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icapturethecastle's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
whitneykelley's review against another edition
2.0
Oof. This one’s tough. The series is fantastic, but the heroine spends most of the book chasing a guy she doesn’t end up with. A married guy. Meanwhile, the guy who’s in love with her (the non-white person in the group) gets next to no screen time.
I really enjoyed this when I read it the first time, but I wouldn’t enjoy this if I didn’t have nostalgia for this series.
I really enjoyed this when I read it the first time, but I wouldn’t enjoy this if I didn’t have nostalgia for this series.
aggressive_nostalgia's review against another edition
It still amazes me that both books I’ve read so far in the Twelve Houses series could have next to no plot to speak of—or at least a very thin, rather dull one—and still be so gripping. Essentially, all that is supposed to happen in the bulk of this book is that Kirra is supposed to style herself as her sister and go to a lot of parties to meet a lot of important people. That’s one of those plots that’s not worth reading unless something goes wrong with it. But even before something does go wrong, it’s still gripping. Sharon Shinn’s characterization and development are beautifully done.
*Spoilers ahead.*
I have to say, the major plot twist—Kirra and Romar’s romance? Not comfortable. I’m pretty conservative as far as sex goes–I’m not thrilled even with the whole sex outside of marriage thing—but adultery? Believe me, I am about as diehard a romantic as you are going to find, but for me to really love a romance, it has to fit hand in hand with my morals, and this definitely didn’t. Once we got the point in the book where they were actually having an affair, I pretty much skimmed it and read all the parts that didn’t involve the two of them in moonlight trysts or bedroom rendezvouses. I was really glad that Kirra did (mostly) the right thing in the end. I felt for her—yes—but my morals won out here and I can honestly say I did not want the Romar-Kirra ship to sail. I will probably never forgive Romar, since he committed adultery and was never sorry for it. He's a jerk. He didn’t make any good choices as far as Kirra was concerned.
Another bonus point for Shinn's characterization is that I wasn't frustrated with Donnal (who is probably my second favorite character after Cammon) for loving Kirra—I didn't undergo the "I hate the author for making the gallant hero get stuck falling in love with the selfish and annoying heroine" train of thought, which can pretty quickly sour a book. Although I was angry and frustrated with Kirra's choices in this book, i still genuinely like her very much as a character (and *spoilers for future* I am extremely happy she and Donnal end up together. They counterbalance each other very well).
When Donnal left, that’s the closest I came to crying over a book in several months.
Reason number (insert large number here) why I read novels: because it is impossible not to jump up and do a happy dance when the irascibly, obnoxiously macho, honor-and-duty-obsessed character turns out to be a diehard romantic. And, for bonus points, reams the main character for being a bloody idiot.
Humor? Brilliant. I don’t laugh out loud at many jokes in books, but I did at this one. several times. Possibly at lines that weren’t even intended by the characters to be jokes, which is the best, because that means the author is doing a really good job of conveying character and tone.
Language? Diction? Prosaically poetic as always, easy but entertaining and wonderfully descriptive reading.
I did not love this book for its plot. I am, however, in love with this series, and have absolutely every intention of reading the final three installments.
*Spoilers ahead.*
I have to say, the major plot twist—Kirra and Romar’s romance? Not comfortable. I’m pretty conservative as far as sex goes–I’m not thrilled even with the whole sex outside of marriage thing—but adultery? Believe me, I am about as diehard a romantic as you are going to find, but for me to really love a romance, it has to fit hand in hand with my morals, and this definitely didn’t. Once we got the point in the book where they were actually having an affair, I pretty much skimmed it and read all the parts that didn’t involve the two of them in moonlight trysts or bedroom rendezvouses. I was really glad that Kirra did (mostly) the right thing in the end. I felt for her—yes—but my morals won out here and I can honestly say I did not want the Romar-Kirra ship to sail. I will probably never forgive Romar, since he committed adultery and was never sorry for it. He's a jerk. He didn’t make any good choices as far as Kirra was concerned.
Another bonus point for Shinn's characterization is that I wasn't frustrated with Donnal (who is probably my second favorite character after Cammon) for loving Kirra—I didn't undergo the "I hate the author for making the gallant hero get stuck falling in love with the selfish and annoying heroine" train of thought, which can pretty quickly sour a book. Although I was angry and frustrated with Kirra's choices in this book, i still genuinely like her very much as a character (and *spoilers for future* I am extremely happy she and Donnal end up together. They counterbalance each other very well).
When Donnal left, that’s the closest I came to crying over a book in several months.
Reason number (insert large number here) why I read novels: because it is impossible not to jump up and do a happy dance when the irascibly, obnoxiously macho, honor-and-duty-obsessed character turns out to be a diehard romantic. And, for bonus points, reams the main character for being a bloody idiot.
Humor? Brilliant. I don’t laugh out loud at many jokes in books, but I did at this one. several times. Possibly at lines that weren’t even intended by the characters to be jokes, which is the best, because that means the author is doing a really good job of conveying character and tone.
Language? Diction? Prosaically poetic as always, easy but entertaining and wonderfully descriptive reading.
I did not love this book for its plot. I am, however, in love with this series, and have absolutely every intention of reading the final three installments.
megs_k's review against another edition
5.0
"He'll fall in love where it's most extreme, and where his chances of success are least assured. When he does, I'm telling you, it will make the rest of us look like we weren't even trying." ~ Sharon Shinn
skyes_the_limit22's review against another edition
well I wanted to read this book, but after reading the reviews....
after reading comments an finding out that Kirra and that regent guy, who's already married, hook up, I'm like.. no just no. I mean in books that type of thing never ends well and as an emotional, moody person I personally cannot stand sad books, (I get emotionally attached t o the characters). But if Senneth and Tayse are in it I want to read it... I am honestly torn.
tbh I liked Kirra in the first book, she wasn't my favorite character that honor goes to Senneth, but Kirra was definitely up there.
But if she was really as infuriating as you guys say she is... Well I don't know. I guess I'll give it a try, probably skim like some reccomended.
after reading comments an finding out that Kirra and that regent guy, who's already married, hook up, I'm like.. no just no. I mean in books that type of thing never ends well and as an emotional, moody person I personally cannot stand sad books, (I get emotionally attached t o the characters). But if Senneth and Tayse are in it I want to read it... I am honestly torn.
tbh I liked Kirra in the first book, she wasn't my favorite character that honor goes to Senneth, but Kirra was definitely up there.
But if she was really as infuriating as you guys say she is... Well I don't know. I guess I'll give it a try, probably skim like some reccomended.
wellactjoally's review against another edition
DNF because no HEA, adultery.
Enjoyed the characters but could not with the romance plot.
Enjoyed the characters but could not with the romance plot.
milabeille's review against another edition
4.0
I can't put this down!
I've read 2 books so far, but they both felt unfinished. The end of the books are about the "resolution" of the romantic intrigue whether positively or not, but even then it feels uncertain and leaves me kind of unsatisfied.
All that said, I really enjoy reading this serie. We found ourselves at the beginning of a war, different people with different motivations are making alliances to get rid of the king.
In the first book, the group investigated where the unrest was coming from and its reason.
In the second book, they were protecting the princess and the regent from any assassination attempts.
I can't say there is no action, the characters find themselves in position where they are in danger and they have to defend themselves but these books are more character driven. So far, we always found the same group of characters but with different POVs. In the 1st book, the POVs are Senneth and Tayse, the 2nd book Kirra, the 3rd Justin and the 4th Cammon (I checked).
I really like all of them, even if I didn't agree with some of Kirra's choices in this book. I can't wait to find out what Cammon can do and see Justin fall in love (it's bound to happen and it'll be quite fun to watch).
Anyway, I'm not sure this serie is for everyone because it feels slow sometimes but I like it enough so far :)
I've read 2 books so far, but they both felt unfinished. The end of the books are about the "resolution" of the romantic intrigue whether positively or not, but even then it feels uncertain and leaves me kind of unsatisfied.
All that said, I really enjoy reading this serie. We found ourselves at the beginning of a war, different people with different motivations are making alliances to get rid of the king.
In the first book, the group investigated where the unrest was coming from and its reason.
In the second book, they were protecting the princess and the regent from any assassination attempts.
I can't say there is no action, the characters find themselves in position where they are in danger and they have to defend themselves but these books are more character driven. So far, we always found the same group of characters but with different POVs. In the 1st book, the POVs are Senneth and Tayse, the 2nd book Kirra, the 3rd Justin and the 4th Cammon (I checked).
I really like all of them, even if I didn't agree with some of Kirra's choices in this book. I can't wait to find out what Cammon can do and see Justin fall in love (it's bound to happen and it'll be quite fun to watch).
Anyway, I'm not sure this serie is for everyone because it feels slow sometimes but I like it enough so far :)
blueshadow's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars, rounded up
A rarity indeed - book #2 in the series that I enjoyed as much as the first, DESPITE the fact that I strongly disliked one of the plot lines and couldn't relate well to the main character.
Kirra as the main character is portrayed as rather wild and impulsive, and I really couldn't relate to her. But it would be in her character to have a crazy affair with a married man, which, while a plot line I didn't really enjoy, was handled in an unexpected and rather nice way toward the end of the story. I didn't care a whole lot about the major plotline either, a social tour through several noble houses.
However, as always, the writing was good and the characters and the varied relationships between them were excellent. Lots of friendship and banter, and it was neat to see the queen and princess quite a bit in this story. The plot had a few twists and turns along the way, which was also fun. These things did a lot to keep the book fun and entertaining along the way.
A rarity indeed - book #2 in the series that I enjoyed as much as the first, DESPITE the fact that I strongly disliked one of the plot lines and couldn't relate well to the main character.
Kirra as the main character is portrayed as rather wild and impulsive, and I really couldn't relate to her. But it would be in her character to have a crazy affair with a married man, which, while a plot line I didn't really enjoy, was handled in an unexpected and rather nice way toward the end of the story. I didn't care a whole lot about the major plotline either, a social tour through several noble houses.
However, as always, the writing was good and the characters and the varied relationships between them were excellent. Lots of friendship and banter, and it was neat to see the queen and princess quite a bit in this story. The plot had a few twists and turns along the way, which was also fun. These things did a lot to keep the book fun and entertaining along the way.
eososray's review against another edition
3.0
With the focus of this second book in the series being on Kirra, I didn't enjoy it as much as the first. That being said I love the writing style and I find these books very enjoyable and absorbing. This story is written with the characters lives being the main story and what's happening within the kingdom is written as more of a background that is affecting our characters. It gives these books a change in focus from the usual that I quite like.