better!
Rhen mentions in the past that people don’t trust him enough to make good decisions. AND THAT’S EXACTLY WHAT GREY DOES! If only he told Rhen the truth as soon as he found out. Grey decides to stay away from Ironrose instead, as if that would solve all problems. Rhen is scarred for life by magic and now there’s this magesmith around who is actually the true heir?! Of course Rhen has to go to lengths to protect his kingdom from another magesmith of whom he knows nothing about.
And the ending… are you serious?!
I‘ve wondered many times if I could have enjoyed this story if the plot took a different direction and I think that was indeed a possibility. What if–hear me out–Lilith indeed escapes and Grey didn’t know the truth, stays at Ironrose and searches for this true heir alongside Rhen. After he finds out it’s him that they’re looking for, Rhen gets the chance to see the good side of magic, they go on a quest to unlock Grey’s true potential and then he takes down Lilith in an epic magical battle. Basically, any plot where Rhen is not vilified is acceptable!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Torture, Death, Violence, and Blood
instalovewithbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Reading in Grey's POV threw me off a bit, but I loved being in his head. I was unsure whether I would like to read Lia Mara but I honestly really enjoy her too!
I'm unsure if I loved this one as much as the second but I think what knocked .25 stars was the Rhens ending chapter. What bullshit. 😒
I didn't expect that to happen but I'm very annoyed. 😒 I will still read book 3 though because I'm interested still.
I'm unsure if I loved this one as much as the second but I think what knocked .25 stars was the Rhens ending chapter. What bullshit. 😒
I didn't expect that to happen but I'm very annoyed. 😒 I will still read book 3 though because I'm interested still.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Torture, and Violence
jackiepreston's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Murder, Torture, Death of parent, and Death
mailuss's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Violence
purplehulk713's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
I liked this book better than the first one, which is unusual because the first book had more magic, and I never really liked Grey in my first encounters with him because I thought he was too stubborn in his loyalty. But that was something that was played upon in this novel—both how and why he acts in that way—which I thought was far more interesting than his initial portrayal, especially since we get to hear his voice as a primary narrator in this book. I loved Lia Mara, and basically every other new important character that was introduced in this installment—Tycho and Iisak are great. Tycho is cute and endearing, and Iisak is funny, dry, and mysterious. But Lia Mara is so so determined yet so insecure (and her toxic relationship with her mother Karis Luran brings out a lot of strong Amity Blight vibes) and from the first chapters that we meet her and hear her views of her mother and sister, Nolla Verin, it’s clearly evident how passionate she is but also so vulnerable and apprehensive. Her role in the climax is epic! She and Grey are excellent foils for each other. I was so impressed by Brigid Kemmerer’s world-building, especially as the characters crossed into Syhl Shallow and they explained things like their matrilineal line of succession, but also the poignancy of the issues she’s depicting with these characters like the best way to achieve peace between two countries, or even mutual respect and civility within one’s own country. Brigid Kemmerer is herself a magesmith for how deftly she is both able to portray these issues as well develop realistic characters to grapple and grow with them. The only reason I rated this book below five stars was that it didn’t have as much magic as I craved, though I cannot remember enjoying a book that discussed diplomacy so much this much.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Alcohol, Blood, Emotional abuse, Violence, Medical content, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
lucia_without_j's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Torture, and Violence
usjdjfnnffm2737's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, and Blood
qrschulte's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think I liked this one more than the last one. And again, I called the big reveals.
Things I liked:
- GREY!!!
- Iisak. More of him please
- Jake‘s redemption.
- The romance actually made sense and had some chemistry and a bit of steam.
Things I didn’t like:
- The Lia Mara narrator made the girls sound waaaay younger than they were supposed to be. She also was a bit melodramatic, either with a laugh in her voice or like a swoon teen, which was a little much for my tastes.
- The torture
- The 180 degree flip of characterizations of Harper and Rhen, which I guess is only slightly explained. Especially after Rhen’s character growth in the last book. And Harper being okay with Rhen’s behavior after giving her brother (warranted) shit in the first book? Makes no sense.
Things I liked:
- GREY!!!
- Iisak. More of him please
- Jake‘s redemption.
- The romance actually made sense and had some chemistry and a bit of steam.
Things I didn’t like:
- The Lia Mara narrator made the girls sound waaaay younger than they were supposed to be. She also was a bit melodramatic, either with a laugh in her voice or like a swoon teen, which was a little much for my tastes.
- The torture
- The 180 degree flip of characterizations of Harper and Rhen, which I guess is only slightly explained. Especially after Rhen’s character growth in the last book. And Harper being okay with Rhen’s behavior after giving her brother (warranted) shit in the first book? Makes no sense.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Animal cruelty, Xenophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Police brutality, Racial slurs, Racism, Slavery, Blood, Body shaming, Murder, Violence, War, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Gore, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Torture
Moderate: Grief, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Colonisation, Medical content, Abandonment, and Vomit
Minor: Animal death
taryn_g's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-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
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Murder, Blood, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Moderate: Confinement
Minor: Chronic illness