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makayla_rose's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-paced
4.5
Was way better than book one it explained way more what was actually happening !
rai913's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Book reviews, but make it a ✨haiku✨
Bright Burns the Night mid
Enemies to lovers where
Four stars generous
Bright Burns the Night mid
Enemies to lovers where
Four stars generous
hdcamp's review against another edition
3.0
Ok ok ok so I don't know how I feel about this one.
I enjoyed the story, but there were a few things that disappointed me or misfired for me. Also, I'm a crazy hekkin spaz who missed a major moment at the end of the last book, so I guess I need to go take a reread of the end of book 1, because I completely missed that one.
There was a bit of instalove here; while I liked the romance alright, it did feel rushed as we got to the middle of the book. Lorcan and Evelayn's interactions are more believable at the start, when their only interactions have been. It's entirely plausible that he'd have fallen for her over the years, but less so that she'd fall for him so quickly? I feel like I have been complaining about this for several things lately , but there's too much history between them for the change of opinion to be that fast. Not only does she have to shift her impression of the brothers as being bloodthirsty and evil, just like their father, she has to come to terms with the fact that the man she loved is completely different than she thought she knew. And Lorcan hasn't done anything to show her that perhaps he's not as bad as she thought. Even with all the evidence she is presented as the story goes on, I feel like a normal human response would be to struggle a bit more to trust the man she believes had a hand in killing her parents . I just wanted more tension than there was.
My other major issue with this book is that Tanvir's character does a complete 180. He's an ass-hat** now! We supposedly got hints of his "dark side" in the last book, but as I recall (and granted my memory is obviously not the greatest) they all came from Lorcan's perspective - and as far as we knew, he wasn't entirely reliable. Were we supposed to trust the person who was arguably the villain of the story when he says that Tanvir had too much anger to be a good mate for Evelayn? I for one wrote it off. He's basically an entirely different person in this book, and that was really jarring and confusing (and should have been even more of an inner conflict for Evelayn).
My final sad face for this book is because of how this is a Swan Lake retelling and there was not much in this story that tracked with that except for the existence of swans and an evil sorcerer (?) who can also turn into a bird of prey. And I suppose that Rothbart/Lorcan is responsible for Odette's/Evelayn's initial swan-ness. I guess this has taught me that I like a few more parallels when I read a retelling? Nonetheless since I'm thinking about Swan Lake I'm now in the mood, so it's time to turn on some TCHAIKOVSKY bye
P.S. I'm stuck on the logistics of a swan flying with a dead hawk in its beak. Is that physically possible? I need the science side of Tumblr to appear on my Goodreads and tell me. I'm skeptical.
*
**
I enjoyed the story, but there were a few things that disappointed me or misfired for me. Also, I'm a crazy hekkin spaz who missed a major moment at the end of the last book,
Spoiler
did we already think Tanvir had died?? At some point in my review of [b:Dark Breaks the Dawn|29283751|Dark Breaks the Dawn (Dark Breaks the Dawn Duology, #1)|Sara B. Larson|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1474557853l/29283751._SY75_.jpg|49525013] I hypothesized that Tanvir would die to make the love triangle resolve itself, because that's what happened in the other other two series I've read by Larson. Apparently he did? I COMPLETELY MISSED THIS, I didn't notice that Lorcan cut him down (supposedly) in front of Evalyn?? Am I blind?!?Spoiler
That time jump didn't help with my reading whiplash.There was a bit of instalove here; while I liked the romance alright, it did feel rushed as we got to the middle of the book. Lorcan and Evelayn's interactions are more believable at the start, when their only interactions have been
Spoiler
once a year when she has to deal with being turned back into a human again or, you know, the time he CUT HER POWER STONE OUT OF HER BODYSpoiler
it's a little different, but LOOKING AT YOU ETERNALSSpoiler
and who she's been mourning for for ten years is not only not dead, butSpoiler
in the last ten yearsSpoiler
and who she believes killed Tanvir in front of her in the same moment as he CUTS HER POWER FROM HER BODY*My other major issue with this book is that Tanvir's character does a complete 180. He's an ass-hat** now! We supposedly got hints of his "dark side" in the last book, but as I recall (and granted my memory is obviously not the greatest) they all came from Lorcan's perspective - and as far as we knew, he wasn't entirely reliable. Were we supposed to trust the person who was arguably the villain of the story when he says that Tanvir had too much anger to be a good mate for Evelayn? I for one wrote it off. He's basically an entirely different person in this book, and that was really jarring and confusing (and should have been even more of an inner conflict for Evelayn).
My final sad face for this book is because of how this is a Swan Lake retelling and there was not much in this story that tracked with that except for the existence of swans and an evil sorcerer (?) who can also turn into a bird of prey. And I suppose that Rothbart/Lorcan is responsible for Odette's/Evelayn's initial swan-ness. I guess this has taught me that I like a few more parallels when I read a retelling? Nonetheless since I'm thinking about Swan Lake I'm now in the mood, so it's time to turn on some TCHAIKOVSKY bye
P.S. I'm stuck on the logistics of a swan flying with a dead hawk in its beak. Is that physically possible? I need the science side of Tumblr to appear on my Goodreads and tell me. I'm skeptical.
*
Spoiler
So I reference this scene the same way twice in what is a relatively short review. I think it's funny that my subconscious was apparently so bothered by this scene, so I'm leaving it in.**
tiffany721's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
I had a twist in it that was kind of predictable, but I still liked that twist!! I liked the characters, mostly the brothers, and the story was like was neat.
I had a twist in it that was kind of predictable, but I still liked that twist!! I liked the characters, mostly the brothers, and the story was like was neat.
racheln23's review
5.0
A SOLID 5 star story! This is one of those stories that you get excited about. Are there issues with some things? Yes, but even so, it is such a satisfying read. I do think one thing that could majorly improve the duology is combining the two books in to one.
Having said that, I kind of want to go back and re-read book one to read it from a different perspective.
Lastly, I think this has amazing potential for a movie.
Having said that, I kind of want to go back and re-read book one to read it from a different perspective.
Lastly, I think this has amazing potential for a movie.
americangirlemmie's review against another edition
2.0
Wow. Where do I begin? I actually loved Sara B. Larson’s other books–I even liked the book preceding this–however this one… boy oh boy…
This story takes place ten years after Dark Breaks the Dawn. Evelayn has been trapped in the body of a swan for ten years, TEN YEARS, only ever becoming human when the guy who transformed her showed up. And, um like, also?? This same guy?? Also killed her fiance??? Okay, anyways, I need to form this into a cohesive review.
Basically, Evelayn is transformed back to her human form, and almost IMMEDIATELY starts to fall in love with her captor, Lorcan. Okay, yeah, this could be the whole Beauty and the Beast thing, or even a cool Darkling-esque spin. HOWEVER, that is not what happens. The two are passionately making out and professing their undying love for each other within a matter of days. I already struggle with novels that try to condense any normal plotline into a matter of weeks/days, as it can become far too convoluted. However, trying to attempt such intense character development and romance in such a short time span is ridiculous. The characters lacked all believability and empathy and really weakened the entire story for me.
That being aside (and, honestly, it kind of ruined the whole book for me…) I had a hard time with the story anyway. I did not see any connection to the original Swan Lake, which was a huge part of the advertising. But, regardless of that tie, I didn’t get very invested in the story. The character’s emotional connection and motivations were very weak and kind of jumped around, and thus it was hard for me to make any connection and, well… care.
That being said, I really did enjoy everything else I’ve read from Sara B. Larson. So, I wouldn’t let this review stop you from trying out some of her other series, but I would certainly not start with either of this duology.
This story takes place ten years after Dark Breaks the Dawn. Evelayn has been trapped in the body of a swan for ten years, TEN YEARS, only ever becoming human when the guy who transformed her showed up. And, um like, also?? This same guy?? Also killed her fiance??? Okay, anyways, I need to form this into a cohesive review.
Basically, Evelayn is transformed back to her human form, and almost IMMEDIATELY starts to fall in love with her captor, Lorcan. Okay, yeah, this could be the whole Beauty and the Beast thing, or even a cool Darkling-esque spin. HOWEVER, that is not what happens. The two are passionately making out and professing their undying love for each other within a matter of days. I already struggle with novels that try to condense any normal plotline into a matter of weeks/days, as it can become far too convoluted. However, trying to attempt such intense character development and romance in such a short time span is ridiculous. The characters lacked all believability and empathy and really weakened the entire story for me.
That being aside (and, honestly, it kind of ruined the whole book for me…) I had a hard time with the story anyway. I did not see any connection to the original Swan Lake, which was a huge part of the advertising. But, regardless of that tie, I didn’t get very invested in the story. The character’s emotional connection and motivations were very weak and kind of jumped around, and thus it was hard for me to make any connection and, well… care.
That being said, I really did enjoy everything else I’ve read from Sara B. Larson. So, I wouldn’t let this review stop you from trying out some of her other series, but I would certainly not start with either of this duology.
helenamt's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-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
3.25
dlewis85's review against another edition
dark
emotional
fast-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? Yes
4.5