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kasaya_mt33's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Not satisfied with the ending at all. Especially if it's the last book in the series. The MC's decision to keep Dorian from the knowledge that he is the father of her twins erks me. He deserves to know & be a part of their life. Especially if the MC plans to rekindle their relationship. The MC broke up with Dorian for withholding critical info but when she does the same it's ok? Hypocrite.
If the author decides to write a 5th book, the nuance & repercussion in the MC'S romantic relationship should not be glossed over especially once she reveals the truth to Dorian.
If the author decides to write a 5th book, the nuance & repercussion in the MC'S romantic relationship should not be glossed over especially once she reveals the truth to Dorian.
kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Fourth in the Dark Swan urban fantasy series revolving around a pregnant Eugenie Markham, half-human, half-fae and Queen of two Lands in the Otherworld.
My Take
It's a lot of ups and downs with tons of soul-searching on Eugenie's part. Honesty and trust versus her children's safety. Seeing the truth about people's — and demon's — behaviors. Roland's comment about Eugenie's snobby bigotry is on the money as well.
There was also a number of stupid actions...what is with characters who get handed possibilities on a plate and are too dumb to realize it's probably important?? In spite of their supposedly intelligent backgrounds…? Is it a natural reaction or the writer's laziness? Gimme a break...the ghost encounter at the plantation house was such a lame set-up. Then Volusian shows up with a message sent by both Maiwenn and Dorian. And Eugenie blows it off. Duhhhh, that her wanna-be lover and her almost-worst enemy are ganging together to contact her doesn't make her wonder if there might be a reason…??? And, why, oh why, would she ignore a kingdom that has others in subservience?
What is Kiyo's problem? If he's gonna be temporarily allied with Rowan, Thorn, and Oak, he's got no business whining on about his and Maiwenn's hangups! Volusian certainly comes in handy and goes easy...boy turns out to be all talk...
I did not enjoy this story as much as the three previous stories. It felt more like it was marking time, even if it did settle some issues.
The Story
Eugenie is hedging her bets, seeing human doctors as well as fae. She has no intentions of letting anything happen to her babies! Even Jasmine and Pagiel are helping out, escorting her to and fro across the border.
It's Rurik and Shaya's wedding though that sets everyone up for what's coming down the road. The wrong guest. A too-rigid adherence to societal rules. The temptation of a life of kindness and peace.
The Characters
Eugenie Markham is Queen of Thorn and Rowan — and pregnant with twins. Roland Markham, Eugenie's stepfather, is surprisingly supportive — surprising since he's been such a jerk the last two stories. He's also surprised to find himself in accord with Dorian! Dee is her always supportive mother. Lara is having a very odd, unexpected effect upon Tim — a suit and tie??? Volusian is a demon-like soul bound to serve Eugenie. Candace (the shaman) and Charles Reed are the friends of Roland who take her in; Evan is their quiet, non-pushy nephew with a very tempting offer. Ivy and Isaac, a.k.a., little Thundro, are the twins.
Rurik and Shaya are caring for the Rowan Land while Jasmine is entrusted as regent for the Thorn Land while Eugenie concentrates on the babies.
Dorian, King of Oak Land, is doing his best to help Eugenie even as he teases her with sexual innuendos. Muran is Dorian's very long-suffering servant. Kiyo Marquez is still working with Maiwenn, Queen of the Willow Land, to destroy the babies. And if that means they have to take Eugenie out...oh, well.
Ysabel is a former lover of Dorian's and she and her mother Edria are up to something with Ysabel's son Pagiel. On the one hand, they're freaking out because he's engaged in guard duty. On the other hand, they're pleased with his illegal activities. Ansonia, his sister, is another story what with the attack and the secrets she's not supposed to know. Ilania is an ambassador from Queen Varia of the Yew Land.
The group that sets off to the Yew Land includes: Eugenie and Dorian, Jasmine and Pagiel, Rurik, Alistir, Keeli, and Danil. They run into a group from Hemlock Land which includes Alea with her falcon, Spots; Kellum; and, Orj and they are hoping to rescue Hadic, their king. Magia becomes the Hickory Queen.
The Cover and Title
It's all oranges and purples in the background of sky, mountains, and castle while a red-haired Eugenie looks back even as she walks away in her jeans and black leather jacket, pulling an athame from inside her jacket, a gun in the holster strapped to her thigh.
The title encourages you to believe that Eugenie is the Shadow Heir...won't you be surprised…
My Take
It's a lot of ups and downs with tons of soul-searching on Eugenie's part. Honesty and trust versus her children's safety. Seeing the truth about people's — and demon's — behaviors. Roland's comment about Eugenie's snobby bigotry is on the money as well.
There was also a number of stupid actions...what is with characters who get handed possibilities on a plate and are too dumb to realize it's probably important?? In spite of their supposedly intelligent backgrounds…? Is it a natural reaction or the writer's laziness? Gimme a break...the ghost encounter at the plantation house was such a lame set-up. Then Volusian shows up with a message sent by both Maiwenn and Dorian. And Eugenie blows it off. Duhhhh, that her wanna-be lover and her almost-worst enemy are ganging together to contact her doesn't make her wonder if there might be a reason…??? And, why, oh why, would she ignore a kingdom that has others in subservience?
What is Kiyo's problem? If he's gonna be temporarily allied with Rowan, Thorn, and Oak, he's got no business whining on about his and Maiwenn's hangups! Volusian certainly comes in handy and goes easy...boy turns out to be all talk...
I did not enjoy this story as much as the three previous stories. It felt more like it was marking time, even if it did settle some issues.
The Story
Eugenie is hedging her bets, seeing human doctors as well as fae. She has no intentions of letting anything happen to her babies! Even Jasmine and Pagiel are helping out, escorting her to and fro across the border.
It's Rurik and Shaya's wedding though that sets everyone up for what's coming down the road. The wrong guest. A too-rigid adherence to societal rules. The temptation of a life of kindness and peace.
The Characters
Eugenie Markham is Queen of Thorn and Rowan — and pregnant with twins. Roland Markham, Eugenie's stepfather, is surprisingly supportive — surprising since he's been such a jerk the last two stories. He's also surprised to find himself in accord with Dorian! Dee is her always supportive mother. Lara is having a very odd, unexpected effect upon Tim — a suit and tie??? Volusian is a demon-like soul bound to serve Eugenie. Candace (the shaman) and Charles Reed are the friends of Roland who take her in; Evan is their quiet, non-pushy nephew with a very tempting offer. Ivy and Isaac, a.k.a., little Thundro, are the twins.
Rurik and Shaya are caring for the Rowan Land while Jasmine is entrusted as regent for the Thorn Land while Eugenie concentrates on the babies.
Dorian, King of Oak Land, is doing his best to help Eugenie even as he teases her with sexual innuendos. Muran is Dorian's very long-suffering servant. Kiyo Marquez is still working with Maiwenn, Queen of the Willow Land, to destroy the babies. And if that means they have to take Eugenie out...oh, well.
Ysabel is a former lover of Dorian's and she and her mother Edria are up to something with Ysabel's son Pagiel. On the one hand, they're freaking out because he's engaged in guard duty. On the other hand, they're pleased with his illegal activities. Ansonia, his sister, is another story what with the attack and the secrets she's not supposed to know. Ilania is an ambassador from Queen Varia of the Yew Land.
The group that sets off to the Yew Land includes: Eugenie and Dorian, Jasmine and Pagiel, Rurik, Alistir, Keeli, and Danil. They run into a group from Hemlock Land which includes Alea with her falcon, Spots; Kellum; and, Orj and they are hoping to rescue Hadic, their king. Magia becomes the Hickory Queen.
The Cover and Title
It's all oranges and purples in the background of sky, mountains, and castle while a red-haired Eugenie looks back even as she walks away in her jeans and black leather jacket, pulling an athame from inside her jacket, a gun in the holster strapped to her thigh.
The title encourages you to believe that Eugenie is the Shadow Heir...won't you be surprised…
usnebojemesa's review against another edition
Richelle, no, no, no no no this is not how you finish a book
damn it
So, after I've calmed down I am going to write down a review for the final book in this series. I am so disappointed by how it ended, especially because I wanted to see Eugenie powerful and dominant. After being so baffled by the fact that she got pregnant with Kiyo who was so against her pregnancy (who should have used the condom with or without vasectomy (because hey, he didn't say anything to her. what a surprise!)), deciding to leave that little fact that those kids are Dorian's and leaving them in the human world, the ending seems to rushed and lame. I had the same feeling when I was finishing Bloodlines. Why u gotta do this???
damn it
So, after I've calmed down I am going to write down a review for the final book in this series. I am so disappointed by how it ended, especially because I wanted to see Eugenie powerful and dominant. After being so baffled by the fact that she got pregnant with Kiyo who was so against her pregnancy (who should have used the condom with or without vasectomy (because hey, he didn't say anything to her. what a surprise!)), deciding to leave that little fact that those kids are Dorian's and leaving them in the human world, the ending seems to rushed and lame. I had the same feeling when I was finishing Bloodlines. Why u gotta do this???
magikspells's review against another edition
3.0
The lesson of this book. Don't trust a ginger. Especially a whole pack of them.
I'm really conflicted about how I feel about this book. I just... don't know. I guess I didn't care for it like I did the others. I felt like there were such huge SL leaps that didn't make sense for characters. Everyone is ok with trusting the random Alabama shaman who in turn are just suddenly a-ok with playing parent, and suddenly Kiyo is pure evil and everyone hates him. Ugh, its just so back and forth. Honestly, the only character who I felt has made a gradual and believable change over the series is Jasmine.
In regards to Kiyo, he was set up for people to hate him, which I didn't like. I like him as a character, it didn't seem fair the direction he went this time. It felt like someone rolled a dice and decided what to make him do. And Dorian? I really kind of hate him and have for a while, that may be where my irritation for the book is stemming from. I think his only redeeming trait was referring to Isaac as Thundro which is hilarious! Despite my dislike of Dorian, I still can't help but to hate Eugenie for deceiving him though. Your deceit is low and dirty Eugenie, after everything YOU have been through now you're withholding information??? Not to mention other people know the truth *cough*Kiyo*cough*. But knowing your life everything will just magically work out and people will love you again despite your flippancy and bitchiness.
Bah! I've found the root of my problem with the story, it's you Thorn Queen, your so damned unlikeable as a person. Badass, yes. A decent person, no. And yet everyone is written to fall all over you or be forced to like you/serve you. This is where I stop before I rant.
I'm really conflicted about how I feel about this book. I just... don't know. I guess I didn't care for it like I did the others. I felt like there were such huge SL leaps that didn't make sense for characters. Everyone is ok with trusting the random Alabama shaman who in turn are just suddenly a-ok with playing parent, and suddenly Kiyo is pure evil and everyone hates him. Ugh, its just so back and forth. Honestly, the only character who I felt has made a gradual and believable change over the series is Jasmine.
In regards to Kiyo, he was set up for people to hate him, which I didn't like. I like him as a character, it didn't seem fair the direction he went this time. It felt like someone rolled a dice and decided what to make him do. And Dorian? I really kind of hate him and have for a while, that may be where my irritation for the book is stemming from. I think his only redeeming trait was referring to Isaac as Thundro which is hilarious! Despite my dislike of Dorian, I still can't help but to hate Eugenie for deceiving him though. Your deceit is low and dirty Eugenie, after everything YOU have been through now you're withholding information??? Not to mention other people know the truth *cough*Kiyo*cough*. But knowing your life everything will just magically work out and people will love you again despite your flippancy and bitchiness.
Bah! I've found the root of my problem with the story, it's you Thorn Queen, your so damned unlikeable as a person. Badass, yes. A decent person, no. And yet everyone is written to fall all over you or be forced to like you/serve you. This is where I stop before I rant.
cyrenasea's review against another edition
3.0
I'm unhappy with Eugenie's decision at the end of this book, but it's still a good finish to this urban fantasy series.
ttmusic's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars
WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS!!! (First paragraph spoiler-free)
I really tried to write a review of this book without spoilers, but there was too much I had to say about certain choices made by the main character. I’m not even going to write about most of the book, just the parts I really need to vent about. The first ¾ of the book was the usual combination of sexy snark that we readers have come to know from Mead, especially in this series. The Alabama twist was nice, especially with Eugenie’s comments later on that perhaps there is more truth to fairy tales than she originally thought. Admittedly, the “big bad” of the book seemed lame compared to the impending prophecy fulfillment, a villain more appropriate for earlier in a series instead of the end.
And here is where I cannot go on without spoilers. I really do try to keep spoilers out of my reviews, but I just can’t with this one. Besides, it’s the last book of the series.
HERE THERE BE SPOILERS!
It wasn’t exactly the satisfying end I’d hoped for, either. I am a big fan of Richelle Mead, after discovering her widely successful Vampire Academy series by chance in a Barnes & Noble shortly after it was published. I bought it on a whim, and absolutely loved it. Partway into that series I discovered her first series, the Georgina Kincaid books and fell in love with those too. I’d heard about her new Dark Swan series long before I read Storm Born, the first book, but I delayed on reading it because neither of her other series were finished yet and I didn’t want to be in the middle of three different series by the same author at the same time. Once the Vampire Academy series wrapped up, I read Storm Born and was pleasantly surprised by it. For some reason when I read about it, its premise didn’t sound super enthralling to me, I expected to read it and enjoy it, but for whatever reasons I didn’t expect the same connection to the series than I’d had with Mead’s others. I ended up being partially correct, this was always my least favorite of her book series, but I did enjoy the Dark Swan series more than I originally expected. At least until book 3. I came out of book 3, Iron Crowned, despising Eugenie, the main character. I didn’t wish death on her or anything, but I just couldn’t bring myself to root for her. In that book, I was very annoyed by her darting from one end of her love triangle to the other whenever she got into an argument. I had always leaned more towards Kiyo throughout the books, especially the first one. Dorian is a fantastic character, probably the best in this whole series, but it wasn’t until the last two books that he became my choice for Eugenie. I held out a bit of hope for some sort of redemption of Kiyo though, I was not with the masses of people that were enraged to hear the words “uneasy truce between [Eugenie] and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo”. There were pre-release musings on goodreads from several users hoping for Kiyo’s violent death due to his actions in Iron Crowned.
Like I said, I was kind of hoping for some small measure Kiyo redemption (like some sort of remorse on his part), but alas there was none in regards to he and Eugenie’s problems. I could not believe his revelation at the end that he wasn’t even the father of Eugenie’s twins. If she had listened to him at the end of Iron Crowned and had the babies aborted due to the risk of her son being Storm King’s human-dominating heir, then she later found out her son wouldn’t have been the firstborn grandson, AND that they weren’t Kiyo’s anyways, she probably WOULD have killed him. With her bare hands.
It was sad to see Volusian go on to the Underworld. I have liked his character throughout the whole series, and was glad to see him seem more of an ally to Eugenie for part of the book than just an unwilling slave. His threats about killing her were always somewhat humorous to me, like a sense of humor, and I was glad to see him move on a bit from that.
As far as the big paternity reveals, one felt out of nowhere and the other was out of nowhere yet fit in the story. The one that fit for me was the knowledge that Ysabel was also Storm King’s daughter, making her son Pagiel Storm King’s heir. It was previously established that Eugenie’s mother was one of many women that Storm King used in order to produce heirs, so it seemed likely that he would have more than just two children. I was almost expecting to hear of even more. Pagiel as Storm King’s heir was an interesting and clever twist, how he was fulfilling the prophecy by being a sort of Robin Hood for his kingdom. I didn’t really understand why he had to die, especially since it was unclear who killed him. If he hadn’t died, sure there would still be the prophecy to think about but then Eugenie probably would have felt better about bringing her twins to her kingdoms in the Otherworld.
I did NOT understand her logic at all at the end of the book. She just found out that her babies were not fathered by her ex-lover with whom she is not on good terms with, but the man that she would like to be with. WHY DID SHE NOT TELL HIM?!?! I understand that there’s still the prophecy to think of, that it *might* roll over from Pagiel to Isaac (Thundro ;) ) but still. She rules two kingdoms. Dorian rules one. The twins would have the protection of THREE Otherwordly kingdoms. THREE!
I guess what I’m trying to say overall is that it’s hard to feel closure in a series when I had so much emotional whiplash regarding the main character. Not to mention the fact that the author basically ends the series on a mild cliffhanger. I say mild because it seems her intention was that each reader decide for themselves what happens with Eugenie, Dorian and the twins. It definitely would have been nicer to end with some major decision. I still don’t see why she didn’t just bring them to live with her and Dorian in the Otherworld, but that’s just my opinion.
WARNING: CONTAINS SPOILERS!!! (First paragraph spoiler-free)
I really tried to write a review of this book without spoilers, but there was too much I had to say about certain choices made by the main character. I’m not even going to write about most of the book, just the parts I really need to vent about. The first ¾ of the book was the usual combination of sexy snark that we readers have come to know from Mead, especially in this series. The Alabama twist was nice, especially with Eugenie’s comments later on that perhaps there is more truth to fairy tales than she originally thought. Admittedly, the “big bad” of the book seemed lame compared to the impending prophecy fulfillment, a villain more appropriate for earlier in a series instead of the end.
And here is where I cannot go on without spoilers. I really do try to keep spoilers out of my reviews, but I just can’t with this one. Besides, it’s the last book of the series.
Spoiler
HERE THERE BE SPOILERS!
It wasn’t exactly the satisfying end I’d hoped for, either. I am a big fan of Richelle Mead, after discovering her widely successful Vampire Academy series by chance in a Barnes & Noble shortly after it was published. I bought it on a whim, and absolutely loved it. Partway into that series I discovered her first series, the Georgina Kincaid books and fell in love with those too. I’d heard about her new Dark Swan series long before I read Storm Born, the first book, but I delayed on reading it because neither of her other series were finished yet and I didn’t want to be in the middle of three different series by the same author at the same time. Once the Vampire Academy series wrapped up, I read Storm Born and was pleasantly surprised by it. For some reason when I read about it, its premise didn’t sound super enthralling to me, I expected to read it and enjoy it, but for whatever reasons I didn’t expect the same connection to the series than I’d had with Mead’s others. I ended up being partially correct, this was always my least favorite of her book series, but I did enjoy the Dark Swan series more than I originally expected. At least until book 3. I came out of book 3, Iron Crowned, despising Eugenie, the main character. I didn’t wish death on her or anything, but I just couldn’t bring myself to root for her. In that book, I was very annoyed by her darting from one end of her love triangle to the other whenever she got into an argument. I had always leaned more towards Kiyo throughout the books, especially the first one. Dorian is a fantastic character, probably the best in this whole series, but it wasn’t until the last two books that he became my choice for Eugenie. I held out a bit of hope for some sort of redemption of Kiyo though, I was not with the masses of people that were enraged to hear the words “uneasy truce between [Eugenie] and her shape shifter ex-lover Kiyo”. There were pre-release musings on goodreads from several users hoping for Kiyo’s violent death due to his actions in Iron Crowned.
Like I said, I was kind of hoping for some small measure Kiyo redemption (like some sort of remorse on his part), but alas there was none in regards to he and Eugenie’s problems. I could not believe his revelation at the end that he wasn’t even the father of Eugenie’s twins. If she had listened to him at the end of Iron Crowned and had the babies aborted due to the risk of her son being Storm King’s human-dominating heir, then she later found out her son wouldn’t have been the firstborn grandson, AND that they weren’t Kiyo’s anyways, she probably WOULD have killed him. With her bare hands.
It was sad to see Volusian go on to the Underworld. I have liked his character throughout the whole series, and was glad to see him seem more of an ally to Eugenie for part of the book than just an unwilling slave. His threats about killing her were always somewhat humorous to me, like a sense of humor, and I was glad to see him move on a bit from that.
As far as the big paternity reveals, one felt out of nowhere and the other was out of nowhere yet fit in the story. The one that fit for me was the knowledge that Ysabel was also Storm King’s daughter, making her son Pagiel Storm King’s heir. It was previously established that Eugenie’s mother was one of many women that Storm King used in order to produce heirs, so it seemed likely that he would have more than just two children. I was almost expecting to hear of even more. Pagiel as Storm King’s heir was an interesting and clever twist, how he was fulfilling the prophecy by being a sort of Robin Hood for his kingdom. I didn’t really understand why he had to die, especially since it was unclear who killed him. If he hadn’t died, sure there would still be the prophecy to think about but then Eugenie probably would have felt better about bringing her twins to her kingdoms in the Otherworld.
I did NOT understand her logic at all at the end of the book. She just found out that her babies were not fathered by her ex-lover with whom she is not on good terms with, but the man that she would like to be with. WHY DID SHE NOT TELL HIM?!?! I understand that there’s still the prophecy to think of, that it *might* roll over from Pagiel to Isaac (Thundro ;) ) but still. She rules two kingdoms. Dorian rules one. The twins would have the protection of THREE Otherwordly kingdoms. THREE!
I guess what I’m trying to say overall is that it’s hard to feel closure in a series when I had so much emotional whiplash regarding the main character. Not to mention the fact that the author basically ends the series on a mild cliffhanger. I say mild because it seems her intention was that each reader decide for themselves what happens with Eugenie, Dorian and the twins. It definitely would have been nicer to end with some major decision. I still don’t see why she didn’t just bring them to live with her and Dorian in the Otherworld, but that’s just my opinion.
camibookish's review against another edition
3.0
I've seen better from Richelle Mead, still the series was good enough for me to finish them and enjoy, I didn't like the romance, the guys didn't charmed me at all, but the storyline was somewhat intriguing enough for me to like the books a bit.
bewitched_bibliophile's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jessicaalexander95's review against another edition
2.0
This series was atmoshepric and dark. Loved it and hated it with a passion. Especially the ending which was equal parts frustrating and perfect it gave me the crazy reading itch. The characters are horrible and I love it. It broke my heart that she didn’t tell Dorian who would have been a great dad
SCREAAAAMMSSS
SCREAAAAMMSSS
jesslynh's review against another edition
1.0
Ugh, ugh and triple ugh. Eugenie has to be the most selfish, self-centered protagonist that I've ever come across. The book was rolling along at a decent 2.5 stars until the end with the choices that were made.
For elaboration on all comments, see my review of the previous book in the series. I will NOT be moving on if this series continues.
For elaboration on all comments, see my review of the previous book in the series. I will NOT be moving on if this series continues.