Scan barcode
autumn2001's review
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
roseleaf24's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really well-paced middle-of-a-trilogy book. It moved the overall plotline and developed the characters we came to love in the first book, while carrying its own story well and introducing new characters I can't wait to know better. (If book 3 doesn't include any Wilhelm back story, I quit.) I had a hard time putting this one down. I am eager to read the last installment, but this book was satisfying of its own accord; no obnoxious cliffhanger here.
whosevita's review against another edition
4.0
Doubting between 4-5 stars.
I neeeded a series this good for a longgg time. This book was a doozy. And not in a boring way, but the heavy topics in this book (like the history of enslavement/massacre of the indigenous people) was absolutely heart breaking, and made the book hard to get through at points. I liked that even though Leah helps this isn't put as a white saviour moment. How can she even "save" them from something her forefathers caused anyway. Still I doubt the subject was handled the best it could've been but I am in no position to decide that.
I love Jefferson too of course. Nothing will hit the sweet spot for me quite as much as best friends to lovers.
And I love love love Wilhelm. Give me a silent brute with a heart of gold and I WILL love him to pieces. If he doesn't become part of the main cast in book three I will actually riot.
Now for the things I didn't love as much;
Leah's change of heart about of wanting to keep her independence and not marry was sort of "resolved" too quickly. Imo if Jefferson didn't want to own land anyway, and obviously not go the all American route, he may as well been with Leah without marrying. But oh well.
Anddd not wanting to kill Hiram was kind of weird to me. I get that she personally couldn't kill him. But, he was a slaver, a misogynist, a racist and an implied rapist. Of alll the people to get moral about not murdering, why him?
I neeeded a series this good for a longgg time. This book was a doozy. And not in a boring way, but the heavy topics in this book (like the history of enslavement/massacre of the indigenous people) was absolutely heart breaking, and made the book hard to get through at points. I liked that even though Leah helps this isn't put as a white saviour moment. How can she even "save" them from something her forefathers caused anyway. Still I doubt the subject was handled the best it could've been but I am in no position to decide that.
I love Jefferson too of course. Nothing will hit the sweet spot for me quite as much as best friends to lovers.
And I love love love Wilhelm. Give me a silent brute with a heart of gold and I WILL love him to pieces. If he doesn't become part of the main cast in book three I will actually riot.
Now for the things I didn't love as much;
Leah's change of heart about of wanting to keep her independence and not marry was sort of "resolved" too quickly. Imo if Jefferson didn't want to own land anyway, and obviously not go the all American route, he may as well been with Leah without marrying. But oh well.
Anddd not wanting to kill Hiram was kind of weird to me. I get that she personally couldn't kill him. But, he was a slaver, a misogynist, a racist and an implied rapist. Of alll the people to get moral about not murdering, why him?
amybraunauthor's review against another edition
5.0
Another fantastic book in this great series! Though slower around the middle, this was nonetheless and exciting adventure with a terrific heroine in a unique setting. There was lots of tension and intrigue, as well as new characters who definitely left an impression. The danger was definitely amplified and left to a pretty intense climax. Though it was gross at times, I was actually highly engaged during the confrontations between Lee and her uncle. He was really creepy and a superbly written villain. I also really loved watching Lee's powers expand and grow as she fought for her loved ones. Even more compelling was her growth as a character. She was smart and kind and was thankfully a character who was willing to seek help rather than do everything herself. There are truly no complaints I can make because these books just keep getting more and more exciting! Can't wait to see how it all wraps up!
debbiebarr's review against another edition
4.0
For some reason it took me forever to get into this, but once I did the last 2/3 of the book just flew by! There's nothing else in YA quite like this series, and it's so refreshing to read something new.
books4susie's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! Action packed and that ending. I cannot help but wonder how Leah's story will wrap up.
ginamiya's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Genocide, Kidnapping, Death, Physical abuse, Slavery, and Emotional abuse
evergreenreader's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
jesslynh's review against another edition
4.0
I sucked this one down so fast, it never made it to my Currently reading list. Much like the 1st one, I love Lee's inner voice. I can't wait for the last of this trilogy.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
The stakes in the second book in this series are somehow even higher than in the first. Lee has made it to California, but she's far from out of danger. To make things worse, she feels like she's putting her friends in danger as well. She knows that the only way to keep everyone safe is to take care of the Uncle Hiram situation one way or another. But things go from bad to worse really quickly and Lee finds herself (and her friends!) in an impossible situation that she can't escape. This book highlights the racial injustices of the westward expansion even more strongly than the first book did. In fact, pretty much everything is ramped up in this installment: the action, the stakes, the romance. Plus, even though this book is only the second in the trilogy, it gives us a satisfying ending that could almost wrap everything up (so I'm still excited for the next book but I don't feel like I ended this one with pain!).
I give this second book 4.5/5 Stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Edelweiss (though I ended up listening to the audiobook from the library) in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
The stakes in the second book in this series are somehow even higher than in the first. Lee has made it to California, but she's far from out of danger. To make things worse, she feels like she's putting her friends in danger as well. She knows that the only way to keep everyone safe is to take care of the Uncle Hiram situation one way or another. But things go from bad to worse really quickly and Lee finds herself (and her friends!) in an impossible situation that she can't escape. This book highlights the racial injustices of the westward expansion even more strongly than the first book did. In fact, pretty much everything is ramped up in this installment: the action, the stakes, the romance. Plus, even though this book is only the second in the trilogy, it gives us a satisfying ending that could almost wrap everything up (so I'm still excited for the next book but I don't feel like I ended this one with pain!).
I give this second book 4.5/5 Stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Edelweiss (though I ended up listening to the audiobook from the library) in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***